OREANDA-NEWS. Technical assistance from Asian Development Bank (ADB) has helped the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Ministry of Public Works and Transport mainstream gender-sensitive planning, monitoring and evaluation in the sector.

A knowledge sharing workshop to discuss ways of implementing the gender integration strategy supported by the project was held here today. It was co-chaired by Vilaykham Phosalath, Lao PDR vice minister of Public Works and Transport and Sandra Nicoll, ADB Country Director for Lao PDR.

“Gender equality is a key driver of change for inclusive and sustainable growth, as well as poverty reduction,” said Ms. Nicoll. “Narrowing gender disparities and empowering women to access public services, rural and urban infrastructure, and economic opportunities, will ultimately enhance development results and growth.”

The workshop, which discussed challenges and opportunities for gender integration in the public works and transport sector, was attended by over 60 representatives from government ministries and development partners.

Under the project, the ministry has produced and disseminated nationwide the first-ever Strategy for the Advancement of Women in the Public Works and Transport Sector; and Guidelines for Integrating Gender into Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.

“The strategy and the guidelines are fundamental and important tools for the ministry to better integrate gender into public works and transport planning, monitoring and evaluation at the central, provincial and district levels,” said Ms. Phosalath.

ADB and the Government of Lao PDR are both committed to the advancement of women, and providing them with equal opportunities in accessing resources, and sharing the benefits of government ministry services. The technical assistance project, financed with a \$225,000 grant from ADB, began in 2012 and is due for completion in March 2015.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region.