The Cook Islands Punanga Turuturu Itivaine (PTI) is hosting an intensive two-week workshop from March 17 – 28, focused on gender violence against women and girls, human rights and counsellor training for survivors of violence against women and girls.

The women’s counselling and support centre for survivors of gender-based violence has gathered together 20 participants from various government departments and non-government-organisations (NGOs) to learn and use the knowledge presented during the workshop being held at the Cook Islands Red Cross Centre in Tupapa.

The training is led by women’s advocate Shamima Ali, coordinator of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) and chair of the Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women, alongside six women from Fiji.

Over the next two weeks, Ali and her team will present their expertise, and identify specific types of gender-based violence, their causes and contributing factors.

PTI’s project manager Sharon Kareroa says the training programme is an opportunity for personal growth and will bring forth measures in how to empower our communities to address and combat gender-based violence effectively.

“Various aspects of counselling techniques, understanding trauma responses, and developing support strategies for survivors will be discussed,” Kareroa said.

“Objectives of the workshop include: to recognise the effects caused by violence on women and girls, their family, and the wider community; to enable participants to explore actions to eliminate violence against women; promote equal gender relations and women’s human rights, and training in counselling skills.”

Ali first visited Rarotonga in 1996 when the Punanga Turuturu Itivaine was known as Punanga Tauturu Inc.

Her role is to discuss what they have learned about this work in the region through their networks.

“We can help,” says Ali. “We bring what we learn from there, here. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel and all that. But we do it in our context, not losing sight of the state’s approach, the women’s centre or survivors’ approach, the ethics, the foundation…”

Ali said they have to share their knowledge and experience.

“And you make your own minds up on how you are going to go forward based on the principles of equality, survivor centred rights,” she said.

“It’s not just about responding to gender-based violence. It’s about prevention, what kind of policies do you have or legislations? Are they gender sensitised, are they working, how are the Police behaving, are they following the law… looking at all those things.”

Ali observed that the Cook Islands seem to be a happy place because “Cook Islanders are happy people”.

“But, like an onion once you start peeling away the layers …  violence against women comes out because of inequality, being patriarchy, the discrimination – it’s subtle here in the Cook Islands,” she said. “Because we are women we don’t want to hurt people, we don’t want to say it’s because of men this is why it’s happening – patriarchy, and we keep apologising.”

“As women throughout the world, what binds us together is the inequalities and that’s why you have all these things – we think globally and act locally. We have to stop that and say this is not right. We are human beings and we deserve the respect and dignity to live a life without violence.”

Ministry of Education school social counsellor, Christine Porio, is pleased to participate in the workshop and learn more on gender-based violence.

“So far, it has been very interesting, particularly for my role as a school social counsellor, this is beneficial, and the wisdom and knowledge I am learning will improve my skills,” said Porio.

This week’s session will close with a presentation on “Legal Literacy – Violence Against Women Laws in the Cook Islands” on Friday. Next week, the workshop will focus on counselling training.