Pioneer for Women in Leadership in Samoa and Across the Pacific Celebrates 64th Birthday
Fast Party Leader and Afioga Sa’o Faapito Fiame Naomi Mata’afa celebrates her 64th birthday today.
Honorable Fiame Naomi Mataafa is a pioneer for women in leadership, both in Samoa and across the Pacific. In Parliament for over 36 years, she was the first woman to become a Cabinet Minister, holding the Minister of Education portfolio for 15 years from 1991 to 2006. She has also held the positions of Minister for Women, Community and Social Development, Minister of Justice and Courts Administration and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.
In all of these roles, Fiame was appointed to Chair various advisory boards and high level working committees alongside other regional and international leaders.
In Samoa, Hon Fiame Chairs the Samoa National Council of Women advocating for the advancement of womens participation in leadership and decision-making as well the eradication of violence towards women and girls.
Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa was the first woman to become a Deputy Prime Minister and now the first woman to lead a political party soon to be recognised in the Legislative Assembly of Samoa.
Fiame’s parents were both politicians. Her father was the first Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. Fiame Mata’afa Faumuina Mulinu’u II and her mother Laulu Fetauimalemau Mata’afa was a career diplomat and educator.
On September 11th, Samoa had its own 9-11 when the former Deputy Prime Minister resigned from her post that included giving up her role as the Minister of MNRE. Fiame stepped away from HRPP after three decades, in protest to the against controversial amendments to the Constitution, Judicature Act and Lands and Titles Court Act.
At the time, Fiame said about the three Bills; “As they are currently drafted, I will not be voting to support these changes”.
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