Amata Addresses Lack of Data for Pacific Region During Keynote at PacWIN

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata delivered a keynote address to those in attendance at this years' Pacific Women's Indigenous Network (PacWIN) Conference held in Honolulu, focusing on the lack of data collection for the region.

"One of the biggest issues for American Samoa and I am going to assume it is similar across the Pacific, is that of data collection, or a lack thereof. Data collection is what formulates policy, drives legislation and ultimately appropriations. As women in government, it is doubly important that we know who we are serving, what factors drive their needs and what can be done to resolve the issues that affect those people we represent," said Amata. "Data collection can also tell us what we as women leaders are doing and how we can better influence policy so that our ideals as women can be realized. Because of its' importance, I have made getting better data collection from the Pacific territories a top priority of mine and will do all I can in Congress to make sure that it happens," stated Amata.

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Amata spoke on her own experiences and her long road to the U.S. House of Representatives. The Congresswoman also touched on the need for more female participation in leadership and business for all Pacific communities, as well as the need for more focus on math and science education for the region's youth.

"I would like to say thank you to all of you in attendance and I encourage you to take what you have learned while here and share it with those women in your own communities," said Amata. "You are the gatekeepers; those who will further our cause and champion it for the next generation of female leaders by providing the shoulders for our young women to stand upon," concluded Amata.

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