ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.
Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
ORGANIZATION
ACCOUNTABILITY
ADB supports projects in developing member countries that create economic and development impact, delivered through both public and private sector operations, advisory services, and knowledge support.
Gender Equality and Development
ADB is working across Asia and the Pacific to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, reduce poverty, and contribute to green, equitable, and inclusive development.
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- What ADB Is Doing
- What ADB Has Done
- What's New
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COVID-19 and the climate change crisis are unevenly affecting women and deepening gender inequality, highlighting the need to strengthen women's resilience to future shocks.
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ADB has pledged that 75% of its operations promote gender equality and for 75% of operations to support climate change adaptation and mitigation by 2030.
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Increasing women's participation in society and in their communities is a critical step towards achieving sustainable economic growth and social development.
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Female adult literacy rate
While there have been significant advances in accelerating gender equality, gaps persist in education completion.
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Labor force participation by sex, 2022
Women can face discrimination in hiring and compensation, and face additional barriers entering into certain sectors which are male dominated.
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Asset ownership by sex
Progress to women’s full participation in society is still hampered by discrimination and, gender norms. Women are less likely to be owners of assets than men.
Accelerating progress on gender equality is an operational priority for ADB in its Strategy 2030. ADB is committed to supporting gender equality through gender inclusive projects in at least 75% of its sovereign and non-sovereign operations by 2030. The bank promotes gender equality and women’s empowerment by mainstreaming these goals across the full range of its operations.
ADB regularly conducts gender analysis based on key indicators in its Developing Member Countries (DMCs) to help ensure all ADB projects fully address gender issues and contribute to reducing gender inequality in their design and implementation. ADB also works with DMCs to ensure that gender equality is prominent in policies and responses to climate change and COVID-19, from which women suffer disproportionately.
Our Impact
Results delivered in 2022 from ADB projects.
208,000
Women and girls with
increased time savings
115,000
Women and girls completing secondary
and tertiary education, and/or other training
65,000
Women participating in
decision-making
What's New
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| Publications, Papers and Briefs
Do Women Receive Worse Financial Advice? An Audit Study in Hong Kong, China
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| Asian Development Blog
How Economic Empowerment Reduces Violence Against Pacific Women
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| News Releases, News from Country Offices
New ADB Report Shows Improvements for Women’s Economic Empowerment but Gender Gaps Still Remain
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| Publications, Reports
Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Pacific Region: A Comprehensive Analysis of Existing Research and Data
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| Video
Through the Storm: A Story of a Women-Owned Business in Viet Nam
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| Publications, Papers and Briefs
Gender Differences in Preferences for Non-Pecuniary Benefits in the Labor Market: Experimental Evidence from an Online Freelancing Platform
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| Development Asia
Fintech Is Booming, Let’s Ensure Everyone Benefits
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| Article
Q&A: Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment in Asia and the Pacific
