"The revitalised Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Declaration on Achieving Gender Equality promotes a coherent and inclusive approach to gender equality and social inclusion actions, to achieve our Vision for a resilient Pacific Region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity, that ensures that all Pacific peoples can lead free, healthy, and productive lives"
Revitalised Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration
Political will and commitment to action
Empowering women and girls in economic, political, and social life, including gender-responsive government programs, decision-making, economic empowerment, ending violence against women, and health and education is critical for our region.
The Revitalised Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration (PLGED), endorsed in November 2023, reaffirms Forum Leaders’ commitment to gender equality and social inclusion and reinvigorates political will to action gender equality and social inclusion commitments.
It is an opportunity to link the status and needs of Pacific women and girls to current and emerging issues, as well as other regional frameworks and strategies. It also ensures coordination of partners and resources to ensure there is visibility of progress against the priorities. The revitalised PLGED recognises the responsibility and importance of both men and women (and girls and boys) in working towards achieving the Leaders 2050 vision.
The Forum Secretariat is now developing an implementation and monitoring plan in line with the 2050 Strategy Implementation Plan to ensure coherence and progress.
Background
2012. Pacific Islands Forum Leaders endorsed the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration (PLGED) to address the slow progress of gender equality in the region.
2021. An independent review of the PLGED found a lack of visibility, ownership, and governance led to slow progress in achieving its goals. The findings from the review also affirmed that the PLGED is an important advocacy tool that can hold decision makers accountable at the regional and national levels.
2022. Pacific Islands Forum Leaders endorsed the revitalisation of the PLGED. The Forum Secretariat undertook in-depth consultations with Members and stakeholders, including CSOs, private sector and other nonstate actors seeking feedback on the proposed way forward for the focus of a revitalised PLGED and its governance. The aim was to position it as the overarching gender equality and social inclusion commitment for the region.
2023. The revitalised PLGED was endorsed at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in the Cook Islands. It considers current regional and national contexts and priorities including the thematic areas of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders Meeting
Pacific Islands Forum Leaders, at their 3rd February 2021 Special Leaders Retreat, endorsed an annual standing Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders Meeting (PIFWLM) to be held ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
The meeting focuses on key issues relating to gender equality and social inclusion which are supported in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The revitalised Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration will have a high-level governance mechanism through the annual PIF Women Leaders Meeting to ensure high level oversight, accountability, and reporting for Leaders’ visibility.