Samoan women are often described as gentle, kind, and generous. They do not care for extravagant fashion, but they are very grateful for the bare necessities. Although their appearance is modest, they are fierce advocates for change within their communities. As a result, they are admired and respected for their ability to shape the future. As a result, men often find Samoan women to be an excellent choice for wives and girlfriends.
The Samoan economy is dominated by subsistence farming and the government is the largest employer in the formal sector. Women make up 53% of the public sector and are in charge of 40 percent of all private businesses. Women head almost half of the microfinance initiatives and own more than 40 percent of small businesses. The gender ratio in government is roughly 50:50. In contrast, the number of women in parliament is about one-fifth that of men.
The Samoan stance on gender equality is rooted in the tradition of sexism. Many men in Samoa were abused as children. Today, however, Samoa has made strides in recognizing women’s rights. The U.N. Women and other organizations have set up programs to encourage women’s empowerment, which provides hope for a more equitable Samoan society. While the culture of violence has spread to many countries in the Western world, Samoa has not had the same experience.
In addition to social reform, Samoan women also engaged in wartime popular culture. Through this, they adapted cultural practices and absorbed new ideas. These changes took place on the ground. The fourth area examines the role of women in wartime sexual encounters. The Samoan women’s clothing was meant to show respect to elders and guests. The social transformation and wartime entanglements affected Samoa’s women in unique ways.
