Samoa's senior woman MP and Minister of Justice, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, has called for women in Samoa to get more involved in village affairs before the 2016 general election.
The call comes after the swearing in of the newly-elected woman MP for Gagaifomauga number one, Faimalotoa Kika Iemaima Stowers.
The former broadcaster topped the polls in last Friday's by-election with 270 votes and was the only woman among four men to contest.
The Minister says the result shows Faimalotoa has done a great service or tautua for her people not only in the village but the district.
The MP lives in Apia but attends nearly all village and cultural activities in her village of Safotu in Savaii.
Fiame has urged women who are considering running in the next general election to follow in the new MP's footsteps.
