Showing Solidarity With All Women Despite Our Challenges

Written by:  Karallyn Fitisone
In American Samoa, several women have celebrated and posted to social media about International Women’s Day and Month. Throughout the Rural Grant Project we bring awareness to gender-based violence particularly that which is against our fa’afafine community. We have gathered insight about their experiences of violence and experiences of accessing services with the ultimate hope to create awareness and advocacy for our fa’afafine that might in turn decrease discrepancies or barriers to care for fa’afafine. We recognize and understand that there are still areas for improvement to cater to the needs of women and fa’afafine on island but are hopeful that through projects such as these, we can continue to have important conversations that can lead to positive change and more equity and inclusion for ALL Women (including our fa’afafine sisters). Follow along to the Alliance Social Media Pages or on the Alliance website to keep updated on Rural Project progress. As we continue to celebrate women this month, may we also honor our fa’afafine sisters!

Sources : https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/01/04/fight-womens-rights-fight-against-authoritarianism

• https://www.dw.com/en/international-womens-day-a-fight-for-freedom/a-64920145
• https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/07/gender-where-feminist-movements-and-lgbti-movements-meet/
• https://www.aclu.org/news/womens-rights/how-womens-rights-paved-the-way-for-gender-justice-at-the-acl u For More Information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PzWnljCpL0 , https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/womens-history-month, https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/2023-theme/