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Francesco is currently the Principal Social Development Specialist (Social Inclusion). He promotes the visibility of gender equality, women's empowerment, and social inclusion in the design, implementation, and monitoring of ADB operations in South Asia. Prior to ADB, Francesco worked as a Social Development Specialist in the Africa Region of the World Bank, where he was involved in the implementation of a broad range of social development, gender and development, and social protection-related initiatives. He has also worked as an advisor to several West African countries on gender and law-related issues, including gender-responsive law reform, legal literacy, and legal aid targeting women and disadvantaged groups.