6 Nov 2006

Samoa PM patron of first fa'afafine organisation

5:55 am on 6 November 2006

Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, has accepted an invitation to be a patron of the newly formed fa'afafine gender organization.

Fa'afafine is the term used in Samoa for men who chose to take on the female role.

Speaking at the launching of the organization, Tuila'epa has praised the role of fa'afafine and described them as talented people who carry out the domestic work of both men and women, which is something men like him cannot achieve.

This is the first organization to have been established to support fa'afafines who sometimes become the target of criticism because of the way they dress and behave.