Forty-eight villages in Upolu, Savaii and Manono islands have completed and delivered their bylaws (I'ugafono) to the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development for certification and are yet to be certified.

A Senior representative of the Ministry, Leiataua Joe Eteuati in Samoa Police & Prisons, Correction Services' "Samoa Saogalemu" program said of all three hundred and fifty three villages in the country, only 48 have completed their bylaws and have been delivered to the MWCSD office.

"The villages are not forced to make their bylaws but if we go by the law, they have to make their bylaws and it is our job to push the villages to make their bylaws before they are brought in for review and verification," he said.

As a result of this project, the six villages established Village Family Safety Committees.

These committees review and put together their bylaws to address family violence and ensure the bylaws are in line with the existing national laws.

 Five villages have launched their bylaws – I’ugafono that contain specific laws in their village that addresses family violence against women and girls.

The bylaws supports these villages commitment to equality, peace, justice, freedom, and protection of human dignity in their villages.

The villages are Lalovi, Mulifanua and Vaie’e in Upolu; Taga, Asau and Salei’a in Savaii and their bylaws were launched by the Prime Minister, Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa in a ceremony last Friday to conclude the 16 days of activism commemorated in Samoa.

“These documents contain bylaws that highlight their commitment to zero tolerance towards family violence within their villages,” said the Prime Minister.

“Such commitment recognizes the pivotal role of our village leaders in family violence prevention and the protection of women and girls at the village level.”

The bylaws will be launched in Savaii today for the villages who participated in the Village Family Safety Committee Pilot Project spearheaded by the Ombudsman’s office to address the escalating incidence of domestic violence against women and girls.

In 2019, the Office of the Ombudsman led a National Inquiry into Family Violence which introduced the Village Family Safety Committee Pilot Project which five villages participated.

In launching the bylaws, the Prime Minister commended the chiefs and orators of these villages for leading the path in search for an end to an escalating plague of family based violence against women, girls and children.

In sending a message of hope, the Prime Minister lit a Torch of Hope to officially open the 1st National Biennial Dialogue on human rights and good governance.