The views expressed in this paper are the

views of the authors and do not

necessarily reflect the views or 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
paper and accepts no responsibility for
any consequence of their use. The
countries listed in this paper do not imply
any view on ADB's part as to sovereignty
or independent status or necessarily
conform to ADB's terminology.

Hasan Kabir Khasru

Deputy Project Director, STIFPP-II, LGED
 The primary objective of the project is to promote
economic growth and alleviate poverty in 9 selected
Towns in Bangladesh by providing a flood free and
secure living environment within the framework of
integrated approach.

 Project Period: Original: 2004-2005 to 2008-2009

Revised : 2004-2005 to 2010-2011
 Munshigangj Mymensingh

A – Flood Protection Works B – Urban Drainage System

Improvement Works

C – Urban Environmental D – Capacity Building &

Improvement Works Implementation Assistance

EA
Bangladesh Water
Development Board
And
Local Government
Engineering Department

Jamalpur
 the employment generated during construction and
in subsequent operation and maintenance of
infrastructure and facilities;
 the improvement in basic amenities and living
conditions in slums and shanty-towns;
 better protection in times of flooding from the loss
of homes, assets, livestock and livelihoods; and
 the income generation and poverty reduction
initiatives in slums through community
development committees.
 employment opportunities are limited to the informal
sector, mostly as unskilled labor, and a bias toward men;
 lower wages – women are generally paid at lower rates, and
the disparity is even greater during floods, when men work
below regular rates and women are reduced to work for
payments in kind or in exchange for a meal;
 high work burdens – women’s household responsibilities are
more difficult in the absence of basic amenities, and
unsanitary conditions also increase illness and the burden of
family care;
 personal hygiene and toilet requirements –more complicated
for women because of mobility restrictions and security
concerns;
 A Gender Action Plan (GAP) has been prepared to
ensure participation of women in development
process, empowerment & to promote equality. It has
considered the LGED’s gender strategy towards
achieving the MDG, NSAPR in Bangladesh and
consistent with ADB’s gender policy as well.

The Urban Governance Improvement Action

Program (UGIAP) specifically addresses women’s
participation in decision making process of the
Municipal Development and Urban poverty
reduction
 UGIAP and GAP
Ability to influence
in decision making
implementation of UGIAP and

Citizen Awareness and

Empowering women through

Participation
Participation of
decision making
process Administrative Transparency and
Accountability
Leadership
Orientation to Chairman, Male
and Female Ward commissioners
GAP

Improving the
position
Increase efficiency of women by
Capacity building/ Training/ Capacity Building
Training activities

Develop in IGAs or Involvement of women in other

Access to economy specific components of UGIAP

Access to Integration of the Urban Poor

resources

Knowledge Environmental Sanitation

Urban Environmental Improvement including Solid
Waste Management, Sanitation & Slum Improvement
 Raise awareness amongst women and other stakeholders
in their roles in solid waste management.
 Periodic campaigns and orientation activities on proper
disposal of solid waste.
 Town/Ward based awareness for women & Female Ward
Commissioners (FWC) on environment, sanitation &
hygiene
 Women's participation in sanitation program as motivators.
 Locations and plan of public toilets to suit women's need.
 Clause in lease deeds to include women in both
maintenance (paid) and management.
 Women work voluntarily for management or as motivators
of community service
Formation of Community Development Committees
(CDCs) led by women members/leaders.
Women’s leadership in implementing slum improvement
activities. Received only management fee distributed
among CDC members involved in construction works.
Income generation activities (such as tailoring, block and
batik, poultry, etc) through their own savings.
Skills development through different trainings. To date
462 women members participated in income generation
training program from five different towns totaling 15,244
training days.
Community infrastructure planning, implementation and
maintenance and overall management through CDC led
by women leaders. CDC identified their leader later on
approved by Municipality.
 Social constraints exist to women’s participation in
construction of latrines, river embankments, community water
points, drainage, etc.
 Different types of labor required: construction and
maintenance of infrastructure – some are more suitable for
women. Women generally work in light construction work,
earth work, maintenance including tree plantation.
 Technically skilled women are not available in
construction.
 Wage differential exists: based on type of work and men
and women laborer under contractors and mixed LCS group -
On an average 20 - 25 percent lower wages for women.
 Basic facilities are not often ensured as per core labor
standards.
Land acquisition and resettlement: Involve affected women, FWCs and
citizens in consultation for land acquisition and resettlement
=>Provide special compensation package for women
Employment opportunities for women: Employment opportunity
created as labourers (27% in BWDB part and 30% in LGED part)
=>Form women labor contracting societies (LCS) to employ women in
construction, O&M, tree plantation and infrastructure maintenance
Wage parity: Promote wage parity in construction, operation, and
maintenance of infrastructure and include in employment contracts.
=>Orient contractors to employ women laborers and to pay equal wage
for women and men.
Training: Skill training in construction and O&M works.
=> Community Contracting System (Contract between CDC & Municipality
for slum improvement work.)
Tree Plantation: Provide unskilled women employment opportunities
=> 100% unskilled women are involved in tree plantation and routine
maintenance activities .
 Compliance with all applicable labor laws and core labor
standards
 No child labor for construction and maintenance
 Provide daycare facilities for children of women laborers in
construction campsites.
 Use local unskilled labor and create employment
opportunities for poor & vulnerable people, esp. women.
 Employment of women labor (subject to availability) will not
be less than 25% of their male counterparts (Average 25%)
 Compliance on equal wage for equal work between men &
women to be strictly monitored during implementation.
 Ensure proper facilities for women laborers
Emphasis given on:
 Occupational health and safety: safety gears and
safe working place.
 Drinking water supply.
 Sanitation facilities- Separate toilet facilities for men
and women
 No wage discrimination: equal wage for work of equal
value for women and men.
 Timely payment.
 Labor shade: separate labor shade for men and
women.
 Day care facilities for young children of female
laborers
 Working time limits.
 Transportation, when necessary.
UGIAP implementation, Training of Local Government
Institutions
 GAD,GAP and UGIAP orientation for BWDB, LGED
and town officials
 Orientation on GAD, GAP and UGIAP for town
officials and men and women commissioners and local
elites
 Women’sinvolvement and participation in
Implementation of UGIAP activities
 Technical assistance support
 There are promising employment and leadership opportunities for
women in solid waste management, sanitation and slum
improvement in urban areas especially in planning, construction,
O&M, and management positions.
 The change of present mindset of all stakeholders in Local
Government Institutes (LGIs) is necessary for women’s involvement
and participation.
 The demand driven community development approach of the project
impacted positively on women in poor communities. Future
interventions can also emphasize a rights-based approach.
 Institutional support and set up at municipal level to execute gender–
inclusive infrastructure programs is necessary.
 Staff motivation on promoting gender equality is crucial.
 Need more training and orientation of contractors, field staff and
local government.
 Government initiatives including legal measures to safeguard
personal safety of poor women is important.
• Anchoring the gender focused activities in the
mainstream of development process of the LGI is the
biggest challenge.
• Availability of technically skilled women for
infrastructure related work is insufficient
• Diversity of knowledge, skills and attitude of different
stakeholders on promoting gender equality requires
continuous orientation and gender awareness raising.
• Linking poor women with skills training and financing
opportunities is critical for entrepreneurship and
economic empowerment.
 Women Ward Commissioner is the Chairperson of this committee
 Participation of women citizens are ensured
 Leaflets, posters etc. distributed in the town by this Committee.
 Arranging regular rallies at town and ward levels with participation of
local women’s groups, poor people’s group, Poura parishad, NGOs
and elite people of the town.
 Discuss issues related to solid waste collection and contributions
made to improve the environmental condition in town.
 Different social issues such as- acid throwing, dowry, early marriage
etc. are also discussed at meetings and actions are taken to resolve
those problems.
 Liaison established with different govt. and NGOs on gender related
issues
 Different national and international days such as- International
woman day, EPI day are observed.
• Establish a Social Development Unit with staff at the
municipal level to execute gender and social mobilization
programs.
• Continue gender awareness raising activities at all levels
and encourage men to work together with women in
promoting gender equality.
• Monitor and supervise contractors’ work continuously by
using MIS to ensure women are given job opportunities
with decent working conditions and wage parity.
• Target interventions at all levels (Individual, Households,
Community, Regional and National) to promote gender
mainstreaming in municipal infrastructure.
• Make linkages with NGOs, banks, training institutes,
women’s associations to provide skills training and
financial services to enhance women’s employment and
entrepreneurship in urban environmental improvement.