The World Bank Girls' Education and Women's Empowerment and Livelihoods for Human Capital Project (P181391) Concept Environmental and Social Review Summary Concept Stage (ESRS Concept Stage) Public Disclosure Date Prepared/Updated: 11/27/2023 | Report No: ESRSC03972 Nov 28, 2023 Page 1 of 8 The World Bank Girls' Education and Women's Empowerment and Livelihoods for Human Capital Project (P181391) I. BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country Region Project ID Parent Project ID (if any) Zambia EASTERN AND SOUTHERN P181391 AFRICA Project Name Girls' Education And Women's Empowerment And Livelihoods For Human Capital Project Practice Area (Lead) Financing Instrument Estimated Appraisal Date Estimated Board Date Social Protection & Investment Project 1/17/2024 3/28/2024 Jobs Financing Borrower(s) Implementing Agency(ies) Estimated Concept Review Total Project Cost Date 11/20/2023 150,000,000 Proposed Development Objective Public Disclosure To improve access to nutrition services, increase girls' educational attainment and women's earnings, and strengthen social protection delivery systems. B. Is the project being prepared in a Situation of Urgent Need of Assistance or Capacity Constraints, as per Bank IPF Policy, para. 12? No C. Summary Description of Proposed Project Activities The Girls' Education and Women's Empowerment and Livelihoods for Human Capital Project (GEWEL 2) will build on the results achieved and lessons learned from the design and implementation experience of the first phase of GEWEL to promote greater productivity and human capital growth, using a life-cycles approach with a focus on girl’s and women’s empowerment, recognizing their potential to drive transformative development. Specifically, it will aim to not only protect human capital gains to date given the worsening poverty and vulnerability context, but to also advance the social protection sector by moving towards more social and productive inclusion activities aimed at supporting sustainable pathways out of poverty. As such, it will serve as an anchor for a more comprehensive multisectoral human capital program in the future by providing a foundation with national scope upon which additional activities can be layered. Specifically, support will be given to improve nutrition outcomes in the first 1,000 days of a child's life through an integrated approach that will look at both demand and supply side of nutrition service provision. On the demand side, Nov 28, 2023 Page 2 of 8 The World Bank Girls' Education and Women's Empowerment and Livelihoods for Human Capital Project (P181391) activities will focus on enabling households under the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) program with pregnant or lactating women and girls and/or children under the age of two years to undertake good nutrition practices. On the supply side, support will be given to enhance facility-based nutrition service provision at the primary health care level. Looking at the adolescent years, GEWEL 2 will scale up the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) intervention nationally and support KGS girls to access employment and livelihoods opportunities through enhanced school to work and/or tertiary education transition. With the goal towards improving productivity and economic welfare in adulthood, the project will scale up the Supporting Women's Livelihoods (SWL) program nationally, with a focus on supporting diversification of livelihoods with climate adaptation in mind. Concerted focus will also be on facilitating value chain linkages and access to markets by SWL beneficiaries to sustainably expand their enterprises for greater productivity and economic inclusion and sustainable pathways out of poverty. Lastly, efforts will continue to be given to strengthening social protection institutions and systems to enable effective and accountable delivery of services, with a focus on greater social accountability and citizen engagement and prevention, mitigation, and response to gender based violence (GBV), as well as operationalization of digital solutions to support effective and accountable delivery of services and promote greater coordination and linkages in SP programming. D. Environmental and Social Overview D.1 Overview of Environmental and Social Project Settings Project activities will be implemented nationwide in 10 provinces and 116 districts of the country across all components. The Program will support achievement of the PDO through four components with activities tailored to country-contexts and priorities. These include (i) Nutrition Sensitive Social Cash Transfer (SCT)(ii) Keeping Girls in School and Beyond (KGS)(iii) Supporting Women’s Livelihoods for Climate Smart Productive Inclusion (SWL) and (iv) Public Disclosure Institutional Strengthening and Systems Building for Cash Plus Delivery (ISSB). Historically has had high levels of poverty as well as inequality, with the national poverty rate remaining stagnant at 54 percent between 2010 and 2015. Following the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) shocks in 2020, the national poverty rate has been estimated to have increased to 57.6 percent in 2020, or nearly 60 percent as per the international poverty line. The 2021 poverty rate is estimated at 62 percent, with the rural poverty rate three times that of urban areas. Eighty-two percent of the country’s poor live in rural areas, stemming largely from low levels of economic growth and agricultural productivity, lack of value addition, and limited employment opportunities. Poverty incidence is three times as high in rural areas as urban, driven by an urban-rural divide as well as spatial divides in prosperity. However, urban poverty is still very high, with about 1 in 4 urban Zambians estimated to be poor in 2015. Further, women and girls experience unequal gender norms, child marriage, and gender-based violence (GBV), as well as poor maternal health, job opportunities, and profit earnings. For example, only a quarter of girls from poorer districts enroll and graduate from secondary school, compared to one third of boys from the same districts. Drop-out rates among secondary school girls are also higher nationally due to early pregnancy (47 percent), household economic constraints (18 percent) and early marriage( 13 percent). D.2 Overview of Borrower’s Institutional Capacity for Managing Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts The proposed project will utilize the already existing GEWEL Institutional arrangements with minor adjustments (based on learnings and needs due to proposed new activities). Project Steering Committee will continue to be the highest platform to strategic guidance and oversight. Implementing ministries have demonstrated their ability to deliver GEWEL components. Ministry of Community Development and Social Services DPI will support overall sectoral coordination & Gender Division will support Project specific governance and coordination arrangements & implement Nov 28, 2023 Page 3 of 8 The World Bank Girls' Education and Women's Empowerment and Livelihoods for Human Capital Project (P181391) cross cutting thematic activities, such as GRM, GBV, communication etc. Ministry of Community Development and Social Services which houses an already existing PIU (will continue to implement the demand side of the Nutrition Sensitive SCT) and Ministry of Health (MoH) a newly engaged implementing agency will be responsible for the supply side of the nutrition interventions under Component 1 while SWL continues with Component 3. Based on a SEA incident reported in 2019, management of social risks under this operation will be aligned with the already existing functional GRM and GBV Action plan. To manage environmental risks, past safeguards performance under the existing GEWEL has been Moderately Satisfactory where Component 1 Coordinator as the overall ES coordination. During the first GEWEL project a fatality occurred resulting in the death and robbery of a Payment Point Manager (PPM). Security mitigation measures were developed and implemented for GEWEL and should be enhanced and embedded within this project’s activities under component 1. Under the first GEWEL, environmental safeguards were managed by the component coordinators. Future plans to increase ES capabilities would be to employ an ES specialist . II. SCREENING OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS A. Environmental and Social Risk Classification (ESRC) Moderate A.1 Environmental Risk Rating Moderate The environmental risk rating is Moderate. The project will likely involve; (i) focus on strengthening Social Cash Public Disclosure Transfer (SCT) to include linkages to improved nutrition outcomes; (ii) expand the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) interventions by supporting graduating KGS girls to transition into employment and livelihoods opportunities; (iii) focus on value chain linkages and access to markets by SWL beneficiaries; (iv) strengthening social protection institutions and systems to improve delivery of services which may include digitalization of existing systems. The environmental risk rating includes consideration of; (i) no construction but minor rehabilitation activities of WASH facilities that may cause less adverse physical changes to the environment; (ii) the project will be implemented across all 10 provinces in schools and in domestic settings and not in sensitive or near sensitive areas or areas of threatened species/migratory species, their habitats or negative impacts to valuable ecosystem components; (iii) it may involve the generation of e-waste through improvement of service delivery; (iv) there maybe some low level agricultural activities with very low risks. The project may generate biohazards waste from the use of menstrual hygiene kits and wastewater pollution from domestic and school sanitation; (v) the project will not involve risks and impacts to tangible or intangible cultural heritage. During the first GEWEL project a fatality occurred resulting in the death and robbery of a Payment Point Manager (PPM). Security mitigation measures were developed and implemented for GEWEL and should be enhanced and embedded within this project’s activities under component 1. TA activities may generate downstream environmental impacts but will be managed using a Terms of Reference that considers the ESSs under the ESF. All negative environmental risks and impacts are expected to be temporary, site-specific, reversible, and mitigated through the ESF plans. A.2 Social Risk Rating Moderate The social risk rating for the project is expected to be Moderate. Overall the project is aimed at improving the well- being of women and adolescent girls from the poorest households in Zambia. The proposed activities will result in a positive impact through the increase of women's and adolescent girls’ empowerment. The project will adopt a life Nov 28, 2023 Page 4 of 8 The World Bank Girls' Education and Women's Empowerment and Livelihoods for Human Capital Project (P181391) cycles approach to promote greater productivity and human capital growth for sustainable pathways out of poverty and will focus primarily on girls' and women's empowerment, in recognition of worsening gender inequality and their potential to drive development transformations. While no major works are envisaged, the project is targeted at supporting women and adolescent girls that are prone to the risk of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Gender Based Violence (GBV) largely attributed to unequal gender norms in project areas and changes in local power dynamics due to increased income, opportunities and mobility for women and girls. Adolescent girls are particularly at risk of SEA and GBV. It is assumed that the risks of SEA could also be attributed to the varied understanding of the issue among all stakeholders responsible for project implementation. Perpetrators of such violence against girls and women can be any individual associated with the project such as school guidance counsellors, firm contracted to provide independent monitoring and community members. lack of meaningful consultations and limited participation with some stakeholders (such as people living with disabilities, marginalized women, the young and elderly) resulting in the risk of elite capture and existing social. The following measures have been proposed to mitigate this risk: (i) strengthen the GRM under GEWEL1 to ensure it is GBV sensitive and part of the grievance management system( ii) awareness raising on risks of SEA and GBV; (iii) develop and implement a Stakeholder Engagement Plan through out the project cycle B. RELEVANCE OF STANDARDS AND POLICIES AT CONCEPT STAGE B.1 Relevance of Environmental and Social Standards ESS1 Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Relevant Impacts Public Disclosure The ESS1 is regarded relevant for the project. Assessment and management of risks and impacts will be conducted. The project will develop an ESMP to guide all activities. The ESMP will contain a template ESMP to guide the development of site-specific ESMPs to manage site specific low to moderate level E&S risks, if required. The ESMP will also contain an E&S screening form for rehabilitation of WASH facilities. The requirements of the general EHSGs on waste management and OHS will be included in the ESMP. Further, the ESMP will include the Labor Management Procedure (LMP). In order to promote the participation of women, girls and People Living with Disabilities, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) will be prepared while the GRM and the GBV/SEA/SH action plan under GEWEL 1 will be adopted and updated to include activities under GEWEL 2. ESS2 Labor and Working Conditions Relevant ESS2 is considered relevant for this operation. A Labour Management Procedure (LMP) that includes preventive measures for GBV/SEA/SH, managing OHS risks, prevention of child labour, forced labour and PPM security will be prepared and this will be included in the Environmental and Social commitment Plan (ESCP). The LMP will have requirements for preparing OHS risk assessment and the process for conducting OHS risk assessments and developing safe systems of work will be described in the ESMP. Measures contained in the LMP will be applicable to the following worker categories: (i) direct workers (PIU staff/specialists, pay masters, trainers) at national and provincial level and (ii) temporary workers contracted to provide services such as consultants and (iii) community workers (Community Welfare Assistant Committees (CWACs) and Community Health Volunteers (CHV's). Selection of CWAC and CHV members is conducted through a transparent and inclusive election process at community level. ESS3 Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management Relevant Nov 28, 2023 Page 5 of 8 The World Bank Girls' Education and Women's Empowerment and Livelihoods for Human Capital Project (P181391) The project may generate biohazards waste from the use of menstrual hygiene kits, rehabilitation waste debris from minor rehabilitation works of WASH facilities and wastewater pollution from domestic and school sanitation. Where waste from the use of menstrual hygiene kits cannot be avoided, then waste generation is minimized. If waste cannot be minimized, then waste disposal and/or treatment to be undertaken according to ESF requirements and in line with GIIP by the borrower. The minimization of waste menstrual material could be achieved using reusable and washable cloth pads or the use of biodegradable products. Waste from rehabilitation works will be managed in line with EHSGs. Project sites should ensure control of wastewater through site screening and appropriate wastewater management interventions. Other risks include the generation of e-waste from improvement of service delivery which will require management throughout project implementation using an e-waste management plan. ESS4 Community Health and Safety Relevant There is likely to be a risk of exposure by the community to dust and noise during minor rehabilitation works. To manage such risks, all rehabilitation facilities will be screened for risk identification and implementation of the ESMP will be ensured. There is a potential risk of GBV/SEA/SH on community safety. To manage this risk , the implementation of the LMP, SEP and the GRM will be promoted to ensure awareness raising among community members. In addition, focal persons will be identified to oversee prevention and management of GBV/SEA/SH risks at project and community level. A code of conduct will be adopted for all workers engaged by the project and will include provisions to address GBV/SEA, outlining the process of addressing such complaints with guidance from the World Bank Good Practice Note (GPN) on GBV. ESS5 Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement Not Currently Relevant Public Disclosure ESS 5 is not relevant since the activities will not involve any land acquisition, restriction on land use or involuntary resettlement. ESS6 Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Not Currently Relevant Resources ESS6 is not relevant as the project will not have an impact on biodiversity and natural resources. An exclusion criteria will be established to avoid adverse impacts to biodiversity. ESS7 Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Not Currently Relevant Local Communities ESS 7 is not applicable as there are no distinct social and cultural groups in the project area that exhibit characteristics of indigenous or traditionally under-served communities as spelled out under this standard. ESS8 Cultural Heritage Not Currently Relevant ESS 8 is not relevant because the project will not effect tangible and non tangible cultural heritage. An exclusion criteria will be established to avoid adverse impacts to cultural heritage. ESS9 Financial Intermediaries Not Currently Relevant The project will not involve the use of financial intermediaries Nov 28, 2023 Page 6 of 8 The World Bank Girls' Education and Women's Empowerment and Livelihoods for Human Capital Project (P181391) ESS10 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Relevant A draft Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) consistent with ESS10 that identifies the relevant project stakeholders that might be affected or interested in the activities of this operation will be prepared. The SEP will outline characteristics and interests of the relevant stakeholder groups, and the timing and methods of engagement throughout the life of the project. Key stakeholders include the Ministry of Education, Community Development and Social Services, Gender Division and Ministry of Health and organizations implementing Education, social protection and Gender and health programs, communities, representatives of women and vulnerable groups including youth, elderly, disabled and chronically ill as well as extra efforts to reach out to non-beneficiary members of the target communities in terms of the project targeting processes and capacity limits, so as to prevent them from being unduly disadvantaged. The draft SEP will be disclosed prior to appraisal. B.2 Legal Operational Policies that Apply OP 7.50 Projects on International Waterways No OP 7.60 Projects in Disputed Areas No B.3 Other Salient Features Public Disclosure Use of Borrower Framework No Borrower Framework will not apply for this operation. Use of Common Approach No There are no other financing partners. C. Overview of Required Environmental and Social Risk Management Activities C.1 What Borrower environmental and social analyses, instruments, plans and/or frameworks are planned or required by Appraisal? The following ESF instruments and timelines are expected for this project including; (i) A draft ESCP disclosed prior to appraisal; (ii) draft SEP disclosed prior to appraisal,(iii) an ESMP by project effectiveness to include OHS measures for PPMs, LMP to guide labor working conditions, an e-waste management plan; guidelines for the management of menstrual hygiene waste and waste water at project locations and (iv) an updated GBV/SEA/SH Action by project effectiveness . III. CONTACT POINTS World Bank Nov 28, 2023 Page 7 of 8 The World Bank Girls' Education and Women's Empowerment and Livelihoods for Human Capital Project (P181391) Task Team Leader: Nadia Selim Title: Senior Social Protection Specialist Email: nselim@worldbank.org IV. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone: (202) 473-1000 Web: http://www.worldbank.org/projects V. APPROVAL Task Team Leader(s): Nadia Selim, Lansong Zhang ADM Environmental Specialist: Thresa Musongo ADM Social Specialist: Joy Lubinda Chisompola Safeguards Advisor ESSA Martin Henry Lenihan (SAESSA) Cleared on 28-Nov-2023 at 17:48:0 EST Public Disclosure Nov 28, 2023 Page 8 of 8