Women Empowerment in Water and Sanitation Sector

Mr. Phomma Veoravanh

Deputy Director General, Department of Housing and Urban Planning, Ministry of Public Works and Transport
ADB-IWMI-CGIAR. From the Shallows to the Deep: Who is Taking the Lead? Women, Water and Leadership A Conference for Asia and the Pacific
The views expressed in this paper are the views of the authors 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.

1.

Womens representation in Urban Water and Sanitation Sector. Key results and findings in gender equity and womens empowerment in the Small Towns Water and Sanitation Sector Project.
Conclusions and Recommendations.
2

2.

3.

Vientiane Saravan Houaphanh Attapeu Champassak 2013 Savannakhet Oudomxay Sekong Luang Namtha Bokeo 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 2012

Less than 30% with the exception of Vientiane PNP. Most female staff are in the administrative positions. Problem: How to comply with project targets for placement of qualified women in training, positions, etc?

Other barriers: work

Oudo mxay Male Female Male

experience/physical strength Recruitment process

Sekong

Namtha

Luang

Female
Male Female Male
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%

Education background

Bokeo

Limited vacant position of PNP

Oudomxay

Female

Technical support staff Finance support staff Admin support staff Staff at junior management level Staff at senior management level
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Male

Sekong

Female

Male

Luang Namtha

Female

Male

Female Bokeo

Male

Vientiane Saravan Houaphanh Attapeu Champassak Male Savannakhet Oudomxay Sekong Female

Luang Namtha
Bokeo 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%

An output / component of ADB-financed Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (2009). Aim: To enhance gender equity and womens empowerment in the urban water supply and sanitation sector. Financing: $500,000

Financier: Gender and Development Cooperation Fund (administered by ADB).

Activities: 4-year scholarships, incorporating gender equity elements into corporate planning, training, mentorship and knowledge management.
7

Improved access of female high school graduates (26 students) to educational opportunities in water supply and sanitation engineering by provision of scholarship; Enhanced gender awareness of staff in PNPs and action in PNP corporate plans through gender awareness workshops for management team and male staff of PNPs and support of initiatives developed by female staff of 10 PNPs; Improved knowledge management of gender in the urban water and sanitation sector in Lao PDR by dissemination of reports in the projects webpage and in different workshops at the central and provincial levels. Established professional women's group in the sector through mentoring program.

Aim: Provide opportunity for women to pursue 4year undergraduate degrees related to water supply.
26 scholarships were awarded to female high school graduates to pursue studies in:
Civil or environmental engineering, or Environment at the National University of Lao or the Vocational Institution of Technology in Vientiane.

Students have received support for health insurance, stipend for summer internships, and support for thesis preparations. All 26 students have passed their exam to Year 2.

Item

GDCF-supported Scholarship Recipient Number Percentage

Ethnic Group (other than Lao)

Provincial representation Women Average age (years)

11students
11provinces 26 students

42%
69% 100%

19 years 7 18 1 25 1 27% 69% 4% 96% 4%

Source: MPWT. 2013.
10

Course of study
Civil engineering Environmental engineering Environmental sciences Vocational Institution of Technology Lao National University

Institution

Support from PNP directors is crucial for empowerment of female staff. Setting up gender balance target is one strategy for gender empowerment (30% in PNP)
Now Houaphanh PNP has one female staff represented in the top leadership position.

Female staff are now represented at middle management levels (17%. Not just at entry levels).
Girls from poor families are supported with scholarship in water related fields

11

Challenges in implementing this scholarships program as part of an infrastructure project:

12

Women empowerment in the water and sanitation sector must link to the government policy and plan for the advancement of women.
Both male and female staff of PNP particularly those at the leadership positions must be made aware of gender empowerment policy of the government.

Gender Balance Target must be set up and followed.

Capacity building of female staff must be given priority.

13

More Information:
Mr. Phomma Veoravanh, Deputy Director General, DHUP, MPWT Mr. Saleumsak Sayamoungkhoun, PCU Project Director, DHUP, MPWT

www.stwsp.org

14