National Gender Equality Policy 2020-2030

2.1 Policy Background ............................................................................................................................................... 3

2.2 Policy Context ........................................................................................................................................................ 4

2.3 Policy Linkage to International, Regional and National Commitments ........................................ 9 3. Policy Framework..................................................................................................................................................... 13

3.1 Policy Vision ........................................................................................................................................................ 13

3.2 Policy Goal............................................................................................................................................................ 13

3.3 Policy Statement................................................................................................................................................ 13

3.4 Operating Principles ........................................................................................................................................ 13

3.5 Strategic Areas ................................................................................................................................................... 14

3.6 Theory of Action ................................................................................................................................................ 15

3.7 The Role of Department of Women’s Affairs ......................................................................................... 15 4. Strategy Statement ................................................................................................................................................... 17 Strategic Area 1. Eliminating discrimination and violence against women and girls ................. 17 Strategic Area 2. Enhancing women’s economic empowerment and skills development ......... 19 Strategic Area 3. Advancing women’s leadership and political participation ................................ 21 Strategic Area 4. Strengthening the foundation for gender mainstreaming ................................... 23 Strategic Area 5. Fostering gender responsive and community-driven solutions to climate and disaster resilience .................................................................................................................................................... 25 4. Institutional Arrangements for Implementation ......................................................................................... 28 5. Monitoring, Review and Reporting ................................................................................................................... 30 References ........................................................................................................................................................................ 32 Annex 1: Glossary of Key Terms .............................................................................................................................. 34 ii Abbreviations ACOMV Anglican Church of Melanesia DSPPAC Department of Strategic Policy, Vanuatu Planning and Aid Coordination ADRA Adventist Development and DWA Department of Women’s Relief Agency Affairs BPA Beijing Platform for Action DWR Department of Water Resources CAVAWs Committees Against Violence EVAWG Ending Violence Against Against Women Women and Girls CDCCCs Community Disaster and Climate FPA Family Protection Act Change Committees FPU Family Protection Unit CEDAW Convention on the Elimination GBV Gender Based Violence of all Forms of Discrimination GCF Green Climate Fund Against Women GRB Gender Responsive Budgeting CLMO Customary Land Management IOM International Organisation for Office Migration CRC Convention on the Rights of the JCSSS Justice and Community Child Services Sector Strategy CRPD Convention on the Rights of MALFFB Ministry of Agriculture, Persons with Disability Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries CSO Civil Society Organisation and Biosecurity DARD Department of Agriculture and MDCCCs Municipal Disaster and Rural Development Climate Change Committees DCS Department of Correctional MFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs Services MFEM Ministry of Finance and DLA Department of Local Economic Management Authorities MIA Ministry of Internal Affairs DoCC Department of Climate Change MJCS Ministry of Justice and DoE Department of Energy Community Services DoL Department of Labour MLNR Ministry of Lands and Natural DPW Department of Public Works Resources iii MoET Ministry of Education and SPC Pacific Community Training SPD State Prosecution MoH Ministry of Health Department MTCIT Ministry of Trade, Commerce, STC Save the Children Industry and Tourism TSM Temporary Special Measures MYSD Ministry of Youth and Sports UNICEF United Nations Children’s Development Fund NAB National Advisory Board on UNDP United Nations Development Climate Change Programme NDC Nationally Determined UNFPA United Nations Population Contribution Fund NDMO National Disaster UN WomenUnited Nations Entity for Management Office Gender Equality and the NGEP National Gender Equality Empowerment of Women Policy USP University of the South NSDP National Sustainable Pacific Development Plan VCC Vanuatu Christian Council OPP Office of the Public VDPA Vanuatu Disability Promotion Prosecutor & Advocacy Association OPSC The Office of the Public VEO Vanuatu Electoral Office Service VFHA Vanuatu Family Health ORCBDS Office of the Registrar of Association Cooperatives and Business VHP Vanuatu Health Program Development Services VLRC Vanuatu Law Reform PAA Priorities and Action Agenda Commission PDCCCs Provincial Disaster and VNCW Vanuatu National Council of Climate Change Committees Women PMO Prime Minister’s Office VNSO Vanuatu National Statistics SDGs Sustainable Development Office Goals VNYC Vanuatu National Youth SLO State Law Office Council SOP Standard Operating VPF Vanuatu Police Force Procedures VRCS Vanuatu Red Cross Society ii VSP Vanuatu Skills Partnership WHO World Health Organisation VSPD Vanuatu Society for People with Disability VWC Vanuatu Women’s Centre iii Foreword We are proud of the equality and freedom of our country which our ancestors fought long and hard for in their struggle for independence. Our ancestors were determined to protect these values for all generations – now and into the future – whilst embracing our Melanesian ways and Christian principles. In the 40 years since independence the intent of our ancestors as enshrined in the Preamble of our Constitution remains strong. The struggle for equality and freedom is not won by past history. The struggle is very much alive for many women and girls who face ongoing discrimination and injustice in education, health, employment, leadership and decision-making. The National Gender Equality Policy 2020-2030 is a commitment of the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu to achieve gender equality and the human rights of women and girls, and to galvanise investment and support in this area. The Policy is informed by the review of the National Gender Equality Policy 2015-2019, in particular the identified achievements, gaps and opportunities in the areas of women’s and girls’ safety and protection, economic empowerment, civic participation and leadership, climate and disaster resilience, and gender mainstreaming across key development sectors. But more needs to be done. Our collective efforts to pursue social, economic, cultural and political rights and freedom for women and girls must continue in our churches, communities, schools, workplaces and most of all, in our own homes. Achieving gender equality begins at home with how we treat, respect and support our mothers, wives, sisters, aunts, daughters, granddaughters and other women and girls in our extended family and kinship networks. Tropical Cyclone Harold hit our nation hard during the global pandemic of COVID-19. The Category 5 cyclone swept through our central islands causing significant destruction and damage. With international borders closed, the disaster served as a necessary reminder of our nation’s own capacity and strength to lead and manage the cyclone response and assist those in need. What we experienced first-hand after Cyclone Harold was a reminder that we need and must come together as a nation and rise to the challenges that are before us. The challenges we must confront are not limited to health and natural disasters. These challenges include injustice and discrimination that is happening in front of us, happening now and every day to the people we love and care about. I call upon my fellow Ministers and Parliamentarians as well as chiefs, elected councillors, area administrators, and church and community leaders to join me and support the struggle for fairness and equality between men and women. It is by combining forces and working together that we can be a resilient nation and create a safe, just and secure society for women and girls in our lives, for our families and for all to enjoy. Finally, I give authority to the Department of Women’s Affairs, as the principal national machinery for women, to advise on and coordinate the promotion, implementation and monitoring of this important policy for Vanuatu. Honourable Bob Loughman WEIBUR MP Prime Minister of Vanuatu August 2021 iv 1. Preamble Strong communities and happy families working together and looking after each other are at the heart of a safe, just and secure society. This includes looking after those who are disadvantaged and marginalised and collectively, this contributes to creating a better and more resilient future for everyone. Healthy relationships between men, women, fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, cousins and grandchildren are integral to making and keeping families happy and communities strong. These are also underlying characteristics of “a stable, sustainable and prosperous Vanuatu”, an aspiring vision of the National Sustainable Development Strategy Vanuatu 2030: The People’s Plan. Gender equality is part of the fundamental right and duty enshrined in the National Constitution of Vanuatu. Chapter 2, Part I of the Constitution articulates the rights and freedoms of all individuals without discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, place of origin, religious or traditional beliefs, political opinions or language. It also has provisions for the ‘special benefit, welfare, protection or advancement of females, children and young persons, members of under- privileged groups or inhabitants of less developed areas’ (Chapter 2, Clause 5 (1) (k)). Embracing the Melanesian values and Christian principles on which the independent nation of Vanuatu is founded upon, this policy focuses on the equality between men and women, and the empowerment of women and girls. The National Gender Equality Policy 2020-2030 represents the Vanuatu Government’s continued commitment to achieving gender equality and an inclusive society as contained in the Constitution, incorporated into the Comprehensive Reform Programme of the 1990s and subsequently the Vanuatu 2030: The People’s Plan. It also honours the spirit of several international conventions and regional agreements to which Vanuatu is a signatory. These include: • The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and its Optional Protocol; • The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols; • The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; • The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; • The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action; • The Framework for Pacific Regionalism 2014; • The Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway 2014; • The Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration 2012; and 1 • The Pacific Platform for Action on Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights 2018- 2030. The development of this policy comes as Vanuatu celebrates 40 years of unity and freedom as an independent nation. The process of advancing gender equality in Vanuatu began through the post-Independence movement of Ni-Vanuatu women and men leading and lobbying for human rights and women’s participation in national development. This is an opportune time for Vanuatu to reflect on its past accomplishments whilst remaining resolute to build a nation that respects and protects the rights and liberty of all people. This policy serves as a platform for men and women of all ages and abilities to stand firmly as mutual and equal partners in the development of Vanuatu for many more years to come. Policy Vision A safe, just and secure society where everyone works together to build happy families, strong communities and a resilient Vanuatu. Policy Goal To promote respect and equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities among men and women of all ages and abilities in Vanuatu. 2 2. Introduction and Background This is not a new policy. It is the evolution of our history. It is rooted in the ni-Vanuatu people’s struggles for independence, control and repossession of our ancestral lands, and freedom from indentured labour. Our women and men have stood firm alongside each other to create and shape the independent nation of Vanuatu. In the last two decades, there has been considerable advancements in the formulation and review of policy instruments on gender equality: • In August 2006, DWA organised the first ever National Women’s Forum which focused on 13 critical areas of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The forum resulted in the development and endorsement of the Vanuatu National Plan of Action for Women 2007-2011 to guide the work on women’s empowerment in Vanuatu; • In 2014, the Government of Vanuatu submitted its combined fourth and fifth progress report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. In February 2016, the report was presented by the Vanuatu delegation at the 63rd session and the 1387th meeting of the Committee in Geneva; • The first National Gender Equality Policy 2015-2019 was developed by DWA following two years of detailed research and extensive consultations; and • In 2019, DWA prepared the national review report on the 25th year since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action by governments and human rights advocates. DWA undertook national and provincial (Tafea and Sanma) consultations to inform the review report. The National Gender Equality Policy 2020-2030 builds on these past achievements further accelerates the realisation of equal rights, opportunities, resources and rewards for women and girls. It seeks to cultivate a renewed sense of confederation between women and men to widen and mobilise support for gender equality.

2.1 Policy Background The National Gender Equality Policy 2020-2030 was developed following an extensive nation- wide review of the previous national gender equality policy, which covered 2015 to 2019. Led by the Department of Women’s Affairs (DWA) in the Ministry of Justice and Community Services (MJCS), the policy review was carried out between September and November 2019. It involved: • Document analysis of relevant legislation, policies, strategies, annual reports, business plans, project reports, research papers and program evaluation studies prepared by government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs); • Assessment of most significant stories of attitudinal, societal and economic change collected from 37 communities across six provinces; 3 • Targeted stakeholder interviews with 25 government departments, non-governmental and faith-based organisations; • Consultations with 220 national, provincial and civil society stakeholders; and • Validation of the proposed policy framework with 40 government and non-government stakeholders. Additional consultations were conducted in March 2020 to further solidify the thinking on the theory of action for the five strategic areas of the policy. These consultations included the Women’s Resilience to Climate Change and Disasters Forum (attended by 40 participants) and the Policy Intensive Strategy Session (attended by 30 participants). The nation-wide review of the first National Gender Equality Policy 2015-2019 found there have been considerable gains in enhancing the economic status of women and mainstreaming gender equality outcomes across national and sectoral planning and budgetary processes. There were also advanced efforts to reduce violence against women and girls and increases in their leadership and participation in decision-making. However, further focus and investments are needed to confront and eliminate the underlying factors that contribute to the discrimination and disadvantage of women and girls in Vanuatu.

2.2 Policy Context Vanuatu is an island archipelago comprising of 83 islands (not all are inhabited) and covering a total area of 1.4 million hectares. The islands are administratively divided into six provinces: Torba, Sanma, Penama, Malampa, Shefa and Tafea. The country has a population of 272,459 people, with 75% of its people living in rural areas.1 It has a young demographic. The national median age is 20 and people under 18 years of age represent 43% of the population. The average household size is 4.8 people, which is the same in both urban and rural areas. The majority of households in Vanuatu practice subsistence farming: 88% of households are engaged in agriculture, 69% in livestock production and 49% in fisheries.2 Root crops like taro, yam and cassava are traditional staples for household cultivation and are grown using organic farming practices and rain irrigation. 3 These are supplemented by more recently introduced crops such as sweet potatoes, peanuts, cabbage, tomatoes, capsicum and eggplants.4 Coconut, cacao, coffee, kava, spices and sandalwood are also grown by families as their main source of income. These cash crops are subject to fluctuations in world commodity prices. Kava, pigs, mats and yams hold significant customary value in Vanuatu and are often used and 1 Vanuatu National Statistics Office. (2017). Vanuatu 2016 Post-Tropical Cyclone Pam Mini Census: Volume 1 Basic Tables. 2 Ibid. 3 Government of Vanuatu. (2015) Vanuatu Agriculture Sector Policy 2015-2030. Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity. 4 Ibid; Mackey et al. (2017). Vanuatu Ecosystem and Socio-Economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping. 4 exchanged in cultural ceremonies. Handicrafts such as woven mats and bags are also a source of income for some families. These are produced by women largely for the tourism market.5 The dispersed and remote geography of the islands pose challenges for the delivery of essential services. There are stark differences between urban and rural areas. Across the country, 16% of households have no access to improved drinking water, 65% have no access to improved sanitation and 65% use solar as the main source of lighting.6 Vanuatu is also regarded as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the occurrence of multiple geophysical and natural hazards, including cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides, flooding and drought.7 Sea level rise is projected between the ranges of five and 15 centimetres by 2030, with increases of 20 to 60 centimetres by 2090 under the high emissions scenarios.8 Vanuatu has two distinct seasons: a dry, cool season from May to October and a wet, hot season (the ‘cyclone season’) from November to April. Vanuatu’s latitude situates itself in the path of tropical cyclones, as evidenced by recent cyclones Pam (March 2015), Donna (May 2017), Gita (February 2018), Hola (March 2018) and the recent Category 5 Cyclone Harold (April 2020) which occurred during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Changing weather patterns associated with El Niño Southern Oscillation also increase the risk of flooding and drought as well as prolonged dry spells in Vanuatu. 9 Rainfall deficiency in the southern islands of Vanuatu at the beginning of 2020 led to water shortages and reduced agricultural productivity. The 2019 outbreak of coconut rhinoceros beetle on Efate island posed a major threat to the country’s coconut industry, which is a source of livelihood for thousands of people. Further, Vanuatu has multiple active volcanoes. A state of emergency was declared for the Ambae volcanic eruptions in 2017 and 2018, which saw the entire island’s population temporarily evacuated to the nearby islands of Maewo and Santo. The volcanic ashfall destroyed building structures, agricultural lands and natural ecosystems. Kastom plays an important part of cultural and kinship systems in Vanuatu. Whilst customary beliefs, values and practices vary between islands, they are widely observed and co-exist with people’s strong faith in Christianity. Kastom assigns discrete yet complementary roles to women and men, however there has been significant changes due to foreign contact and influence. 10 Contemporary Vanuatu society is largely patriarchal. Whilst kastom bestowed authority to men with chiefly titles, decisions were shared and agreed to by both spouses within the extended family unit. The role played by women in household decision-making no longer exist or constitute modern notions of kastom. The dynamic interaction between kastom, religion, and globalisation contributes to the complexity and sensitivity of gender issues. 5 Ministry of Tourism, Industry, Commerce and Ni-Vanuatu Business. (2013). Vanuatu Strategic Tourism Action Plan 2014-2018. 6 Vanuatu National Statistics Office. (2017). Vanuatu 2016 Post-Tropical Cyclone Pam Mini Census: Volume 1 Basic Tables. 7 Government of Vanuatu. (2015). Vanuatu Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2016-2030; World Risk Report 2015 and 2019. 8 Government of Vanuatu. (2014). Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 9 Ibid. 10 Tor, R. and Toka, A. (2004). Gender, Kastom & Domestic Violence. 5 Inequalities between women and men in Vanuatu exist against these multifaceted layers of social, political, economic, cultural and environmental factors. Some of the specific challenges and issues are summarised below. • The occurrence of domestic violence is considered to remain unchanged from 2011, with approximately 60% of women having experienced some form of physical and/or sexual violence during their lifetime.11 Almost one in three women (30%) were sexually abused before the age of 15 and in most cases their abusers were male relatives or boyfriends. More than one in four women experienced rape as their first sexual encounter. Nearly 43% of women who are pregnant experience psychological, physical or sexual violence during their pregnancy.12 • The powers under the Family Protection Act 2008 are yet to be fully realised by authorities specified in the Act. The initial pilot of the Authorised Persons and Registered Counsellors was conducted in six communities in the Shefa and Sanma provinces. Data from the Vanuatu Police shows the largest proportion of domestic violence cases reported to Police between 2015 and 2019 was from Shefa (59%), followed by Sanma (28%). For all other provinces, the proportion of reported cases was significantly lower (Malampa 6%; Penama 4%; Tafea 2% and Torba 0.1%). For the same period, nearly two-thirds (90%) of Family Protection Orders were issued in Shefa and Sanma provinces, where there are permanent Magistrate Courts. • The proportion of male and female students enrolled in early childhood, primary and secondary education has remained relatively stable, with a small annual fluctuation observed between 2016 and 2018. According to the 2018 data, female enrolment in early childhood and primary education remained slightly lower than that of their male counterparts, whilst the proportion of females in secondary education was marginally higher than males.13 Children with disabilities are less likely to attend primary education and to a greater extent secondary education than those without disabilities.14 Compared to 2009, there are notable changes at the tertiary level, with higher proportion of females undertaking university studies in 2018. Gender gaps remain in post-secondary education and training, with males outnumbering females in technical and vocational studies. Traditional gender norms are evident in the type of courses undertaken, with high male enrolments in automotive and building construction and high female enrolments in hospitality, tourism, business studies and home care. • More women than men are involved in the informal economy. This makes them more susceptible to abuse, exploitation, unsafe and unfair working conditions. Gender stereotypes reinforce the reproductive roles of women, with more women than men undertaking unpaid domestic work such as caring for children, the elderly, people with disabilities and other family members, on top of their existing workloads in subsistence farming and other livelihood activities, and church and social obligations. The 2016 Mini- 11 Vanuatu Women’s Centre and VNSO. (2011). Vanuatu National Survey on Women’s Lives and Family Relationships. 12 McKelvie, S., Fisher, J., Tran, T., and Leodoro, B. (2020). Women’s Health and Relationships during Pregnancy in Vanuatu Study. 13 Ministry of Education and Training. (2019). Statistical Digest 2016-2018. 14 UNICEF Pacific and VNSO. (2014). Children, Women and Men with Disabilities in Vanuatu: What do the data day? 6 Census showed most women (39% of all women) in Vanuatu were full-time home makers with rural women accounting for 75% of all full-time home makers. • The number of women who hold senior positions in the workplace is gradually increasing but remains low. In 2019, two out of seven Director Generals and eight out of 43 Directors of government departments were women. For the first time, a Ni-Vanuatu woman was promoted to the position of Police Inspector (2016) and Supreme Court Judge (2019). Women have also held political advisor roles within the Ministry for Lands and Natural Resources, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ministry of Internal Affairs.15 In the Ministry of Education and Training, only 8% of secondary schools were headed by female principles and all directors (except for one) were male.16 • The Municipalities Amendment Act No 11 of 2013 established a quota system for women to contest local government elections. The provincial and municipal level elections for the 2018-2021 term resulted in 11 municipal female councillors (accounting for 25.6% of all municipal councillors) and seven provincial female councillors (7.1% of all provincial councillors). 17 No female mayors were elected, but there were some female deputy mayors elected. At the September 2019 municipal election, six female councillors were voted into Luganville Municipal Council.18 There were more than 15 female candidates at the 2020 general elections, but none won their seats. • Women and girls in Vanuatu experience considerable health inequalities. Vanuatu has one of the highest adolescent fertility rates among the Pacific islands at 81 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 years. 19 Pregnant girls face difficulties in completing their schooling which can contribute to lifelong socio-economic disadvantage. Although significant improvements have been made in the area of maternal and child health, the numbers of maternal deaths during childbirth and child deaths under five in Vanuatu are still unacceptably high. 20 Almost half of all child mortality cases are associated with malnutrition. Approximately 20-30% of women in an intimate relationship who either do not want children or wish to delay pregnancy are unable to access contraceptives. 21 Violence against women is endemic throughout the country. It severely affects women’s physical and reproductive health as well as their mental wellbeing.22 The prevalence of physical and sexual violence is higher in rural areas than in urban areas, yet access to medical, justice and crisis support services is lacking in locations outside of urban centres. Female sex workers are highly exposed to the risks of sexually transmitted infections, 15 Ministry of Justice and Community Services. (2019). Beijing+25 National Review Report. 16 Ministry of Education and Training. (2019). Statistical Digest 2016-2018. 17 Commonwealth Local Government Forum. ‘Local Government System in Vanuatu: Country Profile 2017-18’. 18 Based on the findings of provincial consultation. 19 2013 data from: United Nations Populations Fund. (2019). The State of the Pacific’s Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Workforce. 20 Ministry of Health Maternal Death Review Committee 2016; Vanuatu Ministry of Health (2017). Vanuatu Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Policy and Implementation Strategy 2017-2020. 21 United Nations Populations Fund. (2015). Vanuatu Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Needs Assessment. 22 Vanuatu Women’s Centre and VNSO. (2011). Vanuatu National Survey on Women’s Lives and Family Relationships. 7 HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancies, rape, physical and emotional violence, harassment and discrimination. • The national prevalence rate of disability is between 3% and 12%, depending on the definition used to measure disability. Disability is highly correlated with age and there are gender differences observed in older age groups. For example, men aged 70 and over are twice as likely to have a disability than women of the same age cohort.23 People with disabilities are more likely to be living in the lowest wealth quintile than those without disabilities. 24 Women and children with disabilities face additional stigma and social exclusion and are susceptible to abuse and exploitation. More than one in five women (21%) who have been injured as a result of intimate partner violence have sustained a permanent disability.25 • Climate change and disasters disproportionately impact women and girls because of the underlying inequalities they face. In 2017, the Gender and Protection Cluster supported the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) in the Ambae volcano response, including the activation of the first ever joint cluster response to evacuate 170 people with disabilities and their carers to Luganville during the State of Emergency. 26 Understanding the specific needs and capacities of women, children, youth, people with disabilities and other societal groups is central to enhancing Vanuatu’s resilience to endure large-scale environmental, economic and humanitarian crises. Concurrent crises further exacerbate the economic and social inequalities between men and women. The ongoing implications of international border closures and social restrictions due to COVID-19 in particular, are of concern to the wellbeing of women and children in Vanuatu. If appropriate and timely interventions are not put in place, development gains achieved so far may be undone, hence increasing the risk of poverty across the country. • The annual budget for the DWA was reduced from 0.17% of the national budget appropriation in 2015 to 0.11% in 2019. Like most departments, the DWA budget did not include funding allocation for policy implementation or programming activities. In 2017, the National Recovery Committee retracted VUV 158 million in funding from DWA. These funds were originally earmarked for gender, disability and child protection activities associated with Tropical Cyclone Pam recovery. The funding was instead allocated to other sectors managed by the Department of Strategic Policy, Planning and Aid Coordination (DSPPAC).27 23 UNICEF Pacific and Vanuatu National Statistics Office. (2014). Children, Women and Men with Disabilities in Vanuatu: What do the data say? 24 Ibid. 25 Vanuatu Women’s Centre and VNSO. (2011). Vanuatu National Survey on Women’s Lives and Family Relationships. 26 Department of Women’s Affairs (2018). Annual Report 27 Department of Women’s Affairs (2018). Annual Report. 8

2.3 Policy Linkage to International, Regional and National Commitments Vanuatu is a signatory to a number of international human rights treaties. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was ratified in 1995 and the Optional Protocol 28 to the CEDAW in 2007. CEDAW legally binds states to fulfil, protect and respect women’s human rights in order to achieve equality between women and men. Further, states are responsible for eliminating gender inequalities at all levels in both public and private spheres of society. In March 2018, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women adopted the General Recommendation No.37 on gender-related dimensions of disaster risk reduction in the context of climate change. This recommendation calls on state parties to implement measures to prevent, mitigate and respond to disasters and climate change and to ensure the rights of women and girls are safeguarded in accordance with the CEDAW. Vanuatu has also adopted the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and supports the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. Vanuatu ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992 and its two Optional Protocols in 2006, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008. The government’s obligations to ensure the realisation of rights, freedoms and protection of children and people with disabilities, under these conventions, are further elaborated in the National Child Protection Policy 2016-2026 and the National Disability Inclusive Development Policy 2018-2025. There are strong synergies between these conventions and policies. When considered with this policy, they collectively contribute to the achievement of the global 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Goals (SDGs), particularly: ▪ Goal 1 on ending poverty; ▪ Goal 3 on good health and wellbeing; ▪ Goal 4 on quality education; ▪ Goal 5 on gender equality; ▪ Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth; ▪ Goal 10 on reduced inequalities; ▪ Goal 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions; and ▪ Goal 17 on partnerships for the SDGs. Under SDG 5, there are nine targets for gender equality: ▪ 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere; ▪ 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation; ▪ 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation; ▪ 5.4: Recognise and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate; ▪ 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life; 28 The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (OP-CEDAW) is an international treaty which establishes complaint and inquiry mechanisms for the CEDAW. 9 ▪ 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their respective review conferences; ▪ 5.A: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws; ▪ 5.B: Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women; and ▪ 5.C: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels. At the regional level, Vanuatu endorsed the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration 2012 and the Pacific Platform for Action on Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights 2018-2030. These instruments reaffirm regional and national commitments to the international human rights conventions and the SDGs to accelerate efforts to achieve gender equality, to promote and to protect the rights of women and girls. The importance of gender equality, social inclusion and women’s empowerment is further articulated in the Framework for Pacific Regionalism 2014 and the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action (S.A.M.O.A) Pathway 2014, both of which have been endorsed by Vanuatu. Gender equality first appeared as a state-led policy priority in the Government’s Comprehensive Reform Program of the late 1990s and later in the Priorities and Action Agenda (PAA) 2006 – 2015. In 2016, the PAA was superseded by the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) 2016-2030, Vanuatu 2030: The People’s Plan. The NSDP articulates the country's vision and overarching policy framework for achieving “a Stable, Sustainable and Prosperous Vanuatu” by identifying the national priorities and context for the implementation of the SDGs.29 The NSDP identifies three core pillars through which its vision is to be achieved: (i) society (ii) environment and (iii) economy. Compared to the PAA, the NSDP has a stronger focus on access, equity and inclusion, with 10 specific policy objectives in the Social Pillar that mutually reinforce the agenda on gender equality and human rights: • 2.1: Ensure every child has access to the education system regardless of gender, location, educational needs or circumstances; • 3.1: Ensure the population of Vanuatu has equitable access to affordable, quality health care through the fair distribution of facilities that are suitably resourced and equipped; • 4.1: Implement gender responsive planning and budgeting process; • 4.2: Prevent and eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against women, children and other vulnerable groups; • 4.3: Empower and support people with disabilities; • 4.4: Define the roles, responsibilities and relationships between the state, churches, traditional leaders and communities in safeguarding human rights and protecting traditional values and Christian principles; 29 Government of Vanuatu (2016). National Sustainable Development Plan 2016 to 2030. Vanuatu 2030: The People’s Plan, p.2 10 • 4.5: Ensure all people, including those with disabilities, have access to government services, buildings and public spaces; • 4.6: Provide opportunities, support and protection services for youth and children as valued members of society; • 5.1: Ensure all people have timely and equitable access to independent, well-resourced justice institutions; and • 6.3: Enact political reforms that promote stability, accountability, constituency representation and civic engagement. In addition to the policy objectives mentioned above, the NSDP has nine other policy objectives in the Social Pillar, eight policy objectives in the Environment Pillar and 17 policy objectives in the Economic Pillar which complement and support the strategic areas and objectives contained in this policy. The integration of gender equality and social inclusion in the NSDP is reflective of the role played by the MJCS and the DWA, as well as civil society actors, in contributing to and influencing the national development planning process. Finally, the National Gender Equality Policy also has clear linkages to the Government’s Justice and Community Services Sector Strategy (JCSSS) 2018-2021. The policy objectives and priority actions on eliminating discrimination and violence against women and girls (Strategic Area 1 of this policy) in particular, complements the JCSSS focus on victim support to improve the sector response to protection and service delivery and provision for the victims of crime and violence. The policy linkage to international, regional and national commitments discussed in this section is depicted in Figure 1. 11 Figure 1. National Gender Equality Policy 2020-2030 and Linkage to NSDP National Development Vision: "Jastis, sefti, dignity, rispek mo gud fasin "A stable, sustainable and prosperous Vanuatu" blong everiwan" Justice and Community Services Sector Vanuatu 2030 The People's Plan Strategy 2018-2021 National Gender Equality Policy Vision: "A safe, just and secure society where Economy Environment everyone works together to build happy Society Pillar Pillar Pillar families, strong communities and a Societal resilient Vanuatu" ECO 1. Stable ENV 1. Food Outcomes SOC 2. Quality and Equitable and Nutrition Education Growth Security Strategic Area 1. Eliminating discrimination and violence against Peace, protection and ENV 2. Blue- security among families women and girls SOC 3. Quality ECO 2. Improve Green Health Care Infrastructure Economic Growth An educated, diverse and Strategic Area 2. Enhancing women's economic empowerment and ECO 3. productive workforce skills development SOC 4. Social Strengthen Rural Inclusion ENV 3. Climate Communities and Disaster SOC 5. Resilience ECO 4. Create Shared decision making and Strategic Area 3. Advancing women's leadership and political Security, Peace Jobs and ENV 4. Natural responsible resource management Business participation and Justice Opportunities Resource Management SOC 6. Strong Gender-responsive and inclusive Strategic Area 4. Strengthening the foundation for gender and Effective Institutions policies, programs and services mainstreaming Enhanced safety, dignity and Strategic Area 5. Fostering gender-responsive and rights for all community-driven solutions to climate and disaster resilience 11 3. Policy Framework

3.1 Policy Vision A safe, just and secure society where everyone works together to build happy families, strong communities and a resilient Vanuatu.

3.2 Policy Goal To promote respect and equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities among men and women of all ages and abilities in Vanuatu.

3.3 Policy Statement The Government of Vanuatu is committed to leading the advancement of equality between men and women through accountable and collaborative arrangements at national, provincial and community levels, and across development sectors in line with international and national obligations. The purpose of the policy is to provide a unifying strategic framework for government, civil society and development partners to coordinate actions to advance gender equality and the well- being of women and girls in Vanuatu.

3.4 Operating Principles The National Gender Equality Policy recognises that women and men are equal partners, contributors and beneficiaries of “a stable, sustainable and prosperous Vanuatu”, the national vision articulated in the NDSP. The Policy is guided by the following principles: ▪ Understanding the fundamental rights and freedoms of all men and women in Vanuatu; ▪ Respecting that the united and free independent nation of Vanuatu is founded on Melanesian values and Christian principles; ▪ Recognising that equality between women and men starts with families, the most fundamental unit of society; ▪ Understanding that equal and healthy relationships between women and men have positive benefits for families, communities, and for nation building; 13 ▪ Recognising diversity among women and girls in Vanuatu and their varied abilities, aspirations and circumstances, including women and girls with disabilities, widows, women-headed households, adolescent girls and elderly women; ▪ Recognising the significant contributions of the education and health sectors towards policy implementation. Education- and health-specific priority actions have been included for each strategic area of this policy; ▪ Recognising the importance of accountability, transparency and strong collaboration at all levels (national, provincial, municipal, community and family) and across all ministries, sectors and industries; ▪ Endorsing clear and consistent messaging among government, civil society and development partners to avoid any harm or negative repercussions for women and girls; and ▪ Acknowledging Vanuatu’s international and regional commitments to gender equality and human rights.

3.5 Strategic Areas The National Gender Equality Policy will achieve the policy vision and goals by focusing on five strategic areas: 1. Eliminating discrimination and violence against women and girls 2. Enhancing women’s economic empowerment and skills development 3. Advancing women’s leadership and political participation 4. Strengthening the foundation for gender mainstreaming 5. Fostering gender responsive and community-driven solutions to climate and disaster resilience These strategic areas are intended to provide high-level policy direction. They remain broad to enable flexibility in the design and implementation of interventions that are attuned to subnational and sector-specific contexts. At the same time, the strategic areas will foster multi- agency and multi-sector collaboration and investments in gender equality. Each strategic area is accompanied by a set of broad policy objectives, indicators, priority actions and theory of action. There are also specific targets that accompany each of the priority actions, which are detailed in the policy’s Implementation Plan. 14

3.6 Theory of Action Each of the five strategic areas is supported by a theory of action. A theory of action is a visual logic of high-level priority actions required to bring about long-term, sustainable change. This will help garner support from all levels and sectors for the collective implementation of this policy. A theory of action, rather than a theory of change, has been purposely selected for the policy to accelerate and amplify specific actions by organisations. Some of the actions can be instigated swiftly by using existing organisational capacity, partnerships and resources and others will demand detailed and careful planning, collaboration and execution. The rationale for the development of theory of action is to provide a clear articulation of practical and necessary measures to enable supportive institutional, legal and policy environments for gender equality. This approach will assist organisations in defining their role, relationship and ‘place’ within the policy framework to influence and contribute to its implementation. The theory of action provides the policy with a strong backbone as it: ▪ Clarifies the programming logic to guide the design and implementation of actions; ▪ Identifies the appropriate actors to work with and recognises their existing strengths, networks and areas of influence; ▪ Provides a link between local and national changes, focusing on the changes in the lives and wellbeing of all women and girls; ▪ Highlights ineffective actions to allow for adjustment and modification; ▪ Fosters collaboration between agencies and avoids duplication; ▪ Contextualises the actions needed to instigate change at local, municipal, provincial and national levels; and ▪ Guides the process of monitoring and evaluation which can feed into tracking the goals and targets of the NSDP, CEDAW and SDGs. The theory of action is represented in a schematic diagram for each strategic area of the policy. Its key components are the policy objectives, priority actions and societal outcomes. The cause- and-effect logic is provided in an “if-then-because statement” for each strategic area. For legibility, the priority actions shown in the schematic diagrams have been condensed. For the full list of priority actions, refer to the policy’s Implementation Plan.

3.7 The Role of Department of Women’s Affairs As the principal national machinery for women in Vanuatu, DWA has the following responsibilities: ▪ Promoting this policy within government and across development sectors to achieve whole-of-society alignment with this policy; ▪ Coordinating the implementation of this policy by collaborating with Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, government and non-governmental stakeholders, local communities and development partners; 15 ▪ Supporting DSPPAC and other government agencies to mainstream and integrate gender issues into planning and decision-making processes at the national, provincial and community levels; and ▪ Monitoring and reporting on the policy’s implementation progress, gaps and opportunities, and sharing this information with wider stakeholders. 16 4. Strategy Statement This section of the policy presents the theory of action, policy objectives, policy outcomes and the priority actions for each of the five strategic areas of the policy. Strategic Area 1. Eliminating discrimination and violence against women and girls Violence against women and girls continues to be a widespread problem in Vanuatu. Both government and NGOs, with support from development partners, have conducted numerous community awareness programs focusing on women’s rights, gender-based violence (GBV) and the Family Protection Act 2008. Preventative measures to transform underlying attitudes and behaviours among men, boys, chiefs, church leaders and perpetrators of violence are desperately needed, in addition to community awareness to prevent and reduce physical, sexual and emotional abuse against women and girls. The Ministry of Justice and Community Services has piloted the appointment of Authorised Persons (Section 7 of the Family Protection Act 2008) in six communities on the islands of Efate and Santo since early 2018. The appointment of Authorised Persons is yet to be rolled out in other rural and remote communities without access to magistrate courts. Chiefs are exercising customary law to settle disputes or to determine whether a case should be reported to Police. This is more common in rural and remote communities where there is little or no police or court presence. It is vital that access to and the delivery of policing, justice and support services is improved in the outer provinces. This should be coupled with greater community awareness on GBV and the Family Protection Act. There is improved coordination and referrals of domestic and GBV cases between Police, Ministry of Health, Vanuatu Women’s Centre, Vanuatu Family Health Association and other service providers. However, improvements are needed in the quality of medical treatment and care provided to survivors of violence, including adequate training of health care staff to appropriately respond to physical and sexual violence, particularly in rural and remote areas. The specific needs of women and girls with disabilities should also be considered. There is also a need to introduce a consistent procedure for reporting incidences of harassment and violence within schools. Legislative and policy reforms are needed to remove discriminatory provisions and practices and to promote and protect the rights and safety of women and girls in the home, community, school, workplace and society at large. Policy Objectives ▪ 1.1 To undertake legislative reforms and bolster national leadership on ending discrimination and violence against women and girls ▪ 1.2 To address discriminatory attitudes, norms and behaviours, and promote healthy relationships between women and men ▪ 1.3 To deliver an integrated survivor-centred services with improved quality of healthcare and protection for women and children affected by violence ▪ 1.4 To ensure the accountability of justice systems and institutions in safeguarding women and children, and supporting family reconciliation 17 Key Indicators ▪ Number of bills passed and legislation amended as part of the comprehensive law reform to eliminate discrimination and violence against women and girls by 2030 ▪ Prevalence of physical, sexual and emotional violence against women in 2030 compared to 2011 national survey ▪ Percentage of cases of violence against women and children reported to police and investigated and finalised by state justice system between 2020 and 2030 ▪ Multiservice delivery protocols, standards and referral pathways are developed and operationalised by 2030 Figure 2. Strategic Area 1: Priority Actions 18 Strategic Area 1: Theory of Action Discrimination and violence against women and girls in Vanuatu will be eliminated if: • National leadership is strengthened to undertake legislative and policy reforms in line with international human rights standards (policy and legislation) • Preventative measures, focusing on men’s behaviour change, are scaled up and expanded to all provinces (prevention) • Survivor-centred services and quality care are provided to women and children affected by violence (protection) • And they have access to fair, timely and responsible justice systems (justice) then there will be peace, protection and security among families because transforming discriminatory attitudes and norms start at home through healthy relationships between women and men, and institutions need to be held accountable for following relevant laws, and promoting and safeguarding human rights. Strategic Area 2. Enhancing women’s economic empowerment and skills development There is evident progress in the empowerment of women in both the formal and informal economies. Women’s involvement in marketing cash crops, fish, cooked food and handicrafts has contributed to improved living standards for rural and peri-urban communities. Market facilities in urban centres have been upgraded and fitted with lighting and improved washroom amenities to cater for women, who comprise the vast majority of market vendors. New market facilities are also currently being constructed in rural areas. Livelihood and business diversification and value adding are essential for women to stay competitive in the market. This is certainly the case for communities that have traditionally relied on copra production. The global decline in copra prices, the recent infestation of the coconut rhinoceros beetle, the sudden decline in tourism activity because of the global pandemic, and impacts from recurrent natural disasters, have inevitably forced families to look for new and diversified sources of income. Some rural women and girls are migrating to urban centres to work as unpaid or underpaid domestic labour. This type of employment is typically arranged informally through family networks and is unregulated, exposing women to mistreatment and exploitation. Within the home, women are playing an important role in managing household finances and investing in local savings and loans schemes to increase their access to financial capital. This has flow-on benefits to communities. Although still small in number, women are also participating in labour mobility schemes in Australia and New Zealand and sending remittances to their families. However, there is limited understanding on the benefits and costs of labour migration schemes on family relationships, community cohesion and poverty reduction. There is even greater financial pressure and social burden placed on women as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related economic fallout. Increasing women’s and girl’s participation in tertiary and vocational training, combined with gender equitable workplace policies on maternity leave, sexual harassment, menstrual hygiene management and fair working conditions30 are pivotal to expanding employment opportunities for women. So too is inclusive education to ensure the participation and engagement of students 30 Government of Vanuatu (2019). Beijing + 25 National Review Report. 19 with disabilities, adolescent girls who are pregnant and students who experience socio-economic disadvantage. These measures will enhance their wellbeing and life outcomes. Policy Objectives ▪ Objective 2.1 To provide formal schooling that is inclusive and safe for male and female students ▪ Objective 2.2 To support upskilling of women and job creation for young women to increase workforce diversity ▪ Objective 2.3 To promote fair and equitable employment, wealth and workplaces Key Indicators ▪ Inclusive education, gender equity and child safeguarding policies reviewed and operationalised for all government-registered educational and training institutions by 2030 ▪ Proportion of men and women participating in the labour force by age and sector, compared with men and women with disabilities by 2030 ▪ Employment Act [CAP 160] is amended to incorporate provisions on sexual misconduct, parental leave, and equal pay and working conditions for men and women, by 2030 Figure 3. Strategic Area 2: Priority Actions 20 Strategic Area 2: Theory of Action Women’s economic empowerment and skills development will be enhanced if: • The formal education system is inclusive and safe for students (inclusive and safe schools) • A supportive environment is created to support job creation and encourage training and upskilling of women, men and youths in productive and non-traditional sectors (upskilling and job creation) • And women have fair and equitable access to employment, wealth and workplaces like their male counterparts (fair and equitable growth) then there will be an educated, diverse and productive workforce contributing to family prosperity because women and men respect each other for their diverse abilities, knowledge and skills, and have equal opportunities to achieve to their full potential by being active participants, contributors and beneficiaries of a just and well-functioning economy that is able to withstand external shocks. Strategic Area 3. Advancing women’s leadership and political participation As Vanuatu celebrates 40 years of independence, the momentum is building for a renewed sense of nationhood and active citizenship. Women and men are rising up to have their voices heard, to ensure governance and decision-making processes are inclusive and representative and to hold governments and institutions to account. The emergence of new groups and partnerships on gender equality and women’s empowerment, comprising of both women and men, is reflective of the changes that are occurring in the broader society. Alliances and coalitions within and across sectors at all levels are vital to progress lasting social and political change. Women play an important role in family decision-making and are in many cases the managers of household finances. This has significant implications on women’s involvement in decision-making processes of the church, women’s groups and local governance bodies. Some women are taking up management positions as secretaries and treasurers in committees including those for rural water, schools, community disaster and climate change. Evidence shows that Community Disaster and Climate Change Committees (CDCCCs) and water resource committees with female members function better than those that don’t. Despite this, inherent norms and attitudes on gender continue to hinder women’s participation in political decision-making. At the 2020 general election, no women were elected into parliament. There were 15 female candidates, some backed by the major political parties. No amendments have been made to the Constitution to create reserved seats for women in parliament. The Decentralization Act [CAP 230] has not been amended to create reserved seats for women in provincial government regions. However, at the municipal level, the introduction of a special quota for women (30-34%) in 2014 has enabled more women to contest local government elections. There is an opportunity to use existing community (e.g. CDCCCs, Rural Water Committees, school committees), church (e.g. Vanuatu Christian Council, women’s groups, mother’s unions), educational institutions (e.g. schools, provincial Skills Centres and universities) and civil society (e.g. Vanuatu National Council of Women, Oxfam’s Civil Society Influencing Networks) groups and networks as spaces and platforms to educate men and women about the benefits of women in leadership and political decision-making. This includes the vital role that women play in national and regional security through conflict resolution, and resilience and peace building. There is a need to have a deeper understanding of public attitudes and perceptions towards women’s leadership and political participation to break the glass ceiling for women to be widely accepted 21 into politics and paramount societal institutions, such as the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs and the Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC). Policy Objectives ▪ Objective 3.1 To promote gender responsive governance ▪ Objective 3.2 To enhance women’s full and equal participation in leadership and decision making ▪ Objective 3.3 To strengthen coalitions and collective action towards women’s leadership and political representation Key Indicators ▪ Number of women in director general and director positions within the public service by 2030 ▪ Proportion of male and female area administrators, municipal and provincial councillors and parliamentarians by 2030 ▪ Decentralization Act [CAP 230] and the Constitution reviewed to create reserved seats for women in provincial and national level elections by 2030 Figure 4. Strategic Area 3: Priority Actions 22 Strategic Area 3: Theory of Action Women’s leadership and political participation will be advanced if: • Governance institutions are gender responsive (gender responsive governance) • Women have opportunities to fully and equally participate in decision-making processes at all levels (leadership and decision-making) • Organisations, men and women unite to support the elevation of women into leadership positions (coalitions and collective action) then there will be shared decision-making and responsible governance and management of available resources because women and men bring different yet complementary views and experiences needed to make informed decisions on the future of Vanuatu’s society, economy and environment. Strategic Area 4. Strengthening the foundation for gender mainstreaming There has been a slow but steady progress towards building a foundation for gender mainstreaming. Gender equality objectives and indicators have been incorporated into the NSDP. Various government ministries, including agriculture, education and lands have developed their own sector- and ministry-specific gender policies. For other sectoral policies, references are made to gender issues or ‘women’, however they lack specific strategies to address gender barriers and promote social inclusion. In 2014, the Council of Ministers agreed to Decision 156/2014 to mandate all Ministers, Director- Generals and heads of agencies or institutions to nominate at least one qualified woman for each vacancy on a government committee, task force, working group or other official body. This decision applied to all national, provincial and local administrations. Similarly, the Council of Ministers approved Decision 94 of 2017 for Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) to be introduced in the 2018 budget for five ministries: Ministry of Climate Change, Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Local Authorities. This was extended all other ministries in 2019. These two decisions from the Council of Ministers are yet to be implemented. Age, sex and disability disaggregated data is inconsistently collected and shared across government ministries and departments. Improved data collection, analysis and dissemination is needed for evidence-based planning and to track Vanuatu’s progress in meeting its commitments against the NSDP and international obligations under CEDAW and other human rights treaties. The gaps highlight the importance of DSPPAC’s ownership and leadership to ensure gender issues are systematically integrated into government decision-making on policies, budgeting and service delivery. In the first quarter of 2020, the DWA had 14 staff including five provincial officers (all provinces except for Penama). Technical capacity among DWA staff is increasing, however gaps exist in the domains of gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, GBV, monitoring and evaluation. The DWA budget in 2019 represented just 0.11% of the national budget appropriation, down from 0.17% in 2015. The DWA budget covered wages and operational costs. No budget was allocated for programming and policy implementation. Ongoing discussions between DWA, DSPPAC and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) are needed to ensure sufficient budgets are allocated to DWA to fulfil its function and responsibilities identified in this policy. 23 Policy Objectives ▪ Objective 4.1 To enhance government leadership and accountability on gender mainstreaming ▪ Objective 4.2 To strengthen institutional capacity for implementation, monitoring, reporting and review of this policy Key Indicators ▪ Gender responsive planning and budgeting processes are implemented within national, provincial and municipal level governments by 2030 ▪ Increased government and donor investments on gender equality and women’s empowerment programs for outer provinces and rural areas by 2030 Figure 5. Strategic Area 4: Priority Actions 24 Strategic Area 4: Theory of Action The foundation for gender mainstreaming will be strengthened if: • Government exercises leadership and accountability for gender mainstreaming (government leadership and accountability) • And institutions are strengthened and work collaboratively and in a coordinated manner to facilitate policy implementation, monitoring and reporting (institutional capacity) then there will be gender responsive and inclusive policies, programs and services because institutions will be held accountable for advancing gender equality in accordance with international, regional and national commitments on gender equality and human rights. Strategic Area 5. Fostering gender responsive and community-driven solutions to climate and disaster resilience Climate change and disaster risks have different impacts on women and men. Gender roles and inequalities can exacerbate the vulnerability of women and girls to natural hazards. For instance, women and girls in Vanuatu are typically involved in household food production, cooking, fetching water and caring for children and the elderly. A major crisis like a cyclone, volcanic eruption or a health pandemic can intensify the workloads of women and girls as they are expected to continue providing and caring for their families during difficult circumstances. This can have significant implications on health, safety and wellbeing of women and girls. In some cases, the susceptibility of women and girls to violence can be heightened during and after emergencies. Gender differences need to be considered when planning and managing climate and disaster risks. Women and men bring valuable knowledge and experiences which are important to help understand the differing needs and priorities to cope and adapt to the environmental, social and economic changes brought on by climate change. The engagement of children, youth, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in resilience planning is also necessary to identify suitable pathways for adaptation and low-carbon growth. The Department of Women’s Affairs is the government Cluster lead of the Gender and Protection Cluster with Save the Children and CARE International being the non-government co-leads. The Cluster has produced resources and tools such as the code of conduct, GBV referral pathway and cards, and deployment packs for emergency responders. It has also delivered awareness training on protection issues in emergencies and prevention of GBV to women, children, church leaders, disaster-affected communities and CDCCCs. The Cluster’s work has been instrumental in embedding protection issues into the Ambae and Affected Islands Recovery Plan 2019-2022, a comprehensive action plan for recovery programmes and actions to assist Ambae and islands affected by displaced populations from Ambae, including Santo, Maewo, Pentecost and Efate. The technical support from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has also resulted in the inclusion of gender and protection issues in the Government’s National Policy on Climate Change and Disaster-Induced Displacement31. It has also improved the collection of age and sex disaggregated data on evacuee populations through the use of the IOM Data Tracking Matrix.32 Further efforts are needed to fully integrate gender responsive measures into the disaster risk planning and response operations of the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and the National Disaster Recovery Framework being developed by DSPPAC. 31 Government of Vanuatu (2018). National Policy on Climate Change and Disaster-Induced Displacement. 32 Government of Vanuatu (2019). Ambae and Affected Islands Recovery Plan 2019-2022. 25 There are also opportunities through Vanuatu’s obligations to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to integrate gender equality and social inclusion measures. For example, the development of Vanuatu’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Implementation Roadmap and accreditation for direct access through the Green Climate Fund (GCF), are avenues through which the Department of Energy (DoE), the Department of Climate Change (DoCC) and DWA can collaborate to advance the objectives of this policy. Current and planned projects funded through the GCF provide ideal and appropriate opportunities for DoE, DoCC and DWA to seek technical assistance in gender analysis and mainstreaming. These are also opportunities to set specific budgets for activities that advance gender equality and the empowerment of women, girls and vulnerable groups, particularly in key resilience and human security sectors such as water, health, agriculture, fisheries, energy and lands. Policy Objectives ▪ Objective 5.1 To strengthen gender responsiveness of climate change and disaster institutions and decision-making processes ▪ Objective 5.2 To protect women, children and people with disabilities in emergencies through coordinated humanitarian action ▪ Objective 5.3 To nurture community-owned and locally-led solutions to resilience building Key Indicators ▪ Gender and social protection outcomes integrated into climate change and disaster-related legislation, policies and programs by 2030 ▪ Coordination between the Gender Protection Cluster and national, provincial, municipal and community disaster and climate change committees and governance bodies is strengthened by 2030 ▪ Women-led initiatives that contribute towards low carbon growth and adaptation are funded and implemented by 2030 26 Figure 6. Strategic Area 5: Priority Actions Strategic Area 5: Theory of Action Gender responsive and community-driven solutions to climate and disaster resilience will be fostered if: • Institutions and decision-making processes are gender responsive (gender responsive institutions and decision-making) • The safety of women, children and people with disabilities is protected during humanitarian emergencies (protection of women, children and people with disabilities during emergencies) • Solutions to climate and disaster resilience is owned and led by communities (local solutions to resilience building) then safety, dignity and rights will be enhanced for all, and families will be better informed and organised because knowledge and skills of diverse groups are recognised and values, and communities will be resilient to environmental, health and economic shocks. 27 4. Institutional Arrangements for Implementation Accountability for achieving the policy goal and objectives is shared with line ministries, provincial governments, municipal and local councils, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, NGOs, faith-based institutions, development partners, businesses and industry, and local communities. To assist with the multi-sector and multi-stakeholder implementation of the policy, the following institutional arrangements have been established: ▪ The National Joint Working Group on National Gender Equality Policy and CEDAW will meet at least twice a year to provide high-level oversight on policy implementation to DWA. The National Joint Working Group is chaired by the Director General of MJCS and is comprised of government (DSPPAC, DWA, State Law Office) and non-government (Vanuatu Society for People with Disabilities, Vanuatu National Youth Council and Balance of Power) representatives. The DWA provides secretariat support to the National Joint Working Group. The National Joint Working Group reports to Parliament through the Minister responsible for Justice and Community Services. ▪ The DWA is the government department responsible for coordinating the implementation of the National Gender Equality Policy. The DWA acknowledges its advantage as a national women’s machinery as well as its limited technical capacity and resourcing in implementing the policy. The DWA will build and strengthen partnerships and work in collaboration with stakeholders at all levels to support policy implementation. The DWA will align its business planning and annual reporting with this policy and the implementation plan. DWA officers in each province will work closely with their respective provincial and municipal stakeholders to advocate and support policy implementation at the subnational levels. ▪ The MJCS, as the ministry that houses the DWA, the Child Desk and the Disability Desk will provide a supervisory role in ensuring the implementation of this policy contributes to and supports the Ministry’s policies on child protection and disability inclusion. Integration and partnerships between departments and agencies within the ministry will be encouraged to implement this policy, particularly on matters concerning the CEDAW, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability to which the MJCS is delegated to ensure Vanuatu’s compliance with these human rights conventions. MJCS will also work with the Malvatumauri to support policy implementation in partnership with the traditional chiefs. ▪ DSPPAC, primarily through the Sector Analyst for justice and community services, is responsible for spearheading the mainstreaming of gender issues and priorities, as outlined in this policy, into national development planning processes (including the NSDP, SDGs and other regional and international commitments), government decisions and policies, and the administration of the public service. As the department responsible for strategic policy, planning and aid coordination, DSPPAC will need to lead by example in making gender mainstreaming a core business of government. 28 The DWA, together with Child and Disability Desks, will continue to support DSPPAC to fully realise its role in leading the whole-of-government gender mainstreaming agenda. This will be achieved through the provision of interim coordination and programming support for high-level actions denoted in Strategic Area 4, including gender responsive budgeting. ▪ The Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), as the responsible agency for law enforcement and public safety, plays a vital role in contributing to the implementation of this policy. The VPF, and its Family Protection Unit, are central to investigating, referring and reporting violence against women and children in a timely manner, and issuing protection orders to safeguard those who are at risk of harm. A well-functioning police force in which officers understand and fulfil their legal responsibilities, is key to protecting the rights and wellbeing of women and children. ▪ Government gender focal points that are established in each ministry will perform a key coordination role within their respective ministries. The gender focal points are strongly encouraged to work with the DWA to identify cross-sector opportunities to undertake joint programming, community awareness, training and consultation that align with and further advance the vision, goal and objectives stated in this policy. ▪ Provincial Governments and Municipal and Area Councils are key to implementing this policy within their areas of jurisdiction. A four-year Gender Equality Action Plan has also been developed for all provinces to enable the policy objectives and priority actions to be applied and adapted to support policy implementation at provincial, municipal and community levels. DWA’s gender officers will work closely with their respective stakeholders, including local communities, to coordinate the implementation and monitoring of the Provincial Gender Equality Action Plan. ▪ Non-government partners, including the private sector, have an important role to play in implementing this policy. The MJCS and the DWA acknowledges the efforts of NGOs in advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women. The policy’s Implementation Plan 2020-2024 has been formulated to recognise the strengths of non-government partners and their initiatives that are working well to maintain and enhance their contribution towards policy implementation. ▪ The policy will also be implemented through existing mechanisms for programs supported by development partners. This includes, but is not limited to: the Spotlight Initiative (European Union, United Nations Population Fund, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Children’s Fund, International Organization for Migration), Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women (Australia, New Zealand, European Union and UNWomen), Women’s Resilience to Disasters (Australia and UN Women), Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development (Australia), Vanuatu Education Support Program (Australia), Balance of Power (Australia), Vanuatu-Australia Policing and Justice Program (Australia), Vanuatu Health Program (Australia) and Vanuatu Skills Partnership (Australia). 29 The policy will be implemented in two phases: initially for the 2020-2024 period as stipulated in the policy’s Implementation Plan. The second phase in 2025-2030 will be based on outcomes of the mid-term review, which the DWA will use to develop a revised or new Implementation Plan. The policy needs to be sufficiently resourced for it to be translated into action. Accordingly, DSPPAC and DWA are tasked with the responsibility of advocating for proper budgets, staffing and capacity building required for this policy through organisational planning, budget appropriation and aid financing mechanisms. 5. Monitoring, Review and Reporting The National Gender Equality Policy is supported by a separate Monitoring and Evaluation Framework which identifies targets and indicators for measuring the policy impact and the execution of the Implementation Plan 2020-2024. To streamline this policy, the targets and indicators contained in the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, as much as possible, are consistent with those of the MJCCCS and the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the NSDP (which also links to the global SDGs). Corresponding links to SDG on gender equality and CEDAW articles are also identified in the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. The DWA will be responsible for reviewing and reporting on the policy. A formal review of the policy will be undertaken in 2024 and 2030 to assess how implementation is tracking against its specified targets and indicators. The mid-term review of the policy in 2024 will also assess the status of the policy’s Implementation Plan. The National Joint Working Group will consider the outcomes of the mid-term review of this policy and the NSDP), as well as the CEDAW Committee conclusions on Vanuatu’s sixth CEDAW report, to revise or devise a new Implementation Plan for 2025-2030. The Monitoring and Evaluation Framework will also be reviewed and revised (if necessary). Outside of the formal reviews, annual reporting of the DWA will be used as a provisional marker for tracking the progress of the policy. The DWA will be responsible for receiving updates and progress reports from Provincial and Municipal Governments in implementing their respective Gender Action Plans and reporting on this information in the DWA annual report. Through the annual reporting process of the government, DWA’s annual report will feed into the Annual Development Report prepared by DSPPAC. 30 Figure 7. Policy Monitoring and Reporting Provincial Gender NGEP Annual Equality Reporting Action Plans 2020-2030 (yearly) (2020-2024; 2025-2030) Torba Penama Sanma DWA Malampa Implementation MJCS Plan Monitoring & Shefa Evaluation Plan DSPPAC (Annual Development Torba Report) 31 References Australian Government Department of Home Affairs (2019). Seasonal Worker Program primary visas granted. Commonwealth Local Government Forum. ‘Local Government System in Vanuatu: Country Profile 2017-18’. Available from: www.clgf.org.uk/vanuatu Department of Women’s Affairs (2018). Annual Report. Government of Vanuatu. Priorities and Action Agenda 2006-2015. Government of Vanuatu. (2012). CEDAW Combined Fourth and Fifth Periodic Report. Government of Vanuatu. (2015) Vanuatu Agriculture Sector Policy 2015-2030. Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity. Government of Vanuatu. (2014). Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Government of Vanuatu, Port Vila. Government of Vanuatu. (2015). Vanuatu Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2016-2030. Government of Vanuatu and SPC. Government of Vanuatu (2016). National Sustainable Development Plan 2016 to 2030. Vanuatu 2030: The People’s Plan. Mackey et al. (2017). Vanuatu Ecosystem and Socio-Economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping. SPREP, Apia. McKelvie, S., Fisher, J., Tran, T., and Leodoro, B. (2020). Women’s Health and Relationships during Pregnancy in Vanuatu Study. Monash University, Melbourne. Ministry of Education and Training. (2019). Statistical Digest 2016-2018. Government of Vanuatu, Port Vila. Ministry of Health (2017). Vanuatu Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Policy and Implementation Strategy 2017-2020. Ministry of Justice and Community Services. Strategy for the Justice and Community Services Sector 2018-2021. Ministry of Justice and Community Services. (2019). Beijing+25 National Review Report. Ministry of Tourism, Industry, Commerce & Ni-Vanuatu Business. (2013). Vanuatu Strategic Tourism Action Plan 2014-2018. Tor, R and Toka, A. (2004). Gender, Kastom & Domestic Violence. Vanuatu Government Department of Women’s Affairs, Port Vila. Vanuatu National Statistics Office. (2017). Vanuatu 2016 Post-Tropical Cyclone Pam Mini Census: Volume 1 Basic Tables. VNSO, Port Vila. 32 Vanuatu Women’s Centre and Vanuatu National Statistics Office. (2011). Vanuatu National Survey on Women’s Lives and Family Relationships. Vanuatu Women’s Centre, Port Vila. United Nations Children’s Fund Pacific and VNSO. (2014). Children, Women and Men with Disabilities in Vanuatu: What do the data day? UNICEF, Suva. United Nations Population Fund. (2015). Vanuatu Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Needs Assessment. United Nations Populations Fund. (2019). The State of the Pacific’s Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Workforce. UNFPA, Suva. World Risk Report 2015 and 2019. Available from: www.WorldRiskReport.org 33

Annex 1: Glossary of Key Terms Do No Harm The Do No Harm approach sets a minimum Sex and age disaggregated data standard of practice to avoid causing inadvertent Sex and age disaggregated data refers to harm to people affected by conflict, including quantitative or qualitative data that is collected women and children experiencing violence. The to provide a breakdown of variables according to approach critically examines the context in age and sex. It is used to conduct comparative which activities, programs and services are analysis to identify where differences exist delivered to avoid any negative impact on between demographic groups (for example, women, children and survivors of violence. youth, families, single parents) and between men and women to support gender responsive Gender decision-making and policy formulation. Gender refers to socially constructed roles and responsibilities of women and men. Survivor-centred approach A survivor-centred approach focuses on the Gender analysis human rights, needs and wishes of the person Gender analysis is a process that examines the affected by violence (the survivor). All agencies roles, needs, issues, knowledge and capacity of and organisations involved in designing and men and women and is used to design, developing programming on violence against implement, monitor and evaluate a particular women and girls do so in a way that prioritises policy, project or intervention to develop the survivors’ rights and needs. targeted strategies for achieving gender equality. Temporary Special Measures Gender equality These are targeted interventions introduced Gender equality is the equal enjoyment by men through legislative, administrative or other and women of rights, socially valued goods, regulatory instruments to attain gender balance opportunities, resources and rewards. Equality in the public sphere. They come in different does not mean that men and women are the same forms such as the allocation of quotas and but that their enjoyment of rights, opportunities reserved parliamentary seats for women. These and life chances are not governed or limited by measures do not discriminate against men. They whether they were born male or female. are specifically introduced on a temporary basis to ensure gender parity is reached in political Gender mainstreaming representation and decision-making. A systematic and multi-sectoral process of integrating the needs and interests of both men Violence against women and girls (VAWG) and women across all policies and projects and in Any act of violence that results in, or is likely to the structure and management of governments result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm and organisations. or suffering to women and girls, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of Human rights liberty, whether occurring in public or in private A set of entitlements that belong to a person by life. virtue of being born and are independent of their sex, religion, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, Women’s empowerment where they live or any other status. The This refers to the process whereby specific fundamental rights and freedoms of human actions are taken to ensure women are aware of beings are enshrined in the Universal Declaration and have the ability to exercise their rights, voice on Human Rights and associated protocols, and their concerns and issues, access opportunities in the National Constitution of Vanuatu. and resources and make decisions that affect their lives. Women’s empowerment is an Sector partners essential step in achieving gender equality as it Government agencies and non-governmental serves to bring women on an equal playing field organisations working in the justice, community with men. services, and gender and social inclusion sector. 34 National Gender Equality Policy 2020-2030: Monitoring and Evaluation Framework Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) Strategic Area 1. Eliminating discrimination and violence against women and girls Outcome: Peace, protection and security among families Number of Social Goal 5 Articles 1, Laws due for Schedule of Annually MJCS M&E Officer MJCS Annual bills passed Pillar 4.3 Gender 2, 3, 5, 6, review: Family law reform Report (FPA, and legislation Equality 16 Protection Act, across the Vanuatu Law Maintenance of amended as (5.1, 5.2, Matrimonial justice and Reform Commission Children Act, part of the 5.3, 5.4, Causes Act, community Maintenance of comprehensive 5A, 5C) Maintenance of services sector Ministry of Internal Family Act, law reform to Children Act and Affairs Director Adoption Bill and eliminate Maintenance of Child Protection discrimination Family Act, Department of Bill) and violence Customary Land Labour Director against Management MIA Annual women and Act; laws to be Report girls by 2030 amended: Control (Matrimonial 1 Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) of Marriage Act, Causes Act and Employment Act; Control of Bills to be Marriage Act) tabled: Adoption Bill and Child DoL Annual Protection Bill Report (as at July (Employment 2020) Act) Malvatumauri (Customary Land Management Act) Prevalence of Social Goal 5 Articles 3, National Survey Second Annually DWA EVAW Officer DWA Annual physical, Pillar 4.2 Gender 5, 6 of Women’s National Report sexual and Equality Lives and Survey of Vanuatu Women’s VWC Progress emotional (5.1) Relationships Women’s Centre Coordinator Report violence 2011 Lives and against Relationships 2 Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) women in (to be 2030 conducted) compared to 2011 national VWC client survey data Percentage of Social Goal 5 Articles 3, Of the annual Police Annually DWA EVAW Officer MJCS Annual cases of Pillar 4.2 Gender 5, 6 cases reported to Information Public Prosecutor Report violence Equality the VPF Family Management State Prosecutor against (5.1) Protection Unit System women and in 2019, 30% (PIMS) Vanuatu Police children are open for Force FPU VPF Annual reported to investigation and Case Report police and 70% are finalised Management investigated (as at 30 System and finalised December 2019) (OPP/SPD) by state justice system 19% of SPD between finalised cases 2020 and and 16% of OPP 3 Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) 2030 finalised cases are flagged as domestic violence cases (as at 1 January 2018 when DV cases began to be flagged in the Case Management System) Multiservice Social Goal 5 Articles 2, No multiservice Sector agency Annually MJCS Director MJCS Annual delivery Pillar 4.2 Gender 3 delivery protocol, progress General Report protocols, and 5.3 Equality standards and reports DWA Director standards and (5.2, 5C) referral pathways Ministry of Health MoH Annual referral in place (as at Director General Report pathways are 2020) Ministry of developed and Education and MoET Annual operationalised Training Director Report 4 Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) by 2030 General Vanuatu Police VPF Annual Force Police Report Commissioner Strategic Area 2. Enhancing women’s economic empowerment and skills development Outcome: An educated, diverse and productive workforce contributing to family prosperity Inclusive Social Goal 5 Articles 2, Inclusive MoET Annually Ministry of MoET Annual education, Pillar 2.1 Gender 3, 10 Education, progress and Education and Report gender equity Equality Gender Equity review Training Directors and child (5.1) and Child reports DWA Annual safeguarding Safeguarding DWA WEE Officer Report policies Goal 4 policies being reviewed and Quality reviewed by operationalised Education MoET and not for all yet government- Goal 10 operationalised registered Reduced (as at July educational Inequalities 2020) 5 Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) and training institutions by 2030 Proportion of Social Goal 5 Articles 2, Of all employed Population Annually Department of DoL Annual men and Pillar 4.5 Gender 3, 5, 10, persons, 38% and Housing Labour Director Report women (with Equality 11, 13 were female and Census 2020 and without Economic (5A) 62% were male Vanuatu National VNSO Annual disability) Pillar 4.6 (as at 2016 Labour force Statistics Office Report participating Goal 4 Mini-Census) Survey 2022 Director in the labour Quality MJCS Annual force by age Education Of all persons MJCS Disability Report and sector by of working age Desk Officers 2030 Goal 8 (20-59 years) Decent with disability, DWA WEE Officer Work & 11% were not Economic working, 75% Growth were self- employed or working in family 6 Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) business and 14% were employed outside the home. These percentages compare with 13%, 58% and 30% respectively for persons without disability (Vanuatu Demographic and Health Survey 2013) Employment Social Goal 5 Articles 2, Employment Act Amended Annually Vanuatu Law VLRC Annual Act [CAP Pillar 4.3 Gender 3, 5, 11, is not scheduled provisions Reform Commission Report 160] is Equality 13 to be reviewed drafted by amended to (5.1, 5.2, (as at July VLRC Department of incorporate 5.4, 5.5, 2020) Labour Director DoL Annual 7 Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) provisions on 5C) Amendment Report sexual tabled in DWA WEE Officer misconduct, Parliament by DWA Annual parental Labour Report leave, and Minister equal pay and working conditions for men and women, by 2030 Strategic Area 3. Advancing women’s leadership and political participation Outcome: Shared decision making and responsible governance and management of available resources Number of Social Goal 5 Articles 2, 3 female Public Service Annually Office of the Public OPS Annual women in Pillar 4.2 Gender 11 Director Generals employment/ Service Report director Equality (equivalent to payroll record general and (5.5) 23% of DGs) DWA Governance DWA Annual director and 8 female Officer Report positions Directors (19% 8 Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) within the of Directors) in public service the public service by 2030 (as at December 2019) Proportion of Social Goal 5 Articles 2, Women Vanuatu Annually DWA Governance DWA Annual male and Pillar 4.2 Gender 3, 4, 7 accounted for Electoral Officer Report female area Equality 11% of Area Commission DLA Director DLA Annual administrators (5.5) Administrators Department Report , municipal appointed thus of Local and provincial far (4 out of Affairs councillors and 36), 26% of all parliamentaria municipal ns by 2030 councillors, 7% of all provincial councillors and 0% of parliamentarians (as at December 2019) 9 Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) Decentralisati Social Goal 5 Articles 2, Decentralisation Amendment Annually DLA Director DLA Annual on Act [CAP Pillar 4.2 Gender 3, 4, 7, 14 Amendment Bill Bill tabled in MJCS Director Report 230] and the Equality on reserved seats Parliament by General MJCS Annual Constitution (5.5) for women not Internal DWA Governance Report reviewed to tabled to Affairs Officer DWA Annual create Parliament (as Minister Report reserved seats at July 2020) for women in provincial and No scheduled national level review of the Constitutional elections by Constitution (as review agreed 2030 at July 2020) by Parliament and scheduled Strategic Area 4. Strengthening foundation for gender mainstreaming Outcome: Gender responsive and inclusive policies, programs and services Gender Social Goal 5 Article 2, COM Decision GRB analysis Annually DWA Director DWA Annual responsive Pillar 4.1 Gender 3, 14 94/2017 agreed report DESPPAC Sector Report planning and Equality to endorse and Analyst DESPPAC Annual budgeting Council of (5C) approve the Sector budget Report 10 Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) processes are Ministers inclusion of submissions Ministry of Finance implemented Decision Gender and reports Director General Annual Budget within 94/2017 Responsive Appropriation national, Budgeting (GRB) Reports provincial and in the 2018 municipal level budget for five governments ministries: by 2030 Ministry of Climate Change, Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Department of Local Authorities. The decision also agreed to 11 Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) mandate all other Ministries to include GRB for the 2019 budget. No progress has been achieved to date (as at July 2020) Increased Social Goal 5 Articles 2, Government Annual Annually Ministry of Finance Annual Budget government Pillar 4.1 Gender 14 budget does not Budget Director General Appropriation and donor Equality have specific Statements DESPPAC Sector Reports investments (5C) allocations for Analyst DESPPAC Annual on gender programming on Report equality and Goal 17 gender equality DWA Director women’s Partnerships and women’s DWA Annual empowerment empowerment Report programs for (as at December outer 2019) 12 Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) provinces and rural areas by 2030 Strategic Area 5. Fostering gender-responsive and community-driven solutions to climate and disaster resilience Outcome: Enhanced safety, dignity and rights for all, and families are better informed and organised Gender and Social Goal 5 General National Disaster Policy and Annually National Disaster NDMO Annual social Pillar 4.1 Gender Recommend Management Act programming Management Office Report protection Equality ation No was passed in documents Director outcomes Environm (5C) 28 and 37 Parliament in integrated ent Pillar 2019 and National Department of DCC Annual into climate 3.1 Goal 13 stipulates Disaster Climate Change Report change and Climate Provincial and Management Director Vanuatu UNFCCC disaster- Change Municipal Act national related Disaster and communication legislation, Climate Change reports policies and Committee Gender and programs by membership to Protection Cluster DWA Annual 2030 include a Co-leads Report representative 13 Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) from the gender and protection cluster (as at December 2019) No specific gender strategies included in the National Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2016-2030 nor in the National Energy Road Map 2016-2030 (as at December 2019) Coordination Environm Goal 5 General National Cluster National, Annually Gender and DWA Annual 14 Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) between the ent Pillar Gender Recommend Framework legally Provincial, protection Cluster Report Gender 3.1 and Equality ation No recognised in the Municipal and Co-leads Protection 3.3 (5.5, 5C) 37 National Disaster Community Cluster and Risk Management Disaster and national, Goal 13 Act 2019. As a Climate provincial, Climate result, Change municipal and Change subnational Committee community disaster and meeting disaster and climate change minutes climate change arrangements to committees be established or Gender and and strengthened to Protection governance include gender Cluster bodies is and protection meeting strengthened representation minutes by 2030 (as at December 2019) Women-led Environm Goal 5 Articles 3, No specific Green Climate Annually Department of DCC Annual initiatives ent Pillar Gender 7, 12, 14 women-led Fund project Climate Change Report 15 Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) that 1.5, 2.1, Equality climate change proposals Director contribute 2.3, 2.4 (5.5, 5A) General adaptation and towards low and 3.5 Recommend mitigation Department of DoEnergy Annual carbon growth Goal 6 ation No projects funded Energy Director Report and Economic Clean Water 37 by the adaptation Pillar 2.2 & government (as DWA Director DWA Annual are funded Sanitation at November Report and 2020) implemented Goal 7 by 2030 Affordable 1 women-led & Clean project (Solar Energy Mama) funded by the UNDP Goal 13 Small Grants Climate Programme (as Change at December 2017) 0 women-led 16 Policy Link to Link to Link to Baseline Data Sources Frequency Responsibility Reporting Indicators NSDP SDG CEDAW (Where are we (What (How (Who is responsible (Where will it (What is our Pillar & starting from?) evidence will often will for collecting the be reported?) measure of Objective we have of progress be data?) progress?) progress?) measured? ) projects funded by Adaptation Fund, Green Climate Fund and Global Environment Facility in Vanuatu (as at November 2020) Various women- led adaptation initiatives/progra ms implemented by CSOs (CARE, ActionAid, Oxfam, VCC, ADRA, etc) 17 18 National Gender Equality Policy Implementation Plan Phase I: 2020-2024 Priority Actions Lead Supporting Externally funded Targets Agencies Agencies initiatives/support similar or 2020-2024 linked to this priority action Strategic Area 1. Eliminating discrimination and violence against women and girls Outcome: Peace, protection and security among families Policy Objective 1.1 To undertake legislative reforms and bolster national leadership on ending discrimination and violence against women and girls 1.1.1 Conduct a second national prevalence VNSO MJCS Spotlight Initiative (Activity Second National Survey on and incidence survey on violence against VPF 5.1.1 central and coordinated Women’s Lives and Family women and girls (Vanuatu National VWC administrative data system; Relationships completed by Survey on Women’s Lives and Family UNFPA Activity 5.1.2 Ethical 2024 Relationships) UNDP collection of prevalence data; UN Women Activity 5.2.1 cross-sector collection of disaggregated data) 1.1.2 Develop a national framework and MJCS MoH Pacific Partnership (Activity A National Framework and action plan on ending violence against DWA MoET 2.3.3.2 EVAW framework Action Plan on EVWAG women and girls VPF Malvatumauri and action plan; Activity with agreed messaging and UN Women 2.3.4.1 EVAW taskforce) principles developed by VWC sector partners by 2023 VCC Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development All sectors and (Australian Government) partners Priority Actions Lead Supporting Externally funded Targets Agencies Agencies initiatives/support similar or 2020-2024 linked to this priority action 1.1.3 Enact new Penal Code in compliance MJCS VLRC Amendments to the Penal with CEDAW and other international DWA SLO Code drafted by conventions on the criminalisation of VPF Parliament by 2023 abuse, exploitation and other offences UNFPA against women and children 1.1.4 Develop a zero-tolerance policy on OPSC MJCS Pacific Partnership (Activity Zero tolerance policy gender based discrimination and violence in DWA 2.3.4.2 DWA and OPSC developed and the public service DSPPAC capacity building) operationalised by OPSC UNWomen by 2022 1.1.5 Conduct comprehensive legislative VLRC Constitutional Vanuatu-Australia Policing Bills and amendments to reforms, specifically: SLO Review and Justice Program legislation identified under ▪ Review the Family Protection Act DWA Committee this Priority Action 2008 MJCS (FPA, introduced in Parliament ▪ Review the Matrimonial Causes Act Maintenance of Malvatumauri by 2024 [CAP 192] Children Act, CLMO ▪ Amend the Control of Marriage Act Maintenance of (Customary Land [CAP 45] to increase the minimum age Family Act, Management of marriage for women from 16 to 18 Adoption Bill Act) years and Child ▪ Amend the Employment Act [CAP Protection Bill) 160]to ensure employers provide a workplace free of sexual harassment and MIA misconduct, and review provisions under (Matrimonial Priority Actions Lead Supporting Externally funded Targets Agencies Agencies initiatives/support similar or 2020-2024 linked to this priority action Part 8 Employment of Women and Causes Act and Young Persons Control of ▪ Review the Maintenance of Children Act Marriage Act) [CAP 46] in particular eligibility and maintenance payment (Part 1) and DoL enforcement of maintenance orders (Employment (Part 2) Act) ▪ Review of Maintenance of Family Act [CAP 42] in particular remove gender references to convictions and consider family maintenance provisions for persons convicted of domestic and gender based violence (GBV) ▪ Introduce the Adoption Bill and Child Protection Bill in Parliament ▪ Progress discussions on Constitutional amendment to include principle of equality between women and men and to define and prohibit all forms of discrimination against women ▪ Progress discussions with Malvatumauri on equality between women and men in regards to customary land rights under Priority Actions Lead Supporting Externally funded Targets Agencies Agencies initiatives/support similar or 2020-2024 linked to this priority action the Customary Land Management Act No.33 of 2013 Policy Objective 1.2 To address discriminatory attitudes, norms and behaviours, and promote healthy relationships between women and men 1.2.1 Implement behaviour change MJCS ADRA Pacific Partnership (Activity Behaviour change programs programs for men and boys using DWA CARE 2.1.1.1 male advocacy for men and boys consistent messaging and ‘do no harm’ MoET World Vision program; Activity 2.1.2.1 implemented in 3 outer approach MoH VCC gender report card and safe provinces by sector VWC church policies; Activity partners by 2024 VFHA 2.1.2.2 strengthening Balance of Power capacity of VCC) UNWomen Spotlight Initiative (Activity All sector 3.2.2 youth engagement) partners SPC Regional Rights Resource Team Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development (Australian Government) Vanuatu-Australia Policing and Justice Program Priority Actions Lead Supporting Externally funded Targets Agencies Agencies initiatives/support similar or 2020-2024 linked to this priority action 1.2.2 Promote community leadership on MJCS Malvatumauri Pacific Partnership (Activity At least 50% of chiefs, ending violence against women and girls VPF VCC 2.1.1.3 Break the Silence church leaders (VCC through the delivery of training on human DWA VWC Sunday; Activity 2.1.2.1 member churches) and rights, gender equality, Family Protection DLA CARE gender report card and safe Area Administrators in 3 Act for chiefs, church leaders, Area UNWomen church policies; 2.1.2.2 outer provinces trained by Administrators and communities AFL strengthening capacity of 2024 ADRA VCC) Wan Smol Bag All sector Spotlight Initiative (Activity partners 3.2.1 community dialogue on norms, attitudes and behaviours; Activity 6.3.1 grants to emerging organisations to prevent or respond to violence) Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development (Australian Government) Vanuatu-Australia Policing and Justice Program Priority Actions Lead Supporting Externally funded Targets Agencies Agencies initiatives/support similar or 2020-2024 linked to this priority action 1.2.3 Deliver family life education, sexual MoET DWA Spotlight Initiative (Activity Family education delivered and reproductive health and gender MoH ADRA 3.1.1 out of school programs in secondary schools in 2 equality programs to men, women, boys CARE for youth; Activity 3.1.2 in- provinces by 2024 and girls VCC school family life education) VFHA VWC UNFPA Transformative Wan Smol Bag Agenda UNFPA Pacific Girl (Australian Government) Markets for Change (UN Women) 1.2.4 Expand human rights, civic MoET DWA Spotlight Initiative (Activity Women’s empowerment education and leadership training for OPSC 3.2.2 youth engagement) and leadership programs women and girls (linked to Priority MJCS Disability delivered by sector Action 3.2.3) Desk Pacific Women Shaping partners, especially in MJCS Child Desk Pacific Development Torba, Penama and VNYC (Australian Government) Malampa provinces by Oxfam 2024 STC Pacific Girl (Australian VCC Government) Social citizenship ACOMV curriculum rolled out in VWC Years 1-6 in all Priority Actions Lead Supporting Externally funded Targets Agencies Agencies initiatives/support similar or 2020-2024 linked to this priority action CARE Regional Rights Resource government schools by UN Women Team (SPC) 2024 All sectors and partners Vanuatu Education Support Program (Australian Government) Vanuatu-Australia Policing and Justice Program Markets for Change (UN Women) 1.2.5 Improve access to sexual and MoH VSPD Vanuatu Health Program Women and girls with reproductive health and justice services MJCS VDPA (Australian Government) disabilities’ access to sexual for women and girls with disabilities VFHA and reproductive health OPP UNFPA Transformative services increased by 2024 PSO Agenda Courts Specific programs to UNFPA eliminate violence, including All sector sexual abuse and partners exploitation, against women and girls with disabilities delivered by 2024 Priority Actions Lead Supporting Externally funded Targets Agencies Agencies initiatives/support similar or 2020-2024 linked to this priority action Policy Objective 1.3 To deliver an integrated survivor-centred services with improved quality of healthcare and protection for women and children affected by violence 1.3.1 Strengthen referral and case MJCS VWC Pacific Partnership (Activity Multiservice delivery management system for survivors of VPF VFHA 2.2.1.1 multiservice delivery protocols, standards and physical and sexual violence MoH UNFPA protocols, standards and referral pathways UNWomen referral pathways) developed by 2022 All sectors and partners Spotlight Initiative (Activity 4.1.1 training for service providers to assist adolescent girls and children affected by intimate partner violence; Activity 4.1.2 health service response to violence against women and girls) Vanuatu-Australia Policing and Justice Partnership 1.3.2 Expand counselling and crisis OPP MJCS Pacific Partnership (Activity All sector partners support services for survivors of violence MoH VPF 2.2.2.1 Penama Counselling collaborating to ensure in the provinces DLA Centre; Activity 2.2.2.1 counselling and crisis VWC crisis support services; support for survivors of VCC Priority Actions Lead Supporting Externally funded Targets Agencies Agencies initiatives/support similar or 2020-2024 linked to this priority action VFHA Activity 2.2.2.2 VWC violence is available in all capacity building) outer provinces by 2024 All key partners Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development (Australian Government) 1.3.3 Implement referral and reporting MoET MJCS UNICEF Child Protection MoET Child Safeguarding process for GBV cases in the education VPF MoH Program Policy implemented and sector Provincial enforced by 2024 Government Vanuatu Education Support VSP Program (Australian VWC Government) Registered Training Providers UNICEF 1.3.4 Improve quality of medical and MoH VWC Spotlight Initiative (Activity Demonstrated evidence of psychosocial care for survivors of violence DWA 4.2.1 Community access to health sector staff VCC justice and support for implementing protocols and WHO survivors of violence) guidelines outlined in the UNFPA MoH Referral Policy by UNICEF UNFPA Transformative 2022 Agenda Priority Actions Lead Supporting Externally funded Targets Agencies Agencies initiatives/support similar or 2020-2024 linked to this priority action Government agency UN Joint Programme on responsible for psychosocial reproductive, maternal, care is identified by newborn, child and Council of Ministers adolescent health decision by 2024 Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development (Australian Government) 1.3.5 Develop Standard Operating Gender and VRCS Pacific Partnership (Activity SOPs on GBViE and Procedures to coordinate response and Protection IOM 2.2.1.1 multiservice delivery displacement and forced reporting on i) GBV in Emergencies Cluster UNFPA protocols, standards and relocation developed by (GBViE) and ii) displacement and forced NDMO UN Women referral pathways; Activity 2022 relocation (linked to Priority Action VPF 2.3.4.1 Gender and 5.2.1) Protection Cluster) Spotlight Initiative (Activity 2.3.1 national and provincial SOPs) UNFPA GBViE in Preparedness and Response Planning Priority Actions Lead Supporting Externally funded Targets Agencies Agencies initiatives/support similar or 2020-2024 linked to this priority action Policy Objective 1.4 To ensure the accountability of justice systems and institutions in safeguarding women and children, and supporting family reconciliation 1.4.1 Increase capacity of provincial and MJCS MoH Pacific Partnership (Activity Increase in the number of community-level justice services DLA VPF 2.2.2.1 Penama Counselling cases of domestic violence Provincial & VCC Centre; Activity 2.2.2.1 and child abuse cases Municipal VWC & CAVAWS crisis support services) reported to police and Councils Malvatumauri investigated and finalised Magistrates DCS Spotlight Initiative (Activity by OPP and PSO for each Supreme Court OPP 4.2.1 Community access to province by 2024 PSO justice and support for survivors of violence) Vanuatu-Australia Policing and Justice Program 1.4.2 Ensure chiefs, churches, police, MJCS DCS Pacific Partnership (Activity Increase in the number of courts and justice services understand VPF DLA 2.1.2.1 gender report card domestic violence and child their powers and responsibilities in regards Malvatumauri Magistrates and safe church policies; abuse cases: to referrals and responses to GBV OPP Activity 2.1.2.2 - Reported by SPD strengthening capacity of churches and chiefs VCC VCC) to Police by 2024 VWC - Registered and UNWomen Spotlight Initiative (Activity finalised by OPP 4.1.3 training for and SPD by 2024 Magistrates; Activity 4.1.4 Priority Actions Lead Supporting Externally funded Targets Agencies Agencies initiatives/support similar or 2020-2024 linked to this priority action Victim Support Office of Public Prosecutor’s Office) Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development (Australian Government) Vanuatu-Australia Policing and Justice Program 1.4.3 Strengthen accountability of police VPF MJCS Child Desk Pacific Prevention of Existing SOP for in responding to and investigating OPP MJCS Disability Domestic Violence undertaking investigations domestic violence and child abuse cases Desk Programme (New Zealand involving child victims, DWA Government) witnesses and offenders OPP implemented and complied VCC Vanuatu-Australia Policing by VPF officers by 2022 VWC and Justice Program UNICEF 1.4.4 Deliver behaviour change programs MJCS DWA Pacific Partnership (Activity Behaviour change programs to perpetrators and reintegrate them DCS VPF 2.1.1.1 male advocacy delivered to 50% of into family and community VCC program; Activity 2.1.2.2 persons incarcerated for VWC strengthening capacity of GBV by 2024 ADRA VCC) World Vision Priority Actions Lead Supporting Externally funded Targets Agencies Agencies initiatives/support similar or 2020-2024 linked to this priority action World Vision Relationship Education about Choices and Healing Priority Actions Lead Supporting Related Initiatives/ Targets Agencies Agencies Support (externally 2020-2024 funded) Strategic Area 2. Enhancing women’s economic empowerment and skills development Outcome: An educated, diverse and productive workforce contributing to family prosperity Policy Objective 2.1 To provide formal schooling that is inclusive and safe for male and female students 2.1.1 Invest in inclusive education MoET MJCS Child Desk Spotlight Initiative MoET’s Inclusive programs for pregnant adolescent girls, and Disability (Activity 3.1.1 out of Education, Gender Equity students with disabilities and Desk school programs for youth; and Child Safeguarding disadvantaged students DWA Activity 3.1.2 in-school Policies reviewed and MYSD family life education) priorities identified for VSPDA implementation by 2021 UNFPA Transformative UNFPA Agenda UNICEF Vanuatu Education Support Program(Australian Government) Priority Actions Lead Supporting Related Initiatives/ Targets Agencies Agencies Support (externally 2020-2024 funded) 2.1.2 Implement child protection and MoET UNICEF UNICEF Pacific Child MoET Child Safeguarding safeguarding policies and procedures in MJCS Protection Program Policy operationalised by schools 2023 Vanuatu Education Support Program (Australian Government) Policy Objective 2.2 To support upskilling of women and job creation for young women to increase workforce diversity 2.2.1 Promote female and male MoET DWA Vanuatu Skills Partnership, Proportional increase in participation in non-traditional industries DoL Vanuatu Education Support male and female and sectors (e.g. agriculture, fisheries and MoALFFB DoTourism Program and Vanuatu participation in non- construction for women; tourism, creative MoH (College of DoIndustries Health Program (Australian traditional work streams industries, nursing and teaching for men) Nursing) Vanuatu Skills Government) by 2024 Partnership Registered Agrifood/Beef Value Proportional increase in training Activity, and Tourism male and female students providers Vanuatu Programme (New in Vanuatu Nursing College USP Zealand Government) and Teachers College by Private sector 2024 All sectors and partners 2.2.2 Support job creation and skills MoET Vanuatu Skills Vanuatu Skills Partnership 20% increase in women development of women engaged in ORCBDS Partnership (Australian Government) participating in skills agriculture, fisheries, handicrafts and DARD Disability Desk courses delivered by Priority Actions Lead Supporting Related Initiatives/ Targets Agencies Agencies Support (externally 2020-2024 funded) tourism, including for women with DoFisheries ADRA Agrifood/Beef Value registered training disabilities DoTourism CARE Activity, and Tourism providers by 2024 DoCooperatives Oxfam Vanuatu Programme (New DoIndustries World Vision Zealand Government) Proportional increase in VANWODS women with disabilities Markets for Change (UN participating in skills UN Women Women) courses delivered by registered training All sectors and providers by 2024 partners 2.2.3 Enhance rural women’s access to ORCBDS (rural DWA Roads for Rural Increase in percentage of markets, land, credit and financial literacy economic MTCIT Development (Australia) women with bank accounts training development) (commercial and non- CARE Markets for Change (UN commercial) and land leases DPW Oxfam Women) by 2024 (Infrastructure World Vision and roads) VANWODS Financial literacy training delivered to women MLNR (leasehold Faith-based vendors in 2 outer land) organisations provinces (other than Malvatumauri Sanma) by 2024 (customary land) UN Women Main market facilities in 2 All key partners outer provinces upgraded Priority Actions Lead Supporting Related Initiatives/ Targets Agencies Agencies Support (externally 2020-2024 funded) Reserve Bank of and serviced by arterial Vanuatu and road network by 2024 commercial banks (financial products and literacy) Policy Objective 2.3 To promote fair and equitable employment, wealth and workplaces 2.3.1 Amend the Employment Act [CAP DoLabour OPSC Pacific Partnership Amendments to the 160]to incorporate provisions on: VLRC MJCS (Activity 2.3.4.2 DWA Employment Act drafted ▪ parental leave to recognise the SLO DWA and OPSC capacity by 2023 redistribution of domestic and care work building) ▪ sexual harassment and misconduct ▪ equal pay for women and men ▪ review provisions under Part 8 Employment of Women and Young Persons, including the role of women in unpaid domestic and care work 2.3.2 Increase female participation in OPSC Private sector 5% increase in women’s formal employment in both public and DoLabour All sectors and labour force participation private sector partners in public and private sector by 2024 2.3.3 Conduct social research on gender DoLabour DWA Spotlight Initiative A gender study on the impacts of labour mobility on family DLA (Activity 3.2.3 gender impacts of labour mobility relations, household decision making and CARE equality and GBV training Priority Actions Lead Supporting Related Initiatives/ Targets Agencies Agencies Support (externally 2020-2024 funded) financial management, unpaid care work, for seasonal workers conducted in multiple GBV (including financial abuse) and Vanuatu Seasonal program) sites/provinces by 2023 community wellbeing and cohesion Workers Group NZ Government (Recognised Seasonal Workers) Australian Government (Pacific Labour Scheme) Priority Actions Lead Supporting Related Initiatives/Support Targets Agencies Agencies (externally funded) 2020-2024 Strategic Area 3. Advancing women’s leadership and political participation Outcome: Shared decision making and responsible governance and management of available resources Policy Objective 3.1 To promote gender responsive governance 3.1.1 Develop a national action plan to MJCS Oxfam A national action plan on articulate a realistic, practical and time- NYC women’s representation in bound roadmap for increasing women’s VCC parliament developed by representation in parliament VNCW 2022 Priority Actions Lead Supporting Related Initiatives/Support Targets Agencies Agencies (externally funded) 2020-2024 Balance of Power All sector partners 3.1.2 Support churches and political VE0 VCC Pacific Partnership Number of churches and parties to adopt gender responsive and DWA Political parties (Activity 2.1.2.1 political parties with socially inclusive policies and practices Oxfam Development of Gender gender and social inclusion VNCW Report Card and Safe policies Faith-based Church Policies Code of organisations Conduct; Activity 2.1.2.2 Number of political parties Balance of Power Strengthen the capacity of endorsing women and UNWomen VCC and member church people with disabilities as Media institutions on gender candidates for the 2024 equality and EVAWG) general election 3.1.3 Increase women’s participation in OPSC DWA Council of Ministers Percentage of women in decision making processes of national, DLA VNSO Decision (156/2014) national, provincial and provincial and municipal level committees municipal committees and and taskforces taskforces 3.1.4 Engage women with disabilities in MJCS VSPD National Disability Inclusive Percentage of women with leadership and decision-making roles (e.g. OPSC VDPA Development Policy 2018- disabilities in: steering committees, employed positions Balance of Power 2025 (Activity 8.1) i) national, provincial and within ministries) All sector municipal taskforces and partners committees ii) public service by 2024 Priority Actions Lead Supporting Related Initiatives/Support Targets Agencies Agencies (externally funded) 2020-2024 Objective 3.2 To enhance women’s full and equal participation in leadership and decision making 3.2.1 Advocate and deliver awareness MIA DSPPAC UNDP Effective Governance Number of people from raising activities for chiefs, church leaders, DWA DLA Program paramount institutions parliamentarians, provincial and municipal MJCS (Malvatumauri, VCC) and counsellors and mayors, and area Malvatumauri political institutions (Area administrators on the importance of Parliamentarians and Municipal Councils, women’s participation in leadership and OPSC Provincial Governments and decision making Vanuatu National Parliament) Electoral Office reached by awareness (VEO) raising activities by 2024 VCC CARE Balance of Power UNDP Media 3.2.2 Coach, train and support women MoET OPSC Increase in the number of to progress into senior positions within MoH Balance of Power women in senior positions education, health, policing and justice VPF within education, health, sectors MJCS policing and justice institutions within the public service by 2024 3.2.3 Expand human rights, civic MoET DWA Spotlight Initiative Training delivered to education and leadership training for VEO MJCS (Activity 3.2.2 youth women and girls by sector Disability Desk engagement) partners, especially in Priority Actions Lead Supporting Related Initiatives/Support Targets Agencies Agencies (externally funded) 2020-2024 women and girls (linked to Priority MJCS Child Desk Torba, Penama and Action 1.2.4) National Youth Pacific Women Shaping Malampa provinces by Council Pacific Development 2024 Oxfam (Australian Government) STC VCC Regional Rights Resource VWC Team (SPC) CARE UN Women Vanuatu Education Support All sectors and Program (Australian partners Government) Markets for Change (UN Women) 3.2.4 Provide targeted training on the MJCS Balance of Power National Disability Inclusive Training on CRPD delivered Convention on the Rights of Persons with VSPD All sectors and Development Policy 2018- to women and girls with Disability, awareness, advocacy and VDPA partners 2025 (Activity 8.2) disabilities by MJCS, VSPD leadership to women with disabilities and VDPA by 2024 Objective 3.3 To strengthen coalitions and collective action towards women’s leadership and political representation 3.3.1 Promote multi-sectoral and DWA CARE Pacific Women Shaping Greater collaboration intergenerational collaboration and Oxfam Pacific Development between sectors, groups advocacy on women’s leadership and CSOs (Australian Government) and organisations participation in decision making VCC advocating and promoting VNCW women’s leadership and Balance of Power Priority Actions Lead Supporting Related Initiatives/Support Targets Agencies Agencies (externally funded) 2020-2024 All sectors and participation in decision partners making by 2024 3.3.2 Increase the visibility and profile of Media (print, DWA Pacific Women Shaping Increased positive public women leaders and male advocates in the radio, television Balance of Power Pacific Development perception of women in media and online) All sectors and (Australian Government) positions of influence and partners leadership by 2024 3.3.3 Conduct Mock Parliament sessions DWA Oxfam Pacific Women Shaping At least one mock for women and youth to showcase their VNYC Pacific Development parliament session ability and leadership potential UNDP (Australian Government) organised by 2023 Balance of Power All sectors and partners Priority Actions Lead Supporting Related Initiatives/ Targets Agencies Agencies Support (externally 2020-2024 funded) Strategic Area 4. Strengthening foundation for gender mainstreaming Outcome: Gender responsive policies, programs and services Policy Objective 4.1 To enhance government leadership and accountability on gender mainstreaming 4.1.1 Develop an implementation plan for DSPPAC MJCS A gender mainstreaming DSPPAC to lead the whole-of-government Line ministries implementation plan agenda on gender mainstreaming Provincial developed by DSPPAC by government 2022 Municipal and Area Councils 4.1.2 Develop or review gender and social DSPPAC DWA 5 ministries/departments inclusion policies of government ministries Child Desk have a gender and social and departments Disability Desk inclusion plan developed by MJCS 2024 Government ministries and departments 4.1.3 Ensure Provincial and Municipal DLA DWA All Provincial and Municipal Strategic Development Plans contain Child Desk Strategic Development clearly articulated objectives and Provincial Disability Desk Plans contain objectives strategies on gender equality, disability governments DSPPAC and strategies on gender inclusion and child protection Municipal MJCS equality, disability inclusion Councils and child protection by 2022 4.1.4 Complete an analysis of Gender DSPPAC MoCC Spotlight Initiative GRB analysis conducted and Responsive Budgeting of 5 Ministries and DWA MLNR (Activity 2.3.2 gender report prepared by DWA draw on the findings to develop GRB MoET responsive budget analysis by 2022 Guidance Note for GRB to be MAFFLB for parliamentarians) implemented in all Ministries DLA UNDP Effective Governance UNDP Program and Pacific Parliamentary Floating Budget Office Policy Objective 4.2 To strengthen institutional capacity for implementation, monitoring, reporting and review of this policy 4.2.1 Strengthen the capacity and DWA MJCS Pacific Partnership All existing DWA positions influence of DWA to advise, coordinate, (Activity 2.3.3.1 policy (national and provincial) monitor and evaluate this policy UN Women implementation, M&E and filled by 2021 governance support; Activity 2.3.4.2 DWA New DWA structure capacity building) submitted and approved by PSC by 2021 4.2.2 Advocate and secure funding for DWA MJCS Pacific Partnership (MFAT, Increase in government and the implementation of this policy, in DSPPAC DFT EU, DFAT, and UNWomen) donor investments on particular programming and service MFA gender equality and delivery for the outer provinces Spotlight Initiative (EU women’s empowerment in Key partners and UN) Torba, Malekula and Penama provinces, and Women’s Resilience to rural areas of all provinces Disasters (DWA, DFAT and UN Women) 4.2.3 Develop and implement gender VNSO SPC Gender statistics road map statistics road map for monitoring and DWA developed by VNSO and reporting on CEDAW and gender DWA by 2021 outcomes of NSDP and this policy 6th CEDAW Progress Report completed by DWA and submitted to CEDAW Committee by 2021 4.2.4 Improve VNSO MJCS Pacific Partnership Gender Monograph of DWA DSPPAC (Activity 2.3.3.1 policy National Census developed UNFPA implementation, M&E and the collection, analyses, reporting and All sectors and governance support; and launched by VNSO by sharing of gender disaggregated data and partners Activity 2.3.4.2 DWA 2022 information products for decision making capacity building) Spotlight Initiative (Activity 5.1.1 Develop a NSDP Indicators Database centralized and coordinated contains gender data system for GBV; disaggregated data and the Activity 5.2.1 Enable cross database is accessible by sector disaggregated data government ministries by collection) 2022 Priority Actions Lead Supporting Related Targets Agencies Agencies Initiatives/Support 2020-2024 (externally funded) Strategic Area 5. Fostering gender responsive and community-driven solutions to climate and disaster resilience Outcome: Enhanced safety, dignity and rights for all, and families are better informed and organised Policy Objective 5.1 To strengthen gender responsiveness of climate change and disaster institutions and decision-making processes 5.1.1 Integrate gender and social DoCC DSPPAC Women’s Resilience to Gender responsive measures protection outcomes into climate change DoEnergy DWA Disasters (DWA, DFAT incorporated into the and disaster-related legislation, policies NDMO CARE and UN Women) National Disaster Recovery and programs Action Aid Framework developed by UN Women NDMO and DSPPAC by 2021 Priority Actions Lead Supporting Related Targets Agencies Agencies Initiatives/Support 2020-2024 (externally funded) A Gender Action Plan for the National Climate Change and DRM Policy developed by DoCCA and DoEnergy by 2021 5.1.2 Increase the capacity of climate DoCC Gender and Women’s Resilience to National Advisory Board change and disaster governance bodies DoEnergy Protection Disasters (DWA, DFAT National Disaster (national, provincial, municipal and NDMO Cluster and UN Women) Committee, National community levels) to plan for and MJCS Child Recovery Committee and respond to the specific needs of women, NAB Desk, Disability Provincial, Municipal and children, youth, people with disabilities, National Disaster Desk Community DCCCs trained the elderly and other vulnerable groups Committee DWA on gender and protection National Recovery DLA issues by 2024 Committee VCRS PDCCCs ADRA MDCCCs Action Aid CDCCCs All partners 5.1.3 Allocate budgets for gender analysis DoCC MFA Projects funded through and specific activities that enhance gender DoEnergy DFT international climate and outcomes of government and externally NDMO DWA disaster finance have a funded adaptation, mitigation and DSPPAC dedicated budget allocation disaster risk management projects for gender and social inclusion activities that align with strategic areas Priority Actions Lead Supporting Related Targets Agencies Agencies Initiatives/Support 2020-2024 (externally funded) and objectives of this policy by 2024 Policy Objective 5.2 To protect women, children and people with disabilities in emergencies through coordinated humanitarian action 5.2.1 Develop Standard Operating Gender and VRCS Pacific Partnership SOPs on GBViE and Procedures to coordinate response and Protection Cluster (Activity 2.2.1.1 displacement and forced reporting on i) GBViE and ii) NDMO IOM multiservice delivery relocation developed by displacement and forced relocation (linked VPF UNFPA protocols, standards and 2022 to Priority Action 1.3.5) UN Women referral pathways; Activity 2.3.4.1 Gender and Protection Cluster) Spotlight Initiative (Activity 2.3.1 national and provincial SOPs) UNFPA GBViE in Preparedness and Response Planning 5.2.2 Improve coordination, function and Gender and Provincial Pacific Partnership PDCCCs, MDCCCs and operation of the Gender and Protection Protection Cluster Governments (Activity 2.2.1.1 CDCCCs identifying and Cluster through development and Municipal and multiservice delivery actioning issues on GBViE, application of standard tools and NDMO Area Councils protocols, standards and child protection and procedures, and strengthening its role and VCC referral pathways; disability inclusion issues by PDCCCs 2024 Priority Actions Lead Supporting Related Targets Agencies Agencies Initiatives/Support 2020-2024 (externally funded) presence at the provincial, municipal and MDCCCs Activity 2.3.4.1 Gender community levels CDCCCs and Protection Cluster) UNFPA CARE Spotlight Initiative UNWomen (Activity 2.3.1 national and provincial SOPs) UNFPA GBViE in Preparedness and Response Planning Policy Objective 5.3 To nurture community-owned and locally-led solutions to resilience building 5.3.1 Promote women’s leadership in DoCC MTCIT Women’s Resilience to Increased profile of emergencies and environmental, health NDMO DLA Disasters (DWA, DFAT women’s leadership in and economic crises at the national, DoEnvironment Provincial and UN Women) emergencies and crises provincial and community levels MoH Governments through communication DWR Municipal ad Pacific Women Shaping technologies and the media DWA Area Councils Pacific Development’s by 2024 CDCCCs Balance of Power CARE (Australian Government) Balance of Power is using entry points UN Women emerging from TC Harold and COVID-19 pandemic to demonstrate women’s Priority Actions Lead Supporting Related Targets Agencies Agencies Initiatives/Support 2020-2024 (externally funded) leadership capability in the face of crises 5.3.2 Fund and support women-led DoCC DWA Women-led initiatives on initiatives that contribute towards low DoEnergy All sector low carbon growth and carbon growth and adaptation strategies NDMO partners adaptation strategies in food, water, health and energy security MAFFLB funded and implemented by DWR government and non- MoH government partners by ORCBDS 2024 5.3.3 Embed gender equality and social MAFFLB DoCC Women’s Resilience Recovery activities that inclusion outcomes into Ambae volcanic MoH NDMO Disasters (DWA, DFAT contribute to gender eruptions, TC Harold and COVID-19 DoTourism DWA and UN Women) equality and social inclusion recovery for productive (i.e. agriculture, DoIndustries VSP in productive and tourism fisheries, livestock, forestry, handicrafts) Vanuatu Cultural VANWODS Markets for Change (UN sectors identified and and tourism sectors Centre CARE Women) funded by 2022 ORCBDS UN Women Business and industry All key sectors and partners