In 2011 the Government of the Cook Islands adopted the National Policy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (NPGEWE), which aimed to end inequalities between men and women in six key priority areas. With the country celebrating 50 years of self-governance in 2015, it is important to assess what has been achieved in promoting equal opportunities and responsibilities between men and women. What steps can be taken to accelerate progress towards achieving equality outcomes while sustaining the achievements already made?