The Afega Women's Committee concluded a year’s worth of hard work with a celebration on Saturday at Le Manumea Hotel.

The Committee was treated to a performance from, Uava Vevesi Tovi’o, better known as “Stock” which led to singing and dancing from among members. Committee member, Simea Fata Meafou, said the event served to conclude all activities for the year 2020.

“As you know, with any village in Samoa, it’s a usual thing to have monthly meetings among the village chiefs or councils even women’s committees,” she told the Samoa Observer.

“For the activities this year, we had inspections of crops developments within families.

“We were also involved in a Committee of fine mats weaver and we had 19 fine mats for this year while awaiting two more, we did very well this year." 

The Committee has more than 30 members.

Mrs. Meafou also shared that their celebrations this year are special because they did not hold any last year due to the measles epidemic.

“We also conducted root crop and vegetable inspections to help families support themselves," she said. 

“One of the most important initiatives we have spearheading is discussing ways to eliminate violence within families. I know that some women can come with smiling faces but we do not know their realities in terms of some might be facing abuse, so we prioritise addressing such issues and discussing ways to stop it.”

She said they also try to develop skills and talents among women, such as fine mat weaving.

“We also try and contact our partners overseas for market options to help these women," she said. 

“This is the whole purpose of a communal group to come together; it is so they can help each other likewise with the threat of COVID-19.

“We also advocate for good hygiene practices among our members in compliance with the preventative measures issued by the Ministry of Health amidst COVID-19.”