The S.V.S.G. Juniors, the youth group of Samoa Victim Support Group, believes that traditional Samoan values have eroded and this is the reason why there are more cases of violence in homes especially against women and children.

To address this issue, a Youth Festival has been organised for this and it started on Monday evening.

Siliniu Lina Chang, the President for S.V.S.G. said youths who had time on their hands should come and participate.

“The Samoan society has been undergoing changes. These changes have created another reality that legitimizes violence as traditional values give-way,” S.V.S.G. said in a statement.

“The culture of violence and abuse of girls, however, reflects a change built on erosion of traditional value. Samoan traditions include both male and female views.

“The Youth Festival is an attempt to bring these values to life as living traditions, while empowering survivors of violence to take charge of their lives.”

The Youth Festival brings together close to 100 church youth groups partners of the S.V.S.G. Juniors from Upolu, Savaii and Manono-tai, in a united front to eliminate violence.

Selected youth groups under the S.V.S.G. Junior’s partnership, including the C.C.C.S. Youth Fagalii, the S.D.A. Youth Faleatiu, Methodist Youth of Fusi Safata will be performed on the Festival theme.

The main event was a drama performed by members of the SVSG Juniors, based on a Comic Book story they had drawn up titled: The Power of the Last Words – O le Mana o Upu Taumavae

The Youth Festival is one of the six approved activities by SVSG that are supported with funding assistance from the Government of Samoa, under its Policy Rollout to eliminate violence against women and girls.

S.V.S.G. believes that focusing on engaging men and boys to lead awareness and advocacy work to eliminate violence against women and girls will pay dividends.