Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Guideline, 2023.

The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Guideline, 2023 establishes a comprehensive framework for integrating gender equality and social inclusion principles into urban development, housing, infrastructure, and public service planning. Its overarching objective is to ensure that women, persons with disabilities, economically disadvantaged groups, ethnic minorities, older persons, and other marginalized populations have equitable access to resources, opportunities, public services, and decision-making processes. The guideline seeks to eliminate structural barriers and social exclusion by mainstreaming GESI considerations throughout the entire project cycle—from needs assessment and planning to design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and operation. It emphasizes participatory planning, the collection of disaggregated data, inclusive consultation mechanisms, and the adoption of gender-responsive and socially inclusive policies and budgets.
The guideline further aims to institutionalize GESI within the Ministry of Urban Development and related government bodies through dedicated organizational structures, capacity-building measures, accountability mechanisms, and regular GESI and accessibility audits. It promotes inclusive urban infrastructure and public facilities that are accessible and responsive to the needs of diverse population groups, while ensuring that social inclusion considerations are incorporated into laws, regulations, standards, procurement processes, and development programs. By strengthening coordination among national, provincial, and local authorities and embedding GESI principles into urban development governance, the guideline seeks to foster equitable, safe, accessible, and inclusive cities that contribute to social justice and sustainable development.