Outcome SLB_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

This outcome is on track. There has been some progress towards the realisation of the operational, normative, and collaborative potential of the Pacific United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) to contribute to greater gender equality and women’s empowerment in the Solomon Islands. The United Nations in the Pacific has committed to the rollout out of a comprehensive assessment of the United Nations System-wide Action Plan (UNCT-SWAP) Gender Equality Scorecard for a second time in less than 5 years. This commitment demonstrates willingness to being able to more concretely understand areas that need further joint action to progress gender mainstreaming and advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. The assessment will be undertaken across all three sub-regional United Nations Resident Coordinator Offices (RCOs) in a separate but coordinated manner as the RCOs come under one Pacific regional UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023-2027). The Fiji RCO, overseeing the Solomon Islands Joint Presence Office, will be included in the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard assessment. In December 2023, the Government of the Solomon Islands signed the Solomon Islands Country Implementation Plan 2023-2024 (CIP), signifying a country-level agreement with the Pacific UNSDCF. The Solomon Islands CIP builds upon the Pacific United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027 (UNSDCF) developed by the United Nations (UN) and 14 Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs). The Solomon Islands CIP is firmly anchored to country-level priorities and structures and defines the UN actions and deliverables in the Solomon Islands, including those of UN Women, to help achieve the outcomes of the Pacific UNSDCF. The CIP will guide the joint efforts, and the collective results expected will help the Solomon Islands to ensure all people are equal and free to exercise their fundamental rights, enjoy gender equality and peace, remain resilient to existential threats, and live in harmony. Throughout 2023, UN Women played a pivotal role within the Joint Programme Presence in the Solomon Islands to advance and ensure the inclusion of gender equality and women's empowerment throughout the Solomon Islands CIP. Capacity building of agencies through training and access to tools and guidance on gender responsive programming was undertaken which in turn has advanced joint action on gender equality in the Solomon Islands. UN Women’s overarching commitment focused on supporting the Solomon Islands’ national development priorities on gender, Sustainable Development Goal 5, and alignments with international standards such as CEDAW and the Beijing Platform for Action.

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 the Solomon Islands continues to progress in strengthening the UNCTs' capacity for advancing gender equality and women's empowerment. Through collaboration with the UN Local Team—comprising UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, IOM, FAO, WHO, UNCD and UNESCAP, UN Women led transformative efforts in supporting the Solomon Islands government's completion of its second Voluntary National Review (VNR). The successful VNR process exemplified systematic advancement of joint action on gender equality, reaching key government ministries, particularly the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) and the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC). The review process integrated gender perspectives throughout national development frameworks, ensuring the voices and needs of marginalized populations—including women, youth, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, and disaster-affected communities—were prominently featured across all nine provinces of the Solomon Islands. This comprehensive geographical coverage demonstrated a commitment to leaving no one behind, particularly in remote and traditionally underserved areas. UN Women's technical expertise strengthened national capacities through two pivotal achievements. First, the organization supported MWYCFA in developing the CEDAW 4th and 5th Combined Periodic Report, which demonstrated measurable progress in legislative compliance. A comprehensive review revealed that out of 76 legislative indicators, 32% now show full compliance with CEDAW, marking an improvement from 23% in 2006. This progress reflects enhanced institutional capacity and strengthened duty-bearer commitment to implement gender-responsive legislation while highlighting areas requiring continued attention to protect and promote women's rights. Second, collaboration with MNPDC on the National Development Strategy 2016-2035 mid-way review provided crucial insights into development challenges affecting women and marginalized groups. The review process is creating new pathways for gender-responsive policy implementation, emphasizing areas where enhanced focus is needed to ensure women benefit from development initiatives. This work specifically addressed gender-based violence through integrated approaches to protection and safety in crisis-affected communities, while establishing mechanisms for meaningful participation in national development processes. The enhanced institutional mechanisms for gender analysis and mainstreaming resulted in improved coordination across sectors. These initiatives demonstrate clear alignment with the Pacific UNSDCF 2023-2027, particularly in strengthening national mechanisms for inclusive development. The VNR process culminated in a successful presentation at the 2024 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, showcasing Solomon Islands' progress while acknowledging particular vulnerabilities to climate change and natural disasters. This comprehensive approach ensures that gender equality remains central to resilience-building efforts across all sustainable development initiatives. The initiatives were implemented through direct collaboration between UN Women, key UN agencies, and national government ministries, particularly MWYCFA and MNPDC. These partnerships ensured effective coordination and sustainable capacity building for gender-responsive programming across the Solomon Islands, establishing a strong foundation for continued progress toward gender equality in the national development agenda.