Bharati Bhonsale

Bharati is a seasoned civil engineer and the Head of Mahila Housing Trust's Housing, Water, and Sanitation programs in Ahmadabad, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. With over 25 years of experience, she has been instrumental in managing and implementing slum upgradation projects, emphasizing water, sanitation, and housing. Bharati's expertise includes organizing and planning Swachh Survekshan activities based on Swachh Bharat Mission guidelines and liaising with government bodies. 

Opening Remarks: Promoting Gender Equality in COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Masatsuga Asakawa, President of Asian Development Bank, delivered the opening remarks expressing commitment to ensuring that gender equality is at the heart of ADB’s response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. He discussed how ADB’s support directly addressed one of the pandemic’s devastating consequences—the increased rates of gender-based violence. He mentioned that ADB has worked with its DMCs to provide resources for gender-based violence support programs.