The Samoa Victim Support Group's Peace Torch began its journey from Apia on Monday morning with the organisers hopeful it will boost awareness on all forms of violence.

With the official program getting underway at around 5 am Monday morning, senior government leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, law enforcement agencies, churches and civil society organisations joined the procession.

The Minister for Women, Community and Social Development, Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio'o, Police Commissioner, Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo, the New Zealand High Commissioner, Dr Trevor Matheson, British High Commissioner, Gareth Hoar, and the UNDP Samoa Multi-Country Office resident Representative, Aliona Niculita joined the procession.

The symbolic journey ended at Lalomauga on Monday where it will spend the night and continue to Salamumu on Tuesday with members of the community embracing the spotlight that it was putting on violence of all forms that are currently impacting women and children.

Village chief Saveasi’uleo Poasa praised the SVSG as well as the Samoa government, development partners and civil society organisations on the work that they are doing to promote peace and security and a life free of violence for the people.

"We are elated that the Torch of Peace campaign has chosen to establish itself in our village," said Mr. Poasa in an interview with the Samoa Observer.

"We want the best for our people and this may be a means of helping them to understand what it means to live in a peaceful and safe environment.

“To make sure that our people understand the message and act upon it, our village committee is cooperating. Since we really believe that actions speak louder than words, we must ensure that others understand the message as well as just appear to support it.”

A member of the women's committee, Agnes Faletagoai, said the Peace Torch campaign is an effective way of putting an end to all forms of violence against women and children in Samoa. She said the campaign serves as a wake-up call for women and children who are victims of violence to come forward and ask for assistance.

"This initiative, in my opinion, is crucial for our communities, particularly for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse but are unable to report it, and this could be a way to find answers to put a stop to this persistent problem in our nation.”

This week's inaugural Peace Torch campaign should also become an annual event, according to Mrs. Faletagoai, who said people tend to forget such events and don't take its messaging to heart unless it becomes a permanent fixture. 

According to a statement issued by the SVSG on Monday, the SVSG Acting Chair for the Board of Directors, Tanya Toailoa gave the overview speech on the campaign, which marked 18 years since the humanitarian organisation started serving Samoa.

“The Torch of Peace is adopted as a meaningful and impactful gender-based violence initiative, and a means of saying ‘thank you Samoa’ for being on board with us throughout the years,” said Ms Toailoa.

Statistics on cases of violence lodged with SVSG indicated an upward trend, according to Ms. Toailoa, which she said has led to some deaths but as a strong advocate for families and communities being free of violence, SVSG continue to remain hopeful.

“Putting the spotlight on the Torch of Peace is therefore SVSG’s effort to raise the visibility on community solidarity, community engagement and community action to address gender-based violence to date, with an emphasis on violence against the most vulnerable, usually women and children.”

Ms. Toailoa also acknowledged the support and assistance of the UNDP Spotlight Initiative as part of the United Nations & EU Spotlight Initiative Samoa Country Programme.

“The Torch of Peace 2023 symbolises hope, peace and light for a community that has come a long way from the silent acceptance of GBV which has been apparent in Samoa in the past," she said. 

 The message from the UNDP Samoa Multi-Country Office Resident Representative, Aliona Niculita was on the United Nation's continued support for the campaign in the fight against gender-based violence.

The journey of the Peace Torch on Monday was highlighted by a strong sense of unity, as the community along the southeast coast of Upolu, embraced it for the hope, peace and light it represents. Even the Piula Theological College of the Methodist Church, set up its own torch at the gate, lit by the Torch of Peace as a symbol of unity and oneness with the message. 

The torch will continue its journey on Tuesday from Lalomauga towards Matatufu at the southeast end of Upolu where it will rest for the night before continuing on Wednesday. The journey will span 10 days across selected locations on both Upolu and Savai'i.