Papali’i Mele Maualaivao is the Country Program Coordinator for UN Women based in Samoa, covering four countries – Samoa, Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue.

Under her leadership, UN Women has been able to develop partnerships with organisations such as the Samoa Judiciary to facilitate forums on “Family Law and Restorative Justice” and promoting the Family Violence Court.   Mele has been instrumental in establishing the Ending Violence in Samoa Roundtable, a monthly discussion group which addresses issues of family violence. 

Mele has also been closely involved in the establishment of the WILS (Women in Leadership Samoa) project focussed on women’s political participation and leadership in Samoa. She has been involved in post-cyclone response missions to Tonga and Samoa where addressing gender in humanitarian action were key to interventions supporting women in urban and rural areas.

Prior to working for UN Women, Mele worked with the National University of Samoa in hosting forums on Domestic Violence, Women’s Political Participation and Women’s contribution to Samoan’s Political Development.