It is no secret that people living with disabilities in Samoa have been the subject of stigma and discrimination for the most part of their lives for many years. Looked down upon and often subject to abuse, or simply ignored by those in positions of power and authority, the torment has become a vicious cycle for many families that take on the responsibilities of providing specialist care for their loved ones.

However, the findings of a joint UN Women and UNDP project have added another twist to this sad state of affairs. Women with disabilities experience more stigma and discrimination compared to their male peers, according to the joint project’s findings

An article (Women with disabilities experience more discrimination) in yesterday’s edition of the Samoa Observer quoted Samoa's UN Women Country Programme Coordinator, Mele Mauala. She said the joint project found that in comparison to men with disabilities in Samoa, "women with disabilities are twice less likely to be employed and are at greater risk of suffering gender-based and sexual violence".

"They encounter intersecting and multiple forms of discrimination arising from gender and disability, to age, economic status, religion, indigenous identity, and race, among others," Ms. Mauala said in her post on her social media page. "These conditions further catalyse their exclusive. The impact of stigma and discrimination on people with disabilities – especially women – has long been recognised."

It is tragic hearing these details from a UN agency that has done a lot of work in this space in Samoa over the years. But why is there discrimination arising from gender and disability, to age, economic status, religion, indigenous identity, and race?

It is incredulous that women living with disabilities continue to be victims of stigma and discrimination in a country where Christianity has become the predominant religion of choice. The Christian ethos is built around the foundations of kindness, mercy and compassion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. But where is the kindness, where is the mercy, and where is the compassion towards people living with disabilities when it comes to living fully the life of a Christian?

Looking at the challenges which women with disabilities continue to face in the Samoan community, perhaps, the fact that Samoa ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2016 remains unknown to many. 

It has been seven years since the country ratified and signed the CRPD but how much awareness has the relevant authorities such as the Ministry of Women, Community, and Social Development (MWCSD) and the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture (MESC) done in the community and in our schools on the finer details of the treaty? 

The findings of the joint UN Women and UNDP project confirm that there are issues and the fact that women with disabilities experience more stigma and discrimination compared to their male peers is even more damning of the society that we live in today.

So what should be done to address this injustice happening in our villages and communities? Ms. Mauala said a lack of data on the stigma and discrimination experienced by women with disabilities in Samoa has become an obstacle to really understanding the issue.

"Yet, we still lack good data, partly because we have not yet developed robust and internationally-recognised tools to understand disability stigma experienced in different areas of life, opportunities and its impact on wellbeing."

We agree with the UN Women's Country Programme Coordinator that Samoa is in need of a rigorous data collection process – to be able to put itself in a position to address societal challenges such as stigma and discrimination against women living with disabilities. Without the data as well as research and analysis of this issue, the various stakeholders working in this space in both the government and non-government organisation sectors are unable to formulate policies and interventions to address these human rights abuses. 

Perhaps, with the recent passing of the Government’s 2023/2024 Budget, the MWCSD might want to consider allocating funding for the engagement of an organisation to undertake surveys in the community as part of a data collection process focused on women living with disabilities.

At the end of the day, the challenges of discrimination and stigma facing women living with disabilities (as well as men living with disabilities generally) are unlikely to be addressed, if the local authorities don’t have a sense of appreciation for data that will lead to the formulation of interventions to address these challenges.