This report has been produced as part of the National Tuna Development and Management plan developed for the Marshall Islands by the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). The planned development of the tuna industry (which is in another report) has a strong emphasis on the domestic development of the tuna fishery in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The management and development plan includes management and development components, as well as the gender and social considerations covered here. The work for this component of the plan was conducted from 29 November to 15 December 2003. A gender assessment of the National Tuna Management and Development plan is needed to ensure that there are good governance practices where women become partners in development. There have been instances of gender bias, usually to the detriment of women, in existing tuna processing plants and factories in the Pacific region. More importantly, women’s roles in society and in the fisheries sector are changing rapidly, and the potential offered by the tuna industry should be maximised. Due to its limited land area, RMI is characterised as a total coastal entity, with the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the rich tuna resource providing a fundamental source of economic development for the future. However, the return from the tuna industry cannot compare to the funding that RMI receives under the Compact of Free Association with the United States of America (USA), referred to as the “Compact agreement”. The limited land area means that the public sector, private enterprise, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and communities work together in many different areas. In recognition of this situation, this study was conducted with multi-sectoral involvement. Because of the current pace of development both in the private and public sector in the RMI, gender equity in employment is still secondary to the need to fill positions with suitable, qualified locals. Currently, both the private and public sectors employ people from other countries in the Pacific region to fill skilled or professional positions.