Gender and Urban Poverty in South Asia: Proceedings Report of the 2012 Sub-Regional Workshop

This report presents the synthesis of knowledge, experiences, good practices, and recommendations shared at the Subregional Workshop on Gender and Urban Poverty in South Asia.

In March 2012, the ADB held the Subregional Workshop on Gender and Urban Poverty in South Asia to share experiences and enhance lateral learning among ADB and its project partners on addressing gender and social inclusion issues in urban development projects in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

The main themes of the workshop were inclusive urban planning and governance, public-private-community partnerships, and capacity development for achieving gender equality results.

Poverty and social exclusion in South Asia are significant with 35% of the urban population - 190.7 million people - currently living in slums and squatter settlements, the highest proportion in the Asia-Pacific region. Women are particularly vulnerable to the risks associated with urban poverty.

This report presents a synthesis of knowledge, experiences, good practices, and recommendations shared at the forum with the aim of assisting ADB and its partner agencies in the planning of urban development projects to facilitate gender- and socially inclusive outcomes and reduce poverty in South Asia.

Conclusions and recommendations of the workshop include the following:

• Understand gender dimensions of urban poverty for inclusive urban planning and governance;
• Strengthen pro-poor and gender-inclusive delivery of urban infrastructure and services;
• Promote women's empowerment; and
• Develop capacity for gender equality results.