Torch's message spreads to Savaii

By Marc Membrere 05 December 2021, 8:00PM

The Spotlight Torch, a central part of the Government’s anti-domestic violence campaign, has continued its symbolic journey into Savaii to promote community leadership in preventing violence. 

The Orange Samoa Spotlight Torch of Hope campaign was launched last month to mark the beginning of the country’s observance of the 16 Days of Activism campaign.

The torch will travel around the country until 10 December. 

Led by the Ministry of Women Community and Social Development and partners, the flames of the torch symbolise the spread of the message of violence prevention across Samoa. 

The torch is currently travelling in Savaii and will then make its way to Upolu in the near future. 

The campaign began with the country’s participation in the 16 days of Activism.

In a social media statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (M.W.C.S.D), said the torch had travelled through the village of Auala.

“The Village of Auala demonstrated the true spirit and tenacity of Samoan women with their singing and cheering as the Torch reached their village,” the Facebook post reads. 

“There was no need for modern speakers or amplifiers, just the beating sounds of biscuit tins and the enticing chants of village songs echoing across the Asau Bay.

“Engaging rural communities in the 16 Days of Activism through the Orange Samoa Spotlight Torch campaign is one of the key objectives of the M.W.C.S.D. and [police services] and more importantly, highlighting key prevention messages that are the basis of the [national violence prevention policy].”

Part of the Spotlight Torch’s planned route was the selection of the village of Tufutafoe as one of the pilot villages in revamping the Law and Justice Sector Programme funded by the United Nations Development Programme (U.N.D.P).

“The Orange Samoa-Spotlight Torch of Hope joined this community initiative and aligned efforts by [Government Ministries] together with the community development sector and law and justice Sector partners and stakeholders in government and civil society,” the M.W.C.S.D Facebook post reads.

“The day enabled [consultations] on prevention and service provision [and] the role the multiple partners play in promoting prevention initiatives and quality services that are survivor-centered and relevant to the Samoan legal and social context.

“The ultimate goal is the shift of harmful social norms that perpetuates violence and the imbalance of power dynamics at all levels in families, communities, villages, and national level institutions.”

 

By Marc Membrere 05 December 2021, 8:00PM
Samoa Observer

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