The Lens of Gender Equality in American Samoa

 Written by: Jennifer Tofaeono, Ex Director
      In November 2022, the American Samoa House of Representatives general election results found all seventeen (17) district seats were won by male(s) resulting in zero female representation in the Fono.  Women continue to be a distinct minority in politics.  The largely underrepresentation of women in the Fono changes the optics of forward movement in American Samoa.  In 1848 the women’s rights movement brought to light the low situation of women, and their absence of freedom. 175 years later, and women continue to have limited access to political, educational, corporate, and other important spaces.  
        March is Gender Equality Moth dedicated to celebrating the social, political, cultural and academic achievements of women in the world. Gender Equality Month raises awareness against gender bias that continues to happen in our current society. This year the theme is “DigitALL:  Innovation and technology for gender equality”. Women and other marginalized groups are excluded from the digital world, which needs change. Evidence shows women are being left behind from access to technology, and development of digital skills.  An increase in transformative technology and digital education is necessary to allow for inclusion.  When there is better representation, we can bring women’s voices to the forefront, and have our issues fairly recognized.           
        Our community must be prepared to make changes to help increase women’s voices in political spaces, corporation spaces, and community spaces. The community must learn more about gender stereotypes and lead the discussions in their family.  Focused discussions on the underrepresentation of women in the government, commerce, as well as the positive impact of addressing the gender gap is necessary.  Communities can speak out about gender-based violence, and address how two in three Samoan women are physically, or sexually abused in their lifetime by a spouse, partner or relative.  Check your bias, by realizing we all have internalized cultural biases of gender, and race that affects how we engage with one another.  Advocate for equity, and lastly ask for better. When we ask for better, we do better.  What a wonderful world it would be.