Time of Event

15:00–17:30 Tokyo time

Summary

Physical infrastructure is crucial for building a resilient and inclusive future, contributing to broader development gains like improved economic, health, and education outcomes, and reducing gender inequality.

Pre-pandemic, Asia and the Pacific faced a significant infrastructure gap, requiring $1.7 trillion in investment annually. As infrastructure financing needs grow, public–private partnerships (PPPs) offer a solution by mobilizing private capital and introducing modern technology, expertise, and operational efficiency. The PPP model, widely used by governments, is a promising tool to address infrastructure gaps in developing countries. PPPs also present opportunities to reduce gender gaps and expand opportunities for women and girls, who often do not benefit equally from infrastructure services or have a voice in their design. By applying a gender lens to project design, PPPs can ensure infrastructure services promote women’s empowerment and reduce gender disparities. To maximize the potential of PPPs for gender equality, it is essential to recognize women and girls as key stakeholders, remove barriers to their engagement, and integrate their perspectives on access and affordability. To support this, the Asian Development Bank’s Office of Markets Development and Public–Private Partnership (OMDP) and the Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development (CCSD), have developed the Bank’s first toolkit at the intersection of gender equality and PPPs.

This workshop for government officials and practitioners from ADB’s developing member countries will explore the nexus between gender equality and PPPs, with a focus on the transport sector. It will highlight the potential of PPPs to reduce gender gaps, share approaches and case studies, spotlight specific transport sector PPPs in the Philippines, and discuss how these strategies can be adapted to other infrastructure sectors, featuring interactive Q&A discussions.

Objectives
  • Increase understanding of the intersection between gender equality and PPPs, particularly in the transport sector, applicable to other infrastructure themes, such as water and sanitation.  
  • Provide practical approaches and case studies for gender mainstreaming in PPP projects, also showcasing experiences from ADB projects.
  • Facilitate discussions on adapting gender mainstreaming strategies between government officials and practitioners in ADB developing member countries. 
Target Participants

ADBI welcomes applications from government officials, policy makers, thematic experts, researchers, and practitioners. Women are encouraged to apply.

Participants who complete all the workshop sessions and provide post-event feedback will receive a certificate of completion from ADBI.

How to Apply

Interested applications should fill out the application form (https://forms.office.com/r/SLLPND6UNh) by no later than 1 October 2024.

We regret that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Output
  • Improved policy maker knowledge on how PPPs can promote gender equality
  • Policy brief related to the topic to disseminate policy messages
Partners

Asian Development Bank - Office of Markets Development and Public Private Partnership (OMDP) and Gender Equality Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development (CCSD)

Event Contact