Gender and Development

External Forum on Gender and Development

First Meeting, 7-9 November 2001

Short Report

1. The ADB's Policy on Gender and Development (GAD) and ADF VIII commitments call for the establishment of an External Forum on Gender and Development (EFG). The EFG had its first meeting at ADB's Headquarters on 7-9 November 2001. A proposed TOR for the EFG is attached as Annex 1.
2. The agenda for this meeting was designed to familiarize EFG members with ADB's Policy on GAD, as well as ADB's overall mission of poverty reduction, Long-Term Strategic Framework (LTSF) and Medium-Term Strategy. The agenda also provided for staff briefings on selected loan projects and technical assistance, to illustrate how gender concerns are being integrated in ADB's operations. Consistent with the practice at the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank, which have similar external advisory and consultative groups on gender, meetings were also arranged with the President and individual members of the Board of Directors.
3. Based on informal feedback from EFG members, they appreciated the briefings from ADB staff, and the opportunity to meet with the President and Board members. At the meeting with the President, the Chair of the EFG, Dr. Patricia Licuanan presented a short statement on behalf of the EFG (Annex 2). The President then engaged each of the EFG members in discussion on various issues relating to their work and gender conditions in their countries and the region as a whole.
4. As reflected in their statement to the President, the EFG commended ADB for its commitment to poverty reduction, and for its progress in mainstreaming gender in its operations. The EFG emphasized that gender equity is critical to the reduction of poverty, and that successful gender mainstreaming will require continuing institutional commitment. The EFG also expressed interest in meeting with the new regional departments' heads at their next session to discuss how they might support gender mainstreaming under the reorganization.
5. In a wrap-up discussion, the EFG members proposed to schedule their next session in late May or early June 2002. In the interim, EFG members will prepare an agenda for the next meeting, and develop mechanisms for supporting ADB's gender mainstreaming work both at ADB Headquarters and in the DMCs.