Gender and Development

	Table of Contents
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Bhutan

• Significant Gender Mainstreaming
• Some Gender Benefits

Significant Gender Mainstreaming

1. Basic Skills Development - Loan 1830, 2001

   The Project addresses need to enhance availability of skills training for women and address the male-oriented technical and vocational education/training (TVET) structure by supporting preparation of an equitable access promotion policy for TVET and various measures to reach a female enrollment ratio of at least 30% in skills training programs (at least 40% for training under the community access program). These measures include diversification of training programs to include female-friendly trades; publicity to encourage women's participation in outreach activities, skills training, testing and competitions; gender awareness workshops for trainers and community representatives; institutionalization of a planning and administrative process to ensure gender balance in the TVET system; and inclusion of women's bathrooms and dormitories in training facilities. Several loan covenants support these provisions.

   View Report and Recommendation to the President

2. Health Care Reform Program - Loan 1762, 2000

   Policy reforms include review of gender equity in health service staffing, increase in number of women health workers, increase in number of hospitals providing reproductive health services, strengthening of HIV/AIDS surveillance systems, and regulation of breast-milk substitutes.

   View Report and Recommendation to the President

Some Gender Benefits

1. Road Improvement Project - Loan 1763, 2000

   Women constitute about 40% of road workers in Bhutan. A special study on women road workers identified their needs, and a stakeholder workshop was held to identify ways to improve working conditions of these workers. The Project is expected to improve rural women's access to markets, schools, health care and other basic services, and will enable teachers (mostly female) to commute from urban areas to village schools. The Government is also taking steps to promote awareness and prevent spread of STDs and HIV/AIDS.

   View Report and Recommendation to the President

2. Sustainable Rural Electrification - Loan 1712, 1999

   Focus group discussions during project preparation identified likely benefits to women, of whom 30% are heads-of-households, from rural electrification, including less time required to collect fuel, reduced respiratory disease from burning fuel for heat and cooking, and indirect benefits from electrification of local health clinics, schools, and illumination of streets at night.

   View Report and Recommendation to the President

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