Hummingbird™ META – Gender Action Plan

1. Purpose & Commitment

Hummingbird™ META is committed to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment across all areas of our operations, partnerships, and programs. This Gender Action Plan provides a framework for embedding equality as a measurable standard of excellence—ensuring that women and men have equitable access to opportunity, resources, and leadership.


2. Objectives

Objective

Intended Outcomes

1. Integrate gender equality into all capacity-building programs

Women and men participate equitably in the Growth Starter System PLUS (GSS+) and Hummingbird Certified Mentor (HCM) pathways.

2. Strengthen women’s leadership and representation

Women make up at least 50 % of mentors, facilitators, and program graduates by 2026.

3. Promote gender-responsive workplace practices

Equal opportunity, pay equity, and inclusive decision-making embedded in recruitment and contractor engagement.

4. Advance women’s economic participation in the Pacific

More women-owned MSMEs formalized, investor-ready, and scaling sustainably.

5. Build accountability and continuous improvement

Annual gender progress review published as part of Hummingbird’s sustainability reporting.


3. Key Actions & Milestones

Action Area

Key Actions (2025–2026)

Responsibility

Program Design & Delivery

• Apply gender lens to curriculum and case studies.

• Ensure 50 % female participation in all cohorts.

• Track gender-disaggregated outcomes.

Program Director / HCM Lead

Leadership & Workforce

• Maintain gender-balanced leadership.

• Adopt equal pay policy.

• Implement inclusive hiring and flexible work practices.

Director / HR & Operations

Mentorship & Networks

• Expand female mentor pool.

• Establish regional Women in Business Circle for alumni.

• Pair female founders with senior mentors.

HCM Team

Policy & Advocacy

• Finalize Gender Equality Policy.

• Endorse UN Women’s WEPs formally.

• Share best practices through regional forums.

Director / Strategic Partnerships

Monitoring & Reporting

• Publish annual Gender Snapshot.

• Integrate gender metrics into CRM dashboard.

• Review progress at quarterly management meetings.

Monitoring & Impact Team


4. Performance Indicators

  • % of women participants in programs (target: ≥ 50 %)
  • % of women in leadership / mentor roles (target: ≥ 40 %)
  • % of women-owned MSMEs supported and formalized (target: ≥ 50 %)
  • % of gender-responsive partnerships or policies adopted (target: ≥ 50 %)
  • Annual progress report published and shared with partners


5. Governance & Review

The Director of Hummingbird™ META oversees implementation, supported by the HCM and Impact Measurement Teams. The plan will be reviewed annually to evaluate progress, update targets, and ensure alignment with WEPs, SDG 5, and donor frameworks.


6. Statement of Ongoing Commitment

“Gender equality is at the core of how Hummingbird™ builds sustainable systems of growth. Through this plan, we continue to ensure that every woman has the opportunity, tools, and mentorship to lead change—creating businesses and communities that endure.”


Justin Hoang, Director, Hummingbird™ META