The Samoan National Council of Women Inc. joined independence day celebrations at Mulinu'u.

The council had women representatives from both Upolu and Savai'i join the celebrations with Savai'i representative Saniao Gafokaisa saying women also played a role in Samoa's pre-independence days.

“We women play a very important role in our communities. 

Back then, the women were not only the advisers but also they were the number one supporters of men in our communities. 

They were the ray of hope and an inspiration of strength to fight for independence," she said. 

Mrs. Gafokaisa said it is important for all Samoans to participate in the Independence Day celebrations, and indicated that in Savai'i a lot of women realise the importance of the day, especially the elderly. 

"We always love hearing stories from the old people, and as always this day is what we explain one in a million as we can experience more than one thing from it, thanks to our ancestors," she said.

Speaking of the National Council of Women Inc., she said it is going strong and is a dream come true for them. 

"It was our goal in the first place so we're very proud and so today is all about celebrating Independence Day and living the success our ancestors have won for our children," she said.

A 65-year-old Upolu resident, who didn't want to identify herself, said her vision for Independence Day was a day for women to celebrate the success of Samoa from 1962.

The National Council of Women Inc. is currently chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and was established in 1953 to unite women of Samoa to acknowledge the importance of women's responsibilities in Samoan communities.