region, and for the poverty sector (25 projects; 0.231 million dollars), including "Assistance in reducing humanitarian deficits of war-affected rural communities through increased agricultural productivity and promotion of auxiliary income-generating activities" in Afghanistan in which agricultural machinery and technical training are provided to relevant communities, as well as for the conflict sector (13 projects; 0.54 million dollars). By region, the amount of assistance to Kosovo was highest amounting to 50.28 million dollars for 11 projects, followed by Asia amounting to 36.76 million dollars for 44 projects and Africa amounting to 26.88 million dollars for 25 projects.

Moreover, since fiscal year 2003, Japan started the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects by reinforcing the former Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects so as to reflect the concept of human security more strongly. While the UN Trust Fund for Human Security mentioned above is implemented in close collaboration with U.N. agencies, the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects works on more flexible support mainly through NGOs and local governments.

In fiscal year 2003, 11.49755 billion yen was provided for 1,425 projects in 112 countries and one region. By region, Asia accounted for the largest proportion in terms of the

Exterior view of the Institute ("The Project for Improving Hibatoallah Institute for Down Syndrome": Iraq)

number of projects and the amount of funds provided (427 projects; about 3.6 billion yen), and the Middle East, including reconstruction assistance to Iraq and Afghanistan, also accounted for a big proportion in terms of the amount of funds provided (300 projects; about 3 billion yen).

For Iraq in particular, Japan has been conducting various support activities, as reconstruction assistance to the country, by using the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects. One example is the "Project for Improving Hibatoallah Institute for Down Syndrome" implemented in fiscal year 2003. In this project, funds for purchasing equipment necessary for educating disabled children (chairs, desks, irons, sewing machines, etc.) were provided to the Institute, which provides education for helping children with Down syndrome become independent. In Iraq, there are few nongovernmental educational institutions for children with Down syndrome like the Institute, and it is also difficult to continue philanthropy due to price rises in the aftermath of the war. There was an episode in which the Iraqi lady who is the head of the Institute squeezed the hands of the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who visited the Institute during an official trip to Baghdad, and told them that she nearly wept in appreciation.

## ☑ Perspective of Gender Equality

With respect to gender issues in development, the revised ODA Charter states, "In particular, the perspective of gender equality is important. Japan will make further efforts to improve the status of women, giving full consideration to the active participation of women in development, and to ensuring that women reap benefits from development" in the section of "assurance of fairness" in the basic policies, conveying the intention to reflect the perspective of gender equality to all phases from assistance policy to its implementation.

Approximately 70% of the poor in the world are women, and women are placed in a vulnerable position in various aspects. In addition, assistance for women and consideration to gender in development are important since it is necessary to promote equal participation in and benefits from development between men and women to achieve balanced sustainable development. When implementing development assistance, Japan gives consideration to improvements in the status of women and correction of gender gap through all stages of women's lives, and also provides support mainly in the three priority areas of women's education, health, and economic and social participation.

Many projects relating to assistance for women in development are assistance through dispatch of experts, acceptance