The session will discuss best practices and approaches for strengthening gender considerations and the use of indigenous and traditional knowledge in adaptation which are part of the guiding principles for the formulation and implementation of NAPs. Others principles are: a continuous planning process at the national level with iterative updates and outputs; country-owned, country-driven; not prescriptive, but flexible and based on country needs; building on and not duplicating existing adaptation efforts; participatory and transparent; enhancing coherence of adaptation and development planning; supported by comprehensive monitoring and review; considering vulnerable groups, communities and ecosystems; guided by best available science.

1. ADDRESSING GENDER IN
DEVELOPING AND
IMPLEMENTING OF NAPs
TUVALU EXPERIENCES

2. OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION
• COUNTRY PROFILE of TUVALU
• GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION in TUVALU
• COUNTRY EXPERIENCES
• CHALLENGES
• LESSON LEARNED
 WAY FORWARD

3. COUNTRY PROFILE: TUVALU
• Tuvalu is an independent constitutional and
religious Island Nation
• Location: Southwest Pacific Ocean, Northern
side of the Fiji Islands
• Population/Geography: 11,200 people(2012
census) – 9 Coral Atoll and Islands, less than 3
meters (average height above sea level)
• Economy: Fisheries Industries,
Agriculture(decrease due to CC) and Foreign
Aid

4. Gender and Climate Change Adaptation in
Tuvalu
• Women are considered to be one of the most
vulnerable group in Tuvalu to the current and future
effects of Climate Change, Climate Variabilities and
Natural Disaster
• Vulnerabilities defines in-
o Participation and decision making: lack of involvement in
political and social areas, and decision making processes
o Economic inequality: insufficiency of access and
ownership to land, livelihood resources and money
o Social status: discrimination , lower social status, family
responsibilities and reproductive roles
o Gender based violence: nearly half of women have
physical/sexual/emotional and etc violence in their
lifetime
o General challenges in Tuvalu: Limited capacity/ ability to
cope, isolation from main Islands, traditional and gender
Source: TC Pam Gender Assessment
2015

5. Continue…..
• Why Tuvalu needs to strengthen Gender consideration in any Climate
Change Adaptation Plans, Development and Implementations?
oTo increase avenues for women to express their ideas and concerns
oTo enable women to be engaged in decision making at all levels
oTo recognise the important role women play in adaptation, especially in
food production, water and energy security
oTo directly address and reduce inequalities that exist between men,
women, boys and girls
oTo ensure climate change adaptation processes bring about positive
societal change , including gender equality and social inclusion.

6. Tuvalu Experience: Existed ways for Strengthening
Gender Responsiveness in Adaptation Planning(s)
Policy Framework
• Gender Policy 2013
• Family Protection & Domestic
Violence Act
• CEDAW
• Tuvalu Climate Change Policy
2012
• National Strategy Action Plan for
Climate Change and Disaster
Risk(NSAP) 2012
• Te-Kakega III –National Strategy
for Sustainable Development
2016
• NAPA 1 & 2
• Tuvalu Survival Act 2015
• Island’s Strategy Plans
• Government mechanisms:
NACCC(National Advisory Council
Implementation
• PACCC
• NZAID
• GCCA
• NAPA 1&2
• GCF
• PIFs,SPC,SPREP,
UNDP
• GIZ
• TNCW(Tuvalu
National Council of
Women)
• Department of
Gender Affairs
ACTIONS
 COMMUNTIES AWARENESS
 CAPACITY BUILDINGS
 CONSULTATION WITH WOMEN GROUPS
 TRAININGS
 PRESENTATIONS
 PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN PROJECT/ACTIVITIES
 RADIO PROGRAMS
Source: NAPA-1 Gender Assessment

7. CHALLENGES
CHALLENGES
 Limited participations of women in Project Development, Planning
and Implementations
 Fewer women participate in decision-making at the high
level(parliament and Local government /Island community -Kaupule)
 Limited support from the Government, Island Communities, Religion
organizations and Families
 Wide recognitions of gender in Tuvalu but nothing beyond the
rhetoric
 Limited collection and analysis of gender disaggregated data
 Household and family duties are carried out by women without
support of the men which do not allow for much time to engage and
participate in projects / activities
UNERLYING CAUSES
• Cultural and Traditional norms
• Gender norm
• Women present but do not participate actively
• Although there is a coherent approach the problem is on
uncoordinated actions and lack of communication between

8. LESSON LEARNED
 Empowering women first
 Changes can not happen overnight it will take time for the society or Island communities to
accept changes
 Sensitive approach with communities to explain the concept of gender equity and how it affect
culture and tradition
 Stronger understanding of gender as a cross-cutting issue in the field of Climate Change
 Lack of coordinating of actions between Tuvalu National Women Council(TNCW) and
Department of Gender Affair(GAD)
 TNCW(Tuvalu National Council of Women) role as women’s advocate is very limited but more
linked to economic empowerment of women.

9. WAY FORWARD ..
• To strengthen the principles of gender equality in law and
practices in order to eliminate discrimination of women
• To ensure women have opportunities to participate and make
decisions in all Climate Change related processes at all levels
• Re-visit existed climate change related policies to ensure they
recognise gender issues and support the advancement of
gender equality outcomes
• To strengthen domestication of CEDAW
• Undertake gender and social analysis of all projects from
project design phase through to implementation and
evaluation phase
• Collect gender and age disaggregated data to inform policy
development and project implementation.

10. THANK YOU !