“Equal opportunities are not enough to achieve true inclusion” – Siliniu Lina Chang

Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) had joined the global commemoration celebration of the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2023 with the theme: Embrace Equity.

The global campaign seeks to draw attention to the fact that equal opportunities are not enough to achieve true inclusion and belonging. As such, SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang has made a call to action, to embrace equity in all its forms.

A call from Siliniu as she embraces the girl survivors of violence, sums up SVSG’s action for this year’s celebration.

“As a family, let us #EmbraceEquity in all its forms, as equal opportunities are not enough to achieve true inclusion.”

The rehabilitative women offenders of violence, looking towards the horizon as they #EmbraceEquity with the Women Counsellors who have helped them with their recovery journey.

The inclusion of people with disabilities not only as the beneficiaries of SVSG’s support services but also SVSG personnel, is how we truly #EmbraceEquity

The self-employed nofotane women, who have been empowered to embrace the work of their hands are also acknowledged today with pride.

This is becauses the nofotane women survivors of violence’s journey is similar to that of the 45 year old mother of 2 children, currently cared for at the Sakura Domestic Violence shelter.

But forging gender equity isn’t limited to women solely fighting the good fight. Allies are incredibly important for the social, economic, cultural and political advancement of women.

In celebration of IWD at the Campus of Hope earlier this week, H.E Mr. Chao Xiaoliang Ambassador of China to Samoa officially opened the teaching of the Chineses Language as part of the sheltered children’s educational rehabilitation program, under the coordination of the Confucius Institute.