December 2007

Gender and Development Plan of Action

(2008-2010)
 ABBREVIATIONS

ADB Asian Development Bank

ADF Asian Development Fund
AusAID Australian Agency for International Development
CGA country gender assessment
CPS country partnership strategy
DFID Department for International Development of
the United Kingdom
DMC developing member country
EFG External Forum on Gender and Development
GAD gender and development
GAP gender action plan
MDG Millennium Development Goal
MTS medium-term strategy
NGO nongovernment organization
OCR ordinary capital resources
RD regional department
RSDD Regional and Sustainable Development Department
RM resident mission
TA technical assistance

NOTE

In this report, “$” refers to US dollars.

 CONTENTS

Page

I. BACKGROUND 1

II. ADB’S PERFORMANCE IN IMPLEMENTING THE GAD POLICY 2

A. Programming and Lending Operations 2

B. Policy Dialogue and Support to DMCs 3
C. Organizational Effectiveness 3

III. OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS IN IMPLEMENTING THE GAD POLICY 4

A. External Context 4
B. ADB Internal Policy Context 5

IV. THE GAD PLAN OF ACTION (2008–2010) 6

A. Programming and Lending Operations 6

B. Policy Dialogue and Support to DMCs 7
C. Organizational Effectiveness 8
D. Implementing the GAD Plan of Action 8
E. Implementation Matrix 10

APPENDIXES

1. Gender Categories of ADB Projects 14

2. Summary of Loans and Grants Addressing Gender Concerns (1998–2006) 16
3. Projects Addressing Gender Concerns (2007–2010) 17
 I. BACKGROUND

1. The Asia and Pacific region has seen consistent improvements toward gender equality
and women’s empowerment. However, the region includes countries with different gender
profiles as well as very different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Progress toward
meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is still patchy, and there is a strong
likelihood that—despite decades of efforts—the gender-specific goals or gender-relevant MDGs
will not be met in a considerable number of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB’s) developing
member countries (DMCs).1 Examples of gender inequalities are not hard to find: the female-to-
male population ratio is deteriorating in North and Central Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific
island countries; in several countries of the region, one in every 10 girls dies before the age of
one, and one in every 50 women dies during pregnancy and delivery; a 30%–40% gap in male-
female labor force participation rates is still common across the region; female primary school
enrollment can be as much as 26% lower than that of males; and only seven countries have
parliaments in which more than 20% of representatives are women.2 To this should be added
the difficulties that most poor women encounter in their access to safe water and sanitation
services and to adequate transport facilities, with profound consequences for their productive
and reproductive responsibilities.

2. At the same time, evidence is mounting not only of the benefits of gender equality and
women’s empowerment for development and growth, but also of the costs associated with the
failure to achieve them. The region is losing $42–$47 billion per year because of restrictions on
women’s access to employment opportunities, and another $16–$30 billion per year because of
gender gaps in education. Those are just the economic costs; added to them are social and
personal costs.3 This has led the international community to recognize that more is needed to
support gender equality, with the necessity for all development actors, including ADB, to devise
and implement realistic strategies and effective plans.

3. ADB adopted its Policy on Gender and Development (GAD)4 in 1998. It defines ADB’s
GAD mandate, while the operational guidelines5 provide guidance on implementation. The first
bank-wide GAD Plan of Action (2000–2003)6 was developed and approved as a “roadmap” for
translating the policy into concrete actions. It included departmental commitments and actions to
increase ADB’s portfolio of loans addressing gender concerns. In 2004, the Implementation
Review of the GAD Policy was carried out and completed in 2006.7

4. This Plan of Action takes a task-oriented approach to the major findings and
recommendations of the Implementation Review, so that they can be operationalized over the
coming years. It takes into consideration ADB’s special role in a rapidly changing region, and its
move towards greater sector selectivity, as presented in the Medium-term Strategy II (MTS II).8
It proposes a renewed commitment to gender mainstreaming and identifies a balanced set of
activities through which ADB operations will continue to lead to tangible gender equality and

1
ADB, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Economic And Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (UNESCAP). 2006. Pursuing Gender Equality through the Millennium Development Goals in Asia and the
Pacific. Manila.
2
UNESCAP. 2007. Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2007.
3
See footnote 2.
4
ADB. 1998. Policy on Gender and Development. Manila.
5
ADB Operations Manual, Section C2/BP on Gender and Development in ADB Operations (October 2003).
6
Available: www.adb.org/Documents/Papers/Gender_Action_Plan/.
7
ADB. 2006. Implementation Review of the Policy on Gender and Development. Manila.
8
ADB. 2006. Medium-Term Strategy II (2006–2008). Manila.
2

women’s empowerment results. This Plan of Action also considers recommendations from the
following sources: (i) Consultation Summary Report (April 2006), which documents the analyses
of ADB staff members collected in the preparation of the Plan of Action; and (ii) outcome
documents of the three most recent annual meetings (2004–2006) of the External Forum on
Gender and Development (EFG, described in paragraph 15), which suggest strategic
approaches to address policy implementation challenges.

II. ADB’S PERFORMANCE IN IMPLEMENTING THE GAD POLICY

5. The main conclusion of the Implementation Review is that progress was achieved
across all areas of ADB operations, including country strategies, sector work, loans, and
technical assistance (TA). Loan projects with gender theme or gender mainstreaming features
(Appendix 1 contains a description of gender categories of ADB projects) were represented
across all strategic areas of ADB operations: economic growth, inclusive social development,
and governance. This demonstrates that the GAD policy was and remains relevant to all ADB
operations. The Review concluded that a renewed emphasis on GAD policy implementation is
critical to meet the ADB objective of poverty reduction, the promotion of inclusive development,
and the provision of assistance to DMCs to attain the MDGs. Below is more detailed information
on performance as described in the Implementation Review.

A. Programming and Lending Operations

6. ADB has made significant progress in addressing gender equality issues in its lending
operations. Since the approval of the GAD policy, the combined GAD thematic loans and loans
with effective gender mainstreaming have gradually increased, from 15% of projects in 1998 to
40% in 2005 and 33% in 2006, with an average of 31% over the last 9 years and of 37% during
2004–2006 (Appendix 2).

7. Through the years, progress has been more evident in sectors that conventionally lend
themselves to gender mainstreaming, such as education, health care, water supply and
sanitation, and agriculture and natural resources. However, there has also been some
promising expansion in sectors in which ADB had relatively less experience in terms of gender
mainstreaming, including law, economic management, finance, industry and trade, transport,
and communications. In addition, program loans have included innovations in the form of
gender-specific policy and legal reforms.

8. The geographical distribution in gender mainstreaming is skewed, with some regional

departments (RDs) accounting for a much larger percentage of loans approved with a GAD
theme or effective gender mainstreaming than others, though this is not to deny that gender
inequalities and their relevance to ADB’s operations vary among countries and regions. In this
context, it is interesting to note that since 2002, South Asia has consistently accounted for over
50% of loans approved with a GAD theme or effective gender mainstreaming. There is also a
marked difference between loans and grants from Asian Development Fund (ADF) resources
and those from ordinary capital resources (OCR). From 1998 to 2004, 40% of loans from ADF
sources had either a GAD theme or gender mainstreaming, compared with 15% of loans from
OCR. In 2005, ADF-funded loans with a GAD theme or gender mainstreaming features
accounted for 23% of all ADB loans, while those funded from OCR sources accounted for only
11%.

9. Gender mainstreaming in loans and TAs is strong at the design stage of projects. The
introduction of project-specific gender action plans (GAPs) has facilitated the monitoring and
 3

implementation of gender-specific design features of projects, promoted the involvement of

women in project activities, and ensured that resources are allocated and earmarked to provide
direct and concrete benefits to women. However, not all projects have GAPs and gender design
features are not systematically implemented or monitored during project implementation.

10. Country gender assessments (CGAs) have been recognized as enhancing ADB’s
diagnostic work on gender. However, there is often a disconnect between CGAs and the
associated country partnership strategies (CPSs). This is due to a variety of factors: (i) the value
for project effectiveness of addressing gender differences at all levels is not fully realized by the
RDs and DMCs; (ii) the human resources to ensure that such value is appreciated are limited,
and (iii) the necessary information and analysis are not readily available.

11. Additional issues of note include a perception of “goal congestion,” given multiple
thematic priorities such as Gender and Development, Governance, and Capacity Development.
Moreover, the links between gender disparities and the spread of HIV/AIDS9 are also not always
fully recognized.

B. Policy Dialogue and Support to DMCs

12. Policy dialogue in DMCs and in the region more broadly can be effective in leading to
gender-responsive policy reforms and a policy environment favorable to sustainable changes in
gender relations and women’s empowerment. Gender specialists in resident missions (RMs)
have engaged in policy dialogue on gender issues with key sector ministries, especially through
their contribution to CPSs and through project-specific GAPs, as well as through the addition of
program loans supporting gender-inclusive reform measures, including policy changes and law
reforms. However, despite the opportunities that such engagement offers, ADB has raised
substantial gender issues in policy dialogue with few DMCs. The main reason for this appears to
be that gender issues are rarely if ever included in high-level dialogue with key ministries. In
addition, while ADB has made efforts to involve national gender focal agencies in discussions
with some sector ministries, it has made few attempts to link them to ministries of finance and
planning.

13. Regional peer exchange and lateral learning initiatives have been supported in recent
years by the regional TA 6092: Enhancing Gender and Development Capacity in DMCs, as
encouragement for collaborative GAD activities among development practitioners and as ways
to inform and develop the capacity of policymakers, sector agencies, and other development
actors. Examples are the Regional Seminar on Gender, Poverty and Rural Development held in
Viet Nam in 2004, and the Regional Seminar on Gender, Poverty, and Development Results
held in Cambodia in 2006.

C. Organizational Effectiveness

14. Many of the advances made in gender mainstreaming can be attributed to the activities
of gender specialists, located both at ADB headquarters and in RMs.10 In particular, they have

9
Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
10
GAD national officers are based at the Bangladesh, Pakistan (vacant at the time of preparation of this Plan of
Action) and Viet Nam RMs. GAD long-term consultants funded through two consecutive regional TAs, 5835 (1999–
2002) and 6092 (2003–present), are in Afghanistan (vacant at the time of preparation of this Plan of Action),
Cambodia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan. An additional consultant is located in
Bangladesh.
4

been instrumental in expanding ADB’s portfolio of loans addressing gender issues and in
strengthening the gender mainstreaming capacity of executing agencies.

15. The EFG, a consultative and advisory body working in support of ADB and composed of
external gender experts, academics, and activists from across Asia and the Pacific, has been
providing assessments of GAD policy implementation and employing its support for ADB with
governments, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and other development partners.

16. Knowledge products on gender are of high quality, but anecdotal evidence points to the
fact that they are not effectively distributed and not sufficiently used by staff in the RDs and
RMs. This reduces the contribution they make to awareness raising and to capacity
development on gender issues.

17. Human resources limitations have been mentioned earlier (paragraph 10). In addition,
the way in which technical specialists across ADB work at times fails to maximize the
contribution that they could collectively make to gender mainstreaming and thus to gender
equality and women’s empowerment.

18. The GAD Cooperation Fund was established in 2003 to promote gender equality and
women’s empowerment in the Asia and Pacific region by assisting ADB in implementing its
GAD policy and related Plan of Action. It continues to provide critical grant support for gender-
related activities.

III. OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS IN IMPLEMENTING THE GAD POLICY

19. There is a growing international consensus that gender mainstreaming, as the approach
adopted by many development organizations to promote gender equality and women’s
empowerment, has not been entirely effective. Mainstreaming was intended to ensure that
gender inequalities should be addressed by all, and in all, aspects and stages of development
work. Analyses of gender mainstreaming have identified the following constraints to success (i)
poor understanding of the concept and strategies for its implementation, (ii) limited commitment
to gender equality, (iii) lack of leadership, (iv) scarce reliable statistical information, and (v)
inadequate funding. Ironically, in many cases the approach has led to a decline in the resources
devoted to relevant projects and programs in the mistaken belief that all concerns have been
thoroughly ”mainstreamed.”

A. External Context

20. That much remains to be done is spelled out in the Global Monitoring Report 2007,11
which states that “[t]he choice to focus the 2007 report on the third MDG—promotion of gender
equality and empowerment of women—reflects a recognition by the international community
that more is needed to support equality for the half of humanity disadvantaged through less
access than men to rights (equality under the law), to resources (equality of opportunity), and to
voice (political equality)”. The same report observes that “gender mainstreaming is a sound and
viable strategy, but it has to be made more operationally relevant and more focused on results.”

21. In light of this realization, leading bilateral and multilateral agencies are reaffirming their

11
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank. 2007. Global Monitoring Report 2007:
Millennium Development Goals: Confronting the Challenges of Gender Equality and Fragile States. Washington.
 5

commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, and exploring ways to overcome
the weaknesses of mainstreaming outlined above. In its gender action plan (2007–2010),12 the
World Bank commits itself to “intensify and scale up gender mainstreaming in the economic
sectors” and calculates that the implementation of the Plan would cost $24.5 million over the
four years, to be equally shared between the World Bank and interested donors.

22. The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) Gender Policy for Asia
and the Pacific declares its goal to be that of “reducing poverty by advancing gender equality
and empowering women”13 and also includes women’s economic empowerment as one of its
four priority areas. The policy presents the rationale for advancing gender equality as being
critical to reducing poverty and increasing the effectiveness of aid, as well as a development
goal in its own right, and spells out strategies to help those delivering the aid program to put the
policy into effect.

23. The Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom takes a
broader perspective, emphasizing the purpose of “promoting the equal rights of women and
girls.”14 In recognition of the fact that obstacles to more effective gender mainstreaming
frequently tend to involve lack of demonstrable commitment by senior managers, DFID is
putting in place organizational mechanisms for accountability, including a Gender Equality
Champion in each of its divisions.

B. ADB Internal Policy Context

24. The GAD policy spells out ADB’s specific gender commitments. It is part of a broader set
of organizational policies that create both opportunities and challenges to gender mainstreaming
and the promotion of women’s empowerment.

25. ADB’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, approved in 1999,15 recognized that “improving the
status of women is critical to any strategy to reduce poverty in the region,” and therefore
highlights gender as an important cross-cutting theme in ADB’s poverty reduction work. The
adoption of the MDGs in 2000 and their endorsement by ADB provided further impetus to GAD
implementation.

26. The MTS II (paragraph 4) has generated new opportunities and challenges for gender
mainstreaming and women’s empowerment. Opportunities lie specifically in the MTS II’s
recognition that “without specific attention to improving women’s economic, social and political
status, poverty reduction and social inclusiveness will remain largely unrealized in the region.” In
the context of its sector selectivity, while MTS II points to microfinance, education, and health
care as providing the most effective interventions to promote gender equality and women’s
empowerment, it also reaffirms the necessity of integrating gender issues in all other sectors, in
line with the GAD policy.

12
World Bank. 2006. Gender Equality as Smart Economics: A World Bank Group Gender Action Plan. Washington.
13
AusAID. 2007. Gender Equality in Australia’s Aid Programme: How and Why. Canberra.
14
DFID. 2007. Gender Equality at the Heart of Development: Why the Role of Women is Crucial to Ending World
Poverty. United Kingdom.
15
ADB. 1999. Fighting Poverty in Asia and the Pacific: The Poverty Reduction Strategy of the Asian Development
Bank. Manila.
6

IV. THE GAD PLAN OF ACTION (2008–2010)

27. While the preceding sections summarize ADB’s peformance in implementing its GAD
policy and the external and internal conditions that justify and facilitate a renewed commitment
to gender mainstreaming, this part of the Plan of Action identifies the approaches and activities
that can lead most effectively to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in the
very diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds that charaterize the DMCs. The
implementation matrix that follows contains the proposed impacts, outcomes, outputs, activities,
performance indicators, timeframes, and implementation roles. The second part of the Plan of
Action is a list of all tentative projects addressing gender concerns scheduled for approval in
2007–2010 (Appendix 3), and for which a GAD theme classification or potential for gender
mainstreaming have been identified.

A. Programming and Lending Operations

28. The Implementation Review confirmed the validity of a two-track approach in dealing
with gender concerns in ADB’s lending operations: increasing the number of loans directly
addressing gender disparities, and continuing gender mainstreaming in all operations in ways
that overcome the limitations and flaws of mainstreaming outlined earlier.

(i) The principal action proposed in this Plan of Action is to continue to ensure that
gender equality issues are addressed in all ADB projects (see paragraph 6).
While it is difficult to estimate exact levels of gender mainstreaming in future
projects, as types of projects and country contexts vary, ADB must continue its
proactive efforts, including adopting specific strategies identified in CPSs. The
current project pipeline (Appendix 3) shows that in 2007, 32% of projects have
either a GAD theme classification or effective gender mainstreaming. For the
following years, tentative forecasts (23% in 2008, 27% in 2009, and 12% in 2010)
indicate that much needs to be done to ensure that the current momentum is
maintained.

(ii) Another important aspect of the Plan of Action is improving the diversity of
projects with a GAD theme or effective gender mainstreaming across sectors,
regions, and sources of funding (see paragraphs 7 and 8).16 Greater sector
diversity (across sectors that conventionally lend themselves to the integration of
gender considerations and those where this has been harder) is important to (a)
remain relevant to the new ADB directions in the context of its sector selectivity,
as presented in the MTS II; and (b) continue to innovate, document, and learn
from what works in gender mainstreaming in “nontraditional” sectors.17 A better
geographical balance is also proposed, and is already appearing in the forecasts
for the period 2007–2010 (see Appendix 3). Finally, this Plan proposes a
narrowing of the gap between projects with GAD themes and effective gender
mainstreaming funded through ADF and OCR. The projections for 2007–2010 do
not yet show a clear pattern, but the data for 2007 (38% ADF and 26% OCR)
demonstrate that it is possible to narrow the gap.

16
These are related: countries that borrow from OCR usually focus on sectors with less evident potential to promote
gender equality and women’s empowerment; countries that borrow from ADF tend to focus on sectors with more
likelihood of generating progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
17
It will be equally important to continue ensuring that gender mainstreaming goes hand in hand with the
mainstreaming of HIV/AIDS, as appropriate.
 7

29. Strengthening the implementation of gender-related loan design features is also a

central aspect of this Plan of Action (see paragraph 9). Key actions to achieve this purpose
include the following:

(i) Systematically collect and use gender-specific information and sex-

disaggregated data, including those obtained from participatory processes and
local knowledge.

(ii) Institutionalize the development and use of project-specific GAPs.

(iii) Incorporate gender targets and indicators in the design and monitoring/
evaluation frameworks of all projects.

(iv) Ensure RM-based gender specialists’ involvement in relevant project preparatory

TA and loan appraisal missions, as well as in relevant loan review missions.

(v) Encourage the presence of long-term social development and gender expertise
within executing and implementing agencies.

(vi) Provide for project performance monitoring systems that reflect gender-related
targets and indicators.

(vii) Promote stricter compliance with gender-relevant loan assurances.

B. Policy Dialogue and Support to DMCs

30. Policy dialogue on specific gender issues needs to be scaled up. Human trafficking,
communicable diseases, and climate change are just some examples of emerging issues
needing greater policy attention from a gender perspective. Engaging more proactively in policy
reforms that address structural barriers to gender equality and women’s empowerment in ADB
core sectors can take place in different ways and at different levels. The suggested activities
below build on successes so far and make more strategic use of ADB’s opportunities:

(i) Preparation of the CGAs, consultations that accompany development of the

CPSs, and development and implementation of project-specific GAPs are ideal
opportunities for policy dialogue on gender equality issues. The involvement of
national focal agencies on gender and of relevant civil society organizations
should be an integral part of these processes.

(ii) The EFG (paragraph 15) is an avenue through which ADB can engage with
governments and other development partners on gender issues and concerns,
as well as receiving advice on relevant policy developments. ADB’s membership
and active participation in the Gender and Development Network (Gendernet) of
the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development-Development
Action Committee, and in other regional and international networks that promote
gender equality and women’s empowerment, offer another way in which ADB
can influence the policy environment. Participation in the annual sessions of the
Commission on the Status of Women—e.g., in the 2008 session on “Financing
for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women”—can promote policy work
and the sharing of knowledge of ADB’s approaches to gender mainstreaming.
8

(iii) Regional peer exchange and lateral learning initiatives will continue to offer
opportunities to inform policymakers and sector agencies, and to support the
development of their GAD capacities.

C. Organizational Effectiveness

31. The implementation of this Plan of Action relies on finding ways to maintain and improve
the level of performance recognized by the Implementation Review in the context of limited
resources. They include the following:

(i) Strengthen staff effectiveness by increasing interaction among gender specialists

and between them and social development specialists through their active
participation in the Gender and Social Development Community of Practice.

(ii) Upgrade the GAD skills of staff from ADB through the inclusion of gender issues
and tools in managerial and other relevant staff training,18 targeted gender
training, and the promotion of professional development. Also upgrade the GAD
skills of government agencies, and especially executing and implementing
agencies, e.g., RM-based gender specialists.

(iii) Knowledge products already contribute to capacity development in RMs and

RDs. Activities that will support the effective implementation of the GAD policy
are the development of knowledge products that better respond to the needs
identified by the DMCs and RDs, and the selection of TAs that lead to the
development of knowledge products that assist DMCs in developing their gender
capacity and that of the executing and implementing agencies. ADB’s high-
quality gender knowledge products will be better disseminated, to share more
widely its expertise and practical experience. Events such as the Eminent
Speaker Forum series, GAD brown bags, and knowledge products such as the
Gender Network News will be tailored more directly to ADB sector and thematic
priorities.

(iv) The multidonor GAD Cooperation Fund (paragraph 18) may need to be
replenished to support activities up to 2010.

D. Implementing the GAD Plan of Action

32. Responsibility for implementing the Plan of Action extends across the organization,
including RDs and relevant RMs, the Regional and Sustainable Development Department
(RSDD), and the Gender and Social Development Community of Practice, with inputs from the
EFG. Specific responsibilities are identified in the implementation matrix.

33. The GAD Plan of Action can be implemented within the current level of available
resources. Recommendations are made in the following paragraphs for utilizing these resources
in the most efficient way.

34. Headquarters has four professional staff positions responsible for GAD, in compliance
with the GAD policy. In conjunction with the 2002 reorganization, two positions were allocated to
RSDD and one each to the South Asia and Southeast Asia Regional Departments. This

18
For example, in the courses on Consultation and Participation in the CPS and Project Management.
 9

complemented an ongoing effort to facilitate mainstreaming of gender dimensions into country

operations through the placement of long-term gender specialist consultants in RMs. At present,
11 gender specialists hold positions in 10 RMs, including three positions that have been
converted to national officers (see footnote 10). The presence of gender specialists will continue
to strengthen gender mainstreaming in ways that are most relevant and suitable to country
contexts. As a result of this positive experience, it is proposed to increase the number of RMs
with a gender specialist, while defining more clearly their roles and those of headquarters-based
gender specialists, including greater emphasis on monitoring progress. This will all be reviewed
further in 2008 in the context of the updated Long-Term Strategic Framework.

35. Implementation of the Plan of Action will be carefully monitored. Progress will be
reviewed each year and Appendix 3 updated in consultation between the RDs and RSDD. To
ensure accountability for results, a progress report on implementation of the GAD Plan of Action
will be prepared after 2 years and submitted to the Vice President, Knowledge Management and
Sustainable Development.

36. Finally, as highlighted by the reviews and consultations for this Plan of Action, its
effective implementation depends on the organization’s continuing commitment to create an
enabling environment, including incentives that promote networking and synergies across sector
and thematic priorities.
 10
E. Implementation Matrix

Impact: ADB’s performance in gender mainstreaming for the achievement of greater gender equality and the empowerment of
women and girls in Asia and the Pacific is strengthened.

Implementation
Outcome Output Activity Performance Indicators Timeframe
Roles
1. Programming and Lending Operations
Progress Selected projects Include adequate gender mainstreaming Current levels of loans with a GAD As indicated in the With support
consolidated in reflect either a activities in project design. theme or effective gender agreed list of from RSDD/
mainstreaming GAD theme or mainstreaming maintained during projects (Appendix RSGS, RDs
GAD concerns effective gender the period of the PoA. 3) identify,
in the design mainstreaming. annually
and especially process, and
in the monitor projects
implementation with gender
of ADB classifications;
operations. RSGS provides
technical
support with GS.
Continue to develop realistic project GAPs All loans with GAD theme or RDs inform
for all loans/grants with GAD themes and gender mainstreaming contain a RM-based
gender mainstreaming potential. GAP, which is regularly monitored NO/GSs on a
Monitor the implementation of project GAPs for progress in implementation. regular basis
through regular project review missions and of forthcoming
selected field assessments. loans/TAs for
Include sex- disaggregated and gender- Design and monitoring frameworks involvement.
related targets and indicators in design include sex-disaggregated and
and monitoring frameworks and project gender-relevant information, as
performance monitoring systems for all appropriate.
projects.
Sector and Prepare and update CGAs. 14 CGAs prepared by 2010. As per existing RDs in
geographical schedule for CPSs consultation and
balance of GAD and CGAs collaboration
mainstreaming in Develop and document innovative Better distribution of loans with a Continuous, with gender
ADB operations approaches and methodologies to GAD theme or gender throughout the focal agencies,
increased. mainstream gender in all operations, mainstreaming across sectors and period of the PoA civil society,
across all sectors and funding sources. regions, and between ADF- and women’s
OCR-funded projects. organizations,
and
RSDD/RSGS.
 Implementation
Outcome Output Activity Performance Indicators Timeframe
Roles
Develop modalities for GAD 10% of loans with a GAD theme or Begin with MFF in RDs with
mainstreaming in MFF, sub-sovereign gender mainstreaming use new 2008; others to technical
lending, and other new financing financing modalities on a pilot basis. follow based on MFF support from
mechanisms. experience and RSDD/ RSGS
need.
CPSs and RCPSs Include explicit and relevant gender Each CPS/RCPS prepared during As per schedule for RDs with
and all sector analysis in sector roadmaps as well as in the period of the PoA contains CPSs and CGAs technical
roadmaps contain poverty and other thematic assessments appropriate reference to GAD issues support from
relevant for CPSs and RCPSs. in the main text and sector and RSDD/ RSGS
references to thematic road maps, and includes a
gender concerns, gender thematic road map.
on the basis of the
analysis provided
by the CGA.
ADB’s approaches Assess the impact of ADF/OCR GAD- High quality country reports In 2008 and 2010 RSDD in
to and practices relevant projects in four DMCs through completed and disseminated` consultation
for addressing Rapid Gender Assessments. with OED and
gender equality RDs
are reviewed in
the light of impact
and results
achieved.
2. Policy Dialogue and Support to DMCs
Gender Expansion of Pursue opportunities to integrate gender- • Each CPS/ Continuous, Country teams,
potential of effective policy responsive policy/law reforms through the RCPS prepared during the period throughout the RSDD, Gender
ADB- dialogue on process of preparation of CPSs and policy- of the PoA contains appropriate period of the PoA and Social
government gender issues, based loans. reference to GAD issues. Development
policy dialogue especially with • National focal agencies CoP
better realized. key sector participate in CPS preparation.
ministries Provide selective gender capacity support RM-administered capacity
to GAD national machineries, sector development initiatives carried out
ministries and subnational government with support of GS.
bodies.
Strengthen partnerships and collaboration • Attendance in approximately Continuous, RDs, RSDD,
with multilateral, bilateral, and civil society three regional/ throughout the Gender and
organizations, for example through international meetings, plus the period of the PoA Social
• Membership and participation in OECD- OECD-DAC meeting per year Development
DAC Gendernet and other international • At least one lateral learning event CoP
fora, such as CSW per year
• Lateral learning and other country and • One EFG meeting per year
regional initiatives

11
• Activities of EFG.
12

12
Implementation
Outcome Output Activity Performance Indicators Timeframe
Roles
3. Organizational Effectiveness
ADB’s capacity ADB has clear Include reference to gender equality and Relevant statements in the Long- 2008 RSDD/RSGS
is developed to strategic directions women’s empowerment as a cross-cutting Term Strategic Framework in consultation
carry out for progress theme in ADB’s new Long-term Strategic with the
effective toward gender Framework. Gender and
gender equality and Social
mainstreaming women’s Development
and promote empowerment in CoP to provide
gender equality the context of its input to SPD
and women’s overall operations.
empowerment. Stronger Include GAD awareness in the outcome Changes in job descriptions and Continuous, RSDD/RSGS,
commitment to sections of job descriptions and work plans work plans throughout the with RDs and
and skills for of staff directly involved with projects with period of the PoA Divisional
gender equality GAD theme classification or effective Directors
and women’s gender mainstreaming.
empowerment Update job descriptions of GAD technical
specialists to increase interaction between
RDs and RSDD.
Include gender-related outputs in Changes in relevant Performance
performance and development plans of and Development Plans
staff directly involved with projects with
GAD theme classification or effective
gender mainstreaming.
Nominate gender focal points in each Gender focal points nominated, with BPHR/RSDD/
division, and incorporate this function in appropriate work plans RSGS
their work plans. Ensure their participation collaboration
in gender training.
Develop and deliver tailored gender Tailored gender training delivered,
training, on the basis of assessed needs and gender issues and tools
of staff; include gender issues and tools in incorporated in other training, as
managerial and other relevant staff appropriate.
training.
Produce and disseminate innovative and Use of publications, papers,
accessible knowledge products website, other materials monitored.
responding to the needs identified by the
DMCs and RDs.
Continue to organize Eminent Speaker 1 Eminent Speaker and 4 GAD
Forum series and GAD brown bags. brown bags delivered per year
Extend the functions of EFG for the period Annual meeting of EFG organized,
of the Plan. and outcome document uploaded
and disseminated.
 Implementation
Outcome Output Activity Performance Indicators Timeframe
Roles
Ensure sufficient funds to extend the GAD
Cooperation Fund, initially to 2010.
Increased DMC’s Recruit long-term GAD consultants at Number of RM-based GAD Annually RDs/RMs with
capacity to fulfill selected RMs, reflecting explicitly identified consultants. RSGS support.
commitments to business needs.
the CEDAW and
Millennium Roles and responsibilities of RM-based Number of projects under Continuous,
Development GSs tailored to country portfolio, with implementation supported by RM- throughout the
Goals. greater emphasis on projects’ based GSs. period of the PoA.
implementation.

ADB = Asian Development Bank; ADF = Asian Development Fund; BPHR = Human Resources Division; CEDAW = [United Nations] Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Discrimination; CGA = country gender assessment; CoP = community of practice; CPS = country partnership strategy; CSW = Commission on the
Status of Women; DMC = developing member country; EFG = External Forum on Gender and Development; GAD = gender and development; GAP = gender
action plan; GS = gender specialist; MFF = multitranche financing facility; NO = national officer; OCR = ordinary capital resources; OECD-DAC = Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development-Development Action Committee; OED = Operations Evaluation Department; PoA = [GAD] Plan of Action (2008–2010);
RCPS = regional cooperation strategy and program; RD = regional department; RM = resident mission; RSDD = Regional and Sustainable Development
Department; RSGS = Gender, Social Development and Civil Society Division; SPD = Strategy and Policy Department.

13
14 Appendix 1

GENDER CATEGORIES OF ADB PROJECTS

1. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) assigns certain categories to projects, with the aim
of promoting the systematic integration of gender considerations and for monitoring purposes.
Category I (gender and development theme [GD]) is based on ADB’s project classification
system. Categories II and III were developed by the Gender, Social Development, and Civil
Society Division to monitor ADB’s portfolio from a gender perspective.

Category I: Gender and Development as a Thematic Classification

2. Projects can be assigned a GD thematic classification if they (i) promote gender equity
by attempting to narrow gender disparities in access to services, productive resources, income
opportunities, public decision making, dispute resolution mechanisms, or rights; or (ii) integrate
a gender perspective in social and economic development processes for equal benefits,
participation, and protection of rights of women and men. The theme can apply to projects in all
sectors. Projects with this theme will include the following items:

(i) a gender analysis during project preparation;

(ii) a gender-related purpose or gender-related activities identified in the

project/program framework;

(iii) a gender action plan with gender-inclusive design features, or components to

directly benefit women or girls; and

(iv) a loan covenant to support the gender action plan or gender-inclusive features.

Category II: Effective Gender Mainstreaming

3. ADB’s GAD Policy has adopted mainstreaming as its key strategy, and thus gender
considerations are to be mainstreamed in all ADB operations. A project is included in this
category when (i) the social analysis conducted during project preparation includes careful
consideration of gender issues, (ii) the project includes several design features to facilitate
women’s participation in activities supported by the project and/or women’s access to
project/program benefits, and (iii) these design features are supported by appropriate loan
covenants. These design features could include several of the following:

(i) targets for women’s participation and/or access to project/program benefits (e.g.,
education/training; formation of beneficiary groups; receipt of loans, scholarships
for women representatives in project committees or associations, or for numbers
or a percentage of female staff in an executing agency or project implementation
unit, or among extension workers, social mobilizers, NGO facilitators, etc.;

(ii) facilities, training programs, beneficiary groups, etc., for women or girls; or design
of gender-sensitive physical infrastructure;

(iii) project components directly benefiting women or girls (e.g., provision for
ownership of land or other assets, reproductive health services, support for food
production, and subsistence activities);

(iv) reform measures likely to benefit women or girls (e.g., increases in government
 Appendix 1 15

budget for reproductive health care, reform of discriminatory laws on land

ownership or titling, changes in public sector hiring, and/or equitable employment
practices), usually in a program or sector development loan;

(v) mobilization of women to participate in project activities, provision or preference

for hiring women for project-related work (e.g., construction or maintenance of
project facilities), requirement of equal or fair pay for male and female workers;

(vi) collaboration with NGOs that service or work primarily with women;

(vii) for sector projects, requirement that subprojects a) include gender analysis
and/or consultation with women’s groups during preparation and b) ensure
women’s participation and/or receipt of benefits (gender checklists can be used
as guidelines);

(viii) preparation of gender action plans;

(ix) hiring of gender specialists to advise executing agencies or project

implementation units, or to work as implementation staff on gender capacity
development components;

(x) consistent use of sex-disaggregated (and other relevant social categories) data
for project monitoring;

(xi) use of indicators to monitor and assess gender impacts of a project or program;

(xii) requirements for monitoring gender-specific results during midterm review; and

(xiii) inclusion of the national women’s ministry in the project or program steering
committee.

Category III: Some Gender Benefits

4. A project has the potential to provide some gender benefits if it has either of the
following features (i) consideration of gender issues in the social analysis carried out during
project preparation, at least to identify women’s concerns and likely impacts in project areas; or
(ii) minor design elements or components to benefit women (e.g., a small grant fund). This
category can apply to two distinct types of projects:

(i) Projects that should provide substantial benefits to women (education, health
care, rural development, microfinance, water supply and sanitation projects), but
that include little gender analysis and few or no specific design features to
optimize such benefits; and

(ii) Projects that are unlikely to provide direct and substantial benefits to women
(such as road or railway projects), but in which effort was made in project
preparation to identify possible positive and negative impacts on women, and to
provide indirect benefits or include mitigating features in the project design or
resettlement plan (such as provision for employment of women in construction
work, campaigns on HIV/AIDS risk, or special resettlement assistance to
households headed by women).
16 Appendix 2

SUMMARY OF LOANS AND GRANTS ADDRESSING GENDER CONCERNS (1998–2006)

WID or GAD Total Loans

Gender Total Loans Some Gender
Thematic Addressing Gender Total Loan
Mainstreaming Mainstreaming Gender Benefits
Classification Concerns Approvals
Year
% of Total % of Total % of Total % of Total % of Total (ADB)
(a) Loan (b) Loan (a)+(b) Loan (c) Loan (a)+(b)+(c) Loan
Approvals Approvals Approvals Approvals Approvals
1998 Number 5 8 4 7 9 15 14 24 23 39 59
Amount ($m) 144 2 327 6 471 8 1,403 24 1,874 32 5,846
1999 Number 2 3 8 13 10 16 11 18 21 34 62
Amount ($m) 107 2 499 10 606 13 749 15 1,355 28 4,832
2000 Number 5 6 16 19 21 24 21 24 42 49 86
Amount ($m) 233 4 691 12 924 16 1,367 24 2,291 40 5,694
2001 Number 6 8 13 18 19 26 22 31 41 57 72
Amount ($m) 521 10 456 9 977 18 2,328 44 3,304 62 5,302
2002 Number 12 14 15 18 27 32 23 27 50 59 85
Amount ($m) 518 9 412 7 930 17 1,658 30 2,588 47 5,548
2003 Number 20 25 19 24 39 49 17 21 56 70 80
Amount ($m) 526 9 1,175 20 1,701 29 2,448 41 4,150 70 5,918
2004 Number 13 18 15 20 28 38 16 22 44 60 74
Amount ($m) 611 12 527 11 1,138 23 1,756 36 2,894 59 4,947
7 Years Number 63 12 90 17 153 30 124 24 277 53 518
Total Amount ($m) 2,660 7 4,087 11 6,747 18 11,709 31 18,455 48 38,087
2005* Number 21 23% 15 17% 36 40% 24 27% 60 67% 90
Amount ($m) 661 11% 1,007 16% 1,668 27% 1,930 31% 3,598 58% 6,157
2006* Number 9 10% 20 22% 29 33% 31 35% 60 67% 89
Amount ($m) 192 3% 629 9% 820 12% 3,100 44% 3,920 55% 7,125
9 Years Number 93 13% 125 18% 218 31% 179 26% 397 57% 697
Total Amount ($m) 3,512 7% 5,722 11% 9,235 18% 16,739 33% 25,974 51% 51,369
ADB = Asian Development Bank; GAD = Gender and Development; WID = Women in Development.
* Includes grants funded by the Asian Development Fund IX, Asian Tsunami Fund, and Pakistan Earthquake Fund.
 Appendix 3 17

PROJECTS ADDRESSING GENDER CONCERNS (2007–2010)1

Table A3.1: Loans and Asian Development Fund IX Grants

Project,
Gender
Approval Country Name Division Approval
Category2
Number
CWRD
GAD 2007 PAK Bahawalpur Rural Development Project (Phase II) CWAE 39577
GAD 2007 TAJ Rural Development CWAE 37530,
2313/72
GAD 2007 UZB Rural Basic Education CWGF 40049
EGM 2007 KGZ Southern Agriculture Area Development Project CWAE 31196-1/2,
2314/73
EGM 2007 PAK Sindh Coastal Community Development Project CWAE 37188, 2310
EGM 2007 PAK Earthquake-Displaced People Livelihood CWGF 40563, 2335
Restoration Program
EGM 2007 UZB Farm and Vegetable Market Development Project CWAE 38506
EGM 2008 TAJ Cotton Sector Restructuring Program I CWAE 41216
EGM 2008 UZB Water Resources Management Project CWAE 40086
EGM 2009 KGZ Agricultural Land Improvement Project CWAE 39612-1/2
EGM 2009 TAJ Cotton Sector Restructuring Program II CWAE 41314
EGM 2009 TAJ Cotton Sector Restructuring Program III CWAE 41232
EARD
GAD 2007 PRC Guiyang Integrated Water Resources EAAE 38594
Management Project
GAD 2007 MON Third Health Sector Development EASS 41119
GAD 2008 PRC Shanxi Integrated Agricultural Development in EAAE 38662-1
Valley and Watershed Areas
GAD 2008 PRC Dryland Farming in Northern Region EAAE 38301
GAD 2008 PRC Henan High Efficiency Agriculture Development EAAE 38662-2
(Sanmenxia Area)
GAD 2009 PRC Integrated Environment Management Project EAAE 40528
GAD 2009 MON Education Sector Reform EASS 39254-1/2
EGM 2007 PRC Ecosystem Development and Environment EAAE 36437
Protection of Baiyangdian Lake
EGM 2007 PRC Ningxia Integrated Ecosystem and Agricultural EAAE 38660
Development
EGM 2007 MON Agriculture and Rural Development MNRM 39229
EGM 2008 MON Western Regional Road Corridor Development EATC 39265
Project I
EGM 2008 PRC Qingdao Water Resources Management and EAAE 40017
Wetland Protection
EGM 2010 MON Western Regional Road Corridor Development EATC 41193
Project II
PARD
GAD 2007 TIM Urban Water Supply and Sanitation SOTL 38212-2
EGM 2007 PNG Lae Port Upgrading PAHQ 40037
EGM 2008 PNG Highlands Highway/Feeder Roads Upgrading PAHQ 40173
SARD
GAD 2007 BAN Dhaka Water Supply Sector Development SAUD 39405
Program
GAD 2007 SRI Education Sector Development SANS 39293-1/2
GAD 2008 BAN Skills Development SANS 39408

1
Except for a few approved projects, the statistical information is based on the Project Processing Information
System, staff projections, and the most recent Country Operations Business Plans available for 2007. They are of
necessity indicative, as the status of future, nonapproved projects will continue to vary.
2
Descriptions of the gender categories are in Appendix 1.
18 Appendix 2

Project,
Gender
Approval Country Name Division Approval
Category2
Number
GAD 2008 NEP Decentralized and Community-Based Water SANS 38417
Management
GAD 2009 BAN Primary Education Sector Development Program SANS 37309
GAD 2009 BAN SME Sector Development Program II SAGF 36200
GAD 2009 BAN Urban Primary Health Care Sector Development SAUD 39305
Program
GAD 2009 NEP Education Sector Cluster Program (Subprogram SANS 38175
3)
GAD 2010 BAN Command Area Development II SANS 35246-2
GAD 2010 BAN Sustainable Rural Infrastructure Improvement SANS 40515
EGM 2007 IND MFF North Karnataka Urban Sector Investment SAUD 38254-3, 2312
Program (Subproject 1)
EGM 2008 BAN Urban Governance and Infrastructure SAUD 29041-2
Improvement II
EGM 2008 IND MFF North Eastern Region Capital Cities SAUD 35290-2
Development Investment Program (Subproject I)
EGM 2008 IND MFF North Karnataka Urban Sector Investment SAUD 38254-4
Program (Subproject 2)
EGM 2008 IND MFF Rajasthan Urban Sector Development SAUD 40031-2
Investment Program (Subproject 1I)
EGM 2008 NEP Rural Employment Generation Sector SAGF 41113-1/3
Development Program
EGM 2008 SRI Small Towns and Rural Arid Areas Water and SAUD 37381
Sanitation
EGM 2009 BAN Participatory Small-Scale Water Resources SANS 39432
Development III
EGM 2009 IND MFF Rajasthan Urban Sector Development SAUD 40031-3
Investment Program (Subproject 2)
EGM 2009 NEP Improved Water Quality, Sanitation and Urban SAUD 41022
Service Delivery in Emerging Towns
EGM 2009 NEP Governance Reform and Decentralization SAGF 36172
Cluster Program (Subprogram 1)
EGM 2009 SRI Jaffna Water Supply and Waste Water SAUD 37378
Management
EGM 2010 BAN Crop Diversification II SANS 40534
EGM 2010 IND MFF North Eastern Region Capital Cities SAUD 35290-3
Development Investment Program (Subproject 2)
EGM 2010 IND MFF Rajasthan Urban Sector Development SAUD 40031-4
Investment Program (Subproject 3)
EGM 2010 NEP Secondary Towns Integrated Urban Environment SAUD 36188
Improvement
SERD
GAD 2007 CAM Tonle Sap Lowland Stabilization Project SEAE 37287-1/2
GAD 2007 CAM Education Quality Improvement Project SESS 38559-2
GAD 2007 INO Nutrition Improvement through Community SESS 38117, 2348
Empowerment
GAD 2007 INO Poverty Reduction and Millennium Development SESS 40003-1, 2361
Goals Acceleration Program
GAD 2007 LAO Health System Development Project SESS 32313-2, 79
GAD 2007 PHI Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Communities II SEAE 37749
GAD 2007 VIE Secondary Education for the Most Disadvantaged SESS 36008
Regions
GAD 2008 INO Community and Local Government Support II SESS 38385
GAD 2008 PHI Governance and Judicial Reform Program SEGF 38277
GAD 2008 VIE City Comprehensive Socioeconomic SESS 40355
Development (Thanh Hoa)
 Appendix 2 19

Project,
Gender
Approval Country Name Division Approval
Category2
Number
GAD 2008 VIE Health Care in the South Central Coast Region SESS 40019
GAD 2008 VIE Quality and Safety Enhancement of Agriculture SEAE 39421
Products
GAD 2008 VIE State-Owned Enterprises Reform and Corporate SEGF 39538
Governance Facility
GAD 2009 CAM Enhancing Secondary Education SESS 38559-1/
40555
GAD 2009 CAM Rural Water Supply and Sanitation II SESS 40556
GAD 2009 LAO Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Sector SESS 36339-2
GAD 2009 REG/LAO GMS Capacity Building for HIV/AIDS Prevention SESS 40395-2
GAD 2009 REG/VIE GMS Capacity Building for HIV/AIDS Prevention SESS 40395-3
GAD 2009 VIE Health Sector Strengthening SESS 40400
GAD 2009 VIE Mekong Water Supply and Sanitation Project SESS 41503
GAD 2009 VIE Rehabilitation of Irrigation Systems SEAE 40196
GAD 2009 VIE Rural Water Supply and Sanitation SESS 40364
GAD 2009 VIE Secondary Education Sector Development SESS 40347
GAD 2010 INO Poverty Reduction and Millennium Development SESS 40003-2
Goals Acceleration Program
GAD 2010 LAO Education Sector Development Program SESS 39477
GAD 2010 LAO GMS Mekong Water Supply and Sanitation SESS 41368
Project
GAD 2010 LAO Health Sector Development Program SESS 41376
GAD 2010 VIE Rural Infrastructure for Livelihood Improvement SEAE 40238
in Northern Mountains
GAD 2010 VIE HIV/AIDS Prevention and Youth II SESS 40381
EGM 2007 INO Senior Secondary Education Project SESS 33409
EGM 2007 PHI Integrated Coastal Resources Management SEAE 33276, 2311
Project
EGM 2008 INO Integrated Settlements Development project SESS 37473
EGM 2009 CAM SME II SEGF 41370
EGM 2009 INO Community Water Supply and Health Services II SESS 38393
EGM 2009 INO Metropolitan Sanitation Management and Health SEID 39071
EGM 2009 INO Neighborhood Upgrading and Shelter Sector II SESS 38394
BAN = Bangladesh; CAM = Cambodia; CWAE = Central and West Asia Agriculture, Environment, and Natural
Resources Division; CWGF = Central and West Asia Governance, Finance, and Trade Division; CWRD = Central and
West Asia Regional Department; CWSS = Central and West Asia Social Sectors Division; EAAE = East Asia
Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources Division; EARD = East Asia Regional Department; EASS = East
Asia Social Sectors Division; EGM = Effective Gender Mainstreaming; GAD = Gender and Development; GMS =
Greater Mekong Subregion; HIV/AIDS = human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome; IND
= India; INO = Indonesia; KGZ = Kyrgyz Republic; LAO = Lao People’s Democratic Republic; MFF = Multitranche
Financing Facility; MON = Mongolia, MNRM = Mongolia Resident Mission; NEP = Nepal; PAHQ = Pacific Operations
Division; PAK = Pakistan; PARD = Pacific Regional Department; PHI = Philippines; PNG = Papua New Guinea; PRC
= People’s Republic of China; REG = regional; SAGF = South Asia Governance, Finance, and Trade Division; SANS
= South Asia Agriculture, Natural Resources and Social Services Division; SARD = South Asia Regional Department;
SAUD = South Asia Urban Development Division; SEAE = Southeast Asia Agriculture, Environment, and Natural
Resources Division; SEGF = Southeast Asia Governance, Finance, and Trade Division; SEID = Southeast Asia
Infrastructure Division; SERD = Southeast Asia Regional Department; SESS = Southeast Asia Social Sectors
Division; SOTL = Special Office in Timor-Leste; SPSO = Pacific Subregional Office; SME = small and medium
enterprise; SRI = Sri Lanka; TAJ = Tajikistan; TIM = Timor-Leste; UZB = Uzbekistan; VIE = Viet Nam.
20 Appendix 2

Table A3.2: Advisory and Regional Technical Assistance and

Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction Grants
Project,
Gender
Approval Country Name Division Approval
Category3
Number
CWRD
GAD 2007 ARM Community-Based Water Supply and Sanitation CWSS 40477
Improvement
GAD 2007 ARM Public-Private Partnership in Water Supply and CWSS 40296
Sanitation
GAD 2007 KGZ Improving Livelihoods of Rural Women Through KYRM 40539,
Development of Handicrafts Industry 9104
GAD 2007 TAJ Capacity Development for Planning and Management CWAE 37530,
in Local Government 4917
EGM/SGB 2007 AFG Afghanistan Cluster Technical Assistance AFRM TBD
EGM/SGB 2007 KGZ Improving Access to Quality Basic Education for KYRM 40359,
Children with Special Needs 9108
EGM/SGB 2007 PAK Supporting Punjab Resource Management Program II CWGF 37202-4
EGM/SGB 2007 TAJ Microfinance for Farmworker Poverty Reduction CWAE 38603-2
EGM/SGB 2008 PAK Balochistan Resource Management Program II CWGF 37213-2
EGM/SGB 2009 AFG Follow-on Afghanistan Cluster Technical Assistance AFRM TBD
EGM/SGB 2009 KGZ Support to Agriculture Land Improvement Project CWAE 39612-3
EARD
GAD 2007 MON Improving Access to Health Services for Vulnerable EASS 41119-2
Groups in Ulaanbatar
EGM/SGB 2008 MON Administrative Consolidation in the Health Sector EASS 39252
ERD
EGM/SGB 2008 REG Social Inequality in Asia ERDI 40218
PARD
EGM/SGB 2007 PNG Lae Port Development Project-Alternative Livelihood PAHQ 41050
and Social Improvement Program
EGM/SGB 2007 SOL Strengthening Microfinance PLCO 40148
EGM/SGB 2008 FSM Capacity Building of Solid Waste Management PAHQ 38203
EGM/SGB 2008 REG Leadership Enhancement and Advancement Project PAHQ 38616-3
RSDD
GAD 2007 REG Promoting Women Entrepreneurship in Selected RSGS 40308
Developing Member Countries
GAD 2007 REG Promoting Gender Equality and Women's RSGS 37402-2,
Empowerment (Supplementary) 6143
GAD 2008 REG External Forums for Selected Sectors and Thematic RSOD 39347
Priorities at the ADB Phase II
GAD 2008 REG Fighting HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific III RSGS 39333
GAD 2008 REG Gender-Responsive Decentralized Governance RSGS 40314
GAD 2008 REG Integrating Concerns of Trafficking in Women and RSGS 40320
Children in Regional Cooperation-SASEC and CAREC
GAD 2009 REG Gender Capacity Building in Developing Member RSGS 39358
Countries (Phase 3)
EGM/SGB 2007 REG Supporting Community Driven Development in RSGS 40305,
Selected Developing Member Countries 6400
EGM/SGB 2007 REG Water Financing Program Support RSID 40098
EGM/SGB 2008 REG Supporting the Millennium Development Goals in the RSDD- 39359
Asia-Pacific Region PU
EGM/SGB 2008 REG Support for the Implementation of the Capacity RSCG 40350
Development Action Plan
EGM/SGB 2008 REG Targeted Capacity Building for Mainstreaming RSES 39356
Indigenous Peoples Concerns in Development

3
See footnote 20.
 Appendix 2 21

Project,
Gender
Approval Country Name Division Approval
Category3
Number
EGM/SGB 2009 REG Involuntary Resettlement, Impoverishment Risks, and RSES 39344
Approaches to Sustainable Livelihoods
SARD
GAD 2007 NEP Strengthening of Decentralized Support for SANS 40115,
Vulnerable and Conflict-Affected Families and 9110
Children
GAD 2007 NEP Establishing Women and Children Service Centers SANS 38097
EGM/SGB 2007 BAN Management Support for Dhaka Water and SAUD 40454
Sewerage Authority
EGM/SGB 2007 IND North Eastern Region Project Management Support SAUD 38309
(Phase II)
EGM/SGB 2008 BAN Capacity Building for Infrastructure Financing SAGF 40517-3
Development Facility
GM/SGB 2008 BAN Support for Capacity Building in Madrasah Schools SANS 39297
EGM/SGB 2009 BAN Support Good Governance Management SAGF 39450
EGM/SGB 2009 IND Capacity Development for Project Management and SAUD 40382
Tourism
EGM/SGB 2009 NEP Governance Reform and Decentralized Service SAGF 36172-2
Delivery
SERD
GAD 2007 INO Support for HIV/AIDS in Infrastructure SESS 40130
GAD 2007 LAO Enhancing Capacity of Local Government Agencies SEAE 41044,
and Lao Women’s Union for Sustainable Poverty 9107
Reduction in Northern Lao PDR
GAD 2007 VIE Community-Based Early Childhood Development SESS 41051
EGM/SGB 2007 LAO Capacity Strengthening and Policy Support for SEAE 40193
Agriculture and Water Resources
EGM/SGB 2007 LAO Capacity Building for Small and Medium Enterprises SEGF 35304-2
Development
EGM/SGB 2007 VIE Livelihood Improvement of Vulnerable Ethnic Minority SEID 40579
Communities Affected by Hydropower Projects in Vu
Gia River Basin, Quang Nam Province, Viet Nam
EGM/SGB 2008 LAO Support for National Health Program Development SESS 40433
EGM/SGB 2008 PHI Strengthening Provincial and Local Government SEGF 40345
Planning and Expenditure Management II
EGM/SGB 2008 REG Communicable Disease Control Project II SESS 40375
EGM/SGB 2009 LAO Participatory Poverty Assessment SEOC 40438
AFG = Afghanistan; AFRM = Afghanistan Resident Mission; ARM = Armenia; BAN = Bangladesh; CAREC = Central
Asia Regional Economic Cooperation; CWAE = Central and West Asia Agriculture, Environment, and Natural
Resources Division; CWGF = Central and West Asia Governance, Finance, and Trade Division; CWRD = Central and
West Asia Regional Department; CWSS = Central and West Asia Social Sectors Division; EARD = East Asia
Regional Department; EASS = East Asia Social Sectors Division; ERDI = Development Indicators and Policy
Research Division; EGM = Effective Gender Mainstreaming; GAD = Gender and Development; FSM = Federated
States of Micronesia; IND = India; INO = Indonesia; KGZ = Kyrgyz Republic; KYRM = Kyrgyz Republic Resident
Mission; LAO = Lao People’s Democratic Republic; MON = Mongolia, NEP = Nepal; PAHQ = Pacific Operations
Division; PAK = Pakistan; PARD = Pacific Regional Department; PHI = Philippines; PLCO = Pacific Liaison and
Coordination Office; PNG = Papua New Guinea; REG = regional; RSCG = Capacity Development and Governance
Division; RSDD-PU = Poverty Unit; RSES = Environment and Social Safeguards Division; RSGS = Gender, Social
Development and Civil Society Division; RSID = Energy, Transport and Water Division; RSOD = Office of the Director
General, Regional and Sustainable Development Department; SAGF = South Asia Governance, Finance, and Trade
Division; SANS = South Asia Agriculture, Natural Resources and Social Services Division; SARD = South Asia
Regional Department; SASEC = South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation; SAUD = South Asia Urban
Development Division; SEAE = Southeast Asia Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources Division; SEGF =
Southeast Asia Governance, Finance, and Trade Division; SEID = Southeast Asia Infrastructure Division; SERD =
Southeast Asia Regional Department; SESS = Southeast Asia Social Sectors Division; SGB= Some Gender Benefits;
SOL = Solomon Islands; SPSO = Pacific Subregional Office; TAJ = Tajikistan; TBD = to be determined; VIE = Viet
Nam.
 1

IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX OF
GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN OF ACTION (2011-2012)
Note: Highlighted sections are added to or rephrased from the Plan of Action 2008-2010.
Performance Implementation
Output Activity Baseline (2010)
Indicators Roles
A. Country Partnership Strategies and Lending Operations
Outcome: Gender mainstreaming in CPS and lending operations enhanced
Output 1: 1.1 RDs to assign gender - All sovereign concept Regional Departments 2010 Annual PoA
Proportion of mainstreaming project papers state gender (RDs) Report
projects with category at the concept mainstreaming
gender paper stage category Poverty Reduction,
mainstreamin 1.2 Improve quality of - Key baseline collected Gender, and Social 2010 Annual PoA
g increased project gender analysis for to set meaningful Development Division Report
(sovereign GEN and EGM projects targets of the Regional and
projects) - SPRSS gender Sustainable
analysis highlighting Development
Baseline: relevant issues that Department
ADB: 34 % guide actions (RSGS/RSDD) to
( 2008-2010) 1.3 Improve quality of - P-GAP’s gender- verify data 2010 Annual PoA
ADF: 45% project gender action plans inclusive design Report
(2008-2010) (P-GAPs) for GEN and features linked to core
EGM projects project benefits
Target: - P-GAP has clear
ADB: 40% by gender targets
2012 1.4 Include sex- - More than 50% of 2010 Annual PoA
ADF: 50% by disaggregated and gender- outputs include gender Report
2012 related targets and targets
indicators in design and - Meaningful gender
monitoring frameworks targets with baseline
included
Output 2: 2.1 Balance distribution of Diversity of loans with a RDs in consultation - By region, 2010
Sector and projects with GEN and GAD theme or effective with RSGS (CWRD 18%,
geographic EGM across sector, region, gender mainstreaming EARD 14%,
diversity of and funding sources. maintained across RSGS to verify PARD 7%,
GAD sectors and regions, SARD 32%, and
mainstreamin and between ADF- and SERD 30%)
g in ADB OCR-funded projects - By sector, 2010
operations (TRP 23%,
maintained Others 20%,
Water 18%,
Baseline: 2010 EDU 9%, FIN
(see the 9%, ANR 7%,
Baseline health 7%, PSM
column) 2%)
- By source of
funds, 2007
(OCR 35%, ADF
65%)
2.2 Promote gender 35% of loans with GEN RDs in consultation 33% of
mainstreaming in MFF, or EGM are in these with RSGS GEN/EGM in
sub-sovereign lending, and modalities MFF and
other new financing RSGS to verify program loans in
mechanisms 2008-2010
2.3 Explore ways to - Toolkit developed by PSOD, RDs, RSGS No guidelines
address gender concerns Q3 2011 through a exist in 2010
into nonsovereign consultative process
operations - PSOD and RDs to
apply toolkit in 2011-
2012
2

Performance Implementation
Output Activity Baseline (2010)
Indicators Roles
Output 3: 3.1 Standardize reporting - PAI revisions will COSO, OIST, RSGS No standardized
Monitoring of on P-GAP incorporate wording on to work on reporting system
and reporting implementation and P-GAP monitoring by eOperations (per IED SES)
on project progress on meeting mid 2011
gender action gender targets in - Ways to ensure P-GAP RDs to report through
plan (P-GAP) eOperations monitoring and eOperations
implementatio reporting identified and
n and integration in
achievements eOperations
-
towards 3.2 Establish monitoring all PCRs of GEN/EGM RDs (HQ and RMs) in Carried out
gender mechanisms in RDs for projects reflect on coordination with occasionally but
targets P-GAP implementation gender RSGS not
improved - RDs to monitor P-GAP systematically
implementation status
of active GEN/EGM
projects
3.3 Monitor and report on Analysis included in RDs to monitor and Project by project
implementation and annual PoA report RSGS to do annual monitoring only
completion of GEN TAs analysis
and JFPR grant projects
3.4 Develop database of Database developed by RDs and RSGS No database
GEN/EGM projects under Q2 2011
implementation and
systematically record
progress
Output 4: 4.1 Prepare and update 8 CGAs prepared in RDs with assistance On average 2–3
CPSs contain Country Gender 2011-2012 from RSGS new CGAs per
clear and Assessments (CGAs)* year
sector- 4.2 CGA findings inform - CPSs to include clear RDs In 2008-2010,
focused country gender strategy, gender strategy and only 2/3 of CPSs
gender sector roadmaps, and gender targets in key RSGS to review in line included gender
strategy that CPS results framework sector roadmaps and with OM C2 strategy and
is reflected as results framework. requirements even fewer
gender included gender
targets in references in
results sector roadmaps
framework and results
and sector framework.
roadmaps

B. Policy Dialogues and Support to DMCs

Outcome: GAD-related policy, legal, and sector reforms and DMC capacity improved

Output 5: 5.1 Pursue opportunities to - Each RD captures RM GSs assisted by No new policy
Expansion of integrate gender- ongoing and upcoming RD GSs and RSGS initiative
effective responsive policy and law policy, legal and sector captured in
policy reforms through the reforms on GAD 2010
dialogue on process of preparation of
gender CPSs and policy-based
issues, loans
especially
with key
sector
ministries
 3

Performance Implementation
Output Activity Baseline (2010)
Indicators Roles
5.2 Strengthen in-country - Meetings organized RM GSs assisted by Reported in GAD
partnerships and with NGOs, donors, RD GSs and RSGS Cooperation
collaboration with and other partners in Fund 2010
multilateral, bilateral, and RMs Report
civil society - Number of partnership
organizations initiatives
Output 6: 6.1 Engage GAD national - GAD capacity RM GSs assisted by - 17 out of 223
Increased machineries, sector development RD GSs and RSGS TAs and JFPRs
DMCs’ ministries, and subnational initiatives increased with GEN theme
capacity to government bodies for - Gender focal agency and 8 GDCF
fulfill gender capacity development involved in at least subprojects
equality and support one sector-specific approved in
women’s capacity 2010
empowerment development
commitments initiative per year in
as specified countries with RM GS
in CEDAW, 6.2 Lateral learning, peer At least one regional or RDs and RSGS 2 regional lateral
MDGs, and exchange, and other subregional learning learning and 2
their country and regional event per year bilateral
respective initiatives exchanges in
national 2008-2010
strategies 6.3 Monitor results of EA/IA capacity in RDs (RM and HQ No data
DMC capacity implementing project P- GSs)
development GAPs monitored by RM
and RD GSs
C. Organizational Effectiveness
Outcome: ADB’s capacity and commitment to contribute to the region’s gender equality and women’s
empowerment enhanced
Output 7: 7.1 Continue inclusion of - Gender reference in SPD, RSGS, OPR, Gender equity as
ADB references to gender public speeches DER one of the five
Management’ equality and women’s - WPBFs and Planning drivers of change
s commitment empowerment in key public Directions of Strategy 2020
to gender statement and strategic - OCR incentive
equality and documents in 2011-2012 mechanism for good
women’s performer RDs
empowerment implemented
sustained
Output 8: 8.1 Continue to increase By end 2012 BPMSD, RDs, PSOD, As of end 2010,
Staffing, staff dedicated gender - 2 more international 8 HQ
capacity and specialists in HQ and RMs staff International
GAD team - 3 more national officers GSs** and 14
work RM GSs
strengthened (including 4
national staff)
8.2 Enhance staff - Meetings organized in RDs (HQ and RMs), 1 Retreat and
collaboration within RDs each RD initiated by RSGS, and Gender Annual GS
(across divisional focal RD GS Equity CoP meeting in 2010
points, between HQ and - Gender Equity CoP
RMs) and between RSDD and RSGS organized
and RDs quarterly meetings with
all GSs
4

Performance Implementation
Output Activity Baseline (2010)
Indicators Roles

8.3 Carry out effective staff - 70 sector staff CoP and RSGS, in 1 set of training
training on gender members covered by collaboration with RDs or briefing
mainstreaming category divisional briefings in covering more
requirements and sector- 2011-2012 than 100 staff/
specific entry points - Generic GAD module year (2008-2010
becoming a mandatory average)
all staff
- NO training done in 10
RMs in 2011-2012
8.4 Gender Specialists and - At least 18 CoP CoP, RSGS, and RDs 1 CoP seminar
focal points to continue seminars per year per month on
upgrading their technical - At least 2 high-caliber average (2008-
skills speaker forums per 2010)
year
- Number of access to
specialized or sector-
specific external
training
8.5 Monitor updated - Updated templates, RSGS, SPD, OIST, N/A
templates, OMs, systems, OMs, systems (e.g., e- COSO
and workflows are Operations), and
consistent with OM C2 workflows are
consistent with OM C2
requirements.
Output 9: 9.1 Obtain replenishment of - At least additional $1 RSGS, SPD, OCO TASF $1 million
GAD funding million for 2011-2012 and AusAID $0.8
Cooperation million in 2010
Fund and 9.2 Monitor and report on - Analysis in annual PoA RSGS GDCF 2010
ADB’s the results of GDCF/TASF report Report
matching TA financed projects
resources for
GAD
allocated and
disbursed
with results
Output 10: 10.1 Continue producing In 2011-2012 RDs, ERD and RSGS On average in
Innovative, and disseminating quality - 5 CGAs* published with inputs from RDs; 2008-2010:
accessible knowledge products - sector gender CoP to ensure - 2 CGAs/year
and high checklists/toolkits (5) technical quality - 2 flagship
quality - 3 reports on publications/
knowledge emerging issues year
products - Sector/thematic - 2 sets of
developed briefing notes (2- newsletters
and pagers) - Good practice
disseminated - Knowledge products case studies of
through out of ongoing TAs 5 projects
Gender and GDCF projects
Equity CoP - Other knowledge
products by RDs and
ERD
10.2 Revamp external - Project case study CoP, RSGS, DER Website updated
website and update writings updated and twice a month
contents improved
- Improve frequency of
updates
- RDs to improve
frequency of inputs
 5

Performance Implementation
Output Activity Baseline (2010)
Indicators Roles
Output 11: 11.1 Continue partnerships - MDB Working Group CoP, RSGS ADB representation
GAD with MDBs, UN, and other on Gender (twice/year) in at least 5
partnerships regional and global - OECD/DAC global/regional
at the networks GenderNet (once/yr) networking
institutional - UN Regional Technical meetings/year
level Working Group
expanded (quarterly)
11.2 Enhance outreach to - Seminars organized at CoP, RSGS, DER, No systematic
disseminate ADB’s ERO, NARO, JRO ERO, NARO, JRO actions
commitment and good - Gender articles
practices, particularly to included in ADB
donors and civil society newsletters targeted at
organizations donors

ADB = Asian Development Bank, ADF = Asian Development Fund, ANR = agriculture and natural resources, BPMSD
= Budget, Personnel, and Management Systems Development, CEDAW = Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women, CGA = country gender assessment, CoP = community of practice, COSO = Central
Operations Services Office, CPS = country partnership strategy, CWRD = Central and West Asia Department, DER =
Department of External Relations, DMC = developing member country, EA = executing agency, EARD = East Asia
Department, EGM = effective gender mainstreaming, EDU = education, ERD = Economics and Research
Department, ERO = European Representative Office, FIN = finance, GAD = gender and development, GDCF =
Gender and Development Cooperation Fund, GEN = gender equity theme, GS = gender specialist, HQ =
headquarters, IA = implementing agency, IED = Independent Evaluation Department, JFPR = Japan Fund for Poverty
Reduction, JRO = Japanese Representative Office, MDG = Millennium Development Goal, MDBs = Multilateral
Development Banks, MFF = multitranche financing facility, NARO = North American Representative Office, NGO =
nongovernment organization, NO = national officer, OCR = ordinary capital resources, OECD-DAC = Development
Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OIST = Office of Information
Systems and Technology, OM = operations manual, OPR = Office of the President, PAI = project administration
instruction, PARD = Pacific Department, PCR = project completion report, P-GAP = project gender action plan, PoA =
plan of action, PSM = public sector management, PSOD = Private Sector Operations Department, RDs = regional
departments, RMs = resident missions, RSDD = Regional and Sustainable Development Department, RSGS =
Poverty Reduction, Gender and Social Development Division, SARD = South Asia Department, SERD = Southeast
Asia Department, SES = special evaluation study, SPD = Strategy and Policy Department, SPRSS = summary
poverty reduction and social strategy, TRP = transportation and information and communication technology, TA =
technical assistance, TASF = Technical Assistance Special Fund, UN = United Nations, WPBF = work plan and
budget framework

Source: Asian Development Bank database

* Includes country gender sector diagnostics

**Includes Senior Advisor (Gender), VPO2