Advancing Gender Equality through ADB-financed Operations in the Pacific 20 to 22 October 2026 Nadi, Fiji This workshop brings together gender specialists in project management units and government gender focal points responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the Gender Action Plan (GAP) on ADB-financed projects as well as representatives from Pacific women machineries. It aims to strengthen their capacity for implementing, monitoring, and reporting on gender mainstreaming objectives with the shared goal of achieving stronger and more sustainable gender equality results in ADB-financed projects. Over the course of three days, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of ADB's gender corporate priorities and gender mainstreaming in ADB operations. It will cover key topics relating to gender concepts, gender in the ADB project life cycle, ADB’s gender policy and framework, as well as findings from Pacific country gender assessments. The workshop also serves as a valuable opportunity for gender focal points working on ADB-financed projects to exchange insights, best practices, and innovative strategies. Program and Learning Materials 20 October 2026 21 October 2026 22 October 2026 Session / Activity Title Speaker(s) 8.00 AM – 8.30 AM Registration 8.30 AM – 8.45 AM Opening address Beatrice Olsson (Day 1 moderator) 8.45 AM – 9:00 AM Introduction Beatrice Olsson (overall moderator of Day 1) 9.00 AM –10:30 AM Session 1: Gender Concepts, Situational Analysis and gender mainstreaming priorities for the Pacific Moderator: Beatrice Olsson Lulu Zuniga Carmine Uzma Altaf 9.00 AM –10:30 AM a) Gender Concepts (30 mins) Discussions (15 mins) b) Situational Analysis & Gender Mainstreaming Priorities for the Pacific (30 mins) Q&A (15 mins) 10.30 AM –11.30 AM Morning Tea & Group Photo 11.30 AM – 12.45 PM Session 2: ADB gender policy and mainstreaming gender in ADB projects’ life cycle Prabhjot Khan (virtual) Lulu Zuniga Carmine and Joanne Carmela 11.30 AM – 12.45 PM a) ADB Gender Policy (20 mins) b) Mainstreaming Gender in ADB projects (40mins) Q&A (15 mins) 12.45 PM –1.45 PM Lunch 1.45 PM – 3.00 PM Session 3: Institutionalizing gender mainstreaming through Gender-Responsive Policies and Frameworks Uzma Altaf 1.45 PM – 3.00 PM Context setting Why policies matter Panel Session: Experiences developing organizational gender policies and frameworks 1.45 PM – 3.00 PM a) FRA Gender policy and Action Plan b) WAF Gender Policy c) Samoa LTA GEDSI Strategy Chea Pisey, Gender Consultant, Climate Resilient Bridge Project Ulamila Kunatuba, Head of Legal and Procurement/Chairperson, WAF Gender Taskforce Committee James Marasavana, Samoa Land Transport Authority, Central Cross Island Road Upgrading Project 3.00 PM – 3.15 PM Afternoon Tea 3.15 PM – 4.15 PM Group work: Embedding Gender in Policies, Systems, and Organizational Culture 4 Groups. Facilitators: Joanne, Beatrice, Bolkin, Lulu Conclusion by Uzma Altaf 4.15 PM – 4:30 PM Wrap-Up Beatrice Olsson and Mikee Nazal 5.30 PM – 6.30 PM Networking Event Session / Activity Title Speaker(s) 8.00 AM – 8.20 AM Registration Lulu Zuniga Carmine (Day 2 moderator) 8.20 AM – 8:30 AM Recap of Day 1 Bolkin Sil 8:30 AM– 9:30 AM Session 4: Understanding Gender Action Plans (implementation, monitoring and reporting) Moderator of the day: Lulu Uzma Altaf Sian John 8:30 AM– 9:30 AM - Interpreting indicators and targets - Difference between Gender Performance and tracking indicators Effective GAP reporting practices (Do’s and Don’ts) 9.30 AM – 10.45 AM Session 5: GAP implementation and monitoring Overall Facilitator: Sian John Presenter: Joanne Carmela Moderator: Sian John 9.30 AM – 10.45 AM Overall lessons and good practices Panel session: Gender focals sharing best practices 9.30 AM – 10.45 AM a) PNG b) KIRc) TON d) VAN Bolkin Sil, ADB Gender Officer, Sustainable Highlands Highway Investment Project, Tranche 2 Rose Tiaon, Gender Officer, Public Utilities Board, South Tarawa Renewable Energy Project Estrellita Fulivai, Gender Specialist Nukualofa Network Upgrade Project, Tonga Renewable Energy Project Susan Wokeke, Acting Public Health Manager for Sanma; Ministry of Health, Northern Provinces Health and Treatment Project Q&A 10.45 AM – 11.00 AM Morning Tea 11.00 AM – 12.30 PM Group work: Identify practical solutions to overcome implementation challenges and develop action plans to improve implementation, monitoring and reporting. Facilitators: Uzma Altaf, Lulu Carmine Zuniga, Joanne Carmela and Bolkin Sil Concluded by Sian John 12.30 PM – 1.30 PM Lunch 1.30 PM – 3.00 PM Session 6: Social Media Storytelling for Gender Equality Group work: Develop a social media post on a gender equality topic through a practical exercise Mikee Nazal 3.00 PM – 3.15 PM Afternoon Tea 3.15 PM – 4.45PM Session 7: Assessing and documenting gender equality results at project completion Group work: Facilitated session focusing on achievements of gender results in projects Joanne Carmela, Lulu Carmine Zuniga and Bolkin Sil 3.15 PM – 4.45PM Session 7: Assessing and documenting gender equality results at project completion Group work: Facilitated session focusing on achievements of gender results in projects Joanne Carmela, Lulu Carmine Zuniga and Bolkin Sil 4.45 PM – 5.00 PM Wrap-up Uzma Altaf and Mikee Nazal Session / Activity Title Speaker(s) 8.00 AM – 8.20 AM Registration Uzma Altaf and Mikee Nazal 8.20 AM – 8:30 AM Recap of Day 2 Beatrice Olsson 8.30 AM – 10:30 AM Session 7: Gender and Technology Group work Nour Al-Asmar 10.30 AM – 10.45 AM Morning Tea 10.45 AM – 12.30 PM Session 8: Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) Group work Edwina Kotoisuva 12.30 PM – 1.30 PM Lunch 1.30 PM – 3.30 PM Session 9: Empowering Leaders: From Gender Focals to Gender Change Agents Group work Ana Laqeretabua 3.30 PM – 3.45 PM Afternoon Tea 3.45 PM – 4.00 PM Wrap-up 4.00 PM – 5.00 PM Evaluation and closing Disclaimer The views expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term “country” in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Event Coordinator/s Beatrice Olsson Related Full Agenda ADB Organizer/s Gender Equality Division Read Also Facebook | ADB Gender LinkedIN | ADB Gender Topics Gender Equality ICT