Vidya Naidu is a social development specialist providing technical advice for the design and delivery of large-scale economic development projects. She has experience delivering projects from grassroots to policy level for a range of multilaterals, private sector clients and bilateral donors including the UN, UK Foreign Office, World Bank and UK Department for International Development.
Vidya was one of the authors of the EBRD/CDC/IFC Guidance Note on Gender Based Violence and Harassment for the Private Sector, and particularly provided input drawing on experience working with private sector partners on large-scale infrastructure projects.
Vidya recently provided support to the Asian Development Bank to develop a set of guidelines on addressing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, and an accompanying capacity development strategy. The guidelines and strategy will enable ADB staff and developing member countries to identify key risks across their operations and take adequate measures to prevent, mitigate and respond to these risks throughout the project cycle.
Vidya’s technical experience includes the design and development of a tool to help DFID advisers and programme managers identify and mitigate Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) risks at each of the eight stages of the infrastructure project cycle. She was Technical Assistant to DFID Uganda to strengthen risk management approaches in line with IFC Performance Standards.
Her research experience is also extensive, including her work on violence against women and girls in South Asia. This research explores women’s economic empowerment initiatives against a dynamic background of shifting social norms and draws evidence of empowerment impacts on gender relationships, both positive and negative.
Contact details: vidya.rk.naidu@gmail.com