Samoa has taken its village-based approach to justice for women and girls to the global stage, outlining how community leadership, national legislation and local investment are shaping support systems across the country.
The Pacific nation presented its approach during the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where more than 50 countries shared national experiences on improving access to justice for women and girls.
Samoa used the forum to highlight how justice systems extend beyond formal courts and government institutions into villages and communities where decisions affecting families are often made.
Associate Minister for Women, Community and Social Development, Tilafono David Hunter, addressed the Ministerial Roundtable on "Access to Justice for All Women and Girls: Enablers and Barriers", outlining Samoa's community-centred model.
Mr Hunter said Samoa's approach recognises the importance of ensuring justice systems are accessible within everyday community settings.
"Samoa recognises that justice must not only exist within courts and national institutions, but must also be accessible within the villages and communities where women live and where decisions affecting families are made," he said.
The approach combines national legislation, traditional leadership and community governance structures to strengthen support and protection for women and girls.
A key legal framework supporting this work is the Family Safety Act 2013, which provides protection orders and coordinated responses from police, courts and social services for survivors of domestic violence.
The District Development Program allocates funding directly to districts to support locally identified priorities.
Through this program, 20 per cent of district development funding is dedicated to Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion initiatives.
This represents approximately 10.2 million Tala annually for community-led initiatives supporting violence prevention, inclusive participation and safer communities.
Another central initiative is the Village Representatives Program, where each village has both a female and male representative who serve as trusted links between communities and government services.
These representatives assist families in accessing legal awareness programs, support services and other government assistance.
Collaboration between village councils, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and community advocates also strengthens prevention and response efforts.
These partnerships extend services beyond formal institutions by providing legal awareness initiatives, legal aid support and psychosocial services for survivors of violence.
Specialised services are also provided for minors, children and people living with disabilities.
Mr Hunter said these combined initiatives are helping strengthen a whole-of-society response to preventing violence and improving access to justice.
"Through strengthened legal frameworks, sustained district-level investment, collaboration with traditional leaders and civil society, and expanded legal awareness in communities, Samoa continues to advance a justice system where no woman or girl is left behind," he said.
Samoa's participation at the United Nations forum also included the delivery of the country's official statement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Molioo.
Her address focused on justice, inclusive governance and stronger protections for women, children and families.
"Around the world today, millions of women and girls still ask a simple question: Will justice reach me?" she said.
"Justice must not exist only in law. It must be visible in our communities, supported by policy, and strengthened through deliberate national action."
Ms Molioo said Samoa's development approach aims to ensure national policies translate into real improvements in villages and households.
The program also allocates 20 per cent of its 51 million Tala district development fund to gender equality, disability and social inclusion initiatives, supporting projects that ensure women, youth, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are included in development decision-making across Samoa's districts.
Community-based responses remain central to the implementation of this framework, with village representatives working directly with families to connect individuals to support services.
Investment in children and families also forms part of Samoa's broader approach to strengthening social wellbeing.
More than 60 per cent of Samoa's population is aged under 35, placing strong emphasis on early childhood development initiatives.
Research indicating that around 80 per cent of brain development occurs before the age of five has shaped the country's approach to supporting families during the earliest years of life.
In 2025 the country hosted the Pacific Early Childhood Development Forum, bringing together Pacific leaders to strengthen collaboration and investment in children's wellbeing across the region.
Ms Molioo said Samoa's message to the international community is that meaningful progress occurs when policies translate into practical changes within communities.
"Justice for women and girls cannot remain words in our declarations," she said.
"It must be felt in every home, seen in every woman, and lived by every girl."
Samoa's delegation to CSW70 includes government officials, civil society representatives and youth leaders participating in bilateral meetings, high-level dialogues and national events throughout the forum.
The delegation is also hosting a national side event, "Sailigamalo a Tina ma Tamaitai o Samoa - Resilient Spirit", highlighting the experiences and leadership of Samoan women.
