Samoa’s candidate for the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), Mataafa Ammelya Faatino Masunu Utumapu, today shared a strong message on inclusion, accountability, and empowerment during the Para Social Workers Training, supported through a partnership between UNICEF Pacific and the MWCSD.
More than 20 selected village representatives attended the training, reflecting the importance of community support systems for vulnerable families and persons with disabilities.
Mataafa stressed that while disability rights frameworks have progressed globally, the real challenge is ensuring those rights are realised in everyday community life, with no one left behind.
Three Key Messages
1. Rights Must Be Lived, Not Just Recognised
Disability rights must go beyond policies and reports and be practised in homes, villages, schools, workplaces, churches, and public services.
2. Care Must Empower, Not Control
Care should promote dignity, autonomy, and decision-making, not dependency or exclusion.
3. Inclusion Must Be Practical
Inclusion means removing barriers, improving access, and ensuring persons with disabilities are involved in decisions affecting their lives.
Strong Community Response
The session was emotional and impactful, with village representatives gaining a deeper understanding of the realities faced by persons with disabilities and their families.
Several participants asked about referral pathways, available services, and where communities can seek specialist support.
This reinforced the need for community programmes to work closely with expert organisations such as Nuanua o le Nuanua O Le Alofa, Disability Advocacy Organisation in Samoa (NOLA) and other relevant providers so villages can access proper guidance and disability expertise.
Mataafa brings decades of leadership experience through Samoa’s disability movement and collaboration with Government institutions.
Her campaign reflects Samoa’s commitment to advancing disability rights, strengthening equality, building resilience, and ensuring no one is left behind.
Mataafa reiterates, “Rights must be lived, not just recognised. Inclusion must be practised, not just promoted. Care must empower, not control and no one must be left behind.”
The Government of Samoa acknowledges the continued support of development partners in strengthening inclusive social services and community-based protection systems.
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