University joins International Women's Day celebration

By Marc Membrere 07 March 2020, 3:00PM

The celebration of International Women's Day was not restricted to Government-organised activities on Friday.

At the National University of Samoa, an event coordinated by the University's Peer group, led by its President, Reupena Foliga, honoured the international celebration geared towards recognising the role of women in the development and in leading the community.

Held at the University's Aoa Conference room, the event was attended by Saui'a Dr. Louise Mataia-Milo, Dean of the Faculty of Art, peer group members and students of the National University of Samoa. Dr. Mataia-Milo spoke about the importance of the commemoration.

She said there is a need to have "more times where we stop and reflect about the importance of being a woman and about the battles that we go through each day, not only as individuals but as women ourselves."

Mr. Foliga said the purpose of the event was to remind women about the need to celebrate themselves and the work they do.

"We also put an emphasis on this special day because some people tend to forget the importance of women in societies and the peers initiative group set up this event to remind them of the importance of women here in Samoa and around the world," he said.

"So the activities of today was separated into two parts. First part was specifically for formal sessions alone which are all the presentations and speeches from the lecturers and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts. The second part is our fun games and a quick tour around the booths prepared by members of the peer group."


During an interview with the Samoa Observer, Dr. Mataia-Milo highlighted the importance of women leadership.

"They have always been leaders in very different ways. My advice for this generation of N.U.S/ students that we have here is don't be afraid, do not fear what others have feared.

"Learn from other people's mistakes, learn from what has happened to our women and be empowered in the knowledge that there are many other people here who will step forward to help them achieve their goal. Also to be part of the solution and contribute to your countries development because that is all we can ask," she said.

"Leadership starts from the nest, it starts from the family and with the family you take it to the world. There is no need to preach about women's leadership out there in the international arena when you can't be real leaders as everyday people."


By Marc Membrere 07 March 2020, 3:00PM

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