Outcome 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

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 Vanuatu. 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 Vanuatu Joint Presence Office, will be included in the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard assessment. In December 2023, the Government of Vanuatu signed the Vanuatu Country Implementation Plan 2023-2024 (CIP), signifying a country-level agreement with the Pacific UNSDCF. The Vanuatu 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 Vanuatu CIP is firmly anchored to country-level priorities and structures and defines the UN actions and deliverables in Vanuatu, 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 Vanuatu 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 Vanuatu to advance and ensure the inclusion of gender equality and women's empowerment throughout the Vanuatu 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 Vanuatu. UN Women’s overarching commitment focused on supporting Vanuatu’s 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 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.