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 Papua New Guinea Third Country Plan 2019–2022 reflects the Government of Papua New Guinea’s and Government of Australia’s shared commitment to advancing gender equality, particularly in supporting Papua New Guinea to implement the national gender policy and related gender equality commitments.
A review of the Second Country Plan conducted between November 2018 and May 2019 found evidence of achievements. There are significant advancements made in the policy and legal framework include the passing of the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence 2016–2025 and Family Protection Act regulations.
There was a separate Bougainville Gender Investment Plan 2014–2019, agreed between the Government of Australia, the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government in 2015. The Plan prioritised strengthening women’s leadership, improving women’s economic opportunities and reducing family and sexual violence and assisting survivors of violence. Through Pacific Women Australia has committed over $13 million to activities in Bougainville.
The Third Country Plan recognises the important contribution that the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby makes to gender equality through mainstreaming gender outcomes in the aid program as well as through political, diplomatic, economic and corporate activities.
Reports on progress towards the Country Plans are provided annually (since 2016). The performance of Pacific Women in Bougainville is included within the Papua New Guinea Performance Reports as well as in a separate annual report om the progress against the Bougainville Gender Investment Plan from 2016 to 2019.