Knowledge Sharing and Policy Dialogue: Comprehensive Guide on Designing Gender-Responsive Infrastructure in the Context of Climate Change Adaptation

Gender Module for Climate Resilient Infrastructure

Background 
Bangladesh’s infrastructure systems are increasingly exposed to climate risks such as flooding, cyclones, salinity intrusion, extreme rainfall, and heat stress. These risks undermine infrastructure performance and service delivery and disproportionately affect women and marginalized groups due to existing social and economic inequalities. While climate resilience is increasingly reflected in public investment planning, gender considerations remain insufficiently integrated into infrastructure climate risk assessments, stress testing methodologies, and project preparation and appraisal processes. 

To address this gap, the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), in partnership with the International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI) and with support from the Government of Canada, implemented a project to develop a comprehensive guide titled, “Comprehensive Guide on Designing Gender-Responsive Infrastructure in the Context of Climate Change Adaptation.” The guide provides actionable methodologies, tools, and policy-relevant recommendations to support inclusive, climate-resilient infrastructure across the full project lifecycle, with specific relevance to Bangladesh’s public sector planning context. 
 
Purpose of the Event
The purpose of the event is to disseminate the Comprehensive Guide on Designing Gender-Responsive Infrastructure in the Context of Climate Change Adaptation and to facilitate a policy-focused dialogue with government stakeholders. The event aims to present the key findings, tools, and practical applications of the guide, and to discuss how gender-responsive climate resilience can be effectively integrated into infrastructure planning, appraisal, and preparation processes in Bangladesh. 

Expected outcomes
The expected outcomes of the discussion include: 

• Increased awareness among public sector stakeholders on gender-responsive climate-resilient infrastructure approaches; 
• Improved understanding of how the guide can be applied within existing infrastructure planning and processes; 
• Validation of the guide’s relevance and practicality from a government perspective; and 
• Strengthened alignment between gender inclusion, climate adaptation, and public investment decision-making. 

These outcomes will contribute to more inclusive, equitable, and climate-resilient infrastructure development in Bangladesh.