The three-day Cook Islands National Council of Women’s Uikaraurau summit, which concluded on Wednesday, addressed issues like climate justice, Te Reo Maori revitalisation, NCD prevention and combating violence against women, and outlined future action plans.

To strengthen and expand protection services for victims, climate justice – recognising the disproportionate impacts of climate change on low-income communities and Te Reo Maori were just a few of the outcomes from the summit.

The Uikaraurau, which featured key presentations on the theme “Women want healthy, happy, safe homes” wrapped up on Wednesday at Highland Paradise, Maungaroa, Arorangi, following the annual general meeting which included the election of office bearers.

Re-elected president of CINCW, development economist Vaine Wichman, was pleased with the attendance and the outcomes of the meeting.

Wichman said the “Healthy Homes” outcomes included promotion of Te Reo Maori Kuki Airani.

The recommendations included:

• making time in your home when only Māori is spoken, start small and gradually increase the length of time,
• find a “tuakana” to spend time with regularly to speak and learn Maori, and
• take a course at USP or CITTI in Maori beginners and work from there.

Taking action against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) was also one of the key outcomes.

The summit recommended taking steps to “prioritise you – your health, happiness and safety”.

“Discover what inspires and works for you, and when you do change, everything around you changes – your family, village, community and the world.”

Women are encouraged to set up home gardening, support the no smoking campaign, take up an active exercise lifestyle and support the work of public health in school visits, the Paunu and dental support.

For “Safe Homes”, the outcomes included:

• To strengthen and expand protection services, community networks, services for victims and provide confidential referral in order to enable women to report violence against women and access support safely;
• Akaara i te manako o te tamariki, te mapu, kia kite i te oraanga tane e te vaine (relationships) e oraanga tapu e te mataora/raise awareness especially among youth, to better understand the long-term commitments and responsibilities involved in establishing healthy relationship; and
• partner with government and men in the no violence campaigns.

While addressing climate justice, the summit recommended partnering with a research group to study the issue in the Cook Islands “as it relates to our women’s handicraft sector”.

“Note how climate change will impact this, and find ways to keep our craft making alive in the face of all climate changes.”

Under the theme “Happy Homes”, CINCW has commuted to keep all women’s groups informed about the progress of the shadow/alternative report and report back on any outcomes after its submission to the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), often described as an international bill of rights for women

To promote economic empowerment, the Council will liaise with the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Trade and Investment Board for business contacts/links on grants and resource support for women in business. It will also seek fund support to tech creators.

The Council will work with Te Maraurau o te Pae Api’i/Ministry of Education to strengthen making Māori available for students and anyone who wants to learn Māori.

It will also partner with faith-based women’s associations in supporting programmes relating to drug, child and cyber abuse/addiction.

Other recommendations were an office for women to promote gender policies to addressing complex issues in society, strengthen partnership with and create networks with non-government organisations, and generate evidence to support activities to address gender gaps.

The Council will also find solutions to underrepresentation in leadership, gender pay gap, family violence, women’s economic empowerment, climate justice and equity.

Looking ahead, Wichman would like to strengthen their committee, complete the “alternative report” for the United Nations/Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and look for people and funds to help in the areas that need support.

“Te au angaanga ki mua - Akamatutu i toku kumiti akatere kia okotai matou me aere, Akaoti i te ripoti no te CEDAW (alternative report ki te UN/CEDAW na te au putuputuanga i vao i te kavamani) – Jul/Aug 25, Kave i te karere angaanga no roto mai i te uikaraurau ki te au mema na roto i to ratou au maine akatereau, Akamata i te kimi tauturu no te au angaanga no roto mai i teia uikaraurau te ka inangaro ia i tetai tauturu (tangata me kore moni), Akono i te au ra o te akaepaepa anga i to tatou baseleia na roto i te akaepaepa anga tetai au vaine tumu toa (akara ki tei tamou ia), Akamatutu i te kaveinga o toou iti vaine no nga mataiti ki mua.” Wichman said.

CINCW executives: President Vaine Wichman, vice president (Southern Group) Nga Teao-Papatua, vice president (Northern Group) Roseline Emile, general Secretary Maria Taripo-Teaurima, assistant secretary Teresa Noovao, treasurer Kirsten Atingakau, assistant treasurer Anita Harmon. Proxy representatives - Aitutaki Mii Upu, Mangaia Kirsten Atingakau, Atiu Taputukura Mariri, Mitiaro Taputukura Mariri, Mauke Maria Taripo-Teaurima, Penrhyn Kuraiti Rasmussen, Manihiki Roseline Emile, Rakahanga Emily Tuteru, Pukapuka Ruta Pokura-Matai, Nassau Ruta Pokura-Matai, and Palmerston Yvonne Marsters.