Samoa has seven women members of Parliament. Photo: Parliament of Samoa
A woman member of parliament (MP) in Samoa, Ali'imalemanu Alofa Tuuau, has expressed concern about a parliamentary committee has recommended to eliminate the 10 percent quota provision of women MPs.
According to Samoa's Constitution, article 44 subsection 1(A) women MPs seats in Parliament.
However, the Commission of Inquiry in the 2021 general election recommended revisiting this clause because it was a key factor in the three-month-long political crisis.
In Parliament on Wednesday, Deputy Speaker and chairman of the committee Au'apaau Mulipola Aloitafua noted that their committee had denied the majority of the recommendations by the Commission.
Auapa'au said they upheld just 12 of the 57 recommendations made.
According to Auapa'au, they took account of public submissions during the hearings, in which most did not support the 10 percent quota, though Ali'imalemanu disputed this, saying very few of the submissions even touched on the quota.
Ali'imalemanu told parliament the Commission had also not recommended removing the quota but suggested revisiting options.
She said the Commissioner had factored in the importance of having women MPs and that this provision has placed Samoa as one of the unique Parliaments in the world.
Samoa Parliament in session. October 2023. Photo: Parliament of Samoa
Ali'imalemanu said India's Parliament had followed Samoa's example, allowing for a quota of 30 percent of seats for women MPs, and had cited Samoa in the establishment of its law.
She pointed to the Commission's report noting 398 people made submissions regarding the women's seat issue, and the number only represents 0.19 percent of the country's population.
According to Ali'imalemanu, from that number, only 240 people, or 0.12 percent, did not support the women quota.
She put it to the Parliament; the Committee is considering the decision by 0.12 percent of Samoa's population.
Ali'imalemanu said she was shocked the Commission did not say to eliminate this provision, yet it was apparent this decision came from within Parliament.
She acknowledged the HRPP deputy leader Fonotoe Lauofo Pierre, who rejected the recommendation.
Ali'imalemanu said it was ironic that parliamentary members said they support women in Parliament during their speeches, however, she claimed that it was not the case.
She said those MPs "should have just come out and said that women are not needed in Parliament".
Samoa Parliament Photo: RNZ Pacific
