A large crowd of women singing songs and waving signs lined both sides of the road leading to the Courthouse in Apia where the Samoan Court of Appeal is hearing an appeal by the Electoral Commissioner and HRPP candidate, Aliimalemanu Alofa Tuuau.
Aliimalemanu was an unsuccessful candidate in the 9 April election but was then selected by the commissioner to join parliament under the law that ensures 10 percent of parliament is comprised of women.
The appeal is against the Samoan Supreme Court ruling which declared that Aliimalemanu’s selection was unconstitutional. The court then nullified and voided her appointment.
A court decision on the appeal is expected some time this week.
The earlier declaration left Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) with 25 seats, one less than the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party.
The leader of the march is former MP representing the HRPP, Maiava Visekota.
“It’s taking away what our daughters are entitled to. There’s a lot of young women here, students and young girls,” she told the march.
“This is a historic occasion, women don’t just come out for any reason; these women have come of their own free will.”
