Addressing Gender Concerns in LGESP

Mr Lal Induruwage Project Director, LGESP Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Council Government of Sri Lanka

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.

Facts and concerns

The latest calculation of poverty indices shows that the poverty level has further declined from 15.2% in 200607, to 8.9%. One of the factors for reduction in poverty is the huge investments in infrastructure besides welfare measures A recent survey in 10 towns to ascertain the factors that were detrimental to their income-earning opportunities. Among the 21 factors that were posed to them,
the poor conditions of roads was ranked by 21% erratic electricity supply (13%), inadequate water supply (13%), lack of market (7%) and poor transport facility (7%).

Approach in Addressing Gender Concerns

The project development and sub project definition process is based in extensive consultation and women were involved at various stages of the design. Besides consultation, a socio economic survey covering 10 towns (1000 samples) was conducted to generate base line information on socio economic indicators and other sector specific issues. As the project is focused on infrastructure, the thrust was on addressing development disparities through improved access to infrastructure and better participation in the design and possibly implementation process.

Socio Economic Survey Select Facts

Access to Services Access to toilet Water Source (for Drinking) 1. piped water 2. community stand post 3. own tube well 4. own dug well % no response to Question on distance below 75.60 Average distance to water source Time Spent to Collect Drinking Water Distance to Market (in Km) Time Taken to Travel to Market(in Minutes) Distance to School (in Km) Time Taken to Travel to School (in Minutes) Distance to Hospital (in Km) Time Taken to Travel to Major Hospital Distance to Travel to Major Hospital Health Care Expenditure Travel Expenditure Unit % % Average 78 27 9 39 11 Km Minutes Km Minutes Km Minutes Km Minutes Km % of annual Income % to Annual Income 1.15 24 4 27 5 26 5 28 34 6 3

Issues
While access to services is good, the issue is of distance traveled and time taken. It is a known fact that most women spend time in getting water- while distances are not great but the point is the time and effort which reduces income generating opportunities. The local authorities while democratic in terms of governance, the level of public participation especially of women is limited. In the country as whole, the enrollment of boys is higher than girls and In terms of health, severe malnutrition prevails among 3.35% of girls and 2.42% of boys. The data suggest that girls under the age of 5 are more likely to be severely stunted and underweight than boys (World Bank, 2005)

Concern
The project did receive requests from Local Authorities for providing individual sanitation facilities for the poor, especially on demand from women- The project finances public infrastructure and an offer was made for a public facility- given the scattered nature of settlements this was not accepted- a point to focus on future design is how do we address this issue ? How do we finance private (infrastructure) investments of the poor in a country where settlements are dispersed

Project Scope
Output 1- Improving Infrastructure in 100 Pradeshiya Sabhas
Eligible subprojects are (i) environmental infrastructure such as water supply and sanitation, drainage, and solid waste management; (ii) economic infrastructure such as roads and bridges; (iii) public health infrastructure such as maternity and health-care centers; and (iv) other local facilities such as public markets (polas). Subproject selection criteria must be met. Allocate up to about SLR 50 million in grant per local authority Besides investments, Key feature of the project include a Reform Plan prepared by the Pradeshiya Sabha to ensure better governance and service delivery, besides improving finances (revenue enhancement).
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Project Scope
Output 2: Local government policy reform and capacity building support
Supporting institutionalizing business process reengineering (BPR) by local authorities, including the implementation of relevant bylaws and regulations, with capacity building support to local authorities Development of an IT system, including updating and computerizing databases for taxes, licenses, and other information, as well as developing financial accounting and asset-management systems This includes a Capacity development TA (CDTA) to support local government policy reform. Output 3: Project management and administration support Project management unit in the MLGPC and subproject coordination units (SPCUs) in each province
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Strategic Actions for Gender Mainstreaming

Element 1- Consideration for Womens Infrastructure priorities:
While the scope of the project is to address local infrastructure needs, the shift in approach has been in being inclusive/ participatory

During the identification phase at least 15% participants were women and in most local authorities, needs such as piped water supply and health facilities have been identified as priorities. This level of participation will also continue during the subsequent stage of project design and implementation Element two: Making PSs gender sensitive institutions
LAs Gender Sensitive: Orientation to elected representatives and officials on gender sensitivities during design and implementation phase. This will be carried out by design consultants followed by SPCU specialists

Contd.
Element 3 Creating an enabling environment for gender and social inclusion and empowerment within the project scope
Induction of a Gender and Social Development Specialist (GSDS) in the project management team Ensuring awareness on Gender issues amongst project staff

As a long term measure ensure womens participation at LA decision making through legal amendments

Sub Project Reponses

Given the limited mandate of Local Authorities and the project in addressing larger health and education concerns- the approach is to improve access to these facilities by
creating better roads / improvement to roads with an overall objective of reducing travel times to facilities; to strengthen / improve / expand markets (polas) for better access to marketing produce- and better income opportunities

Inclusion of maternity related health infrastructure facilities as part of priority infrastructure

Ensuring Compliance
Monitoring based on the GAP on the three elements as outlined earlier. Thrust is on ensuring a Gender sensitive M & E system.

(The gender disaggregated data plays a vial role in identifying the progress of men and women participating in the project. Therefore, from the initial phase of the project, the GSDS tasks involves in collecting gender segregated data).

As part of design phase, one of the first step is to develop a sub project level baseline information including issues relating to access to services by women.

GENDER ACTION PLAN

Area of Focus Project design Ensuring womens active participation in sub-project selection and in User group committees

Objective To mainstream gender and development perspectives into the design of the Project To empower women by giving them opportunities to participate in the Project from the beginning. Ensuring fulfilment of womens special needs in the development of infrastructure.

Activities Employing a GSDS in the very beginning of the project Participatory planning at Project sites through CCM. Adopting a quota for womens participation in the CCM to consider it as a valid project in terms of social inclusion. Making PS leaders aware of the importance of getting female participation in CCMs while training them on Participatory Development Approaches. Employing gender sensitive facilitator/s and key informants who work closely with women in the area. Projects facility to implement at least one sub- project in each PS that exclusively benefits women.

Task Selecting and employing a well qualified and skilful person in the position Conducting CCMs adopting quota for womens participation Design and conduct a participatory development approach targeting PS leaders Design and conduct gender sensitization programs for PS leaders Employing gender sensitive facilitator/s in the CCM. Inclusion of gender sensitive key informants in the CCM. Identification of subprojects benefiting women exclusively to address their special needs

Target Group PS leaders Women in the PS areas.

Indicator GSDS is employed in the initial phase of the project The training modules are available on Gender sensitization training and Participatory development training. The training programs are conducted At least 50% of the PS adopted the quota system (minimum of 35%) for women to be represented in CCM. Gender sensitive facilitators are employed. The CCM had the participation of key informants. At least 50% of PS have identified and implemented subprojects benefiting women exclusively.

Verification Progress review reports Project design reports Progress reports Monitoring reports The GSDS has collected strong case studies proving the development of active participation of women in the CCM Progress review reports Records on CCMs

Action By Project director GSDS with the project staff and the consultants hired Sub-project director and the GSDS.

Thank You

LGESP, 27/1, Rosmead Place, Colombo 07. Email : lgiip@sltnet.lk