Gender action plans and gender equality results: rapid gender assessments of ADB Projects. Synthesis report

The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) 1998 Gender and Development (GAD) policy identified gender mainstreaming as a key strategy for addressing gender inequity. Project-specific gender action plans (GAPs) were introduced as a mechanism to implement the policy. This report draws on 12 rapid gender assessments (RGAs) undertaken in four countries (Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Cambodia) as part of ADB’s review of the GAD Policy.

The authors find that although most of the loans assessed had taken some steps to address gender issues in the loan design, key gender provisions were rarely adequately integrated into project design frameworks. Recommendations include:

• GAPs having sufficient information during loan preparation and processing so that they can provide a road map for implementation
• the project logical framework should contain major elements of the GAP
• developing the GAP during the loan inception using a participatory approach
• ADB’s resident mission gender specialists providing technical advice, engage in dialogue with executing agencies, and share lessons and effective strategies
• following-up on the implementation of the GAP and compliance with loan covenants should be done during loan inception, and review and mid-term review missions
• regular assessment of gender equality approaches across a number of projects  to maximize gender equality impacts, identify areas for policy dialogue, share good practices, and explore gender equality results.