Exploring the use of film to stimulate dialogue on the issues of gender inequality in Samoa

ABSTRACT

Gender inequality encompasses a myriad of overlapping social norms, legal and cultural structures and practices that disadvantage a group based on gender (European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE). 2020. Glossary and Thesaurus: Definition Gender Inequality. EIGE. Accessed April 4, 2020. https://eige.europa.eu/thesaurus/terms/1182). As the development agenda moves forward across the globe, approaches to address gender inequality have expanded and become more innovative. In this research project, the Centre for Samoan Studies (CSS) collaborated with researchers in other academic units at the National University of Samoa (NUS) and spearheaded a short film training and competition on gender issues in Samoa in 2018. This paper explores the organisation of the project and issues which emerged.

KEYWORDS:

• Short films
• developing countries
• mobile phones
• training
• Samoa

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the delivery of this workshop, Community Filmmaking for Gender Equality in Samoa by the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS), an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. We would also like to thank the Australian High Commission and the Ministry of Women, Community, and Social Development for their support. We wish to thank the trainer, Ms Catherine Marciniak, for her positive support and all participants in the CSS Film Challenge for their kind support and bravery. Our gratitude extends to Dr Verena Thomas for reading an early draft of this paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 Interested participant’s submission for consideration.

2 Concept submitted by an interested participant in response to the public advertisements.

3 TV3 Television Station had shown the films twice at the time of this article was written.

4 An attendance register was not provided to the attendees.

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded by the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme. Support for meals, stationary, and prizes were provided by the Ministry of Women, Community, and Social Development Samoa. Prizes and advertising for the launch were also funded by the Australian High Commission.

Notes on contributors

Ramona Boodoosingh

Ramona Boodoosingh is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, at the National University of Samoa. She holds a PhD in Development Studies, and a Masters in Environment Health. Her research interests include health literacy, food security, and caregiving of the elderly, gender issues, and academic inequality.

Safua Akeli Amaama

Safua Akeli Amaama is a PhD history graduate from the University of Queensland. Since June 2020, she has been appointed as the Head of New Zealand and Pacific Histories and Cultures at Te Papa Museum. Previously, she was Director for the Centre of Samoan Studies (2018–2020) where she oversaw teaching programmes, research projects, and community engagement activities. She has research interests in gender, cultural heritage, governance, migration and health.