APIA – Samoa’s ruling Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) has selected the country’s first deputy leader of a political party following a landslide victory in Friday’s general elections.

Fiame Naomi Mata‘afa was one of four female candidates – all from the HRPP – to win a seat outright in the March 4 polls.

A fifth woman will be awarded a seat under a new electoral rule requiring 10 per cent of MPs to be female.

Asked if the appointment would mean she would automatically become the deputy prime minister of Samoa, she said there were technicalities in terms of the position.

“That appointment is a party appointment,” she explained. “But the prime minister has indicated he would of course take into consideration the vote of the party.

“I think it’s an issue that needs to be aligned. Just as our leader is the prime minister, I think it’s the most sensible thing that the deputy leader also becomes the deputy prime minister.

She said it is an issue that would be addressed in the upcoming parliamentary sessions.

Mata‘afa, the daughter of Samoa’s first prime minister, said her appointment as party leader, and potentially, deputy prime minister was likely to inspire other women to enter politics.

“I think it is significant given that not only Samoa but the Pacific has been trying to increase women’s participation in public life and in politics,” she told Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat.

“So I think the role modelling is important for women who have aspirations for public life.”

The HRPP, which first took office in the early 1980s, won 44 of the 49 seats in parliament.

The main opposition Tautua Samoa Party retained just three seats, while independent candidates secured the remaining two slots.

Mata‘afa said the government would be taking up from where it left off in the last term.

“The key sectors – development sectors, tourism and agriculture, and then the social sectors, the pillars or the corners are health and education,” she said. “And of course underpinning that all is to ensure that we keep an eye on the economic parameters – that we are able to operate within those.”

During an interview with the Samoa Observer, Mata‘afa said she was honoured by the party’s faith in her.

“I’m happy not only for my constituency but for the sake of gender equality in Samoa,” said Fiame.

“It sets a pathway for us and for other females to recognise their potential.”

Mata‘afa believes women need to participate and engage in the political dialogue and developments to give themselves a chance to be appointed to such high offices.

She said women could only be part of the political leadership if they are proactive, participate and remain engaged.

“Starting from when I was a young matai, I lived in the village for seven years before I ran for office,” she said. “From there, you begin to do the work. Being a member of parliament becomes your career and in the process you gain general knowledge and understanding.

“What an MP must remember is that you came into parliament alone but you work collaboratively with others that were elected by the country. It’s not based on one person’s idea, it’s a collective effort.”

According to Mata‘afa, trust is a crucial element for anyone who aspires to such a position.

“Although the perception in politics is that it’s a dangerous game, I think if people are focused on what they should focus on, programmes that will benefit the majority in improving the quality of life and not just what the MP wants.”

Mata‘afa, 58,first entered Parliament as the MP for Lotofaga in 1985.

She has been a Cabinet Minister since 1991 and has held multiple Cabinet portfolios.

In the last parliamentary sitting, she was the Minister of Justice and Courts Administration.

- PNC Sources