GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION IN PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES

Each PIC has a unique approach to GESI, and relations between all genders and social groups are different across all countries and communities of the Pacific. The following outlines a summary of common trends within each PIC, to be aware of when working in the country, as well as key national policies on GESI, to guide the implementation of country requests. It is important to note that the guiding documents below are not comprehensive but intended as a starting point to explore the full range of documents relating to GESI in each country.

The UN Women Asia and Pacific, has developed one regional and fourteen Pacific Island Country Gender Equality Briefs that include context, issues and most updated statistics on gender equality in the Pacific region25

The Cook Islands 1964 Constitution affords all individuals equality before the law regardless of individual characteristics such as sex, race, nationality, or religion. The Constitution does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, although discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation is prohibited under the Employment Relations Act 2012.

Guiding documents:

1. Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy and Action Plan: https://www.intaff.gov.ck/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/NPGEWE-Policy-booklet-4.pdf

2. Disability policy and action plan https://www.intaff.gov.ck/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/cidid-policy-book-21-9-2020.pdf

The FSM adopted a specific National Gender Policy in 2018. Their statement to HRC26 in the same year details their advancements as a nation in the area of gender equality and social inclusion.

Guiding documents:

1. FSM Gender Stocktake, SPC https://www.spc.int/sites/default/files/wordpresscontent/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web_2-FSM_gender_ stocktake.pdf

2. Gender Equality Brief for Federated States of Micronesia, UN Women https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2022-12/UN_WOMEN_FSM.pdf

3. Federated Stated of Micronesia Country Plan, Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development https://pacificwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/FSM-Country-Plan-Summary_Overview-of-all-activities_ Aug-2020.pdf

The Fijian Government has a national GESI Policy27 which was launched in 2021. The Fiji Parliamentary Standing Orders also recognises that gender is a critical dimension of parliamentary scrutiny. Fiji’s Constitution also recognises gender diverse people.

Guiding documents:

1. Gender Toolkit, UNDP https://www.parliament.gov.fj/newitems/GENDERTOOLKIT_A5_FINAL.pdf

2. National Gender Policy, Fiji Government https://www.fiji.gov.fj/getattachment/db294b55-f2ca-4d44-bc81-f832e73cab6c/NATIONAL-GENDER-POLICYAWARENESS.aspx#:~:text=The%20Government%20of%20Fiji%20is,endorsed%20by%20Cabinet%2C%20 aims%20to%3A&text=Improve%20the%20quality%20of%20life,of%20gender%20equity%20and%20equality.

3. National Disability Act, Fiji Government https://www.fiji.gov.fj/getattachment/99fa9072-67f7-4532-9c32-f5a2f20c4f72/Act-4---Rights-of-Persons-withDisabilities.aspx

4. Fiji National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls, Fiji Government https://sites.google.com/view/fijinap/about-the-nap

Kiribati has been making strides in the area of elimination violence against women and girls which has been a continuing issue for the island nation.

Guiding documents:

1. Kiribati National Approach to Eliminating Violence against Women, Government of Kiribati https://www.mfed.gov.ki/sites/default/files/National%20ESGBV%20Policy.pdf

2. Kiribati National Disability Policy and Action Plan, Government of Kiribati https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/10/Kiribati_KiribatiNational-Disability-Policy-and-Action-Plan-2018-%E2%80%93-2021.pdf

NAURU

Nauru is a matrilineal society in which, traditionally, women are the custodians of family land, and land ownership is inherited through the maternal side of a family. Within this traditional role, women play an important part in decision-making regarding the use of land. According to the Nauru Island Association of Non-Government Organisations, in 2013, 34% of households were headed by women.

Guiding documents:

1. Gender Equality Brief for Nauru, UN Women https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2022-12/UN_WOMEN_NAURU.pdf

As per the Citizenship Act 1977 (NZ), Niueans are citizens of New Zealand and hold New Zealand passports. There is no discrimination on the basis of gender in the provision of citizenship, and citizenship by descent can be obtained equally through citizenship of either parent. As citizens, Niueans who reside in New Zealand have access to all of New Zealand’s social security benefits.

Guiding documents:

1. Gender Equality Brief for Niue UN Women https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2022-11/UN_WOMEN_NIUE.pdf

In Marshallese communities, both matrilineal and patrilineal heirs have land rights. However, the permanent authority is primarily determined and passed down along the maternal line, as a result of which, women’s authority is often influential and powerful. Women are now increasingly likely to move to their husband’s land after marriage, or away from their own land, which decreases their influence and power in society.

Guiding documents:

1. National Gender Mainstreaming Policy, Government of RMI https://hrsd.spc.int/node/715

PALAU

Palau’s constitution guarantees that there is no discrimination on the basis of sex or gender. Women in Palau traditionally hold positions of power within their families, clans and communities, but there are areas in contemporary life in which they are underrepresented in decision-making roles.

Guiding documents:

1. Palau HIES Gender Profile, Government of Palau https://spccfpstore1.blob.core.windows.net/digitallibrary-docs/files/e6/e6964a48ba93950ce5d144e383c001d1. pdf?sv=2015-12-11&sr=b&sig=EOLcu0O54TjhSdZKhP8eCHTOG6t7iIzNN2ZRbdpB8sE%3 D&se=2023-09-03T04%3A59%3A18Z&sp=r&rscc=public%2C%20max-age%3D864000%2C%20max-stale%3D86400&rsct=application%2Fpdf&rscd=inline%3B%20filename%3D%22Palau_2013_2014_HIES_ Gender_profile.pdf%22

2. Palau Asia Pacific Portal for Gender, Asia Pacific Gender Organization https://asiapacificgender.org/countries/palau

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

In the move to progress in the area of Gender Based Violence (GBV), the PNG Government has created the PNG National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to GBV28, a national plan that is a visionary ten-year framework to address GBV in communities.

Guiding documents:

1. PNG Gender Analysis, ADB https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/linked-documents/cps-png-2016-2020-ga.pdf

SAMOA

The National Policy on Gender Equality and Rights of Women and Girls 2021-203129 identifies “increased access to law and justice for women and girls, especially those facing multiple and intersecting barriers and forms of discrimination as a key priority area”.Samoa has a female Prime Minister- Hon. Fiame Mata’afa, as of June 2023. Samoa traditionally recognizes four genders: female, male, fa'afafine and fa'afatama. The latter two are fluid gender roles that move between male and female worlds.

Guiding documents:

1. Samoa Gender Responsive Budgeting and Planning Training Manual, UN Women Spotlight Initiative https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-01/spotlight_samoa_grb_manual_publication_2022.pdf

Solomon Islands is generally a patriarchal society and men hold the majority of leadership positions in state, customary and faith-based institutions. The Solomon Islands Government has developed a National Gender Equality and Women’s Development Plan.30

Guiding documents:

1. Gender Equality Plan for Solomon Islands, DFAT, Australia https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/solomon-islands-gender-equality-plan-2020-2022.pdf

2. Solomon Islands Gender Assessment, ADB https://www.adb.org/documents/solomon-islands-country-gender-assessment

Tonga is a constitutional monarchy. With 80% of Tonga's population living on the coastlines, Tonga is currently ranked the world's third “most at risk” country to the effects of climate change, which in turn impacts the climate change risk experienced by different genders and social groups within the country. Tonga’s National Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality Tonga Policy and Strategic Plan of Action31 outlines the nation’s GESI landscape and also the intention of the Kingdom of Tonga to progress towards GESI.

Guiding documents:

1. Gender Mainstreaming Handbook, Kingdom of Tonga https://hrsd.spc.int/sites/default/files/2021-07/Gender_Mainstreaming_Handbook_Final.pdf

2. Climate Change Profile, Kingdom of Tonga http://ccprojects.gsd.spc.int/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/TO2-Tonga-CC-Profile-v2.pdf

TUVALU

Land rights in Tuvalu are complex. Whilst some suggest that there is gender equality in acquiring government-leased land, this ownership usually goes to a man, often the father or eldest brother. With a generally patriarchal society, the importance of having a gender policy is great. In 2014, Tuvalu launched its National Gender Policy.32

Guiding documents:

1. Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project GESI Strategy, UNDP https://www.adaptation-undp.org/Tuvalu-Coastal-Adaptation-Project-TCAP-Gender-Strategy-Action-Plan

2. Tuvalu- Asia Pacific Portal on Gender Equality, Asia Pacific Gender Organization https://asiapacificgender.org/countries/tuvalu

This first National Policy on Gender Equality33 affirms the Vanuatu Government’s commitment towards gender equality across all sectors and at all levels of society and the elimination of discrimination and violence against women and girls.

Guiding documents:

1. Gender and LGBTQI+ Programming in Vanuatu, Oxfam in the Pacific https://policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/gender-and-lgbtqi-policy-and-programming-in-vanuatuopportunities-challenges-ca-621057/