Gender Equity and Maternal and Child Health in Samoa

Situation
Samoa, or Western Samoa as it was known until 1997, was under the rule of Western powers until 1962. Thus, the nation was severely underdeveloped. Upon independence, a few organizations, the National Council of Women in particular, immediately began widespread development programs. The National Council of Women was founded in 1888 in Washington, D.C. and had regional offices all over the world that focused on protecting and supporting women, philanthropy and the promotion of international peace.

What We Did

Fetaui Mata'afa, wife of Samoa’s first Prime Minister, led the Samoan National Council of Women. In partnership with FSP/Counterpart International, grants were obtained to sustain the activities of the council. Some of these activities included village gardens, maternal and child health programs, awareness programs at the community centers, aiding local schools and opened a central fruit cannery. Together these programs made a positive impact on the local women and children, and the community as a whole.

Impacts
With little prior knowledge and education on maternal health, the Samoans responded well to the programs that worked alongside mothers and small children to teach nutrition, hygiene and sanitation. FSP/Counterpart initiated several community-wide activities at various community centers to address the importance of education and nutrition. The fruit cannery was the first of its kind in Samoa and served as a model for future canneries around the nation.