Gender and Development

Philippines: Joining Forces in Preparing a Country Gender Assessment

Young mothers in Bohol, Philippines. Photo: Karin Schelzig Bloom, 2007.

In line with its commitments to

• align operations more closely with its developing member countries’ priorities
• harmonize country diagnostics and strategies with other development partners

ADB is increasingly conducting joint Country Gender Assessments (CGAs) with other development partners, and in close consultation with the national bodies responsible for promoting gender equality. ADB is leading a large multi-stakeholder group in the preparation of a joint assessment for the Philippines (to be launched in October 2008).

The Philippines CGA 2008 is being prepared with the participation of the Philippines Official Development Assistance Gender and Development (ODA GAD) Network of development partners. Key partners include CIDA, the EC, ILO, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNIFEM, the World Bank, the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). The CGA format is aligned with the country’s Framework Plan for Women, which emphasizes three overarching themes: women’s economic empowerment, social development, and gender-responsive governance.

Stakeholder consultations have been conducted in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in order to validate the CGA themes and approach, collect case studies, stories and quotes, and to identify and fill any information gaps. The draft CGA will feed into the preparation of the new Philippines Country Partnership Strategy. A launch event or workshop is being planned for August 2008.

For more information contact Karin Schelzig-Bloom, SESS.

kschelzig@adb.org