In Apia, Samoa, Nuanua O Le Alofa (NOLA) serves as the national advocacy organization for people with disabilities, working to empower individuals to participate fully in society. Mataafa Faatino Utumapu, NOLA’s General Manager, emphasizes the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities understand their rights and can access the same opportunities as others. As a blind woman, she personally understands the barriers faced by women and girls with disabilities, who often experience compounded discrimination due to both gender and disability.
With support from the Spotlight Initiative, NOLA organized Samoa’s first leadership forum for women and girls with disabilities on Savai’i island in 2022. The programme focused on providing information in accessible formats, including sign language interpretation and pictorial materials, and empowering participants to advocate for their rights. NOLA also engaged civil society to conduct community dialogues, raising awareness that women and children with disabilities are integral members of society and promoting inclusion as a daily practice rather than a one-off initiative.
These efforts are visibly changing societal attitudes. Suria Tapala, Vice President of NOLA’s Women’s Committee, notes that community perceptions are improving, with greater respect and encouragement for women with disabilities participating in public and professional life. At the same time, NOLA’s programmes are shifting how women and girls with disabilities view themselves, helping them gain confidence, knowledge, and leadership skills.
Miracle Afele, 29, experienced this transformation firsthand, learning about her rights and the challenges women with disabilities face, including heightened risks of violence. Inspired by her engagement with NOLA, she became the first deaf woman to compete in the Miss Samoa pageant in 2023, using the platform to raise awareness about inclusion and the capabilities of women with disabilities. She also works with Women in Business Development to ensure women with disabilities are included in entrepreneurial initiatives such as weaving and agriculture.
Suria Tapala has contributed to systemic change by helping pilot and expand social protection payments for people with disabilities, providing families with financial support to meet essential needs and facilitate education. Both Tapala and Utumapu continue to champion empowerment, inclusion, and violence prevention, advocating for an environment where women and girls with disabilities can believe in themselves and achieve their full potential.
Through leadership, advocacy, and targeted programmes, NOLA demonstrates how sustained support and inclusive initiatives can transform both societal attitudes and the lives of women and girls with disabilities in Samoa.
