INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY COUNTRY DIRECTOR PRM Honorable INGAD members,

I would like to warmly welcome you all to participate in the inaugural meeting of INGAD hosted by Asian Development Bank. It is a pleasure and a privilege for ADB to chair this very important forum to promote Gender Equality and Womens Empowerment in Pakistan. Asian Development Bank and Pakistan are long term partners in development and pursuit of fighting poverty. Gender and Development is

the cross-cutting priority for ADB. Gender equity has been included as one of the five drivers of change in its Strategy 2020. ADB has persistently supported gender inclusive growth in Pakistan and will remain committed to continue its support for strengthening gender equity and womens active participation in economic spheres. Asian Development Bank through one of its Regional Technical Assistance Promoting Gender-Inclusive Growth in Central and West Asia Developing Member Countries DMCs aims at strengthening countries capacities in addressing gender gaps, empower women and girls, promote regional awareness and participation and with all of the above facilitate inclusive economic growth. ADB assisted Pakistan Social Protection Development Project worth $430 billion has been designed to assist Pakistans leading social safety net agency, Benazir Income Support Program. With gender equity as a main theme, women are the primary beneficiaries of the project. The project will enable the expansion of the cash transfer to additional 2.4 million families. Additionally, it will support the strengthening and phased expansion of the pilot health insurance and skills development program.

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.

ADB is currently leading a Country Gender Assessment CGA for Pakistan in collaboration with World Bank, Canada DFAT, Australian Govt. and Islamic Development which will inform and contribute towards ADBs upcoming 5 years Country Partnership Strategy for 2014-2018. This joint CGA is a one good example of working together with the development partners and which will also serve as a knowledge product for developing gender inform policies and plans. Chairing INGAD is an opportunity for ADB to strengthen networking amongst the development partners and working together for addressing gender disparities and promote womens empowerment in Pakistan. ADB will support INGADs logistical needs, such as meeting space, organizing meeting, sharing information and monthly minutes till August 2014. We are once again thankful to INGAD members for their participation and wish you all the best for a productive year for INGAD.