For four months, the Media and Journalism students at the National University of Samoa, in partnership with U.N.E.S.C.O were hard at work to put together awareness materials, as part of their campaign to end school related gender-based violence.

The students celebrated the end of the campaign last Friday, with the launch of two short television documentaries as well as posters and other awareness materials, as their contribution to finding a solution to this ongoing problem.

The goal was to push and raise awareness among students to end gender-based violence in schools.

Two training seminars were also implemented by U.N.E.S.C.O, to build the capacity of the journalism students and selected N.U.S students to recognise gender-based violence and engage with each other to find a solution.

Vice Chancellor of the National University of Samoa, Professor Fui Asofou So’o acknowledged the efforts of the students, to produce a documentary that would seek to find solutions to the issue. 

Media and journalism lecturer, Joshua Lafoai, who mentored and guided students during the process said the documentaries were not just for on campus N.U.S students but will hopefully be used widely to raise awareness of the issue. 

 “Gender-based violence isn’t limited to N.U.S or the colleges. It happens everywhere and there’s a need to educate youth on lending a hand,” he said.

“We hope the campaign and the results will inspire students to seek solution, and to ask themselves if they are part of the problem,” Joshua added. 

Joshua acknowledged the support of U.N.E.S.C.O. 

“We are thankful towards U.N.E.S.C.O as they were knowledge providers in working together in making two incredible pieces,” says Mr. Lafoai.

 Media and Journalism student, Solonaima Uelese, believes that with the documentaries, students will be able to understand, believe and be a part of the solution.

“We think that the documentaries were a success and hopefully the youth can lend a hand in helping end gender-based violence,” says Solonaima.

The Media and Journalism program paid tribute to U.N.E.S.C.O, for the financial and technical assistance which made the four-month campaign possible.