Climate Change Impact and Structural Reforms in Kiribati

0 40 20 Mobility Workplace 100 80 60 KIRIBATI equality in terms of the legal framework, marking significant advance of Kiribati compared to other Pacific Islands as well as the lower middle-income group in average in this area (Figure 3). 11. However, opportunities for additional reforms remain. For example, in the WBL dataset, Kiribati receives a low score on the measure of Parenthood. This is driven by the fact that the country does not guarantee paid paternity or parental leave, the length of maternity leave is shorter than the recommended 14 weeks (it is currently 84 days), and it does not administer maternity leave benefits. The legal framework also does not grant spouses equal administrative authorities over assets during marriage. Many women also currently do not have the same ownership rights to immovable property (lands, etc.) as men, 12 and the legal framework does not ban gender discrimination in access to credit. Going forward, the country could consider options for introducing paternity or parental leave and addressing gender discrimination in access to credit/assets, as reforms in these areas could increase women's ability and motivation to work and further support gender equality and women's economic empowerment. Figure 3. Kiribati: Improvement of Legal Framework on Gender Scores of the Legal Framework on Gender Inequality (Maximum score=100) Improvement in Legal Framework on Gender (Total index, maximum score=100) 100 Pay Marriage Source: World Bank, Women, Business and the Law database. Parenthood Entrepreneurship Assets Pension 2000 2010 2022 80 60 40 20 0 80 Vanuatu Palau Tonga Papua New Guinea Micronesia 12. In addition, gender budgeting (GB) could help promote gender equality. Gender budgeting allows fiscal authorities to ensure that revenue and spending policies and public financial management instruments address gender inequality and the advancement of women in areas such as education, health, and economic empowerment (Budlender and Hewitt, 2003; Budlender and Sharp, 1998; Elson, 2003; Stotsky, 2006 and 2016; IMF, 2017 and 2020; Kolovich, 2018). By understanding the impact of policies and budget proposals-both intended and unintended-on gender equality, governments could use gender budgeting to help design fiscal policies and implement more effective budgets to support gender equality. For instance, gender impact assessments of investment projects and budget proposals could be conducted to facilitate budgetary decisions, alongside with tracking these budget allocations through its execution. In the case of Kiribati, one initial areas of focus could be investment in infrastructure (e.g., access to 38 INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND 12 Some native land codes grant the right of inheriting a larger proportion of inherited lands to sons over daughters, regardless the wills of parents. 2010 2022 Source: World Bank, Women, Business, and the Law (WBL) database. Note: LMICs denotes lower middle income countries as defined in the WBL database. Marshall Islands Kiribati Fiji LMIC (average)

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