“The most common obstacle to women’s voice in local government is that among the very few (female) matai living in villages, even fewer sit in the Village Fonos. A common justification is that when men jest together women cannot be present because of the customary concept of ‘o le vā tapuia’ (sacred space), an aspect of the covenant between brother and sister. Their absence reinforces public perceptions that decision making is a male prerogative, not only in Village Fonos, but in village committees, and by extension in national parliament.”49 Political representation and women’s empowerment in Samoa The Inquiry heard from a number of matai who agreed with this view, that the Village Fono setting was no place for women because of the nature of the conversation, often sexual, which was inappropriate for women to be present for, and would be a breach of the feagaiga. However, the Inquiry finds this to be yet one more justification for attempting to maintain patriarchy in Samoa and deliberately exclude women from the decision making process. The Inquiry has already found that the feagaiga is broken, undermined because of family violence. One contributing factor to this is the lack of female participation in the Village Fono, perversely the very reason cited for why they are excluded. 7.5.2 Parliament “The presence of more women in Parliament could influence and bring greater sensitization to a more balanced discussion of gender issues, as well as encourage a way forward to harmonise traditional customary practices with the law regarding women in politics and the empowerment of women in general.” Outcome document to Samoa’s 2nd Universal Periodic Review, Inquiry document 66 The importance of female participation in Parliament has been recognized by the Government in addressing the gender inequality which underpins family violence in Samoa. There is also indirect discrimination against women preventing them holding office. 50 This is in direct contravention of the Constitution of Samoa, which grants all citizens freedom from discriminatory legislation. 51 The SLRC has called for the elimination of village bans against the appointment of female matais.52 Women currently hold 5 of the 50 seats in Parliament. This is following the Constitutional Amendment Act 2013 which introduced a 10% quota for female Members of Parliament. However, 10% falls significantly short of the parity needed to ensure fair representation and have the strength of voice to adequately 49 National University of Samoa. (2015). “Political representation and women’s empowerment in Samoa.” Final Report 1. Retrieved from http://samoanstudies.ws/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Centre-for-Samoan-Studies_Final-Report-Volume-1English.pdf. Document 63 of Inquiry anthology. 50 Government of Samoa. (2017). Sixth Periodic State Report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. CEDAW/C/WSM/6. Document 90 Inquiry anthology. 51 Article 15 of the Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa. 52 Samoa Law Reform Commission. (2016). Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women Legislative Compliance Review Final Report. Document 89 Inquiry anthology.