After weeks and months of preparations, the singing and the worship started this morning in all churches around Samoa followed by skits to mark the celebrations of Mother’s Day.

On the way to church this morning, one would have noticed the women and the children with their fathers not far behind, all dressed in their best attire and heading to church to attend the special service dedicated to all mothers.

It was a nice gesture to dedicate a Sunday to remember and celebrate the contributions of mothers and the country has been doing it for the last two decades, according to the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development.

The Ministry said on Monday that the presence of mothers has given the country the “benefits of conscious leadership”, which is why the M.W.C.S.D. settled on that phrase as the theme for this year’s celebration.

"Mothers have distinguished themselves for their services in different parts of the country such as in churches, families, and communities, especially in our Government," the Ministry said in a statement. 

"This year marks the 60th anniversary of the independence of the Government of Samoa from colonial rule. It is no doubt that women have been one of the strong pillars behind this success.

"This is further enhanced by Samoa electing its first female Prime Minister, Honourable Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, who is also the first female leader of the Pacific."

But we can go further than that and point out that it is not only in churches, families, communities, and the Government where mothers are excelling. They are also saving the lives of the people, they are restoring sight for those who cannot see and played pivotal roles, as mothers and female warriors in the pre-independence Mau Movement. 

“There were mothers and they named themselves the 'Mau Women's [Committee], they were known as female warriors because they played a very good part in the history of Samoa," said Sharon Arona, the Principal Museum Officer for the Ministry of Education, Sports, Culture.

"So, while many of the men were busy finding ways and in meetings, the Mau women were always there cooking and providing meals of the day, every day. 

"The act of a mother and a wife that is never once forgotten. They also fought in the protest and were always active in looking after the men.

"Until the imprisonment of the Mau men in Vaimea Prison in the mid-1900s, they were always at home being mothers and were still in the middle of the plans.

"Now that Mother’s Day is near we shall commemorate and salute the mothers, wives, and female warriors that fought for independence."

From mothers running the family’s affairs at home, to nurturing and moulding the next generation of leaders, and supporting the Mau Movement by working behind the scenes, we can see where all those life experiences over the years led to the sprouting of ‘conscious leadership’, which above all else put aiga (family) and the nation first and foremost above all else. Our mothers have always known when to make the ultimate sacrifice for the good of the wider community.

It is no wonder that Samoa and its population of over 200,000 – like other vulnerable small Small Island States – continue to be praised for being resilient in the face of adversity by the global community. We owe it to our mothers for preparing us to take on multiple challenges in life, no matter how insurmountable they may appear. 

However, all is not well in our communities and our fale, with reports of mothers continuing to be subject to the worst form of treatment of their husbands or partners as well as the children at the hands of mothers. Violence against women and girls, which also include mothers is among some of the highest in the world.

"The increase in violence against women is still recorded at a high of 60 percent in the Family Safety Survey (2017),” said the Ministry. “In addition, the same study also recorded the high level of violence that mothers do to their children at 31 percent.”

The marking of Mother’s Day this Sunday is an opportunity for self-reflection on the contribution of our mothers to nation-building and our obligation to them to give them that respect in remembrance of all that they’ve done for us as a community and a nation. Nonetheless, we take this opportunity to wish all our mothers a Happy Mother’s Day celebration to you all and your families.