Manila, Philippines (BBN)– The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan government are providing assistance of $1.95 million to Bhutan to support increased economic opportunities for women.
The grant from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, administered by ADB, will strengthen the gender mainstreaming and monitoring capacity of the National Commission for Women and Children and other government agencies responsible for women’s economic empowerment.
Another key element of the project will be assistance for trade apprenticeships and skills training for women in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Human Resources. Funds will also be used to help partner non-government organizations involved in promoting economic opportunities for women and micro enterprises.
“The project will improve the capacity of government agencies and civil society to address gender disparities, while helping increase livelihood opportunities for vulnerable women and girls in selected urban and rural areas,” Francesco Tornieri, Senior Social Development Specialist in ADB’s South Asia Department, said in a statement on Monday.
Bhutan has a strong gender equality ethos but some disparities still exist, with female participation in the labor force under 42 percent in urban areas, compared to nearly 77 percent for men.
“In addition, illiteracy among rural women remains high. To address the gaps, the Royal Government of Bhutan has established a National Plan of Action on Gender to make gender mainstreaming and advocacy an integral part of its programs,” the ADB said.
Project performance targets include the completion of 12-month apprenticeships in various trades for around 600 youths, with an 80 percent target for women, and the completion of trade skills training by up to 360 rural youths, 50 percent of them women.
It also aims to help up to 1,200 individuals – the bulk of them women – to engage in micro-enterprises and other livelihood activities.
BBN/SI/AD-21Feb11-4:10 pm (BST)
