Gender gaps persist despite the presence of established frameworks on women’s rights and gender equality in South Asia. Key gender issues in the region’s energy sector policies reveal disproportionate negative impacts on women. Maximizing benefits from energy interventions and improving policy development and program processes are needed in moving forward.

Millions in the Asia and Pacific region, particularly South Asia, still do not have access to electricity. South Asia, in addition to its lack of a cost reflective tariff, also faces a number of issues on tariff setting. The promotion of inclusive access remains the key to meeting these challenges.

Energy is a critical factor in any poverty reduction strategy. It is also essential for generating production, income, and employment. The Asian Development Bank rolled out a project in three of its developing member countries in South Asia—Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka—to help increase rural poor women’s access to affordable, reliable, and clean renewable energy sources and technologies. This paper presents an overview of the project, including its background, key strategies, results, and lessons.

Energy access remains one of the most fundamental challenges in India. The Asian Development Bank’s $2 million equity investment in Simpa Networks’ pay-as-you-go solar energy offering creates affordability for rural consumers in India, while the prepaid nature of the scheme makes the business model attractive for private sector investments.

This presentation shares the key features of decentralized governance in South Asia. The fiscal decentralization framework used in the region is explained. It also includes a discussion of the issues and challenges encountered and suggested ways in moving forward.