TA-8797 REG: Promoting Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (Phase 2) - Benchmark Publication: Gender Equality and the SDGs in Asia and Pacific

1. Objective of the assignment

The objective of this assignment is to prepare a Benchmark Study Report on Gender Equality and the 
SDGs in Asia and the Pacific [for easy reference referred to herein as Benchmark Publication] that 
will: 1) take stock of data availability and comparability across the region for tracking  progress 
across all the gender related SDGs and targets and establish base line for the identified targets 
and indicators subject to data availability, and 2) provide clear policy directions for achieving 
gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s rights within the post-2015 SDG framework in Asia 
and the Pacific. 

The Benchmark Publication (BP) is expected to provide a snapshot of the current status on Gender 
Equality and Women’s Empowerment in relation to the SDGs in Asia and the Pacific and identify data 
gaps (statistical part); at the same time, it is expected to be a policy piece that is aimed to 
help the governments in the region improve gender equality outcomes by 2030.
 
2. Scope of the assignment

Narrative part of the BP: SDG 5 and each of its targets and indicators constitute the basis and 
core of the BP.  Selected linkages between SDG 5 targets/indicators and other key SDGs and targets 
will be part of the BP. Given the number of targets (169) and indicators, the most relevant targets 
and indicators that aim to measure progress related to gender equality, women’s empowerment and 
women’s rights will be selected as part of the BP and the selection will be based on a conceptual 
framework  that establishes the connections between SDG 5 and other key goals and gender related 
targets.   

Statistical part of the BP: To the extent possible, the mapping of existing data and identification 
of data gaps will be carried out for all gender related targets and indicators in the SDGs (not 
limited to a selected list). The results of this exercise will be included in a Statistical 
Appendix to the BP.

Geographical Scope: The BP will cover the universe of countries covered by ADB and UN Women ROAP. 
The list of regional member countries of ADB is provided in Annex 1 of the attached detailed terms 
of reference. The BP will need to distinguish between developed and developing member countries, 
especially for the analytical sections. 

3. Time line

The assignment will be undertaken over the period of April to December 2016.

For more detailed information, please refer to the attached terms of reference documents.