Table 4: Involvement of Marginalized Groups in GRMs Country SEP Is ESS7 being applied, according to the ESCP? Does the SEP indicate that the GRM will take "into account the needs" of Indigenous Peoples? Does the SEP indicate that marginalized will be consulted about the GRM? Will women be included on the project's Grievance Redress Committee? Burkina Faso No No No No Liberia No No No No The Gambia No No No No Uganda Yes No No Yes Bangladesh Yes No No No Nepal Yes No No No Sri Lanka No No No No Cambodia Yes Yes No Yes Philippines Yes Yes No No El Salvador Yes No No No Guatemala Yes Yes No No Total Yes 7 3 0 2 Total No 4 8 11 9 obtained any feedback from any other affected and marginalized communities or that grievances will be handled in a way that is appropriate to them. None stipulate that they should be set up in a child-friendly manner. Marginalized communities are already more susceptible than others to the negative health and economic impacts of the pandemic. Without having consulted these communities, such as children or illiterate individuals, they may not know the GRMs are in place nor how to utilize them. Children may be most likely to have trouble accessing or learning about the GRMs, so communities and child-focused agencies should know how to support children to utilize them. Although none of the GRMs were designed with feedback from marginalized groups, Table 4 shows that the Cambodia and Uganda projects indicate that women would be included on the projects’ Grievance Redress Committees, which handle grievances that are submitted about the projects.59 This is a good practice that should be replicated and expanded in 59 Hyder, “SEP - Cambodia COVID-19 Project,” 8; Borrowing Agency, “SEP - Uganda COVID-19 Project,” 9. BANK INFORMATION CENTER | MAR 2021 other projects GRCs to include representatives from other marginalized groups, such as a member of Indigenous Peoples and child advocacy groups, who understand the possible concerns and grievances that project-affected communities might experience. 2. GRMs equipped to handle GBV/SEA/SH Relevant ESF requirements and guidance for equipping GRMs to handle GBV/SEA/SH Borrowers are required to set up grievance mechanisms in a way that is readily accessible and proportionate to the potential risks and impacts of projects.60 They must address grievances “promptly and effectively, in a transparent manner” and “allow for anonymous complaints to be raised and addressed.”61 They should also “require all grievances to be treated confidentially, impartially, objectively, and in a timely manner.”62 60 See 3ei under ESS10 in Annex 1; “Environmental and Social Framework,” 100, par. 27. If suitable for the project, “grievance mechanism may utilize existing formal or informal grievance mechanisms.” See “Environmental and Social Framework,” 11, footnote 41. 61 See 3eii and 5c under ESS10 in Annex 1; “Environmental and Social Framework,” 100, par. 27(a)-(b). 62 See 3p under ESS10 in Annex 1; “Guidance Note: ESS10,” 9, GN27.5. 14