Gender equity in Samoan laws, progress vs contradiction.

Abstract

National laws in Samoa have potentially supported abused women in seeking legal redress. Concerted efforts to remove direct gender discrimination from Samoan domestic laws has led to the development of laws including the Family Safety Act (2013) to protect women, children and our vulnerable communities from gender based violence (GBV) and sexual crimes. The subsequent development of legal frameworks to protect women against violence is a progressive step but the enforcement of new laws and law reform has been slow and warrants further attention. Whilst the inclusion of our fa'afafine (gay), fa’afatama (lesbian) and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex (LGBTQI) communities are largely underrepresented in this dialogue, this research paper briefly captures and reviews the background to gender equity codification in Samoan laws. It explores the equitable provisions in law and questions whether subsequent law reforms have led to progress or prevailing contradictions.