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outcome XM-DAC-41146-VUT_D_1.1
By 2027, more people, especially those at risk of being left behind, contribute to and benefit from sustainable, resilient, diversified, inclusive and human-centred socio-economic systems with decent work and equal livelihoods opportunities, reducing inequalities and ensuring shared prosperity [PCF Strategic Priority 3: Prosperity]
In 2024, Vanuatu achieved transformative progress in creating inclusive, resilient marketplace systems through UN Women's Markets for Change project, directly impacting over 600 individuals across multiple initiatives. This comprehensive approach encompassed economic empowerment, leadership development, institutional strengthening, and infrastructure enhancement, specifically targeting those most at risk of being left behind in the informal economy sector. The initiatives' quantitative reach extends across multiple dimensions, engaging 73 market vendors in economic empowerment programs, reaching over 140 women vendors and leaders through governance initiatives, strengthening 42 institutional stakeholders' capabilities, and improving conditions for more than 400 vendors through infrastructure enhancements. Through the Save Plus Initiative partnership with ANZ Bank, thirty-three urban market vendors (31 women, 2 men) gained access to formal banking services and financial literacy training, creating sustainable pathways for economic resilience. Notably, forty women market vendors from Shefa Province achieved comprehensive food safety certification using WHO methodology, enhancing their legal standing and economic opportunities through culturally adapted training in Bislama language. Women's representation remains consistently high across all interventions, ranging from 76% to 97% of participants. Profound behavioral transformations characterize these interventions. Market vendors now implement enhanced food safety protocols and demonstrate advanced financial management capabilities, including succession planning and risk forecasting. The provision of 350 market benches and stools across Port Vila and Luganville markets has addressed vendors' physical needs during long selling hours, while enhanced ICT equipment and maintenance resources have strengthened operational capacity. Institutional performance has strengthened through strategic partnerships and enhanced capabilities. The Project Working Committee has united seventeen women among twenty total participants, representing markets from Silae Vanua, Northern Islands, Emua, Beverly Hills, and Marobe. Market Vendor Associations (MVAs) have demonstrated sophisticated resource management capabilities and significant influence in policy processes. Through their participation in both the Project Working Committee and Project Management Committee, MVA representatives have successfully advocated for improved communication channels between vendors and local governments, shaped monitoring systems, and established new pathways for vendor representation in decision-making processes. These initiatives exemplify rights-based approaches through systematic engagement between vendors and decision-makers, development of inclusive governance frameworks, and ensuring equal access to improved facilities. Key examples of vendor-government engagement include the International Women's Day celebration at Marobe Market, where twenty-five women market vendors participated in direct dialogue with government officials about their rights and needs. Similarly, the International Rural Women's Day celebration demonstrated inclusive representation by bringing together over one hundred rural women vendors from Efate's five markets in a session opened by Vanuatu's sole female Member of Parliament, creating a platform for rural women's voices in policy discussions. Gender-responsive design fundamentally shifts power dynamics within marketplace structures. Women's majority representation in training programs ensures their perspectives shape institutional approaches, while developed frameworks systematically address gender-specific needs in market governance. This is evidenced by MVAs' growing influence in governance processes, where they have shaped strategic oversight of the Markets for Change initiative and contributed to alignment with national frameworks. The commitment to leaving no one behind manifests through comprehensive inclusion strategies. Training delivered in the indigenous Bislama language ensures accessibility and cultural appropriateness, while targeted support for informal sector workers creates pathways to formal economic participation. The integration of disability-inclusive planning aligns market governance with the Vanuatu Disability Inclusive Development Policy (2018-2025), though opportunities exist to strengthen systematic data collection on disability inclusion. Protection and safety considerations are embedded throughout these initiatives, with enhanced market infrastructure reducing congestion and improving visibility. The integration of Family Protection Act frameworks into training programs advances vendor wellbeing, while regular facility maintenance supports both public health and disaster resilience. Building on previous infrastructure investments, 2024 activities focused on maintaining these investments and building financial resilience through initiatives like Save Plus, which equipped vendors with skills to establish financial buffers against natural disasters and economic shocks. The transformative impact extends beyond individual skill development to create systemic change. Participants have gained food safety certification, accessed formal banking services, and developed emergency funds. The comprehensive capacity strengthening creates sustainable mechanisms for addressing gender-based inequalities in market systems, while enhanced institutional capabilities ensure continued advancement of inclusive market governance. These initiatives advance both national and regional development frameworks through strategic alignment with the Vanuatu National Sustainable Development Plan 2016-2030 and the Pacific UNSCDF Prosperity Pillar. While no new national or local strategies were adopted in 2024, the program continued to advance existing policies such as the Vanuatu National Gender Equality Policy 2020-2030 and the Vanuatu Disability Inclusive Development Policy 2018-2025. This progress stems from effective collaboration between multiple implementing partners, including UN Women, UNDP, the Department of Women's Affairs, municipal councils, and Sanma Provincial Council. Supporting organizations encompass ANZ Bank, Balance of Power, Vanuatu Women's Centre, Mind Care, and Market Vendors Associations. To further enhance impact, opportunities exist to expand digital transformation elements and enhance geographic coverage. Developing formal handover strategies and strengthening local resource mobilization will support long-term sustainability. These strategic enhancements will build upon the demonstrated success in creating sustainable pathways for economic participation while preserving the unique characteristics of local market systems.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-VUT_D_2.1
By 2027, more people, particularly those at risk of being left behind, benefit from more equitable access to resilient, and gender-responsive, quality basic services, food security/nutrition and social protection systems.
Technical assistance through Phase II of the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls (PPEVAWG) in Vanuatu has strengthened institutional frameworks and service delivery systems, marking significant progress in 2024 with the formal adoption of a groundbreaking policy addressing gender-based discrimination. The initiative operates through three key implementing partners, strategically combining government and faith-based institutions to enhance equitable access to basic services and social protection systems across the nation. A transformative shift in institutional performance is evidenced by the Department of Women's leadership within the Ministry of Justice and Community Services. Through the Gender and Protection Cluster, they have validated the Emergency Response Code of Conduct, establishing standardized protocols that incorporate specific protection measures for women, girls, and persons with disabilities. This systematic coordination framework strengthens cross-sector responses during disasters through carefully selected assessment protocols that balance comprehensive data gathering with rapid response needs. The Department continues to demonstrate enhanced capacity in policy implementation, particularly in monitoring the National Gender Policy's Strategic Area 1 on eliminating discrimination and violence against women and girls. The GBViE Minimum Standards training has created formal linkages between emergency and non-emergency response systems, uniting health, police, social services, and humanitarian actors. This integration, soon to be formalized through the Multisectoral National Service Delivery Protocol in early 2025, ensures seamless service delivery coordination. A standardized safety audit tool further strengthens systematic coordination of assessment approaches, particularly benefiting those at risk of being left behind in remote and underserved areas. The Vanuatu Christian Council has emerged as a pioneering force in engaging faith institutions to challenge harmful gender norms that restrict women's participation. Their locally-owned, culturally-responsive approaches demonstrate how faith institutions can effectively advance gender equality while maintaining Pacific values. The introduction of the Gender Score Card methodology through the Pacific Council of Churches represents a systematic approach to measuring institutional commitment to gender equality, enabling evidence-based interventions that address structural barriers to access. The initiative's human rights-based approach is reflected in its emphasis on meaningful inclusion of both rights holders and duty bearers in program design and implementation. The Emergency Response Code of Conduct specifically addresses the needs of marginalized groups, while the integration of faith-based approaches with cultural influences demonstrates respect for local contexts while maintaining rights-based principles. The Department of Women's leadership ensures women's meaningful participation in decision-making processes at both national and sub-national levels. This comprehensive approach directly contributes to the Pacific UNSDCF People Pillar by strengthening institutional frameworks that support equal access to basic services while addressing gender-based violence as a fundamental barrier. The program's emphasis on locally-owned solutions and cultural responsiveness ensures sustainable transformation while maintaining Pacific values and practices. The initiative is implemented through strategic partnerships between the Ministry of Justice (leading multi-sectoral coordination), Department of Women (providing technical guidance on gender-responsive programming), and Vanuatu Christian Council (engaging faith institutions in transformative change). UN Women provides technical support across all components, ensuring alignment with national frameworks and international standards.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-VUT_D_2.2
By 2027, the operational, normative and collaborative potential of the UNCT Cooperation Frameworks to contribute to greater gender equality is fully optimised by UN Women’s interventions
UN Women in Vanuatu continues to progress towards optimizing the UNCT Cooperation Framework's potential for gender equality in Vanuatu. Through systematic collaboration with government ministries, civil society organizations, and UN agencies, UN Women has established comprehensive pathways for gender-responsive programming while strengthening institutional frameworks across multiple sectors. Working with IOM, UN Women developed and piloted the gender-responsive Famili I Kam Bak/Reintegration Package, providing crucial support for Ni-Vanuatu migrant workers. An intensive Trainer of Trainers program equipped 15 UN and government personnel (10 women, 5 men) with specialized expertise in gender-responsive reintegration processes. The Women's Resilience to Disasters programme concurrently built capacity among 20 stakeholders from government agencies and CSOs, including organisations for persons with disabilities, providing practical tools for integrating gender-responsive disaster resilience into their operations. UN Women's technical expertise catalysed significant institutional changes through the Labour Mobility Policy and Action Plan consultation, addressing gender-based impacts of male-dominated seasonal work migration. New rights-based support mechanisms emerged for economically vulnerable families, including financial management training and community support networks. The policy framework established comprehensive protocols for preventing and responding to gender-based violence upon workers' return, engaging community leaders, support services, and law enforcement. Gender mainstreaming capabilities advanced through technical guidance to UN entities, notably in UNDESA's national financing frameworks and the Gender-Based Violence Working Group's activities. UN staff capacity strengthened through the distribution of the "Resource Book on Domestic Violence for UN Staff in the Pacific." Strategic partnerships with DFAT, MFAT, and the Japanese Embassy secured AUD 1.2 million for the Markets for Change Project, enhancing institutional capacity for gender-responsive economic programming. Crucial knowledge exchange during the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change's visit enabled local market vendors to share firsthand experiences of climate impacts on their livelihoods and food security. This contributed to detailed recommendations highlighting the disproportionate effects of climate change on different genders, especially within vulnerable communities. Technical expertise strengthened various government institutions, particularly evident in the Department of Strategic Policy and Planning's improved gender integration in social protection mechanisms, the National Disaster Management Office's enhanced gender-responsive disaster preparedness, and the Department of Labour's strengthened GBV referral systems through the Vanuatu Community of Care Stakeholder Working Group. The Leave No One Behind principle was central to capacity building efforts, particularly evident in the development of the National Adaptive Social Protection Policy (2024-2027), the Loss and Damage Policy Framework, and the National Displacement Policy on Climate Change. These frameworks now explicitly address the needs of vulnerable populations, including women in the informal sector and those affected by climate change. Specific initiatives included DRR training for women market vendors during International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the development of community care models by the Department of Women's Affairs, creating more robust protection mechanisms for women and girls. A devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu on December 17, 2024, affecting approximately 80,000 individuals, including 15,151 women, 14,159 men, 14,104 children, and 769 persons with disabilities. The effectiveness of disaster preparedness initiatives through UN Women’s Markets for Change project became immediately evident when Port Vila Municipal Market Manager Sasha Watt led a swift evacuation within minutes of the earthquake, directing vendors to higher ground and preventing fatalities. With the Port Vila market still damaged and inaccessible following initial assessments, temporary tents were provided by UN Women to enable market vendors, 80% of whom are women, to continue earning income while ensuring community access to fresh vegetables and produce. Rapid deployment of technical expertise from the Fiji MCO supported ground response efforts, providing close support to the Vanuatu Gender and Protection Cluster. Protection concerns were prioritized for 1,698 temporarily displaced persons in evacuation centres and host households, some accommodating up to 70 people. Despite challenges including the sealed-off Port Vila Central Business District and strained health facilities requiring triage tents, coordination mechanisms remained effective through alternative arrangements and close partner communication. These achievements reflect effective collaboration between UN Women and key partners: IOM co-developed the reintegration package; the Department of Women's Affairs led Beijing +30 reporting and policy development; UNDESA provided technical support; and various Civil Society Organizations contributed to EVAWG programming and disaster resilience initiatives. The Department of Strategic Policy and Planning, National Disaster Management Office, and Department of Labour demonstrated progress toward UNSDCF objectives through implementation of gender-responsive policies and programs.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-VUT_O_1
Advancing business transformation
In 2024, UN-Women Vanuatu demonstrated transformative business model innovation through two flagship programs that delivered substantial impact at scale: the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) and Markets for Change (M4C) initiatives. The EVAWG program reached multiple national institutions and community systems, while M4C engaged over 600 individuals, predominantly women (76-97% participation rate), including rural and remote vendors. EVAWG’s strategic planning approach manifested through comprehensive integration across multiple governance levels. The program aligned implementation frameworks spanning national institutions, local governance structures, and community systems. This integration harmonized multiple national frameworks - the Family Protection Act, National Gender Policy, Sexual Gender Based Violence Standard Operating Procedures, and the Survivor-Victims Charter. Business model innovation emerged through the successful integration of local cultural contexts with established institutional frameworks. Under the Department of Women's leadership, the Gender and Protection Cluster validated an Emergency Response Code of Conduct and enhanced the national disaster needs assessment framework. The GBViE Minimum Standards training established formal linkages between emergency and non-emergency service delivery systems, demonstrating UN-Women's capacity to balance comprehensive coverage with operational efficiency. The program demonstrated agile leadership through responsive adaptation to emerging needs. A culture of continuous improvement is introduced through the Gender Score Card methodology and is expected to provide quantifiable data on institutional commitment to gender equality and EVAWG prevention. The program exceeded its 2024 targets for institutional capacity building, strengthening three key partners - the Ministry of Justice, Department of Women, and Vanuatu Christian Council. These partnerships demonstrate UN-Women's successful approach to building sustainable institutional capacity while maintaining program quality. The M4C project exemplified business transformation through systematic approaches to delivering impact at scale. The project's business model innovation manifested through integrated service delivery, partnering with ANZ Bank's Save Plus Initiative to connect informal sector vendors to formal banking services. Culturally adapted training delivered in Bislama language ensured accessibility and effectiveness. Agile leadership was demonstrated through responsive adaptation to implementation realities. When mass outreach activities proved less effective than targeted interventions, the project adjusted its approach while maintaining momentum through strategic reprioritization. The culture of continuous improvement was embedded through regular Project Working Committee meetings and structured feedback loops between vendors, management, and local authorities. The transformation was grounded in ethical leadership principles, evidenced by consistent prioritization of inclusion and integration of protection and safety considerations throughout design and implementation. The project specifically engaged rural and remote vendors, ensuring no one was left behind. Both programs demonstrate UN-Women's successful transformation toward delivering impact at scale through strategic planning, business model innovation, agile leadership, and continuous improvement. The EVAWG program's formal launch and partnership agreements in 2025 will mark significant milestones, while M4C's systematic changes in program design and delivery establish a model for achieving sustainable impact at scale. Together, these initiatives showcase UN-Women Vanuatu's ability to balance organizational aspirations with operational agility while advancing gender equality and women's empowerment across the Pacific region.Showing 1 - 4 of 4