CHOGM SAMOA 2024: Women's Forum - Leaving No One Behind

[@emueiamiatu3676]

I applaud the Panel for their invaluable contributions exploiting so many barriers affecting Women, Faafafine and the Rainbow Community who are constantly encountering discrimination and stigmatisation in their countries, in their communities, in the world and even in their own families. The Feminist Movement fought and won the Emancipation of women at the Political level, but the grassroots where the core of stigma/discrimination were concreted such as homes, communities, churches and societies were restrains that were the toughest to liberate for the First/Second Wave Feminist Movements. This is due mainly to layers in structures within the family system, cultures, traditions , customs, religion and politics, that were continuing to hammer restrictions at every social/political sphere.These are contemporary times, but feminism is still struggling to fight against stigma/discrimination against Women, Faafafine and the Rainbow Community. Although a lot of the barriers in most spheres of both the public/private institutions are addressed, but more work still needs to be done to solidify equity/equality for Women, Faafafine and the Rainbow Community in countries, societies and communities. Without unification among us and without a one voice to fight against stigma/discrimination our fight for Emancipation may never be achieved. Lately, our Organisation DAPAANZ has included the Rainbow Community as part of our Zoom Events for our members to get educated about efficiency, competency and cultural appropriate ways to help/support our faafafine and Rainbow Whaioras in Health Providers Services. Someone asked me the same question during one of our Zooms and my answers were:(1) If you don't know the sexuality of your client or patient just refer to the person by name. (2) Never try to use the 'she' or 'he' just because the person is a faafafine or a member of the Rainbow Community. Because some may find it offensive. (3) Or use Susuga or Afioga if your client or patient is a Samoan faafafine or a member of the Rainbow Community out of respect. And or combined a small booklet for everyone in your Department to use to help support our fight against stigma/discrimination against Faafafine and the Rainbow Community in Aotearoa.