The founder of Brown Girl Woke Maluseu Doris Tulifau believes that the incident involving girls at the National University of Samoa isn't a school issue but a mental health and violence prevention issue and community accountability issue and a cultural silence issue. 

BGW is well known for its ongoing charity work with young girls and women. In response to queries, Maluseu in her own opinion said schools need not just rules but real support systems that help girls understand conflict, communication and emotional regulation.

"Parents need to help too. Families are stressed economically, emotionally, and spiritually. We need to teach whole families how to heal, not just expect young girls to behave," she said. 

"Social media literacy and bullying prevention must be a priority. Online shame turns into real-life violence. Girls need spaces, healing circles, mentorships, somewhere they can cry and express and grow without judgment. We must stop glorifying silence and start embracing emotional truth. Girls are not weak for crying, they're human.

"The incident at the National University of Samoa, where girls were on video brawling, some of whom aren't even students, isn't just bad behaviour. It's a symptom of something bigger happening across our schools, our homes, and societies. Why are girls fighting in Samoa? 

"Because they've been taught that respect is everything, and the moment someone threatens that, even with a look, it's war. Because many are coming from homes where violence is normal, where they've seen problems 'solved' through fists, not conversations."

In her opinion, girls are carrying trauma, stress and responsibility, but no one is asking them how they feel. She said culture has taught them to suppress emotion not express it. 

"They have learned that if you don't fight for yourself, no one else will. Samoan girls are under pressure. They're navigating family expectations, judgment from the church, online bullying, toxic friendships, sexual harassment, and an education system that teaches them how to behave, but not how to heal. And when all of that pressure builds up, it only takes one look, one comment for everything to erupt," said Maleseu.

"And at NUS, this isn't just a university. It's a public space where youth culture meets adult expectations. Young people from all backgrounds gather there, and the boundaries between school, street, and social media are blurred. The fight didn't start on campus. It started in a community where unresolved tension, jealousy, social pressure, and trauma are passed around like inheritance."

Maluseu also mentioned that Samoa is raising girls to stay quiet, be respectful and be strong but never giving them tools to be emotionally safe. 

"At BGW, we work with girls like this every day. Girls who are angry. Girls who feel alone. Girls who believe that the only way to survive is to fight. And every time we listen, they soften. Every time we give them tools, they rise. Every time we believe them, they lead."