CONNECTING ECONOMIES, EMPOWERING WOMEN Regional Trade and Connectivity in South Asia SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL TRADE FACILITATION PROGRAM A Partnership of the World Bank—Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2015-2024) ©2024 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 Internet: www.worldbank.org This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the data included in this work and does not assume responsibility for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the information, or liability with respect to the use of or failure to use the information, methods, processes, or conclusions set forth. 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SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL TRADE FACILITATION PROGRAM The Focus areas South Asia Regional Transport Trade Facilitation Program, Connectivity or SARTFP, is a regional trust fund Development administered by the World Bank and financed by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Trade Facilitation and Trade Policy SARTFP has supported women’s economic empowerment through trade facilitation and Local Enterprise connectivity in the Bangladesh, and Economic Bhutan, India, and Nepal sub region. Development Total 41 grant activities 316 products knowledge 152 stakeholder events 24 SARTFP- nanced activities informed 43 investments, worth over $10 billion World Bank ©AdobeStock A Partnership of the World Bank- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2015-2024) ©WorldBank SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL TRADE FACILITATION PROGRAM CONTENTS Introduction Page 06 Road to Jobs and Dignity Supporting women’s economic empowerment in transport and regional connectivity Page 08 Bangladesh Women at the Forefront of Revitalizing Tourism Unlocking South Asia’s shared heritage to drive women’s inclusion and prosperity Page 14 Bhutan Sailing the Uncharted Waters 20 Addressing gender-blind transport systems with inclusive and safe inland waterways Page India Building Agri-Entrepreneurs across South Asia Strengthening women’s participation in regional value chains and trade Page 26 Nepal Empowering Women in the Power and Utilities Sector Advancing STEM education, technical skills, and leadership Page 32 Sri Lanka A Partnership of the World Bank- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2015-2024) INTRODUCTION The World Bank’s South Asia Regional Region’s Gender Innovation Lab, and Integration and Engagement Program Community of Practice on Women’s supports transboundary cooperation for Economic Empowerment in South Asia, greater connectivity, cross border trade, which produced rigorous systematic climate resilience, and human development reviews, evidence briefs, synthesis papers, in the region. Gender inclusion is a key focus and applied tools on enabling economic of the program, ensuring that all women opportunities and agency for women. This stakeholders benefit equitably from regional provided a strong foundation for several integration efforts. World Bank operations, as well as to informed discussions with regional With support from the South Asia Regional stakeholders. Trade Facilitation Program (SARTFP), which was financed by the Australia’s Department Several in-country programs were of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the World Bank supported to leverage increased regional promoted regional growth and women’s connectivity to benefit women. Often these economic empowerment through trade and initiatives led to an integrated approach to connectivity primarily along the Eastern women’s economic empowerment, poverty Corridor of South Asia across the BBIN reduction, value chain development, and (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal) market competitiveness. countries. With special attention to Some of these include promoting local women-owned and micro businesses, it women entrepreneurship in sectors such as achieved a first in mainstreaming gender in transboundary tourism and agricultural regional projects and programs across the trade. For instance, with SARTFP support, entire South Asian region, including in the World Bank facilitated the Business, distant communities. Enterprise and Employment Support (BEES) SARTFP supported World Bank’s South Asia network, which brings together South Asian SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL 06 TRADE FACILITATION PROGRAM ©AdobeStock non-profit organizations that primarily processing desks and introducing tariff support grassroots women producers and policy considerations. entrepreneurs. This network leveraged With SARTFP support, the World Bank also knowledge sharing, learning, collective launched the South Asia Women in Power action, and advocacy on women's Sector Professional Network (WePower) in economic empowerment so that 2019. The regional network, which is now a successful interventions could be scaled up close-knit partnership of 50 organizations, to help women climb out of poverty. is helping promote gender diversity and Evidence shows that access to safe and leadership in the gender-blind power and inclusive transport supports enhanced utility sector and promote greater economic activity and social growth for participation of girls in Science, women1. SARTFP-funded initiatives Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics improved market access and economic (STEM) education. opportunities for women through inclusive Overall, SARTFP-financed activities led to water transport. The activities also significant changes for women at the popularized the concept of regional ground level improving their quality of life, economic corridors, benefiting women and empowering them to prosper, and actively unreached communities. They leveraged participate in and benefit from the information technology for cheaper and market-led economy. The stories of five improved access to multi-modal logistics women, shared below, present a few for women and small traders. examples in which the World Bank projects Other supported initiatives informed a new supported women across South Asia while automated system which simplifies trade also apprising that the journey to gender procedures at the border, particularly for equity and prosperity is a continuous women traders by establishing separate process. A Partnership of the World Bank- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2015-2024) 07 Safe and inclusive transport and mobility, ESCAP, 2020 1 ROAD TO JOBS AND DIGNITY Supporting women’s economic empowerment in transport and regional connectivity Western Economic Corridor and Regional Enhancement Program Case Study: Bangladesh SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL 08 TRADE FACILITATION PROGRAM In 2004, when Halima Begum lost her husband, she struggled to make ends meet and support her two young kids. Odd jobs earned her a daily wage of around $1 and the family could barely eat three meals a day. Since 2020 onwards, Halima was employed by the Labor Contracting Society initiative—formal groups created by Government of Bangladesh to provide guaranteed employment to the poor. Halima is one of the 795 women who are working for the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under the first phase of the World Bank-financed Bangladesh Western Economic Corridor & Regional Enhancement (WeCARE) Program. The program helps provide efficient, safe, and resilient connectivity along a section of the regional transport corridor, with a strong focus on women employment. These women have been trained in various skills including road maintenance, restoring roadside slopes, repairing bridge edges, filling sand potholes, and clearing culvert channels. Halima is now self-sufficient, and with her small saving, she has rented a piece of land which allows her to cultivate rice for one person. She has also bought a goat and wishes to raise a flock someday. I have been working on this project for the last three years. I don’t have to reach out to people for help anymore. My neighbors also respect me now. I have a small piece of land, where I can cultivate rice for a single person for months. If this work is extended for another three years, I can save more money, raise a few cows and goats. I would not have to worry about the future. Halima Begum 45 years, Jessore, Bangladesh ©WorldBank A Partnership of the World Bank- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2015-2024) 09 ABOUT THE PROJECT Western Economic Corridor and Regional Enhancement Program (WeCare) aims to develop efficient, safe, and resilient connectivity along a regional transport corridor in Western Bangladesh and support local economic development, with a gender-focused lens in the hinterland of the corridor. SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL 10 TRADE FACILITATION PROGRAM ©WorldBank A Partnership of the World Bank- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2015-2024) 11 CHALLENGE INTERVENTION Gender balance in the transport sector SARTFP-funded activities supported and market spaces is challenging in the mainstreaming gender in the program context of South Asia. Women face design and implementation, with gender multiple barriers at the societal, assessments and action plans to promote institutional, and individual levels, and are women’s economic empowerment in often stigmatized when working on their regional transport corridors and logistics. own in public places. Lack of Five reports and analytics including gender female-friendly facilities, such as separate assessments, feasibility reports, road toilets with doors that close, constrain safety surveys, economic and financial women’s mobility and ability to work in analysis, and a report on prioritizing rural infrastructure projects and market spaces. infrastructure, supported project In addition, household responsibilities preparation and outlined action plans. The especially child-rearing, play an important analysis also prioritized methodology that role at an individual level and influence was cognizant of women’s trading and women’s choices to work outside. For the transportation needs, role of transport in implementation of the WeCare Program, women’s economic empowerment, and the the challenge was to identify and address associated risks, including of human gaps at policy, regulatory, institutional, trafficking. Through the establishment of and operational level—including gender women-friendly rural and transport gaps—to ensure inclusion of women in infrastructure, designated stall spaces for local economic development. female vendors, and introduction of childcare facilities, the World Bank’s WeCare program aims to address societal, institutional, and individual barriers for women to regain their livelihoods and economic empowerment. Female labor force participation was mainstreamed in regional connectivity projects. In the first phase of WeCare Program, the Local Government Engineering Department employed 795 women IMPACT in road construction and maintenance. Childcare facilities have been included to allow women to better balance their household and work responsibilities, thus contributing to increase in their labor force participation. SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL 12 TRADE FACILITATION PROGRAM Financial counseling helped 94% of the women build savings between $400 to $1,500 compared to only 25% of women with savings before the program. ©WorldBank Over 91% of the women employed were able to meet day-to-day expenses compared to 13% at the start of the program. ©WorldBank Entrepreneurship opportunities for women at rural markets were ensured by allocating a special space for female vendors and establishing functioning bathroom facilities for them at market space. These actions are expected to increase female entrepreneurship at these market locations. ©WorldBank A Partnership of the World Bank- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2015-2024) 13 WOMEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF REVITALIZING TOURISM Unlocking South Asia’s shared heritage to drive women’s inclusion and prosperity Program for the Development of the Buddhist Circuit in South Asia Case Study: Bhutan SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL 14 TRADE FACILITATION PROGRAM Pema Lhamo, 65, is the lead member of the women-led community group, Nobgang Tsherim Detshen. The group was created in 2021 to revive the cultural vibrancy of the Nobgang village in Central Bhutan and was trained to manage two community-led social enterprises—a traditional restaurant and a Bed and Breakfast. Supported by the World Bank, Bhutan’s Department of Culture prepared a “Cultural Stewardship Plan” for Nobgang for revitalization and restoration of the village in a culturally sensitive and climate resilient manner. The plan explored avenues to add value to local agricultural products and create income generating opportunities for women and youth. As a part of the effort, the Department of Culture restored a traditional L-shaped kabu-darcham building, which was built in the 18th century by hermits. The building was adapted for use and handed over to the community. Pema and her team of five other women and a man, were trained in hospitality sector to run the restaurant and the Bed and Breakfast in this building. With upgraded skills, Pema and her team now run this community enterprise, offering traditional and authentic experiences to the tourists. I always loved cooking traditional dishes for my children and relatives. This program helped me gain new skills in hospitality sector including in food safety and housekeeping. Now I can integrate my traditional skills and new knowledge into our restaurant and home stay. It has increased my confidence, income levels, and provided us all with an opportunity at our doorsteps. This experience has allowed me to understand that opportunities exist for everyone, regardless of age or gender. Pema Lhamo 65 years, Nobgang, Bhutan ©WorldBank A Partnership of the World Bank- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2015-2024) 15 ABOUT THE PROJECT Buddhist Circuit Development Project aims to provide sustainable solutions for improving urbanization and living conditions, enhancing asset management and protection, and promoting local economic development and tourism along the Buddhist Circuit in South Asia. SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL 16 TRADE FACILITATION PROGRAM ©Department of Culture, Bhutan A Partnership of the World Bank- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2015-2024) 17 CHALLENGE South Asia has unstructured intra-regional movement of about one billion people, who are driven by its cross-border rich and diverse cultural and natural assets, visits to relatives, and businesses. This holds a major potential to build people-to-people connectivity in this IMPACT least integrated region and overcome socioeconomic deprivations among the poorest and vulnerable groups including women in the remote pockets. While globally tourism employment consists of 50% women, in South Asia’s Buddhist destinations, that span across the region, only 2% of women are employed by the tourism sector. INTERVENTION During Phase I of the World Bank project, between 2016-2018, SARTFP supported formulation of the Buddhist Circuit Strategy and a series of tools and guidelines were prepared on sustainability-driven development. This included an analysis on private sector investments and the design of the first inclusive tourism project financed by the World Bank in India—the Uttar Pradesh Pro-Poor Tourism Development Project, and the preparatory work for the Madhya Pradesh Inclusive Tourism Project. ©WorldBank The Phase II (2019-2021) assisted the governments of Nepal and Bhutan to implement policies and formulate sub-regional Over 15 local plans for inclusive and resilient territorial development, while unlocking economic opportunities for vulnerable women and women communities living along the Buddhist Circuit. from vulnerable communities run This included Greater Lumbini Area the Amma Café, a social enterprise Development Plan framework, Punakha – at Lumbini. These women were Wangdue Phodrang Regional Development provided daily literacy classes, Plan, and Bhutan’s Cultural Landscape life-skills, gender-based violence Regional Development Planning Framework. and hospitality trainings, and cooking trainings with local chefs. SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL 18 TRADE FACILITATION PROGRAM Over 120 vulnerable women entrepreneurs were trained and supported via Amma Women Foundation. These women include local weavers, tailors, artisans, beekeepers and organic farmers. ©Department of Culture, Bhutan In Central Bhutan, a women-led community group, Nobgang Tsherim Detshen prepared a stewardship plan for the revitalization of the village. ©Department of Culture, Bhutan This group was trained to manage community-led social enterprises, and support was provided to start a traditional Nobgang restaurant, and Nobgang Bed and Breakfast, bringing income-generating opportunities right at their doorstep. ©WorldBank A Partnership of the World Bank- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2015-2024) 19 SAILING THE UNCHARTED WATERS Addressing gender-blind transport systems with inclusive and safe inland waterways Assam Inland Water Transport Project Case Study: India SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL 20 TRADE FACILITATION PROGRAM Runu Hazarika is a mother of four and a grandmother. In her village Majgaon in North Guwahati, Assam, she has another unique distinction. She is one of the few women owners and operators of a Bhutbhuti, a small traditional boat which is used for transportation across the Brahmaputra river in Northeast India. Five years ago, when her husband passed away, Runu took over the mantle of his small transportation business. Initially hesitant, she found about the Jibondinga Scheme of the Assam Inland Water Transport Authority, which provided incentives to modernize and mechanize boats with marine engines, improving safety and efficiency. The scheme also encouraged women to apply and seek economic opportunities as vessel owners and operators. Runu, who is among the 35 women applicants, has been running the transport business for the last four years now. The boat, which is her main source of income, is equipped with marine engine, and a front and a back gear. It is safer, more reliable, and easier to operate. I am probably the only woman in my village who is running the local water transportation business. People around me are very supportive and always encourage me to grow and uplift my business. The boats are now mechanized with a marine engine, which has made it easier for us to operate the boats and has increased opportunities for women to venture into transportation business. It has addressed the safety concerns of the boat operators, especially women, and has improved the water transport experience both for operators and passengers. I am now earning a living, and also serving my community. Runu Hazarika 47 years, Majgaon, Assam, India ©WorldBank A Partnership of the World Bank- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2015-2024) 21 ABOUT THE PROJECT Assam waterways links to the key transport corridors with Bhutan and Bangladesh and provides connectivity to large sections of rural and urban communities in the North east region in India. The Assam Inland Water Transport Project (AIWTP) aims to improve the ferry infrastructure and inland water transport services, making the ferries more sustainable, inclusive, and accessible, and overall support women’s economic participation including in trade and ownership of water transport vessels. SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL 22 TRADE FACILITATION PROGRAM ©AdobeStock A Partnership of the World Bank- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2015-2024) 23 CHALLENGE Eastern South Asia has an extensive room, dedicated areas for differently abled network of inland waterways which passengers, and appropriate causeways connect India’s north-east region to with protective handrail for barrier-free Bangladesh and Bhutan. Many of the access. Dedicated seats for women, well-lit communities here are highly dependent on spaces, installation of closed-circuit waters for access to economic opportunity television cameras, and public address and connectivity. Overall, the 3,500 kms of systems at the terminals were also the Eastern Waterways Grid in the region incorporated in the project design to has the potential to rejuvenate the ensure socially inclusive IWT development. economies of the eastern subcontinent, Based on the recommendations of the generating rich dividends for the region’s study, the Assam Inland Water Transport 600 million people. But women are not Project is also designed to enable equal partners in this development story. economically disadvantaged women As per a SARTFP-supported study, in parts producers, entrepreneurs, and small-scale of Assam, 71% of male respondents were traders to connect with value-added chains using inland water transport (IWT) for trade that can boost their participation and and transportation as compared to barely profits. The project has also been designed 28% of women. Some of the challenges for to provide an enabling environment for women commuters included poor access, women to engage as service providers in lack of basic amenities such as toilets and the IWT sector and encourage women drinking water, infrequent ferry services, entrepreneurs. For instance, the potential for sexual harassment, and “Jibondinga” scheme was introduced to ineffective complaints mechanism. This improve fleet safety and operational discouraged the use of inland water standards and it encouraged more women transport, and their greater participation in to apply for vessel ownership and to economic activities like trade. become fleet operators. INTERVENTION SARTFP financed the World Bank study on Gender-Inclusive Inland Water Transport and Trade Facilitation in Assam, which helped mainstream gender in Assam Inland Water Transport project preparation and design. To address the challenges faced by women commuters, the project incorporated the design for gender-inclusive terminals and ferries. These included gender-segregated and wheelchair-accessible toilets, nursing SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL 24 TRADE FACILITATION PROGRAM Hours of operation of ferry services increased from 10 hours to 15 hours IMPACT per day with night navigation facilities. With gender-inclusive design changes to ferries and terminals, improved frequency, and enhanced operations hours with night navigation services, the ridership and usage of ferries doubled from 1million in 2019 to 2 million (avg 27% women users) in 2022 ©AdobeStock Women self-help groups and women entrepreneurs were provided additional incentives in “Jibondinga”scheme which facilitated vessel ownership and modernization of fleet to improve safety and operational standards of ferry services. Out of 825 applications, 35 were women. ©WorldBank A Partnership of the World Bank- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2015-2024) 25