Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) mainstreaming in Nepal's Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Transport (MPIT) is challenging. The MPIT developed and approved the guidelines for GESI. However, operationalizing the guidelines in all ministry operations has been challenging, mainly because of the need to orient staff at different levels. The government's budget allocation for mainstreaming GESI ensures strong ownership, but the budget is not adequate for institutionalizing GESI in the transport sector. Project-supported programs targeting women and disadvantaged groups, such as nursery enterprise development in two community forest user groups, are not sustainable mainly because of a lack of adequate skills and budget to continue nursery production and selling.
South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Road Connectivity Project