5 20. Concern has been expressed about prostitution in Samoa3 but the lack of reliable data to expand on published observations4 make it difficult to give an accurate picture of the problem. Prostitution involving children came up in the Inquiry as recorded in its report. (See Inquiry Finding 2 and corresponding Recommendations). Article 7: Participation in political and public life 21. The participation of women in political and public life is crucial in ensuring a balance of views on matters that affect society. The Inquiry report found that women (and other specific groups) continue to be systemically obstructed in their participation in Parliament, the Village Fono (and also the Church). This further entrenches the patriarchal system. It jeopardizes the success of attempts to address issues like family violence etc. through not taking due consideration of the voices of those most directly affected. 22. The absence of women (and other groups) reinforces public perceptions that decision making is a male prerogative, not only in Village Fonos, but in village committees, and by extension in the national parliament. Lack of effective participation in decision-making can apply also to persons with a disability, fa’afafine, fa’atama and SOGISC persons, or even children to an extent, where their absence in decision making processes reflect a lack of full enjoyment of human rights. 23. The Inquiry report comments and make recommendations on the participation of women in decision making (See Recommendation 11). Article 10: Education 24. Corporal punishment is an issue discussed in the Inquiry. Currently, there is contradiction in the law in the sense that although corporal punishment is banned in schools under section 23 of the Education Act 2009, section 14 of the Infants Ordinance 1961 allows ‘reasonable punishment’ by parents and teaches etc. of children under their control. Furthermore, despite the ban on corporal punishment in schools since 2013, little testify to any serious implementation. These issues are discussed with recommendations in the Inquiry report (See Recommendations 5 and 13). See Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu. “Economic reasons force 400 women to sex work.” Samoa Observer. (03 May 2017). Retrieved from http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/03_05_2017/local/19572/Economic-reasons-force-400-womento-sex-work.htm. Accessed 9 July 2018; Mata’afa Keni Lesa. “Sex workers and frightening truth about Samoa today.” Samoa Observer. (4 May 2017). Retrieved from http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/04_05_2017/editorial/19613/Sexworkers-and-frightening-truth-about-Samoa-today.htm. Accessed 9 July 2018. 4 See “Multi-Country Mapping and Behavioural Study 2016: Samoa.” Retrieved from http://www.pacific.undp.org/content/pacific/en/home/library/DG/pacific-multicountry-mapping-behavioural-study-keyfindings.html. Accessed 9 July 2018. 3