The Samoa Rugby Union is holding an Eliminating Violence Against Women Rugby 7s tournament on Saturday.
The tournament is part of the United Nations 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence campaign, with 12 men's and six women's teams expected to compete.
The General Manager of Rugby in Samoa, Brian Hopley, says as a male-dominated sport they need to take a leadership role.
"I think its part of being socially responsible, and being probably the major sport in Samoa we feel that it's part of our duty to promote this aspect. It's also been a male-dominated sport here and we think it's important that we put that message out."
Hopley says some of their key teams participated in the White Ribbon Day public parade in Samoa last week.
He says he plans to hold the tournament annually, as a means to both raise awareness and promote women's rugby.