Integrating Gender
Women graduates from the USAID-supported Master’s Program for Environmental Management and Engineering in Astana, Kazakhstan, tour the Astana city heat station. The program prepares specialists—women as well as men—to address a broad variety of environmental issues in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. (Photo: EFCA)
ASIA BUREAU GENDER PROGRAMS
Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam
CONTACTS
Kai Spratt
Asia and the Middle East
Tel: (202) 712-4152
Email: kspratt@usaid.gov
Overview
USAID recognizes the importance of gender equity and the empowerment of women and girls in ensuring that our development investments in Asia are sustainable. Throughout the Asian countries in which we work, USAID integrates gender within our development strategies and goals in order to help governments provide equal access to education, economic and societal participation, and health services for all citizens—women and men, girls and boys.
Programs
Combating Gender-Based Violence and Trafficking
Gender-based violence and human trafficking stand in the way of development in many parts of Asia. The Asia-wide MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) campaign, funded by USAID, uses celebrity music videos, film shorts, concert specials, and public service announcements to make young people throughout Asia more aware of the dangers of trafficking. The campaign has reached more than 20 million people since 2007. In 2010, USAID began a new program in Bangladesh to reduce the high prevalence of gender-based violence and other related human rights violations through policy reform and advocacy, as well as through increased public awareness and dialogue between the government and civil society.
Promoting Equitable Opportunities in Agriculture
Agriculture is central to many Asian economies, so USAID helps to increase women's participation in this important sector. In India, U.S. efforts have trained and organized women into resource groups, such as producer organizations and women's cooperatives. Women dairy farmers in these groups have achieved a 20 percent increase in average earnings.
Increasing Access to Health Services
Health indicators for Timor-Leste are among the worst in the region but are generally improving. The 2009 Demographic and Health Survey funded by USAID, showed significant improvements, especially in infant, child, and maternal mortality rates and nutrition levels. USAID's programs work with the Ministry of Health to deliver focused interventions at health facilities, as well as in communities and households. Such interventions improve the health of mothers and their children. In addition, U.S. assistance expands knowledge of family planning methods, including child spacing.
Enhancing Gender Equity
Literacy is still low among Indian women, and an estimated 7 to 8 million youth are out of school. USAID's education program works with Indian nongovernmental organizations, state governments, and private corporations to reach these vulnerable groups. Projects focus on improving the quality and relevance of education through the use of education technology. USAID also supports activities that keep girls in school, improve the legal rights of women, address the problem of sex-selective abortion, and combat human trafficking. Partnerships with the private sector provide disadvantaged youth with the skills they need to participate in India's growing economy.
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