Subregional Conference on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in South Asia: Reflections and Way Forward for ADB
04 October 2022
ADB’s South Asia Department (SARD) has recently developed a gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) framework with accompanying guidance notes to assist SARD's GESI teams, sector divisions, resident missions, and project teams in fulfilling the GESI-related vision and operational priorities of ADB’s Strategy 2030 in the context of South Asia.
Objectives
The subregional conference served as a forum for SARD to present its GESI framework and seek the guidance of ADB’s partners in the six member countries in South Asia in ensuring the relevance and alignment of SARD’s GESI framework with their GESI program priorities and operationalizing the GESI framework with due consideration of the countries’ contexts.
Target Participants
The target participants included ADB’s partner agencies in its operations in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka such as executing and implementing agencies (EA/IAs) of ADB-financed projects, partner ministries, advocacy- and identity-based civil society organizations (CSOs), academic institutions, and international non-government organizations working with and for the socially excluded and vulnerable sectors. They were joined by members of ADB’s board of directors and staff from select thematic and regional departments.
Program and Learning Materials:
| Date | Session / Activity | Presentation Material | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04 Oct 2022 | Registration and Lunch | ||
| 04 Oct 2022 | Inaugural Session | Francesco Tornieri, Principal Social Development Specialist (GAD), South Asia Department, ADB (master of ceremonies) | |
| 04 Oct 2022 | Inaugural Session | Welcome Address | Shamit Chakravarti, Country Director, Bhutan Resident Mission, ADB |
| 04 Oct 2022 | Inaugural Session | Cultural Presentation | Kuenpel Entertainment of Visually Impaired and Luma Dogar Dance Troupe |
| 04 Oct 2022 | Inaugural Session | Keynote |
Excellency Lyonpo Namgay Tshering, Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB) Aum Chime Paden Wangdi, General Secretary, Tarayana Foundation, Bhutan |
| 04 Oct 2022 | Inaugural Session |
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in ADB South Asia Department Operations This presentation gives an overview of ADB's social context and policy commitments in SARD developing member countries. Videos from the slides can be ... |
Francesco Tornieri |
| 04 Oct 2022 | Session 1 | ADB’s Commitment to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion |
Session Moderator: Kenichi Yokoyama, Director General, South Asia Department, ADB |
| 04 Oct 2022 | Session 1 |
Topics: ADB’s commitment to gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) |
Sameer Kumar Khare, Executive Director for Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Lao PDR, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, Board of Directors (BOD), ADB |
| 04 Oct 2022 | Session 1 |
Persisting Gender Inequality Issues Faced by Women and Persons with Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics This presentation talks aboutADB’s commitment to gender equality and social inclusion. |
Takahiro Yasui |
| 04 Oct 2022 | Session 1 |
Topics: ADB’s commitment to gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) Lessons from country/regional experiences (achievements and challenges encountered) in GESI Modalities for resource development and mobilization for GESI programs/projects |
Sergio Lugaresi, Executive Director for Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland, BOD, ADB Chantale Wong, Executive Director for the United States, BOD, ADB |
| 04 Oct 2022 | Session 1 | Panel Discussion with Introduction | |
| 04 Oct 2022 | Session 1 | Networking Break | |
| 04 Oct 2022 | Session 1 | Open Forum | |
| 04 Oct 2022 | Closing Remarks |
| Date | Session / Activity | Presentation Material | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05 Oct 2022 | Keynote | H.K.D.W.M.N. Bandara Secretary, Ministry of Women, Child Affairs & Social Empowerment, Government of Sri Lanka | |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 2 | Old Age and Disability in South Asia—Issues and Responses |
Session Moderator: Wendy Walker, Chief Social Development Thematic Group (SDTC-SOC), ADB |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 2 |
Video: Older people and people with disability |
|
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 2 | Old age issues and intersecting inequalities | |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 2 |
Global Challenges and Trends of Responses to Aging Populations This presentation gives an overview of aging population in South Asia and itsIntersectionality and vulnerabilities. |
Meredith Wyse |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 2 |
Global Challenges and Trends of Responses to Elder Care Issues This presentation gives an overview of the old age issues and intersecting inequalities in South Asia. |
Peter Chan |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 2 |
Disability Issues and Intersecting Inequalities This presentation gives an overview of global disability issues and recommendations on "moments" to shape work on disability inclusion. |
Victoria Austin |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 2 |
Government Initiatives on Disability Issues This presentation gives an overview of the Bangladesh Government's enabling environment for persons with disabilities and some of its legal instruments... |
Shobnam Mushtary Rikta |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 2 | Initiatives and good practices in addressing old age and disability issues in South Asia | |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 2 | Government initiatives on old age issues | Susie Perera de Silva, Deputy Director General, PHS, Ministry of Health, Government of Sri Lanka |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 2 | CSO initiatives on old age and disability issues |
Himanshu Rath, Founder, Agewell Foundation, India Rama Dhakal, Vice President, National Federation of the Disabled of Nepal |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 2 | Networking Break | |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 2 | Panel Discussion on Key Questions | |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 2 | Open Forum | |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 2 | Summary of challenges and gaps, and the need for a collaborative way forward | Deepa Ahluwalia, Senior Social Development Officer (Gender), India Resident Mission, ADB |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Keynotes |
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Sri Lanka |
R.H.W.A. Kumarasiri, Director General, Department of National Planning, Ministry of Finance, Government of Sri Lanka Saloni Pradhan Singh, Member, National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 |
Persisting Gender Inequality Issues Faced by Women and People with Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics |
|
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 | Situation of people with diverse SOGIESC: Global and South Asia |
Session Moderator: Sudarshana Jayasundara Anojan, Senior Social Development Officer (Gender), Sri Lanka Resident Mission, ADB |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 | Women on Disadvantaged Groups and People with Diverse SOGIESC | |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 |
Video: UN Women, India |
Susan Ferguson |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 | Persisting gender inequalities and intersecting inequalities | Susan Ferguson, Representative, UN Women, India |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 |
PwC's Commitment to Gender Equality |
Pooja Singh |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 | Global call to redefine sex, gender, and gender equality and issues of transgender people | Manisha Dhakal, Executive Director, Blue Diamond Society, Nepal |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 | Situation of people with diverse SOGIESC: Global and South Asia | Midnight Poonkasetwattana, Executive Director, Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM) |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 |
RGoB’s Initiatives for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment This gives an overview of Bhutan's programs and initiatives on women's empowerment and gender equality. |
Tshewang Lhamo |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 | Government initiatives for the empowerment and inclusion of people with diverse SOGIESC | Dhundi Raj Lamichhane, Director, Central Bureau of Statistics, Government of Nepal |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 |
Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women (RENEW) Vision: A Just, Equitable and Happy society This presentation gives an overview of different services for survivors of domestic Violence/ Sexual & gender-based violence. |
Tshering Dolkar |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 |
CSO Initiatives for the Empowerment and Inclusion of People with Diverse SOGIESC in Bangladesh This presentation gives an overview of SOGIESC Inclusion and Empowerment in Bangladesh. |
Shale Ahmed |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 | Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, Executive, Director, EQUAL GROUND, Sri Lanka | |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 |
Engaging men and boys in empowering women, addressing toxic masculinity, and achieving gender equality in South Asia This presentation gives an overview of diversity in men's roles and different approaches to working on masculinity. |
Ravi Verma |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 |
Panel Discussion Networking Break |
|
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 | Open Forum | |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Session 3 | Summary of challenges and gaps, and the need for a collaborative way forward | Nasheeba Selim, Senior Social Development Officer (Gender), Bangladesh Resident Mission, ADB |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Video |
Recorded Solidarity Messages from Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC), ADB |
Bruno Carrasco, Samantha Hung, Wendy Walker, Haidy Ear-Dupuy |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Video |
Recorded Solidarity Message from ADB Southeast Asia Department's Director General |
Ramesh Subramaniam |
| 05 Oct 2022 | SERD perspective on SARD’s GESI framework | Veronica Joffre, Senior Social Development Specialist (GAD), Southeast Asia Department, ADB | |
| 05 Oct 2022 | Day 2 Closing Remarks | Francesco Tornieri, Principal Social Development Specialist (GAD), South Asia Department, ADB |
| Date | Session / Activity | Presentation Material | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06 Oct 2022 | Keynote | Aishath Shafina, Head, Policy Office, The Office of the President, Government of Maldives | |
| 06 Oct 2022 | Session 4 |
Video: Social identity groups and poverty in remote and vulnerable geographic locations |
|
| 06 Oct 2022 | Session 4 | Panel Discussion |
Session Moderator: Athifa Ibrahim, GESI Expert for Maldives, ADB |
| 06 Oct 2022 | Session 4 |
Social Identity Groups in South Asia and the Social and Economic Cost of their Exclusion and Discrimination This presentation gives an overview of different channels through which exclusion or discrimination are being practiced and how to address these. |
Sukhadeo Thorat |
| 06 Oct 2022 | Session 4 |
Geographical Exclusion—Issues and Responses This presentation gives an overview of various issues and responses to geographical exclusion in gender equality. |
Chhaya Jha |
| 06 Oct 2022 | Session 4 |
Poverty and Intersecting Inequalities in South Asia This presentation gives an overview of Session 4: Social Identity, Income Poor, and People in Difficult Geographic Locations –Issues and Responses. |
Amit Vatsyayan |
| 06 Oct 2022 | Session 4 |
Government Initiatives for Disadvantaged Social Identity Groups This presentation gives an overview of initiatives and good practices in promoting the social inclusion of social identity groups and poverty reduction... |
Maneesh Mishra |
| 06 Oct 2022 | Session 4 | Government initiatives in remote geographic locations | Fathimath Leena, Director General, Social Services Department (SSD), Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services, Government of Maldives |
| 06 Oct 2022 | Session 4 |
CSO initiatives for the empowerment and inclusion of disadvantaged social identity groups and for poverty This gives an overview of Kapaeeng Foundation's initiatives and programs for gender equality in Bangladesh. |
Pallab Chakma |
| 06 Oct 2022 | Session 4 | Panel Discussion on Key Questions | |
| 06 Oct 2022 | Session 4 | Networking Break | |
| 06 Oct 2022 | Session 4 | Open Forum | |
| 06 Oct 2022 | Session 4 | Summary of challenges and gaps, and the need for a collaborative way forward | Shuvechha Khadka, GESI Expert, Nepal Resident Mission, ADB |
| 06 Oct 2022 | Way Forward and Closing Remarks |
Francesco Tornieri, Principal Social Development Specialist (GAD), South Asia Department, ADB Kenichi Yokohama, Director-General, ADB South Asia Department |
| Date | Session / Activity | Presentation Material | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07 Oct 2022 | Visit to TTI Samthang | This is supported under ADB-funded Skills Training and Education Pathways Upgradation Project (and expected beneficiary of Pathways for Emerging Skills and Jobs Project, a JFPR grant) | |
| 07 Oct 2022 | Visit to TTI Samthang | Purpose is to reinforce participants' experiential and contextual learning through GESI best practices in action. Field tour is expected to allow them to emphasize the need of integrating GESI concerns into policy decisions and implementation | |
| 07 Oct 2022 | Visit to TTI Samthang |
Activities: Meet with Disability People’s Organization (DPO) and graduates of persons with disability Meet with students/instructors Visit new workshop/hostel and equipment purchased |
|
| 07 Oct 2022 | Video | Building Skills of Persons with Disabilities, Transforming Lives |
| Date | Session / Activity | Presentation Material | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08 Oct 2022 |
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in South Asia: An Assessment for Action |
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| 08 Oct 2022 |
Framework for Integrating Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in SARD Operations |
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| 08 Oct 2022 | Guidance Notes: | ||
| 08 Oct 2022 | Guidance Notes: |
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Analysis to Inform ADB’s Country Partnership Strategies and Project Designs in South Asia |
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| 08 Oct 2022 | Guidance Notes: |
Developing Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Strategy of a Sector Agency in South Asia |
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| 08 Oct 2022 | Guidance Notes: |
Evaluating the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Impacts of ADB-financed Projects in South Asia |