ashamed to say it. If all men try a little bit, maybe try and change the gender roles then perhaps this will allow us to address these issues.” Church Minister Participant, Inquiry public hearings Inevitably there will be strong opposition to suggestions of gender equality and the Inquiry has already heard dissent along the lines of ‘our culture determines gender roles’ and ‘we already have gender equality’. The former claim, that culture determines gender roles, has some truth to it but these roles are determined more by the reality of physical strength than according strictly to gender (for example the tasks of making the umu). The Inquiry has shown that culture is forever changing and gender equality has historically been a fundamental part of the Fa’asamoa. Refusing to address gender equality issues will mean the Fa’asamoa fast becoming outdated in a world where gender equality is an increasingly globalized norm. Strengthening gender equality now will be re-strengthening the Fa’asamoa and ensuring it remains relevant for future generations. There will also be opposition because it is simply very difficult to change ingrained and widespread attitudes at both the societal and individual level. Even if a man reading this report wants to change their ways, the social pressures on him to conform are great. It takes a strong-minded man to be ridiculed by his peers for not conforming to commonly accepted ideals of masculinity. Neutralizing patriarchy will be a process that achieves its goals over time if a range of measures, activities and strategies are implemented covering all of society. The change must also be led by influential people, women, fa’afafine and especially men who are not afraid to stand up and challenge the status quo. Too often family violence and GBV is seen as a ‘women’s issue’. However, it is not a women’s issue, it is a societal issue which requires the involvement of all to be successfully addressed. Neither should gender equality be seen as a process whereby men are simply ceding power to women. Change will empower all genders and provide a foundation for a more peaceful tolerant society where people are no longer required to suppress their emotions and all voices are heard, within the cultural framework. “Men need to be ‘empowered’ as well, freed from gender based prejudices, fears and insecurities and misconceptions and in many cases ignorance that lead to the use of their physical strength to impose control over their spouses and children.” Afamasaga Faamatala Toleafoa, Matai/Advocate, written submission, Inquiry document 6 The Inquiry has seen the extensive consequences of the current notion of masculinity, where men expect to do as they please, expect sexual gratification, exercise violence to maintain superiority, whilst suppressing all of their emotions and feelings. However, they are only able to respond in physical ways because they simply know of no other, and are unable to communicate effectively with their wives, children or extended family. Men do not benefit from this set up, neither do women, children, parents, grandparents, friends or society at large. Patriarchy leads to all of the consequences outlined in Part III yet confers no benefits. Changing this system is to the benefit of each and every person in Samoa.