National Policy on women reviewed

In line with Governments commitment with CEDAW and Cabinet directives towards legislative consistency, a 2 weeks extensive national consultation was undertaken to review the 1995 Cook Islands National Policy on Women.
The review developed and implemented processes, recorded achievements in the last 5 years, evaluated the impact of the Policy across all sphere of government and civil society, identified issues and explored strategic actions for the development of an updated Policy.
The Gender and Development Division (GADD) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in partnership with the Cook Islands National Council of Women has enabled the review of the Policy on Women to finally become a reality for all. Understanding that combined efforts between government and ngo’s enables both to promote more effective response mechanisms, such as ensuring there is adequate and access to resources (funds, personnel and equipment) and that these are used efficiently and to the maximum; and with reduced duplication of efforts. The Director of GADD, Ms Ruta Pokura thanks NZAID Public Sector Technical Assistance Fund for “providing the financial support for the technical assistance of Ms Joy Liddicoat from New Zealand”.
Ms Pokura said that; “the interviews and meetings with NGO’s and key government sectors, and central agencies agreed that it was time for a new policy to be developed as a lot has been achieved to date in many areas including education, health, relationships with Government, and the human rights of women and new issues has immerged such as the impact of new technologies on language culture and traditions, how to sustain Outer Islands women, improving economic participation and on-going health issues of women. She further explains that “this review has enabled the set up of a working committee to look at preparing an outline of the proposed policy that we hope to have available in 2 weeks for further consultation”. She also adds; “the review and development of the updated policy is timely as various policies in the country such as the NSDP, MDG, Immigration, Trade and others are also taking place.
For a copy of the review document please contact Ruta Pokura (details below) - Intaff Media Release
Ms Ruta Pokura
Director, Gender and Development Division
Ministry of Internal Affairs
Ph: 29370
Email: womendiv@intaff.gov.ck
Web: www.intaff.gov.ck

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