Public sector management / Social protection initiatives

Across the Pacific DMCs, gender awareness has been gradually increasing with ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and with growing emphasis on gender equality by international and regional agencies. Yet, there have been few systematic and concerted policy efforts to address gender concerns in national development strategies across the Pacific DMCs.

The TA supported capacity development of key government agencies, especially women's offices and sector gender focal points, for evidence-based policy making on gender issues. The TA outputs were delivered through (i) the compilation of baseline gender indicators, (ii) country gender assessments (CGAs), (iii) gender awareness training and gender-inclusive policy development, and (iv) regional knowledge sharing on gender disparities in Pacific DMCs.

1. Baseline gender indicators compiled and maintained by women's offices

2. Participatory, evidence-based CGA completed in each participating DMC

3. Increased gender awareness among government staff for gender-inclusive policy development

4. Enhanced awareness of gender disparities in the region by Pacific DMCs

1. Capacity building support for gender statistics was provided in Timor-Leste, Marshall Islands and Tonga. A regional data booklet entitled _Gender Statistics (The Pacific and Timor-Leste) is now available online and soon to be published in hardcopy.

2. CGA publication was completed for Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Solomon Islands.

3. Capacity building activities for government officials involved in ADB-finance project operations were completed.

4. The regional workshop was held in Nadi, Fiji in October 2015 and several knowledge products were produced.

5. A minor change in scope approved in June 2013 expanded TA support into additional Pacific development member countries for outputs 1 and 3, such as Cook Islands and Nauru.