4 14. Samoa’s Ministry of Women Community and Social Development makes commendable efforts with the budget it is given to advance the role and rights of women in Samoa. However, to further advance and empower women in all areas of public, economic, social and political life, the Government needs to invest more than at present. The Inquiry report makes proposals to restructure the national machinery to deal more effectively with violence in Samoan homes (See Recommendations 1, 8, 17, 19). The adoption of these proposals will greatly benefit women in line with the objectives of CEDAW. Article 5: Stereotypes and harmful practices 15. In the context of family violence, NHRI Samoa noted in its Inquiry report that stereotypical gender roles are taught from birth, reinforcing the patriarchal society, teaching girls to be subservient, encouraging sexual entitlement of boys, and creating an environment of impunity for perpetrators. Boys and girls are raised to expect different entitlements in life and to accept fixed ideals concerning their respective roles, duties and modes of behavior. 16. NHRI Samoa considers that in order to combat these issues, education on the harmful effects of gender stereotypes is key. There is need to promote a gender equal approach to parenting. Positive parenting programmes should highlight the undesirability of gender inequality and of raising children to expect different entitlements based on gender; and provide practical guidance on gender neutral modalities. These efforts also need to be supported by reforms in other areas such as in the media to capitalize on potentially positive impact the media can have in promoting gender equality. 17. Concern over the media increasing the risk of family violence by reinforcing the harmful gender stereotypes and gender inequality, as well as the prominence of sexual violence on TV/films, and increasing access to pornography is also highlighted in the Inquiry report. These are seen as leading to widespread acceptance of the sexual entitlement of men, and a general desensitization of society towards sexual, physical and emotional violence. 18. These issues are discussed with recommendations in the final report of the Inquiry (See Recommendations 12, 16 and 25, 26). Articles 2 & 3: Gender-based violence against women 19. The prevalence of gender based violence and family violence in Samoa is of great concern and one which NHRI Samoa believes requires priority attention by the Government. Family violence as the Inquiry report points out, sits behind a veil of silence which allows for it to continue affecting society, particularly women and girls and children, and other vulnerable groups (i.e. persons with disabilities, the elderly, persons of diverse sexual orientation and gender characteristics (SOGISC persons) including lesbians, fa’atama and fa’afafine). Article 6: Trafficking and exploitation of prostitution