Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) analyses for nine (9) Pacific Member Associations

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global movement of over 100 locally led Member Associations working in more than 150 countries to advance Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice (SRHRJ). In the Pacific, IPPF’s Sub-Regional Office is implementing the Pacific Niu Vaka Strategy Phase II (2023–2028), which prioritises Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) across Member Associations.

In 2025, IPPF supported eight Pacific Member Associations from Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu to complete a GEDSI analysis, building on a 2023 pilot with the Cook Islands Family Welfare Association. The revised GEDSI tools use a five-step process, including self-assessment, baseline scoring, action planning, and stakeholder consultation, to track progress over time.

All nine Pacific Member Associations scored above 50% in their baseline GEDSI self-assessments, demonstrating active engagement with inclusion principles. Member Associations in the Cook Islands, Kiribati, and Samoa scored above 80%, reflecting strong organisational integration of GEDSI across programmes and services. Gender equality scored highest overall, while disability inclusion emerged as a key area for strengthening across the region.

A total of 218 participants from 106 organisations took part in GEDSI and SRHR stakeholder consultations across nine Pacific countries, strengthening locally grounded analysis and action planning. These assessments have enhanced understanding of how gender, power, and social inclusion shape access to SRHR services.

The GEDSI analyses mark an important first step. Sustained investment in human and financial resources over the next three years will be essential to implement action plans and demonstrate measurable progress when the assessments are repeated in 2028.

This work contributes to the Pacific Niu Vaka Strategy Phase II results framework and is co-funded through the Pacific Women Lead programme with support from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).