The YWCA of Samoa has been dormant for the past few years but a new partnership with the YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand, funded by the World YWCA, is seeking to revitalise the organisation and give young women opportunities to lead and address issues throughout Samoa.

Over the past week a series of 3 workshops were held in Apia with existing members of the YWCA Samoa, young women from around Upolu, and a mentoring team from the YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand.   The workshops were led by the team from YWCA New Zealand with Maiava V. Peteru, the current President of the YWCA of Samoa.

The 3 workshops identified relevant issues for young women in Samoa; current challenges they are facing, leadership skills and governance.  A group of 30 women attended over the three days and held open and frank discussions about negative issues for women in Samoa and particularly young women.

Participants at the YWCA Samoa & YWCA A/NZ Leadership Workshop – Apia, May 2013

The “wiser women” attending, those over the age of 30, encouraged and supported the young women to have their say and speak up.  “We had an inspirational group of young women, along with some of our longstanding board members, who committed to joining together to create a voice for young women.”  said Maiava Peteru, President, YWCA Samoa.  “We hope all women who want to nurture and empower the next generation of women will come along and be a part of what we’re doing and support the basic human right of equality for all people.”

YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand President, Sina Wendt Moore says; “This diverse group of women brought so much to these fono, and they all said how important an organisation to support young women is.  We are proud to be here helping YWCA Samoa re-emerge in the 21^st century.”

The final outcome was to see two young women selected to represent YWCA Samoa at an upcoming YWCA Asia/Pacific training summit in Bangkok later in May.  From there the next meeting of the YWCA Samoa will be in June where all women are welcome.

For further information about the YWCA of Samoa, please contact:

Maiava V. Peteru

President YWCA of Samoa

maiavalaw@gmail.com

or

Sina Wendt Moore

President YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand

sina.moore@gmail.com

www.ywca.org.nz

For further details about this press release, please contact:

Hilary Sumpter
Hilary.sumpter@gmail.com

+64 27 216 3123