Twenty women will now be able to access $25,000 as part of a seed grant to start their own businesses. The Nofotane Business Start-Up Project, backed by the British High Commission, was launched on Thursday.

Deputy High Commissioner Daniel Garlick said the project aims to partner with the Samoa Victim Support Group to supply materials and resources.

He said the support will help families earn income and strengthen village sustainability.

“It not only covers eradicating gender violence but also helps economic growth and economic empowerment of women and girls in the village,” Garlick said. “By supporting this project, we're improving economic empowerment. It helps to end violence against women and girls and helps women and girls to get access to health and education.”

Garlick said the UK Foreign Secretary launched the All In initiative on 2 December, a global effort to end violence against women and girls. The initiative focuses on sharing, learning, and best practices.

He said violence against women and girls remains central to global peace and security efforts. While Samoa is relatively peaceful, he noted conflicts still occur in some villages, making women’s involvement essential.

He closed by recalling Her Majesty the Queen’s praise for SVSG’s work with victims of abuse. Garlick said the new project marks the next step in strengthening the partnership to help end gender-based violence in Samoa.

SVSG board member Lefaoalii Unutoa Auelua-Fonoti said the support will help strengthen the Nofotane program. 

“We're looking forward to utilising the resources and the financial support that you've donated. Nua (Executive member of Nofotane SVSG) is here; she's one of the success stories of the Nofotane project," she said.

The project will provide up to $25,000 to 20 Nofotane SVSG women in Upolu and Savai‘i. The funding will help them create items to sell and earn income for their homes. 

Empowering Nofotane women to earn income has been a project that looks at their vulnerability to financial dependence, which often prevents victims of gender-based violence from leaving dangerous relationships.