Countries and Regions

	Table of Contents
p. 13 of 20 BACK | NEXT I. Country Performance Assessment II. Country Operational Strategy III. Sector Strategies A. Agriculture B. Infrastructure C. Social Infrastructure and Environment D. Governance Dimensions of ADB Operations F. Gender Dimensions of ADB Operations G. Private Sector Development IV. Regional Cooperation V. Donor Activities and Aid Coordination VI. Cofinancing and Catalyzing External Resources VII. ADB’s Operational Program VIII. Economic and Sector Work Program IX. Local Cost Financing

Country Assistance Plans - Nepal : III. Sector Strategies

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E. Gender Dimensions of ADB Operations

77. In line with the emphasis of the Ninth Plan on elimination of gender inequality, the 1999 COS has adopted a holistic approach to address systematically key constraints at the policy, institution, sector, and project levels. The gender strategy for Nepal includes (i) assistance to policy support, capacity building, and awareness raising; and (ii) gender analysis of proposed projects.

78. ADB assistance will emphasize women's empowerment in the development process, consistent with ADB's policy on gender and development²⁴. ADB has a gender and development specialist at NRM to further enhance these efforts in the field. Future interventions will aim at addressing the multiple constraints women face, particularly demanding physical labor in agricultural and household pursuits, limited access to and control over productive resources, low educational attainment, and low representation in the decision-making process. Interventions will be planned and formulated to enhance economic opportunities and status of women, for example in agriculture, rural microfinance, nonformal education, and water supply and sanitation projects. A PPTA in 2003 for a women empowerment project is included in the program.

79. Mainstreaming of gender issues and gender sensitization will be promoted at all levels. Moreover, empowerment at the stakeholder level will be the focus of the new strategy, to contribute to reduction of women's poverty levels. Women can be empowered when economic opportunities are preceded by social mobilization/ preparation, often with literacy programs. Positive group dynamics have been noted in a number of water supply projects where drinking water groups were formed. These projects have the added advantage of lessening women's work burden and helping to reduce morbidity and mortality.

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