Overview

The Solomon Islands Gender Equality Plan outlines the approach and investments of the Australian Government’s Gender Equality Program for the period 2020–22. The Gender Equality Plan bridges the final period of Australia’s Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development (Pacific Women) program and the transition to Australia’s next phase of support for gender equality programming in the Pacific region.

Through a 10-year commitment announced in 2012, Pacific Women connects more than 170 gender equality initiatives supported by Australia and implemented by over 160 partners across 14 Pacific Island countries, including Solomon Islands. It works toward four outcomes:

• Women’s Leadership and Decision Making
• Ending Violence against Women
• Economic Empowerment
• Enhancing Agency

With Pacific Women drawing a close at the end of 2021, Australia is looking at how to strengthen its gender equality support and respond quickly and flexibly to the emerging needs of the COVID-19 pandemic. At a regional level, a design is underway for a new regional program expected to commence in mid-2021, with a six-month transition from Pacific Women. Building on the strong foundations and relationships of Pacific Women, the new program will target support for women’s health (including women’s reproductive rights and growth of women’s sport); women’s economic security and leadership; and women’s safety. Bilaterally, the Gender Equality Plan outlines Australia’s gender equality program in Solomon Islands until 2022.