GENDER AND LGBTQI+ POLICY AND PROGRAMMING IN VANUATU: Opportunities, challenges, capacity and tools for change

In 2016, the government of Vanuatu introduced a National Gender Equality Policy, with a second phase to be implemented in 2020-2024. This research report provides insights from key informants working on gender in Vanuatu, showing there have been some positive developments during the first policy phase. A number of challenges remain, however, including limited capacity in a number of key institutions and resistance to progress caused by prevailing conservative and patriarchal values and beliefs in Vanuatu. In the absence of other legal instruments for LGBTQI+/SOGI equality, perspectives vary on whether this should be included in the revised policy.