[{"bbox": [96, 151, 1136, 502], "category": "Text", "text": "for men², which indicates discriminatory practices in employment and persistence of gender stereotypes. The impact of the pandemic on employment was widespread with the overall youth unemployment rate increasing significantly from 11.9% in 2019 to 22.6% (female: 25.4%, male: 19.2%) in 2020³. Studies have revealed a high tolerance rate of violence against women. The COVID-19 crisis and the lockdowns imposed on the population seem to have aggravated the situation with media report indicating that the number of people experiencing gender-based violence increased by 53.5% in 2020⁴. Gender Based Violence (GBV) against women remains one of the impediments to the realisation of gender equality and women's empowerment. Women and girls with disabilities are more at risk of GBV because of intersecting discrimination and they are in general facing more barriers to find a job, to access and finish education and to get quality health care. Supporting Bhutan in its efforts to strengthen women's participation and promote gender equality is instrumental to building a fairer, more inclusive and more prosperous society."}, {"bbox": [96, 527, 1136, 791], "category": "Text", "text": "**Decentralisation** is enshrined in Article 22, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan. In many respects, the young democracy is considered a success story. Decreasing poverty, peaceful democratisation, responsible stewardship of culture and environment are some noteworthy aspects that are indicative of its success. The proposed decentralisation policy is to enable local governments to achieve their objectives as stated in the Constitution: (a) provide democratic and accountable government; (b) ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner; (c) encourage the involvement of communities in matters of local governance. Although deconcentration of financial resources to the local governments in Bhutan have taken place, actual devolution of administrative powers and functions remain to be achieved and are still controlled by the central government."}, {"bbox": [96, 815, 1136, 1079], "category": "Text", "text": "While the Dzongkhag Tshogdu⁵ is responsible to regulate water, air and noise pollution and other environmental degradation, the Gewog Tshogde⁶ regulates and allocates safe and clean drinking water from water supply schemes and allocation of irrigation water in accordance with the provisions of the relevant laws and conserve and protect water sources, lakes, springs, streams, and rivers. The Thromde Administration protects its own property such as water supply sources, and may take such actions it considers necessary as well as provide services such as water supply, sewerage services, solid waste management, drains, animal control, plantation, and other services including the disposal of unclaimed bodies. The Dzongdag⁷ has the responsibility to organize relief measures for natural disasters and emergencies in coordination with the Department of Disaster Management and Local Government."}, {"bbox": [96, 1105, 1136, 1282], "category": "Text", "text": "Bhutan's Local Government Sustainable Development Programme, of which the EU remains the only donor to provide support for, is an integral part of the overall development strategy of Bhutan's 12th Five Year Plan (2018-2023) and will improve overall public administration effectiveness at the local level. The EU will continue to support the 12th and successive plans to address the last mile challenges and bolster Bhutan's social and economic development, including gender issues, with a particular focus on improving public services delivery through green and digital transitions and good governance."}, {"bbox": [96, 1308, 1136, 1394], "category": "Text", "text": "Bhutan's targeted **graduation** from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) group in December 2023 will also require support in order to help manage any economic impact of adjusting to the loss of LDC-associated benefits."}, {"bbox": [85, 1506, 332, 1529], "category": "Footnote", "text": "² NAPGE 2019-2023, May 2021"}, {"bbox": [85, 1529, 280, 1553], "category": "Footnote", "text": "³ https://www.nsb.gov.bt/"}, {"bbox": [85, 1551, 648, 1573], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁴ https://kuenselonline.com/gender-based-violence-spikes-53.5-%-in-2020/"}, {"bbox": [85, 1573, 446, 1598], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁵ Decision making body at the district level"}, {"bbox": [85, 1597, 434, 1622], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁶ Decision making body at the block level"}, {"bbox": [85, 1621, 512, 1645], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁷ The chief executive at the District Administration"}, {"bbox": [1038, 1680, 1144, 1705], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 6 of 39"}]