Bhutan : Advancing Economic Opportunities of Women and Girls

Sovereign Project | 44134-012

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Bantugon, Cecilia C.
    South Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Bhutan
  • Modality
  • Sector
    • Multisector
Project Name Advancing Economic Opportunities of Women and Girls
Project Number 44134-012
Country / Economy Bhutan
Project Status Closed
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Grant
Source of Funding / Amount
Grant 9155-BHU: Advancing Economic Opportunities for Women and Girls
Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific US$ 1.95 million
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Drivers of Change Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
Governance and capacity development
Partnerships
Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Multisector /

Gender Gender equity theme
Description
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy
Impact

Increased economic empowerment of Bhutanese women and girls

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Effective partnerships established between government, NGOs, and private sector for the economic empowerment of women

Progress Toward Outcome

Component A1 - Capacity Strengthening of NCWC - Successfully completed with the following activities undertaken: (i) trainings in strategic planning, program design, capacity building, gender analysis and mainstreaming in the public and private sectors, (ii) development of gender advocacy materials, and (iii) development of gender monitoring system (GMS). The GMS has been built into the system of each of the partner government agency and operated by the Gender Focal Points (GFPs). The GMS' main objective is to automate the process of monitoring gender mainstreaming activities across different sectors and agencies in Bhutan.

Component A2 - Capacity Strengthening of MoLHR - Strengthening completed in two aspects: (a) gender training conducted for Dept. of Employment, Dept. of Human Resources and also for Trainers of Technical Institutes, and (b) job counselling and mentoring sessions held by a consultant who has developed (i) Basic Counselling and Communication Skills: A Training Manual and A Guide for Counselors at Employment Services Center; and (ii) A Pocket Guide for Youth seeking job.

Component B - Capacity Strengthening of NGO in promoting economic opportunities for women and girls - Completed with following trainings: (i) program on Social Mobilization and Business Planning for enterprise promotion for local NGOs and relevant organizations; and (ii) program on value chain development (phase 1 and 2).

Component C - Enhancing capacity of women and girls and self-help groups (SHGs) to sustain economic activities and find employment - Village Skills Dev. Program (VSDP): 386 completed VSDP (132 male and 254 female). Courses offered are: (i) tailoring, (ii) hair dressing, (iii) embroidery, and (iv) repair of home appliances. Apprenticeship Training Program (ATP) - Of the 600 target, 829 youth completed ATP (286 male and 543 female) and 702 (228 male and 474 female) already employed.

Component D - Project Management: All staff appointed. Required cash and in-kind contribution from RGoB have been provided regularly.

Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

4. Timely project implementation and management

1. Enhanced capacity of participating government agencies to implement the economic development area of action of the NPAG, 2008-2013

2. Strengthened capacity of NGOs to promote economic opportunities of women and girls

3. Enhanced capacity of women and girls and self-help groups to sustain economic activities and find employment

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

Component 4.1: Four PMU staff have completed their services satisfactorily on 31 Dec. 2014.

Component 4.2: Project tracking tools are in place and the PMU staff ensures the proper implementation and reporting of the project activities.

Component 1.1: A training manual and a guide for counselors at Employment Services Center (ESC) developed. A pocket guide for youth seeking jobs developed.

Component 1.3: 62 private sector representatives (19 male and 43 female) trained in concepts and practices in gender analysis and mainstreaming in the private sector. Participants showed progressive changes in their "knowledge, attitude, skills, and behavior" on gender as per their rating in the post training assessment forms.

Component 1.4: A web based Gender Monitoring System developed and handed over to NCWC. Training for operation of the system conducted for 28 Gender Focal Points (11 male and 17 female). The system will assist NCWC to track progress of gender mainstreaming in the government and other relevant agencies at agreed interval.

Component 1.2: 74 government staff are able to develop gender mainstreaming strategy and moniotr its implementation.

Component 2.1: 35 NGO staff (13 male and 22 female) and 25 (18 male and 7 female) officials from relevant government and NGOs trained to produce gender responsive business plans.

Component 2.2: Interactive workshops between private sector and rural and urban women producers were held successfully.

Component 3.1: 85% (702 of 829) ATP graduates employed as of 31 Dec. 2014.

Component 3.2: 386 (132 male and 254 female) completed VSDP.

Component 3.3: Sixty three SHGs established for microenterprises and other livelihood activities with 1033 members (83% of 1,033 members are female).

Component 3.4: 543 (66% female) youth from urban and rural areas completed 6-12 months ATP.

Geographical Location
Safeguard Categories
Environment C
Involuntary Resettlement C
Indigenous Peoples C
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects None
Involuntary Resettlement None
Indigenous Peoples None
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design Consultations made with all the stakeholders during project design.
During Project Implementation Consultations with all stakeholders has been continuous over the course of the project. The project has promoted collaboration and participation of different actors at various levels: national and local government, community leaders, and community members. Implementing agencies held periodic meetings with local officials and communities to report progress and problems. The NCWC has encouraged participation of sector ministries and other government agencies in the various gender mainstreaming trainings, in multi-stakeholders forums, and in national conferences on the theme of advancing economic opportunities of women and girls. The MoLHR has encouraged the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry to get involved in the implementation of the Apprenticeship Training Program. The MoLHR has also involved local governments in the implementation of the Village Skills Dev. Program. Participating NGOs are seeking technical assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Department of Energy in the implementation of the proposed activities.
Responsible ADB Officer Bantugon, Cecilia C.
Responsible ADB Department South Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Human and Social Development Division, SARD
Executing Agencies
National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC)
Timetable
Concept Clearance 01 Mar 2010
Fact Finding 17 Mar 2010 to 24 Mar 2010
MRM -
Approval 04 Feb 2011
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 27 Feb 2015

Grant 9155-BHU

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
04 Feb 2011 09 May 2011 09 May 2011 13 Jan 2014 31 Dec 2014 24 Jul 2015
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 1.95 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 0.00 17 Jun 2022 0.00 1.95 100%
Counterpart 0.00 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 1.95 17 Jun 2022 0.00 1.95 100%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating - Satisfactory - - - Satisfactory

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

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Title Document Type Document Date
Advancing Economic Opportunities of Women and Girls: Implementation Completion Memorandum Implementation Completion Memorandum Aug 2015
Advancing Economic Opportunities of Women and Girls Procurement Plans May 2013

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications

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The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

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  • 18 Nov 2015 | Video

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    Small enterprises set up with support from ADB and the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction in rural Bhutan are giving women the chance to earn their own livelihood and gain a stronger say in how their communities are run.

Tenders

No tenders for this project were found.

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

Title Document Type Document Date
Advancing Economic Opportunities of Women and Girls Procurement Plans May 2013