Women's Studies Journal, 2018, 32(1/2): 57-62. (Open access)

This report outlines some of the research carried out by members of the project, ‘Tatala le ta’ui le Atua: Rolling out the fine mat of scripture’, funded by the New Zealand Institute for Pacific Research. The project (which took place between 2017 and 2018) asked how Samoan churches can best participate in wider eforts to tackle the country’s high rates of violence against women. This report outlines some of the goals, challenges, and outcomes of the project, using as its focus a conference presentation about the project by its lead researcher, Dr Mercy Ah Siu-Maliko. This presentation captures perfectly the aims, motivations, and challenges of ‘Tatala le ta’ui a le Atua’, as well as illuminating the crucial role that Ah Siu-Maliko has played in shaping the project’s philosophy. (Author's abstract).

This report focuses on the keynote presentation delivered at the Auckland (11 June 2018) conference by Dr Ah Siu-Maliko, Tatala le ta’ui a le Atua (Rolling out the fine mat of scripture): Constraints and opportunities The other two keynote addresses at the ‘Tatala le ta’ui a le Atua’ conference were presented by Rev. Dr Joan Alleluia Filemoni-Tofaeono, University of Auckland, Embrace our Voice: A call to re-image Tama’ita’i Samoana (women) in the image of God, and Dr Nasili Vaka’uta, Trinity Theological College, Auckland, #MeToo: Troubling ‘sexual abuse’ in scriptures. Follow the link to see videos of these three keynote presentations. Record #6116