Inspection Panel Chair speaks to ADB Forum on Addressing Gender-based Violence and Sexual Violence in Development Projects

Inspection Panel Chair Imrana Jalal on November 25, 2021, discussed the topic of how to address gender-based violence (GBV) in development projects as part of a gender forum sponsored by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). 

Speaking virtually, Ms. Jalal recounted the findings of two ground-breaking Panel investigations related to GBV – one in Uganda, the other in the Democratic Republic of Congo – and the institutional and operational changes that resulted at the World Bank, and discussed the human toll of GBV and how to identify GBV risk-mitigation measures.  Responding to questions, Ms. Jalal, among other things, also discussed “what not to do” when addressing GBV in investment project financing involving major civil works, how to ensure a “survivor-sensitive approach” to investigating allegations of project-related GBV, and what advice she would offer as ADB starts implementing approaches for engagement with partners at the country level on the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment.

The November 22-25 ADB forum was titled, “The Power to Transform: Gender Equality in Asia and the Pacific.” The forum’s GBV session coincided with International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Other speakers at the session included: Woochong Um, ADB’s Managing Director General; Bruce Gosper, ADB’s Vice-President, Administration and Corporate Management; and Bruno Carrasco, Director General of ADB’s Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department.

The Panel in December 2020 released an advisory report titled, “Responding to Project Gender-Based Violence Through an Independent Accountability Mechanism.” The report can be accessed here.