CIFWA

With the weekend upon us, lets remind ourselves on some of the DO's and DON'Ts of condom use.

REMEMBER: We have dispensers in the below spots around the Island to keep you safe for them, for yourself and for your community.

- CIFWA office
- Te Are Kareoi (Library and Museum bathrooms)
- Tupapa Centre
- Rehab
- The Islander
- Edgewater Resort & Spa Reception
- Wigmores Superstore

IPPF Sub Regional Office for the Pacific

Meitaki Maata to our vaine toa of Rutaki, Aroa, Betela, and Akaoa for your valued presence and participation in our Cervical Screening Outreach Programme. Your attendance reflects a commendable commitment to your health and wellbeing. It is both encouraging and inspiring to witness women taking proactive steps—not only for peace of mind, but also to strengthen themselves for the benefit of their families and communities. Your actions embody resilience, responsibility, and leadership.

A heartfelt Meitaki Maata is also extended to our courageous cancer survivor, Myra Tatakura. We express our deepest gratitude for your openness in sharing your journey with breast cancer. Your strength and willingness to speak out are truly admirable. Through your voice and advocacy, you continue to empower other women to prioritise their health and reclaim their lives with confidence and courage.

Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health Cook Islands Australian High Commission, Cook Islands Ministry of Finance and Economic Management

Friendly Reminder to all our beautiful women of RUTAKI, AROA, RUTAKI BETELA & AKAOA

ATTN RUTAKI, AROA, KAVERA, BETELA & AKAOA VAINE TOA!📣✨
Your health is your wealth – take the time to care for YOU 💛
Join us for Women’s Health Checks this Thursday at KAVERA CLINIC (4:30–7:00 PM)
Early check-ups can save lives 🌿💪
Come along, get checked, and feel empowered knowing you’re looking after your well-being.
We look forward to seeing you there! 🌺

In a small country and even smaller islands, everyone seems to know everyone else's business, which is why many people say they are afraid to get tests done because health workers will gossip to others about it.

Well, if you didn't know, CIFWA takes confidentiality very seriously and has strong policies in place to protect your privacy at every step of HIV and STI testing. From the moment you walk in, your personal information is handled with care and respect. Trained health workers follow strict guidelines to ensure that your details, conversations, and test results are kept secure and not shared with anyone else without your consent.

Testing is done in a private setting, and only the health worker directly involved in your care has access to your results. They are there to support you, not judge you, and everything you discuss stays between you and them. Your records are stored safely, and confidentiality is maintained in line with professional and ethical standards.

You can feel confident that getting tested at CIFWA is a safe and respectful experience. Your results will always remain private—shared only with you—so you can focus on taking care of your health with peace of mind. Don't delay. Get tested today and know your status, for them, for yourself and for your community.

❤️ REMEMBER
Testing is responsible.
Testing is respectful.
Testing is self-care.



IPPF Sub Regional Office for the Pacific

It's FRI-YAY everyone!!! With the weekend on us, lets put into practice some safety measures to ensure that not only we do have a great time, but we are not left with some permanent or temporary, not so great consequences. How do I do that you may ask? Condoms of course! 😁 And we have them in great and easy to access places after hours 😉

REMEMBER: Prevention is better than cure. Stay safe, stay smart, stay informed 🥰

IPPF Sub Regional Office for the Pacific

MYTH BUSTER THURSDAY!!!
We have heard the: "If I tested once, I do not need to test again. If I test negative once, I'm safe for a long time."

Many people believe that testing once is enough, or that a negative result means they are protected for a long time. In reality, a test result only reflects your health status at the time you took the test. Some infections, including HIV and other STIs, have a “window period,” which means they may not show up immediately after exposure. This can lead to a false sense of reassurance if testing is done too soon.

Your level of risk can also change over time. New relationships, changes in sexual activity, or different life circumstances can all affect your exposure. Because of this, regular testing is an important part of looking after your health—not something you only do once.

Testing regularly helps ensure early detection, timely treatment if needed, and reduces the risk of passing infections to others. Making testing part of your routine is a simple and responsible way to take care of yourself and those around you.

IPPF Sub Regional Office for the Pacific

CIFWA has partnered up with Cook Islands Child Welfare Association, Rarotonga and Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health Cook Islands, to bring YOU - Rarotonga - FREE WOMEN'S HEALTH CHECKS AND SCREENING FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE & JULY!

Bookings are essential so please give Susan a call: 75745.

See you there!


Ministry of Finance and Economic Management

Aitutaki, we are looking forward to seeing you soon! Take a look at the below info and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

CIFWA's Strategic Plan Draft - validation workshop, is happening right now.

A big meitaki maata to Akairo Creative Consulting Agency for taking on the task of putting this plan together. They have been working hard holding consultations with our stakeholders over the past month, noting the strengths and weaknesses we have as an organisation.

We look forward to the final product from this exercise and are truly grateful to everyone who took the time to consult with Akairo, for a stronger CIFWA and our services.

MYTH BUSTER THURSDAY!!!
Today we're debunking: "Getting tested means I have done something wrong". That’s a very common myth—but it’s simply not true.

✅ Reality: Getting tested means you’re taking care of your health.
1. Testing is normal healthcare. Just like checking your blood pressure or getting a dental check-up, STI testing is part of looking after your body.
2. Anyone who is sexually active can benefit from testing. You don’t need to have “risky” behavior to get an STI. Many infections are passed unknowingly because they have no symptoms.
3. It shows responsibility, not guilt. STIs are common and human—not a moral issue.

Getting tested is a sign that you:
- Care about your health
- Respect your partner(s)
- Want to stay informed

Millions of people worldwide get tested every year. It’s about health—not judgment.
- Early testing = better outcomes

The sooner you know your status, the sooner you can:
- Get treatment if needed
- Prevent passing it on
- Protect your future health

IPPF Sub Regional Office for the Pacific