Cook Islands National Council of Women has a busy week ahead
The Cook Islands National Council of Women has a busy week ahead from the 2nd to the 5th of October, 2012, for the following reasons:
1. Biennial General Meeting
Under the rules governing the organization, a general meeting is called every second year to review work completed under the Council’s strategic work plan, to review the agency partnership with the Gender and Development Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in implementing the National Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy 2011-2015, and to elect new executive members to lead the Council for the next two years.
Our Council has been in existence since 1967. In 1981, the Cook Islands National Council of Women (CINCW) was formalized and has been the main vehicle for representing women’s voices and concerns and finding ways to resolve them.
Our 27 affiliate members span broad family, community, island, national and international development agendas and affiliations. Some of our members represent organizations that deal with a wide range of social issues ranging from: health and welfare of children, mother and women’s health, youth and sexual reproductive health, mental health concerns, elderly care giving; representing and addressing the needs of the disabled, providing safe havens and pushing for stronger practices against those that hit their children and women; and progressing a more gender responsive and equal society.
We have members that support the growth sectors of the economy – the professional and business women, island women’s council that work towards economic empowerment through handicraft and island produce production, the nurses, and women teachers’ professional groups… Even climate change concerns have crept onto our agenda as our woman highlight the impact the weather pattern changes have had on natural resources used for handicraft and subsistence once plentiful on their islands.
Governance activities are covered by our members, through the uniformed organizations, the faith based groups and the women in politics movements.
Of course there are our sports and social and cultural oriented members who continue to profile the strength of our women in these areas.
The Council’s philosophy is that women are the home life and powerhouse of this nation. To maintain this strong hold, we work to ensure their safety, and their access to services and opportunities.
2. Gender and Local Governance Meeting – 2 – 4 October 2012
This meeting/workshop has been supported by a development partner, the Commonwealth Local Governance Project, which has been supporting the Council and the Gender and Development Division in encouraging more women to enter into Island Governance structures. The first phase was conducted in 2011 and involved GADD and the Council visiting every island in the Cooks to raise awareness of why it is important to share decision making and leadership responsibilities between men and women, especially in these changing times as the population in these islands declines, and women become more responsible for the home and island affairs.
Pa Enua delegations from each island will sit down over these three days to understand the Phase 2 of this project and to develop their own island work plans to be able to implement over the next three years. Commonwealth Local Governance Advisor – Megan Praegar and Isadora Laura will be attending from Suva to assist the Council in developing the island work plans.
3. Te Au Mekameka A te Iti Vaine O te Kuki Airani – 2 – 4 October 2012
Handicraft production and tivaivai and embroidery have always been the proud premise of our women. The beautiful mats, baskets, tivaivai, necklaces and other products that our women throughout the islands produce have always been at the forefront of island and family ceremonies, gift-giving, tourism attraction, and cultural pride. The handicraft display this year supported once again by our son
Ben Bergman showcases the wealth of each islands handicraft products in a beautiful surrounding. The women throughout the country will have on display products made with their own hands for visitors and viewers alike to enjoy and there will be some on sale as well.
So all are invited to this display at the Bergman and Son’s Art Gallery at Taputapuatea.

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