Samoa Registers first-ever National Side-Event at CSW70: “Resilient Spirit – Portraits of Samoan Women Warriors”
2026-02-11 - 20:39
12 February 2026, New York, Press Release. Samoa is once again making waves at International events with its participation at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) by registering a landmark Side-Event in New York. This was confirmed this week in Fiji, where Samoa continues to demonstrate strong regional and global leadership at the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Week. Samoa is represented at the GESI forum by a unified national delegation that reflects Samoa’s whole-of-government and civil society commitment to advancing gender equality and disability inclusion. GESI Week at PIFS, Nadi, Feb 2026. Samoa’s delegation is led by His Excellency Aliioaiga Feturi Elisaia – Samoa’s High Commissioner to Fiji. Team Samoa in Nadi this week also includes Aufai Alan Aiolupotea – ACEO of the Governance Division (MWCSD); Faagutu Samuelu Vaalotu – ACEO of MJCA; Marissa Toomata of MFAT; and a representative from Nuanua o le Alofa (NOLA) Day Two discussions focused on the impact on communities, with a focus on Monitoring and Evaluation tools. “The session looked at strengthening the existing Pacific Regional GESI Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (MERL) Plan and aligning it with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent MEL Framework. “This reinforces accountability, ensuring quality regional data systems, and alignment to collective action..” “Importantly at this session, Samoa formally submitted its national inputs into the CSW70 Zero Draft, ensuring Pacific perspectives — grounded in faith, culture, and community leadership — are reflected in global negotiations. As preparations advance for CSW70 held in New York in March 2026, Samoa has registered its first-ever national side event: “Resilient Spirit: Portraits of Samoan Women Warriors.” The event will commemorate 30 years since Samoa signed the Beijing Platform for Action and highlight how Samoan women lead across families, villages, churches, Parliament, justice institutions, and civil society — demonstrating that culture and equality go hand in hand. Through decisive regional engagement and global contribution, Samoa reaffirms its commitment to ensuring Pacific voices remain strong, unified, and visible on the world stage. Samoa’s leading provider of ICT Solutions. About CSW70 The seventieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place from 9 to 19 March 2026. The priority theme of the session will be: Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, and addressing structural barriers. The review theme will be: Women’s full and effective participation and decision making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls (agreed conclusions of the sixty-fifth session). Chinese New Year at Taumeasina Island Resort 17 February 2026