Gender and Development

Gender and Development
Updated: 4 February 2010

Inclusive and sustainable growth in Asia and the Pacific is unachievable if a half of the population is left behind.

When the economies of the Asia and Pacific region grew rapidly, many women still suffered from inequality in income and living standards. With the recent and ongoing global economic crisis, the situation may further exacerbate. Urgent and concerted actions are needed to invest in narrowing gender gaps and empowering women and girls.

ADB's Policy on Gender and Development (1998) reflects our commitment to promoting women's economic and social empowerment and their 'voice'. This is an integral part of achieving ADB's goal of poverty reduction through inclusive and sustainable growth. ADB's Strategy 2020 (2008) highlights gender equality as a driver of change in the region.

We publish knowledge products, such as country and sector specific reports, and checklists and toolkits to inform our strategies and programs. We integrate gender equality considerations in the design and implementation of investment projects.

With donors' support, we carry out capacity development, and activities which directly benefit women. We interact with development partners and with the External Forum on Gender and Development.

Read a summary of how ADB responds to the challenges of gender inequality in the region.

Spotlight

In photo from left: Rabab Fatima, Regional Director, IOM South Asia; Mohamed Mijarul Quayes, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Paul Heytens, Country Director, ADB Bangladesh Resident Mission

Regional Workshop in Dhaka on Human Trafficking (27-28 January 2010) Findings of a study on the progress in implementing the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking of Women and Children were reviewed during the regional workshop. In addition, initiatives that are taking place in the Greater Mekong Subregion were shared as well as participants' country experience in implementing the SAARC Convention. About 30 participants attended the meeting, organized by IOM and ADB. See the agenda and list of participants.