Maluseu Doris Tulifau

Maluseu Doris Tulifau
Born
San Francisco
EducationSacramento State University
OccupationHuman rights activist
OrganizationBrown Girl Woke

Maluseu Doris Tulifau (born c. 1991[1]) is a Samoan American human rights activist, who campaigns against domestic violence in Samoa. She is the founder of Brown Girl Woke (B.G.W.), a non-profit organisation that supports women and girls in Samoa to counter gender-based violence.

Early life and education

Tulifau grew up in a Samoan family in San Francisco.[2] Her parents are Samoan, but had grown up in New Zealand before emigrating to the United States.[3][2] After Tulifau completed high school, her family moved to Modesto, where they purchased a church since her father was a pastor.[2] She studied for a BA in Education and Psychology at Sacramento State University, and also studied there for an MA in Multicultural Education.[2] She considered doing a PhD, but ultimately wanted to work within community settings.[2][4]

Career

Tulifau is the founder of Brown Girl Woke (B.G.W.), which she initially established as an online campaign in 2014; she then moved to Samoa in 2018 to expand the organisation.[4] B.G.W. is a feminist group that supports women and girls and campaigns against domestic violence in Samoa.[5][6] The group uses social media and meetings on college campuses to raise awareness of women's rights, with both men and women joining the group.[3] As of 2023 there were regular meetings at National University of Samoa and The University of the South Pacific, as well as schools based initiatives.[4] During the COVID-19 pandemic the organisation received a donation of face masks to distribute to community members.[7]

In the course of her career Tulifau has spoken out on how the Samoan customary law, ifoga, is not suitable for use in cases of domestic violence.[8] She has also called on the Samoan government to have a zero tolerance approach to gender-based violence.[9] In 2024 she attended the 4th Small Island Developing States Conference and Gender Equality Forum, alongside with Samoan government officials and other activists, such as Nadia Meredith Hunt and Adelaide Nafoi.[10]

Tulifau is also a podcaster, and TV and radio host.[11]

Personal life

Tulifau is a survivor of gender-based violence.[5] She has two siblings.[12] Palusami is her favourite food from Polynesia.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Brown Girl Woke: Combating family abuse 'epidemic' in Samoa". www.samoanews.com. 2019-09-03. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Activist and Founder of Brown Girl Woke, Doris Tulifau | "With consistency, resilience, and the right team, the impact of your hard work will come through"". South Pacific Islander Organization. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  3. ^ a b Roy, Eleanor Ainge; Jong, Eleanor de (2019-09-03). "'The silence is suffocating': family abuse 'epidemic' uncovered in Samoa". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  4. ^ a b c "'Brown Girl Woke' initiative fights culture of silence in the Pacific | The Australia Today". 2023-07-12. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  5. ^ a b "Feminist activists from the Pacific reflect on the impact of the Beijing Declaration ahead of +30 Regional Review". UN Women – Asia-Pacific. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  6. ^ "ANZ Bank gives food for families in need". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  7. ^ "Tailoring firm donates face masks to B.G.W." Samoa Observer. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  8. ^ "Is customary law appropriate when dealing with gender-based or sexual violence in the Pacific?". ABC Pacific. 2024-08-19. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  9. ^ "Clarity on anti-violence messaging vital". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  10. ^ "Samoa joins 4th Small Island Developing States Conference and Gender Equality Forum". UN Women – Asia-Pacific. 2024-05-23. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  11. ^ Tulifau, Doris (2024-11-08). "How Brown Girl Woke is Driving CHOGM 2024's Long-Term Impact on Pacific Youth Engagement". Royal Commonwealth S. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
  12. ^ a b "The Polynesian Effect - Doris Tulifau". www.thepolynesianeffect.com. Retrieved 2025-01-11.