Regional : Enhancing Gender Equality Results in South Asia Developing Member Countries (Phase 2) (Cluster TA)

Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Agricultural policy, institutional and capacity development

Education / Education sector development

Energy / Energy sector development and institutional reform

Finance / Small and medium enterprise finance and leasing

Industry and trade / Small and medium enterprise development

Public sector management / Economic affairs management - Social protection initiatives

Transport / Road transport (non-urban)

Water and other urban infrastructure and services / Urban policy, institutional and capacity development

ADB's progress in gender mainstreaming over the past decade has been largely facilitated by institutional mechanisms such as the GAD Plan of Action for operations, and the placement of gender specialists in nine resident missions (RM) through the Regional Technical Assistance Projects (RETA) 5835/6092: Enhancing GAD Capacity in Developing Member Countries Phase I/II funded by the GAD Cooperation Fund administered by RSDD. Moreover, the use of Project Gender Action Plans (GAPs) has been proven to be an effective gender mainstreaming tool as confirmed by the Rapid Gender Assessments (RGA I and II) conducted in 2004 and 2009 in 8 countries including 24 loans in a variety of sectors. GAPs have assisted with achieving overall project objectives by reducing the vulnerability of women and their families to poverty as increased income was spent on essentials such as food, education, and health care and investment of savings into income-generating enterprises. The gender mainstreaming mechanisms introduced under ADB?s GAD Policy have contributed substantially to SARD?s progress in addressing gender concerns in its Country Partnership Strategies (CPSs), loans, TAs, and capacity development activities. In 2008, South Asia had the highest percentage of ADB projects (33%) and those with ADF funding (50%) with significant gender mainstreaming.

Despite SARDs leading position in gender mainstreaming within ADB operations, various analyses of projects approved in recent years raised concerns regarding (i) decreasing trends in Gender-Thematic ADF funded loans and grants in the SARD portfolio; (ii) uneven distribution of loans and ADF grants addressing gender concerns among SARD DMCs; (iii) increasing-but still inadequate-visibility of gender equality in the India portfolio; and, (iv) limited visibility of gender equality in the Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka portfolios. In order to reach Strategy 2020?s gender based targets, there is a need not to miss any opportunities for gender mainstreaming in traditional sectors while expanding good practices for gender mainstreaming in hard sector projects such as large infrastructure (energy, roads and transport).

The proposed TA is necessary to strengthen SARDs capacity to enhance gender mainstreaming by building on the progress it has already made, replicating good practices across all DMCs and sectors and addressing identified gaps and weaknesses in certain sectors and country portfolios. In light of diminishing resources of the GAD Cooperation Fund to support GAD policy implementation in all ADB operations, it is strategically important for SARD to institutionalize its own structure and mechanisms to accelerate gender mainstreaming in all of its operations in the South Asia region to meet the targets set under Strategy 2020.

Support DMCs' commitment to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment in South Asia.

Strengthen gender capacities of DMC governments and ADB to address gender concerns in planning, design, and implementation of programs and projects to reduce gender disparities and increase gender equality results in SARD opetations.

Increased number of comprehensive gender strategies in CPSs

Gender-related elements included in the following CPSs: Bangladesh (2016-2020), Bhutan (2014-2018), India (2018-2022), and Sri Lanka (2018-2022)

Improved quality GAPs and DMFs included in loan, grant, and TA projects

By end of 2017, there were 15 (58%) projects categorized as GEN/EGM out of a total of 26 projects. All GEN/EGM projects had gender-related targets included in the DMFs and GAP/ GESI Action Plans developed. As of September 2018, the target number of projects to be categorized as GEN/EGM is 29 (76%) out of 38 projects under processing for 2018.

Improved GAP implementation to enhance gender equality results-

90% of ongoing projects categorized as GEN/EGM regularly submit GAP/GESI Action Plan updates.

Focus remains on addressing weaknesses in specific sectors and improving the overall quality of the reporting. Five (5) out of 8 GEN/EGM projects with PCRs in 2016 were rated successful for Gender implementation and achievements. Five (5) (83%) out of 6 GEN/EGM projects with PCRs in 2018 were rated successful for Gender implementation and achievements.

Gender-based research on emerging sectors relevant to SARD operations

Two gender and energy-related researches/ knowledge products (KPs) were finalized and printed in the first quarter of 2018: (1) Tip Sheet on Gender-Inclusive Apporaches in the Energy Sector (previous title: Guidance Note on Mainstreaming Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) in the Energy Sector Portfolio in South Asia) and (2) Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Assessment of the Energy Sector Enhancing Social Sustainability of Energy Development in Nepal. The latter was launched on 28 February 2018 in Nepal.

Sector and country-specific knowledge products-- The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in ADB Operations in Nepal, 2011-2015 and Institutionalizing Gender Equality The Experience of the Bangladesh Local Government Engineering Department in Urban Development were printed and uploaded in the ADB website in 2017. The Bangladesh Gender Equality Diagnostic of Selected Sectors which provide a helpful reference for GESI mainstreaming in the pipeline of key sectors- Education and Skills Dev't , Energy, Transport and Urban Transport, and Urban Services was printed in December 2017 and launched in Bangladesh on 31 January 2018 to some 150 representatives from government, academia, NGOs/CSOs, and media.

Two working papers are being finalized and will be launched in November 2018: (i) Tariff Appraisal Study Balancing Sustainability and Efficiency with Inclusive Access and (ii) Energy Technology Innovation in South Asia Implications for Gender and Social Inclusion

Case studies to document good practices in gender mainstreaming

Gender equality results case studies for projects in India are being prepared. The Gender Equality Results Case Study: Enhancing Enegy-based Livelihoods for Women Micro-entrepreneurs was finalized and printed in February 2018. It was introduced in a brown bag session organized by the ERCD in the same month.

Two other gender gender equality results case studies are being finalized for India: (i) Rural Connectivity Investment Program and (ii) Infrastructure Development Investment Program for Tourism.

OUTPUT 5 Lateral learning opportunities carried out

In November 2016, ADB conducted the CSO Network Knowledge Event and launch of SARD publication, " HowDoes AD B Engage Civil Society Organization in its Operations?"

The Subregional Conference Going Beyond the Meter: Inclusive Energy Solutions in South Asia was conducted in Jaipur, Rajasthan in April 2016. The conference provided a forum for lateral learning through the exchange of useful experiences and showcasing of good practices in providing inclusive energy solutions which focus on gender equity to address the challenges faced in developing the energy sector in South Asia.

This was followed by the Deep-Dive Lateal Learning Program on Inclusive Energy Solutions in collaboration with the University of Melbourne (School of Engineering), ENERGIA, the Social Implicaitons of Technology (SSIT) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) held in late August in Melbourne, Australia. The program aimed to further enhance the capacity of energy sector leaders, particularly the ADB executing agencies and implementing agencies in competencies required to mainstream social inclusion, gender equity, and women's empowerment in key aspects of energy sector development through engagement with international best practice and standards of excellence.

In October 2017, SARD, in partnership with the University of Melbourne conducted the Second Lateral Learning Program on Smart Grid Technologies and Implications for Inclusive Development at the University of Melbourne. The program helped identify opportunities to maximize the scope for addressing gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) considerations in smart grid energy projects in South Asia. It drew from the research on women-frienclly technologies in the energy sector that the Melbourne School of Engineering (MSE) conducted with support from the ADB. Key officials from executing and implementing agencies (EAs/IAs) of ADB-supported energy projects and ADB staff participated in the program.

On 3-5 April 2018, SARD, once again in partnership with the Melbourne School of Engineering conducted the conference on Smart Grid Technologies and Implications for Inclusive Development in Sri Lanka. Some 65 participants, including key officials from EAs and IAs and select ADB staff participated in the event. The conference aimed to further improve and update the technical expertise of ADB's EAs IAs, partner organizations, and ADB staff on the integration of high-level technology for inclusive energy solutions with focus on enhancing gender equality and social inclusion results and benefits.