The Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) is making a positive head start into the new year in its work to eliminate violence against women and girls.

The non-profit organisation recorded progress being made by eight communities following visits last week. The visit formed part of the monitoring and evaluation component of various activities implemented by the S.V.S.G. over the last six months with the Samoa Government’s financing assistance.

The communities that were visited included four villages, two untitled men’s groups (aumaga) and two church youth groups, according to a media release issued by the S.V.S.G. on Saturday.

Village council representatives from Vailuutai, Fusi Safata, Saleapaga and Lalomauga were able to note small changes being observed in the attitudes and mentality of the villagers towards safer families and communities – between July to December 2022 after the formulation of Community Guides.

The most notable changes observed by all of the four village councils was the quiet Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations which were enjoyed by families without the impact of alcohol. According to S.V.S.G. casework statistics covering January to December 2022, alcohol accounted for 45 per cent of gender-based violence cases that were reported to the organisation for assistance.

For the untitled men’s groups of Pata Falelatai and Gagaifolevao, the income generation activities taken up by both groups with funding support from the project, improved the social engagement and self-esteem of the aumaga in each groups.  There is now income to help the aumaga with their responsibilities to the village, church and families without the financial distress of putting in contributions as individuals.

The same was noted during interviews with members of the Tuanai Methodist Youth Group and the Falevao CCCS Youth Group, who implemented similar activities. While the Tuanai youths are now increasing their savings from the sales of pies and cakes on Sunday evenings, the Falevao youth have engaged more with other youth groups during the festive season, using the sporting facility and equipment acquired under the project.

The S.V.S.G. President Siliniu Lina Chang said in the statement that the nature of their work requires her staff to be on alert 24 hours a day.

"However, there is always a renewed hope and strength that comes with the beginning of every year," Siliniu added. 

"As such, the eight communities visited this week and the progress they have made towards eliminating violence against women and girls, is a welcoming start for S.V.S.G. in 2023.”