Transcript
Pacific women's rights advocates this week claimed women are still shut out of the decision-making process when it comes to disaster management.
They said while women are often the first responders, they are not included in official strategies.
But Tolofuaivalelei, a former speaker and minister for women in Samoa, denies this is the case.
"I don't agree. I know they have the opportunity. They are given a level-playing field for them to promote their interests. There has been this political will from the government to ensure women have equal rights with men in the decision process. But I think they don't have the interest."
Presley Tari of the Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office, or NDMO, agrees with Tolofuaivalelei.
Mr Tari says women in Vanuatu do influence disaster management policy.
"In Vanuatu we have the UN system which we call the cluster system where decisions are made by the women especially during the disaster operations or emergencies. I can say we have equal rights for the women during these operations. It's 50-50."
Mr Tari points to the example of Alice Natou, one of two women recently recognised by the Vanuatu government for their contributions to the disaster-management operations which he says she headed.
Ivy Hou of the Pacific Community in Solomon Islands says local women face many challenges.
"I think it is because of our culture too. Sometimes we see men as the leaders and it falls back on us as we need to speak out. We just need to be empowered. I think women need to be empowered so that they can get themselves out there and say something."
Tolofuaivalelei praises the contributions of Samoan women at home and on the international stage.
Yet he says they need to respect the rights of others while advocating their own.
"I know in my village, the women are slack and they are called in by the chiefs. You have to do your work. You can't just sit there while you are appointed by the government. You represent all the women in the village community and you seem to ignore the significance of your calling."
Tolofuaivalelei has called on Samoan women to continue to advocate for human rights, the rights of the child and for women.
