Cook Islands Family Welfare Association celebrate International Women’s Day

Cook Islands Family Welfare Association celebrated International Women’s Day with a get together at their premises in Tupapa (opposite the Public Health complex).
The event attracted quite a number of VIP guests including overseas officials such as Dr Temo (WHO), Isikeli (UNFPA) and Jobesa (regional officer from SPC). Also in attendance were the Health Minister, Apii Piho, Health Secretary Tupou Faireka and former Health Secretary Dr Roro Daniel.
Invitations were extended to traditional leaders, Mama Tinomana Ariki and Makea Karika Ariki and also to Mama Tokerau Munro as President of Girl Guides and Mama Vereara Taripo as Patron of CIANGO.
Rongo File is the new Executive Director said they were delighted at the turnout of so many VIP guests to celebrate the day and also to network with stakeholders and donors and to see what programmes that CIFWA operate. These include adolescence, awareness of sexually transmitted infections (including HIV/AIDS), access to help, advocacy.
Dr Roro Daniel said he would like to see a reduction in so many unplanned teenage pregnancies and disrupt the life of young girls. On the other hand, the Health Minister would like to see more people having babies so that our population will increase, and added jokingly that he would especially like to see that in Rakahanga and Manihiki. From the writer’s view, the most important thing is to ensure that all children are well looked after and loved by all.
CIFWA personnel are Rongo File, Aunty Kath (clinical nurse), Ake Utanga (programme officer), Iro Rangi (finance) and Rima Nicholas (administration).
CIFWA wish to thank the Ministry of Health, Child Welfare, National Council of Women, Girl Guides, Nurses Association, PIAF, Women in Sports, Red Cross, CIANGO, National Youth Council and any other NGOs that this writer may have inadvertently omitted from the list.
Their office is open Monday to Friday 8-4pm and their phone number is 23420.