Gender Mainstreaming in Vanuatu Interisland Shipping Support Project

Presentation for Gender & Transport Workshop Robert Guild 24 May 2012

The views expressed in this paper are the views of the author 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.

Overview
Vanuatu: Total population of 240,000 spread over 60 populated islands
Constraints: Limited water transport restricts the development of productive rural livelihoods focused on agriculture exports. (a) Inadequate wharves and jetties restrict cargo and passenger movement; (b) Poor facilities cause difficulties of loading passengers and goods, and inefficiencies in operation; (c) Shipping services are not commercially viable; (d) Outdated and fragmented sector governance impedes service provision. Gender Issues: Responsibility for schooling, health care, marketing constrained by poor services, safety compromised by poor facilities and practices

The Project
Outcome: Reliable, safe, and adequately frequent interisland shipping services provided by private sector operators Key Outputs: (1) Infrastructure: new interisland shipping terminal in Port Vila; new or rehabilitated jetties in outer islands; (2) Shipping support and coordination: subsidies for commercially unviable routes; a coordination scheme.
Project costs: $26.8 million (ADF loan, NZ grant, Gov of Vanuatu) Implementation: 2012 - 2016

Gender considerations
Reliable water transport is important for womens and families access to health care, education, and social services Women contribute to rural economy through sale of home produce at regional markets, and transport is key to economic opportunities
Adequate infrastructure facilities are important for women (as well as men, the disabled): shelter, sanitation, market spaces Safety standards of vessels are important, especially for women, children and those needing health care

Entry Points for GM during Project Processing

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Early alert to social development/ gender specialist ? NO Reconnaissance mission team work, including safeguard specialists and social development/gender specialist? NO Site visits for consultations with stakeholders (especially communities) YES GM ideas Communities themselves raised womens needs and specified jetty facilities and market opportunities as top priorities PPTA consultants GM targets conveyed to the PPTA team, including engineer and social development/gender consultant Fact-finding mission Project outputs refined and confirmed, specific design features identified Discussion with the government Agreement on project outputs incorporated special concerns for women and children

DMF: Project Outputs and GM Features

Improved maritime infrastructure is provided in the capital and rural areas; GM features: All project facilities provide separate waiting areas and amenities for women
Shipping support and coordination schemes are established GM features: (i) At least 25% of shipping coordinators are women; (ii) Shipping coordinators collect and maintain sex-disaggregated information on demand for services Vanuatu Maritime Safety Administration is established Efficient and effective project management

Gender Action Plan (Key features)

Outputs Activities

1. (i) Construction of a new interisland shipping terminal in Port Vila; (ii) Rehabilitation of 4 existing outer island jetties and construction of 3 new jetties
2. (i) Establish a shipping support scheme; (ii) Establish a shipping coordinator scheme

Wharf and jetty designs include separate resting areas and sanitation facilities for women; Market spaces or shelters will be provided for female sellers/traders to run their businesses in completed facilities; Employment of women in project implementation team, equal pay for equal work, etc.
Selection criteria for routes will incorporate access to social services such as health facilities, as well as market access for women; Assemble info on market opportunities along shipping service routes and provide to local communities; Awareness workshops on the benefits and use of vessel services, how to plan for markets and use of social services; Record demand for services by gender and location, to facilitate services; Organize safety training workshops on the use of vessel services for women and children

Gender Action Plan (Key features)

Outputs Activities

1) Enhance capacity for sector governance

(2) Enhance capacity for maritime safety oversight Project management services for efficient and effective project implementation

Institutional development plan to increase the representation of women in the sector. Vessel operators given material on HIV/AIDS and STDs among seafarers and potential impacts on their families.

The EA will employ community development and gender specialists to manage implementation of the GAP The EA will provide gender awareness training to all project staff. The PPMS will measure implementation and progress of the gender action plan

Resources for GAP

Loan covenant to implement the GAP

DMF indicators and PPMS oversight

EA contribution of community development and gender specialists

(International: part-time, 6 p.m. and National: part-time, 15 p.m.)