World Bank Income Classification:Low Income
The World Bank classifies economies for analytical purposes into four income groups: low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high income. For this purpose it uses gross national income (GNI) per capita data in U.S. dollars, converted from local currency using the World Bank Atlas method, which is applied to smooth exchange rate fluctuations.
Least Developed Country:Yes
Since 1971, the United Nations has recognized LDCs as a category of States that are deemed highly disadvantaged in their development process, for structural, historical and also geographical reasons. Three criteria are used: per capita income, human assets, and economic vulnerability.
Gender Inequality Index:0.575
GII is a composite metric of gender inequality using three dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment and the labour market. A low GII value indicates low inequality between women and men, and vice-versa.
Gender Development Index:0.723
GDI measures gender inequalities in achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: health, education, and command over economic resources.
Population:209,497,025
Source of population data: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2022). World Population Prospects: The 2022 Revision
Male:19,976,265 (9.5%)
Female:189,520,760 (90.5%)
Women are perceived as equally legitimate and effective political leaders as men (FPI WPEL Outcome 3)
The focus will be building the capacity of women candidates and create civic awareness and address key obstacles to women’s political participation. Considering that the Pacific has the lowest rate of women in parliament and the complexity of issues surrounding women’s leadership+D91, the work will involve comprehensive programming, along the entire electoral cycle, coordinated with other development partners. This includes Strengthened leadership capacity of younger women and new Matai titleholders, Strengthened Civic Awareness on the electoral process and Advocacy and outreach to encourage inclusive and effective political participation. For 2022, the remaining intervention is continued work on civic awareness on election and for advocacy, support for better representation of women leaders in mainstream media via Media training.
Women are perceived as equally legitimate and effective political leaders as men (FPI WPEL Outcome 3)
UN Women reports on this indicator in a global scope, signified by "(Desk Review)" at the end of the indicator statement (see the Our Global Results page for the global result)
Common indicators are those that appear verbatim the same in at least two entities' results frameworks and are drawn, where possible, directly from other globally agreed frameworks.
Common
Increased community and civic understanding of, and support for, gender equality and women’s right to political participation (modified FPI WPEL Output 3.1)
In addition to results reported by UN Women field offices (shown here), results achieved in countries and territories through the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women (UNTF) are included in a non-duplicative manner in the global reporting on this indicator (see the Our Global Results page).
Data reported for 2022 results against this indicator was obtained as part of a learning process on social norms and therefore may not accurately reflect the results obtained. Internal reviews of data collected on social norms across relevant indicators, coupled with external reviews, are informing the design of UN Women’s principled approach to social & gender norms change. This will be reflected in changes to the indicators to be introduced in the Mid-Term Review of the Strategic Plan. In addition to results reported by UN Women field offices (shown here), results achieved in countries and territories through the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women (UNTF) are included in a non-duplicative manner in the global reporting on this indicator (see the Our Global Results page).
Increased understanding of national experience of promoting women's leadership & lessons for the Pacific region
Data reported for 2022 results against this indicator was obtained as part of a learning process on social norms and therefore may not accurately reflect the results obtained. Internal reviews of data collected on social norms across relevant indicators, coupled with external reviews, are informing the design of UN Women’s principled approach to social & gender norms change. This will be reflected in changes to the indicators to be introduced in the Mid-Term Review of the Strategic Plan.
Women are perceived as equally legitimate and effective political leaders as men (FPI WPEL Outcome 3)
There has been significant progress over the year in terms of recognizing women's leadership potential in some areas while ongoing effort is still needed in other areas of leadership where the barriers affecting women's participation and leadership in decision making is still very pronounced. At national level, since 2021, there has been significant progress with six women being part of National Legislative Assembly including first ever female Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. There has also been a thirty three percent increase of women directors in public boards in 2021 from twenty nine percent in 2020. However, in terms of community/village level governance, women's leadership potential continues to be gendered and pigeonholed into certain sectors such as village beautification projects and participation in church groups and women's committees. As of 2020, women make up only twenty two percent of the registered Matai (traditional title of leadership) and hold forty four percent of representation in village councils ( fono ). Through the Women in Leadership (WILS) project (2018-2022), more communities and diverse range of stakeholders in Samoa viapublic media campaigns, community outreach and research have better understanding of their civic roles and responsibilities, importance of women's political participation and a deeper understanding of the leadership challenges and opportunities for Samoan women. This was made through interventions supported by UN Women in 2022 in the final year of the WILS project: Twenty three Media practitioners (14 Females and 9 males) from twenty media organizations are now applying gender sensitive media reporting practices to effectivity promote and feature women leaders and gender issues without perpetuating gender biases and stereotypes. Communities including women from fifty one electoral constituencies are exercising their civic responsibilities and rights by actively engaging with Office of the Elections Commission (OEC) on electoral matters. Public are better informed on importance of voting and how to engage with OEC on electoral matters thorough the media public campaigns by Office of the Elections . Development Stakeholders, government and public now have evidence-based information available for informed policy and action via the Leadership pathways for Samoan Women research report published by WILS. .The above work has been greatly supported by and by various stakeholders including media organizations and networks, Office of the Elections commission, as well as hundred forty five individuals including fifty one leaders across six societal levels: village, parliament, government, business sector, women-led organizations who were part of the research on leadership pathways for women in Samoa. Since its implementation in 2018, twenty three female candidates, ninety nine emerging young women leaders, thirty four women directors from public sector, seven hundred fifty nine females from seventy five village districts and four hundred thirty two women from women's committees have developed their leadership skills, potential and capacities through the UNDP and UNW joint programme on women in leadership in Samoa. Supporting work around women's leadership and the theory of change continues to be relevant for Samoa and the Pacific which has lowest levels of representation of women across all levels of decision making. The closure of WILS project will leave a huge gap in terms of the sustained continuous effort needed particularly by current and aspiring women leaders who need support to navigate through complex social, political and economic dynamics as part of their leadership journeys. Some of the key lessons learned includes the influential role that media can play in promoting women's leadership capacities and shifting public perception on who can be a leader. The research on women's leadership reveals the need to share stories of success and new and diverse pathways to leadership that are emerging in Samoa for women as well as enlist allies and advocates to tackled barriers. There is also a gap in terms of specifically engaging women with disabilities and young women in leadership opportunities. Another important lesson is the need to support under resourced partners such as Office of the Elections Commission in its advocacy and outreach in relation of ensuring women's civic and political participation in the electoral process. Overall, WILS project has contributed immensely towards supporting women's leadership in Samoa since 2018 to 2022 and this will be further expanded in the end of project evaluation report for the project which is currently being finalized.Disclaimer and notes
References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).