Outcome 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.

In 2025, progress toward this outcome was reflected in strengthened multi-sector consensus and clarified institutional roles around the draft GBV Multi-Sectoral / Service Delivery Protocol (MSDP), marking a shift from emergency coordination toward structured system consolidation in Vanuatu’s EVAWG response architecture. Consolidation of Multi-Sector Coordination Around the Draft MSDP The most substantive outcome-level development in 2025 was the consolidation of national stakeholder consensus around the draft GBV Multi-Sectoral / Service Delivery Protocol. In contrast to 2024, when coordination was largely driven by humanitarian response structures following the Efate earthquake, 2025 saw structured technical consultations (February–April) that clarified sectoral roles, responsibilities, and survivor-centred principles within a unified draft framework. Stakeholders from the Department of Women’s Affairs, Vanuatu Women’s Centre, SISTA, Vanuatu Christian Council, World Vision, IsraAID, ActionAid, and UNFPA engaged in validation processes that: Clarified health sector responsibilities Reaffirmed the role of Vanuatu Women’s Centre as a national responder Defined coordination linkages with the Gender and Protection Cluster Identified the need for a national SDP coordinator role This represents a shift from reactive coordination in emergency settings to the development of a structured, nationally anchored service delivery framework. However, the MSDP remained in draft form throughout 2025 and was not formally endorsed or operationalised. As such, this consolidation reflects strengthened system readiness rather than implemented service change. Strengthened Institutional Ownership Among Faith-Based Actors In 2025, senior leaders from five major Christian institutions demonstrated strengthened institutional ownership of gender equality and violence prevention commitments through the development of documented church-level action plans following completion of Gender Equality Theology (GET) and Gender Status Card (GSC) training. As a direct result of the training, participating churches produced written action plans outlining proposed institutional reforms, including commitments to develop or strengthen safeguarding and child protection policies, increase women’s leadership participation, designate gender coordination roles, integrate gender-responsive recruitment practices, and conduct further awareness and Training of Trainers activities. These plans established defined implementation intentions extending into 2026–2027. The documented action plans represent a shift from individual-level theological reflection to articulated organisational planning within institutions that exercise significant normative influence in communities. However, the action plans had not yet undergone formal adoption through internal governance processes, and the proposed reforms had not been operationalised by year-end. Accordingly, the 2025 result reflects strengthened institutional planning readiness and expressed accountability commitments, rather than implemented structural reform or measurable changes in service delivery. Strengthened Evidence Base for Crisis-Responsive Protection Systems In 2025, duty bearers strengthened their evidence-informed understanding of gendered risks in post-disaster settings through the completion of the Women and Girls’ Safety and Wellbeing Assessment following the December 2024 earthquake. The assessment engaged 91 survey respondents and 46 focus group and key informant participants across affected areas. It generated disaggregated evidence on displacement, economic precarity, trauma, and heightened exposure to violence affecting women, youth, female-headed households, and persons with disabilities. Compared to 2024 emergency coordination mechanisms, this represents a shift toward systematic documentation of gendered risk patterns to inform future planning. However, findings had not yet been integrated into revised service models or formal disaster management protocols during the reporting year. Contribution to National and International Frameworks Progress under this outcome contributes to implementation of the Vanuatu National Gender Equality Policy 2020–2030, particularly objectives related to coordinated, survivor-centred service delivery, and aligns with the Family Protection Act, which establishes state responsibility for prevention and response to violence against women and girls. Internationally, strengthened coordination readiness and clarified institutional roles contribute to the enabling conditions required for progress under SDG 5.2.1. As prevalence reduction is measured at impact level over longer intervals, 2025 results reflect system-building preconditions rather than measurable changes in service access or violence prevalence. UN Women’s Contribution UN Women, through the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls, provided technical facilitation, financial resources, and coordination support that enabled the February 2025 multi-sector consultations on the draft MSDP, supported structured faith-based institutional strengthening through partnership with the Vanuatu Christian Council and the Pacific Conference of Churches, and funded and technically oversaw the Women and Girls’ Safety and Wellbeing Assessment implemented by CARE International. UN Women’s role focused on consolidating technical quality, facilitating stakeholder alignment, and strengthening system readiness. Formal endorsement of policy instruments and operationalisation of coordination mechanisms remained subject to national governance processes outside the programme’s direct control. UN Women contributed to progress toward this outcome by providing technical, financial, and coordination support to national partners under the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls. This support enabled institutional strengthening of faith-based actors, facilitation of multi-sectoral coordination processes, and generation of gender-responsive evidence to inform future service and system improvements.

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.

This outcome is on track. In Vanuatu, the year saw transformative progress towards ensuring that victims and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV)access gender-responsive support services. The Department of Women's Affairs (DWA) and the Vanuatu Women’s Centre (VWC) developed the Multisector Service Delivery Protocol (MSDP) and are expected to launch and operationalize the protocol in early 2024. The Protocol outlines how formal and non-formal actors responding to GBV can work together to best support survivors. It also commits these responders to a common set of principles and guidance. DWA, VWC, and UN Women made the collaborative efforts in drafting, refining, and preparing the MSDP for validation and eventual launch in early 2024. This signifies a substantial shift towards a more systematic and unified response to GBV. The protocol not only outlines the collaborative framework for formal and informal actors but also commits responders to a common set of principles and guidelines, ensuring a survivor-centred approach in GBV response services. Male leaders on the rural island of Gaua have mobilized to contribute towards the prevention of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) through their participation in a male leaders training organized by the Vatsur Council and the establishment of an island-wide VAWC Taskforce of Chiefs, supported by the Vanuatu Women's Centre (VWC) and Torba Counselling Centre (TOCC). Male village chiefs attended a 5-day male advocacy training program, facilitated by VWC in the local language and cultural context which covered a range of topics including gender, VAW and domestic violence, sexual violence, child sexual abuse, human rights, and the Family Protection Act (FPA). The training challenges men to identify their own unacceptable behaviours; change those behaviours and then influence other men in the community to change their behaviours. Pre- and post-training questionnaires at the Gaua training showed significant changes in participants' understanding of gender equality, human rights, and violence against women and children. Notably, 97% of participants reported an improved ability to explain the Family Protection Law, and there was a universal increase in the belief in equal rights for women and men, and boys and girls. These men are now more prepared to take action to promote gender equality and human rights in their families and communities. The active engagement of the chiefs led to the formation of a Taskforce to prevent and respond to cases of VAWC. The Taskforce's effectiveness is evident in the increased referrals and proactive actions taken by VWC’s Gauan Community Educator and local police. Additionally, a workshop for women in North East Gaua led to the establishment of a Committee Against Violence Against Women (CAVAW), which has been effective in client support and advocacy. Established by the Vanuatu Women’s Centre (VWC), CAVAWS are a network of island-based committees against VAW. CAVAWs are composed of members of women’s groups, traditional leaders, police officers and church leaders based in villages. CAVAWs undertake local community awareness activities and assist women and children living with violence in remote communities. VWC carries out this work with the support and funding of UN Women. In their humanitarian response in the wake of Tropical Cyclones the Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC) in North Pentecost, Malekula and Ambrym and Vanuatu Women’s Centre (VWC) in Penama, Malampa, Shefa, and Tafea provinces contributed to ensuring the safety and recovery of vulnerable populations, especially women, girls, and individuals with special needs. The gender-responsive humanitarian response has significantly improved the lives of women and girls in the affected communities by providing essential aid including over 1,086 water tanks, 115 solar lights, seeds for Bak choi and tomatoes, and 130 sets of gardening tools were distributed to communities in North Pentecost, Malekula, Ambrym, and parts of Efate in Vanuatu, supporting disaster recovery and enhancing resilience. Furthermore, the response included conducting mobile counselling sessions in all affected communities across Penama, Malampa, Shefa, and Tafea provinces, reaching a total of 1,464 individuals, including 1,330 women, 43 girls, 66 men, and 25 boys, with 10 women and 2 men having disabilities. Care packages, were distributed to clients on Pentecost and selected areas of Malakula, along with solar lights. Capacity-building training on gender-based violence prevention during disasters was provided for 37 church leaders in North Efate, and volunteer training was conducted for 4 volunteers after Tropical Cyclones Kevin and Judy, with a further 22 volunteers trained in awareness on EVAWG and disaster preparedness and response. The Mobile Counselling Centre saw 94 new clients, including 57 for domestic violence and 19 for child maintenance, with 2 clients assisted with the safe house. The gender-responsive humanitarian response has made a significant difference for women and girls in several ways. Firstly, it has led to improved access to essential services, with women, girls, and individuals with disabilities having better access to vital services such as counselling, care packages, and water supply, contributing to their overall well-being and safety. Secondly, the response has reduced vulnerability to GBV by raising awareness and providing support to survivors of GBV, thereby mitigating the risk of violence against women and girls during and after disasters. Additionally, enhanced community preparedness has been achieved through training and capacity-building activities, enabling communities to better respond to disasters and address the specific needs of vulnerable populations, including women, girls, and individuals with disabilities. While UN Women funded VCC and VWC immediate relief activities in the aftermath of the three tropical cyclones in Vanuatu in 2023, UN Women support also extended beyond immediate relief to encompass a comprehensive approach to gender-based violence in emergencies (GBVIE). UN Women contributed significantly to the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report, providing valuable insights and recommendations regarding GBVIE. Rapid assessments conducted in the cyclone-affected areas enabled the collection of crucial data and identification of key messages related to GBVIE. The Information, Communication, and Education (ICE) materials were then reviewed and updated to ensure they effectively disseminated information on GBVIE, empowering individuals with knowledge and resources for protection. UN Women also offered strategic advice on the dissemination of these materials, striving to reach the widest possible audience. Through active collaboration with the national disaster office, UN Women facilitated the dissemination of vital information in the ICE materials to the communities in need. The collaborative project between the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UN Women, 'Famili I Redi Reintegration,' exemplifies an innovative approach to supporting returned women migrant workers and their families in enhancing their relationship skills and financial stability post-mobility. The development of Reintegration Training Materials, informed by gender vulnerabilities and the needs of migrant worker returnees, promises to enhance the well-being of returning workers and their families. The ToC and strategy remains unchanged for 2024. Collectively, these initiatives and achievements reflect Vanuatu’s concerted effort to foster a more inclusive, supportive, and responsive environment for addressing GBV and promoting gender equality. The year’s outcomes not only demonstrate institutional and behavioural changes but also pave the way for sustained progress in the years to come.

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.

Vanuatu is progressing towards a more effective system for addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG). Under the leadership of the Department of Women, the response to addressing VAWG has moved from fragmented interventions to a comprehensive, coordinated national framework that connects emergency response and everyday service provision. This shift improves protection systems in Vanuatu, with important implications for gender equality, governance, and community resilience. The Vanuatu Department of Women, under the Ministry of Justice and Community Services, continues to strengthen its leadership capacity of the Gender and Protection Cluster, taking decisive ownership as a primary duty bearer in Vanuatu's national response framework. Under this leadership three operational frameworks have been produced alongside a comprehensive capacity development initiative that together create a cohesive national approach to addressing violence against women and girls. By replacing previously fragmented approaches with a coordinated system, these interventions bridge emergency and everyday contexts, connecting previously siloed sectors through standardized protocols, data-sharing mechanisms, and minimum standards. This integration ensures women and girls receive consistent, quality protection services regardless of circumstance, while elevating marginalized voices in decision-making processes. The three frameworks are: The Emergency Response Code of Conduct, rigorously validated through multiple technical review sessions with diverse stakeholders, establishes clear and enforceable standardized protocols with specific protection measures for women, girls, and persons with disabilities. This framework provides actionable protocols that emergency responders can consistently implement during crisis situations. The Joint Needs Assessment Framework for Gender-Based Violence and Protection in Emergencies has established robust mechanisms for data collection and information sharing between previously disconnected sectors. This enables more coordinated protection responses during emergencies through carefully calibrated assessment questions that balance comprehensive data gathering with rapid response needs. The framework democratizes information sharing and shifts decision-making power toward collaborative processes where marginalized voices directly inform response priorities. The standardized GBViE Minimum Standards Safety Audit tool strengthens coordination of assessment approaches across implementing partners and geographic regions. This represents a shift from isolated to coordinated GBV/VAWG responses, indicating a fundamental change in protection work methodology. The tool evaluates safety measures within programs based on the internationally recognized 'Inter-Agency Minimum Standards for GBV in Emergencies' guidelines, identifying potential risks and protection gaps for vulnerable populations. In addition, the GBViE Minimum Standards training initiative has established critical linkages between emergency and non-emergency response systems, uniting health, police, social services, and humanitarian actors under a common protection framework. These minimum standards ensure consistent quality and rights-based approaches regardless of delivery context, eliminating previous service gaps between emergency and routine service provision. The rights-based approach embedded in the GBViE Minimum Standards ensures both rights holders and duty bearers are engaged, balancing power dynamics in protection service delivery systems. This represents a significant departure from top-down implementation models. These structural linkages create sustainable coordination mechanisms that persist beyond project timeframes, permanently embedding protection practices within existing institutional structures at national, provincial and community levels. The systematic incorporation of protection measures for vulnerable groups in emergency protocols signals a normative shift toward inclusive protection as a standard practice rather than an exceptional consideration. Health, police, social services, and humanitarian actors have actively engaged in developing these frameworks, indicating meaningful ownership of the coordination process rather than imposed compliance. These coordination efforts proved crucial following the magnitude 7.3 earthquake that struck Vanuatu on December 17, 2024. The disaster affected approximately 80,000 people across all genders, with the government confirming 12 fatalities. During this period, the Cluster's GBV prevention and response mechanisms were integrated into the broader humanitarian response through formal institutionalized pathways. Through government oversight and implementation of the ERCC, the Cluster: Delivered emergency protection services for women, men, girls, and boys, with specialized services addressing women's unique protection needs Established coordination between shelter, health, and protection service providers Ensured resources were distributed equitably with particular attention to gender-balanced allocation, addressing historical imbalances Furthermore, in 2024, UN Women expanded its support for this coordinated framework by supporting three key partners—the Ministry of Justice, Department of Women, and the Vanuatu Council of Churches—in developing integrated programmes to be supported through Phase II of the Pacific Partnership to End Violence against Women and Girls in 2025. This strategic collaboration enhances multi-sectoral coordination across governance levels, extending impact beyond initial implementing agencies to create system-wide improvements in addressing violence against women and girls. This integration with existing operational frameworks will reinforce the cohesive national approach, enabling more balanced distribution of implementation authority between agencies, and strengthening service delivery coherence—complementing the standardized protocols, data-sharing mechanisms, and minimum standards already established through the Gender and Protection Cluster's work.