Falealili, Samoa – 08/22/2025 – The Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Fono Faavae Falealili 1, represented by MP Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo, to promote increased community-based support for victims and to advance initiatives that address social issues within the region.
This collaboration encompasses the villages of Malaemalu, Matautu, Poutasi, Saleilua, Sapunaoa, Satalo, Tafatafa, and Vaovai. The partnership is a crucial step in the implementation of the LACIE project, funded by the UN Trust Fund and delivered by SVSG. The project aims to address gender-based violence, empower individuals through skills development and financial independence, and promote understanding of legal rights and access to justice.
This MOU represents a vital starting point for the project’s efforts to challenge discriminatory social norms, increase awareness of legal protections, and enable access to legal tools, including legal support and access to lawyers, to protect vulnerable community members.
SVSG greatly values the leadership and commitment of MP Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo and the village representatives to foster a safer, more inclusive community. Through this partnership, the project will mobilize local resources, provide targeted empowerment programs, and create a sustainable path towards social transformation and gender equality.
Together, we are dedicated to empowering communities to lead change, ensuring victims receive support, and working toward a society free from violence and discrimination.
