National Gender Mainstreaming Policy.

The goal of the National Gender Mainstreaming Policy is to progress gender equality and the empowerment of women in the RMI with the meaningful involvement and contributions of all development sectors and civil society, and women and men from all spheres, and at all levels of development and decision-making, from the Council of Iroij, the Nitijela, and in local governments in the outer islands. The policy lays down strategies to steer the creation of laws, policies, procedures, and practices that cater to the needs, priorities, and aspirations of both women and men, and to eradicate all forms of discrimination and inequality. It pertains to the private sector, public sector, local governments, and communities. It necessitates integrating a gender perspective into all governmental policies, strategies, programs, and services. Five priority outcomes of this Policy are: (i) strengthened capacity across government to deliver gender-responsive programs and services, (ii) secure family wellbeing, (iii) elimination of gender-based violence and protection and care of survivors, (iv) enabling environment for equitable participation in, and benefit from, economic development, (v) equitable participation of women and men in decision-making.
The strategic approach endorsed by the Policy emphasizes a multi-sectoral and coordinated effort across the government, aligning with the National Strategic Plan. It serves as a tool for dialogue and coordination between various sectors and agencies with objectives such as defining agreed-upon priorities and providing targeted support for empowering women and achieving gender equality. Additionally, it aims to create an enabling environment to transform the Government’s commitments to gender equality and women’s human rights into reality. The approach ensures that national and sectoral plans are aligned with the Government’s international and regional commitments to gender equality and the empowerment of women, pursued through culturally appropriate and sensitive methods. Furthermore, it involves men as informed partners in the quest for gender equality and outlines a mechanism for monitoring and reporting progress in accordance with the NSP and other regional and international commitments to gender equality.
Gender equality will integrated into social development; environment, climate change and resilience; infrastructure development; sustainable economic development; and good governance. The capacity across government will be built to identify and understand gender issues by producing sex disaggregated data and conduct gender analysis, deliver gender-responsive programs and services, establish mechanisms for mainstreaming gender, and to coordinate better across all sectors and monitor the impacts of interventions in advancing gender equality. The Policy advocates for a more robust partnership among all stakeholders to ensure that women and men, along with boys and girls, receive the necessary attention. This collaboration aims to promote equitable access to resources and services, thereby fostering gender equality.
The policy states that the majority of women are involved in income-generating activities, in the cultural industry or in food production and processing. To foster an environment that allows for equitable participation in and benefit from economic development, equal employment opportunities will be ensured through improved working conditions. This entails balancing family and work-related responsibilities for both women and men, protecting women's rights, promoting workplace integrity, expanding educational choices for women and girls, and supporting women's entrepreneurship. The contribution of women and men in agriculture and fisheries and their respective roles in food security and rural development, will be recognized, promoted and supported.
Local knowledge of women and men in disaster preparedness, food security and water security will be used in developing climate change adaptation strategies and programs. Both women and men will be involved in building resilient communities to face climate change impacts and disaster risks. The role of women and men will be supported in households’ and communities’ adaptation strategies to climate change impacts and disaster risks.