Outcome FIJ_D_6.1

Global normative and policy frameworks for gender equality and women’s empowerment are implemented in the Pacific

Ensuring global normative and policy frameworks for GE/WE are implemented in the Pacific is a priority for the Fiji MCO. With current COVID-19 protocols and travel restrictions, many of the intergovernmental fora have changed modality or have started to take place again since postponement in 2020. The Triennial Conference of Pacific Women was rescheduled from 2020 to April 2021. This forum brings together decision-makers within Pacific governments, development partners, research institutions and CSOs to share experiences, reflect on the progress and challenges to date, identify strategic and practical measures and make recommendations to accelerate progress towards achieving gender equality and a full realisation of women’s human rights in the region. The Conference was held virtually for the first time and had over 1000 participants. UN Women provided financial support to allow for greater participation of civil society at the national level convenings. Additionally, UN Women technically supported the Conference as a member of the Triennial Steering Committee and through several virtual side events. The Conference outcomes document was endorsed by Pacific Ministers for Women and is being used to inform Pacific priorities through various channels including the development of the next UNSDCF. The Fiji MCO has coordinated with the Gender Technical Working Group (UN Women, UNFPA, Pacific Community, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, and civil society) to ensure that Pacific governments are prepared to engage substantively in the CSW and that work around CSW, the Triennial and other regional and global mechanisms for GE/WE are aligned.

Global normative and policy frameworks for gender equality and women’s empowerment are implemented in the Pacific

Ensuring global normative and policy frameworks for GE/WE are implemented in the Pacific is a priority for the Fiji MCO. There has been siginificant progress made during 2022. The Fiji MCO has coordinated with the Gender Technical Working Group - GTWG - (UN Women, UNFPA, Pacific Community, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, and civil society) to ensure that Pacific governments are prepared to engage substantively in the CSW and that work around CSW, the Triennial Conference for Pacific Women, the Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders' Meeting, and other regional and global mechanisms for GE/WE are aligned. In 2022 the GTWG supported teleconferences in the lead up to CSW66 to build capacity of Member States on CSW negotiations and to raise awareness of the priority theme. Efforts were made to link the CSW66 and COP processes, which resulted in stronger collaborations between intergovernmental organizations towards both intergovernmental processes. The GTWG provided technical support towards the development of a gender and climate change policty brief ahead of the COP in Egypt. Agreed conclusions from the CSW66 were used in the development of this brief as well as in the development of a COP side event on gender and climate change. Addtionally, mometum on CEDAW reporting has increased with more Pacific Islands countries. Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Marhsall Islands and Federated States of Micronesia have expressed interest to commence with their delayed CEDAW reports. This was a key outcome from the Regional CEDAW learnng exchange with 100 Pacific delegates from 10 Pacific Island Governments nowe having increased capacities and knowledge of CEDAW Reporting process including the recently adopted simplified reporting procedures. The CEDAW Learning Exchange workshop enabled Pacific Government to reflect, share and provide guidance, as well as to strengthen Pacific Island governments’ capacity, for the reporting and implementation of CEDAW working towards improving the status of women and girls in the region. Another form of support provded through normative work is support to Fiji government on Fiji Country Gender Assessment. The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation (MWCPA) in Fiji has successfully led ground-breaking work on developing the most up-to-date Fiji Country Gender Assessment (FCGA) which looks at over 9 thematic areas in its assessment of the progress, gaps, challenges, and recommendation for advancement of gender equality in the country. This evidence-based resource will increase the capacity of MWCPA to effectively assess progress against regional and international frameworks including SDGs, Beijing Platform for Action, CEDAW as well as the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration (PLGED).