Outcome KIR_D_1.1

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. [PCF Strategic Priority 2: People]

In 2025, progress toward this outcome centred on strengthening the preparatory foundations required for more coordinated and equitable EVAWG service delivery in Kiribati. National and outer-island consultations were conducted to generate district-level evidence on prevention priorities, referral pathways, and service-access barriers. These consultations informed the design process for a future National Framework for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls but did not yet result in a formally adopted framework. The consultation process clarified how government, SafeNet members, civil society, faith actors, and community structures currently interact in prevention and response. It identified geographic and institutional barriers affecting service access, particularly in outer-island contexts. While this did not change service availability within the reporting period, it strengthened shared understanding across sectors of gaps in coordination and service reach. SafeNet engagement and justice-sector dialogue through TrackGBV analysis supported institutional reflection on EVAWG case handling within the High Court system. Justice-sector actors reviewed patterns emerging from sentencing decisions, contributing to evidence-informed discussion of institutional practice. This represents strengthened use of administrative data for institutional reflection, rather than reform of judicial processes. Service-readiness was reinforced through counselling standards training delivered to frontline practitioners, strengthening technical understanding of ethical and survivor-centred practice within existing services. Taken together, 2025 marked consolidation of evidence, coordination dialogue, and service-quality foundations. These are necessary preconditions for improved access to gender-responsive services, particularly in geographically dispersed settings, but did not yet result in measurable expansion of service access or utilisation. Consultations intentionally included outer-island communities, women’s groups, and community actors who often serve as first points of contact for survivors. Separate discussions with women supported articulation of access barriers and service priorities. This strengthened inclusive participation in national planning processes, although it did not yet translate into expanded service coverage. The work contributes to implementation of Kiribati’s National Policy to Eliminate Sexual and Gender-Based Violence by strengthening preparatory coordination and service-quality foundations. It aligns with UNSDCF Pillar 2 (People) by supporting institutional readiness for gender-responsive service systems. Progress toward measurable outcome-level change remains constrained by geographic dispersion, transport limitations, and the early stage of system reform. The reporting period confirmed that sequencing evidence generation and coordination strengthening ahead of service expansion is necessary to avoid uneven implementation. UN Women, through the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls, provided technical and financial support to national partners to strengthen EVAWG coordination mechanisms, service quality foundations, and evidence-informed institutional practice. This included support to national consultations, counselling standards training, and justice-sector data analysis, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Youth, Sports and Social Affairs, SafeNet members, the Kiribati Women and Children Support Centre, and justice institutions. Donors: The Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; European Union.

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. [PCF Strategic Priority 2: People]

In 2024, Kiribati achieved significant progress in strengthening gender-responsive service delivery systems through initiatives that reached survivors of gender-based violence across the nation's dispersed islands. Through coordinated efforts involving ten partner organizations, including seven SafeNet committee members and three justice sector institutions, the initiative has substantially improved access to quality basic services. The comprehensive approach engaged four key sectors - justice, faith, sports, and culture - while enhancing institutional capacity across health, police, and education domains, with particular emphasis on extending services to remote island communities including Kiritimati Island. The transformative impact is evidenced through policy reforms that strengthen the framework through which duty bearers protect and promote rights holders' interests. Notably exceeding the annual target, two key policies underwent significant revision: the Elimination of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Policy now integrates critical intersections with climate change resilience and women's role in peace and security, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to gender-responsive service delivery. Furthermore, the Gender Equality and Women Development Policy review has reinforced protections for marginalized groups. These policies align with regional frameworks including the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, addressing the unique challenges of rising sea levels and environmental degradation facing Pacific communities. The systematic transformation of service delivery is demonstrated through the establishment of the Kiribati Police Service's high-level Gender Sub-committee, development of gender-responsive educational curriculum materials, and standardized procedures for GBV response that prioritize survivor-centered approaches. The SafeNet Data Management Protocol has established comprehensive data collection and management systems following WHO and Gender-Based Violence Information Management System standards. Under MWYSSA's leadership, the user-producer dialogue system enables partners to rapidly identify and respond to emerging needs through consistent monthly data submissions and analysis that directly inform service improvements and policy adaptations. Capacity building efforts specifically targeted remote island accessibility. The training of magistrates who serve across three remote islands is expected to transform how violence against women cases are handled at the local level, through improved competencies in survivor-centered approaches and bias-free decision-making. This shift from traditional magistrate practices to survivor-centered judicial responses aims to increase women's confidence in seeking legal redress, knowing they will encounter informed and sensitive handling of their cases within their own communities, rather than facing the burden of traveling to South Tarawa. SafeNet's coordinated multi-agency approach continues to strengthen GBV response systems through standardized operating procedures for health services, improved administrative data collection, and enhanced police training. Surpassing the annual target, civil society organizations have successfully influenced two key processes: the development of Pacific-wide minimum standards for GBV counselling (involving thirty participants from fourteen Pacific Island nations) and the ongoing enhancement of SafeNet's coordinated response mechanism. The Kiribati Women and Children Support Centre's expanded service model aims to increase accessibility of GBV support services in remote communities through local capacity building and safe temporary accommodation options. Furthermore the development of Pacific-wide minimum standards for GBV counselling, contributed to by thirty participants from government ministries and NGOs across fourteen Pacific Island nations, promises to institutionalize quality benchmarks for service provision while maintaining cultural relevance, strengthening the capacity of crisis centres and frontline services to deliver consistent, survivor-centred support. This transformation has been achieved through coordinated effort among partners led by MWYSSA, working with the Kiribati Police Service, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Kiribati Women and Children's Crisis Centre, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Crisis Centre, Office of the People's Lawyer, Office of the Attorney General, Kiribati Teachers College, and Kiribati Inclusive Education Improvement Programme. UN Women provided essential technical and financial support throughout these initiatives, particularly in strengthening SafeNet, supporting women-led CSOs and facilitating policy development.

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. [PCF Strategic Priority 2: People]

This Outcome is On Track. In Kiribati, efforts to change social norms have played a crucial role in addressing gender-based violence (GBV), highlighting the importance of collaboration among government, communities, and various stakeholders in culture, faith, and sports. This focus on social norms change initiatives has led to significant improvements in the support and protection of women and girls. The process of updating the Eliminating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (ESGBV) Policy, led by the Ministry of Women, Youth, Sport, and Social Affairs (MWYSSA) with support from UN Women, has been instrumental in this shift. By aligning the policy with international standards and integrating gender equality across all thematic areas, Kiribati has demonstrated a strengthened commitment to combating GBV. This policy revision emphasizes the role of culture, faith, and sports in shaping social norms and highlights the importance of engaging these sectors in GBV prevention efforts. The development of the Kiribati VAW Prevention Framework during the GBV Prevention Offsite workshop is another key achievement. This framework was crafted through collaborative efforts, bringing together stakeholders from various sectors, including culture, faith, and sports, to establish a unified approach to GBV prevention. The framework emphasizes the need for community engagement and the importance of changing social norms to protect vulnerable populations. Furthermore, the formulation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Health Services and Kiribati Police Services, aimed at improving GBV response, underscores the importance of a coordinated, survivor-centered approach. These SOPs reflect an understanding of the cultural context and the need to change societal attitudes towards GBV. The Kiribati SafeNet initiative, an inter-agency coordination mechanism, has been central to these efforts, ensuring a rights-based and survivor-centered response to GBV. The SafeNet Summits, supported by UN Women, have been pivotal in engaging communities and raising awareness about GBV prevention and response. These summits have facilitated discussions on changing social norms and have provided training on accurate GBV data collection, ensuring consistent support across all islands. In conclusion, Kiribati's approach to tackling GBV through social norms change initiatives highlights the importance of collaborative efforts across government, communities, and sectors like culture, faith, and sports. These initiatives have not only strengthened frameworks, policies, and data management systems but have also fostered a community-wide commitment to changing attitudes and behaviors, contributing to increased protection and support for women and girls facing GBV.