Country Plans are the mechanism through which Pacific Women outcomes and activities are planned and agreed between DFAT and counterpart governments, following extensive national consultations. They provide detail on what will be funded and how these funding decisions are made. The Kiribati Country Plan was developed following a document review and in-country design mission in April 2013. Consultations were held with stakeholders on Tarawa, representing government ministries, civil society, the private sector and regional organisations. The joint Australian Government and Government of Kiribati-UN Women Preparatory Assistance Project was closely involved in the process. The first three-year Kiribati Country Plan included four activities valued at $1.8 million from 2013 to 2016.

Further activities until 2020 have subsequently been added to the Country Plan. During the design process, viable entry points for women’s income generation were difficult to identify, especially for rural women. One activity under the Country Plan is therefore a women’s economic empowerment feasibility study, investigating strategies that respond to women’s low income and decision-making autonomy.

The majority of funding under the Kiribati Country Plan supports the implementation of the National Policy and Strategic Action Plan to Eliminate Sexual and Gender Based Violence 2011–2021. This is being done through support to a women and children’s support centre and provision for the existing Catholic Church crisis centre.

The Country Plan underwent a review in June 2018 to assess progress and make recommendations on its future direction. In addition to Pacific Women, DFAT makes an important contribution to gender equality in Kiribati through mainstreaming gender outcomes in the aid program, as well as through political, diplomatic and corporate activities.