Description

In June 1998, the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) adopted a policy on gender and development (GAD). The new GAD policy confirmed a shift in ADB’s approach to women, from targeted interventions primarily in the social sectors to mainstreaming gender in all ADB operations. To support gender mainstreaming, the GAD policy codified a number of operational requirements and practices, and introduced several new institutional mechanisms. It also called for an interim status report on implementation and progress after 2 years, and an overall review and evaluation after 5 years.

This interim report (i) briefly outlines the policy on GAD; (ii) indicates on progress in implementing the policy through operational, institutional, and other activities; and (iii) considers mechanisms for improving implementation of the policy in the context of ADB’s poverty reduction agenda and increased regional and country focus with its reorganization. A full review and evaluation of the policy on GAD will be carried out in early 2004, to allow for 2 full years of experience under ADB’s new organization.

Contents

• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• ADB's Policy on Gender and Development
• Implementation of the Policy on GAD
• Future Directions
• Conclusions
• Appendixes