Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) incorporates a gender perspective at all levels of the budgetary process. It also entails restructuring revenues and expenditures to promote gender equality. In this context, it is an element of gender mainstreaming, which corresponds to the development, improvement and evaluation of policy processes to ensure that a gender equality perspective is incorporated in all policies.
GRB analysis is used to identify gender gaps and challenges. It serves as a basis for formulating objectives to tackle inequalities. As such, it defines appropriate indicators for addressing inequalities and measuring progress. In turn, these objectives and indicators are used to guide activities and change budget allocations (or revenue collection) to achieve the desired outcomes. Targeted measures also need to be applied to make budget processes more inclusive.
However, most countries that have implemented a National Gender Policy are facing two key challenges. Regarding gender mainstreaming, in most cases, the initial strong political commitment has not been sustained. GRB was initiated more than 30 years ago by the United Nations. However, despite the benefits that can be drawn from such a tool, it is clear that its application in public budgeting has been slow to spread.
GRB remains critical for achieving a just and inclusive society and fostering socioeconomic development. It involves a process of change, and its effective implementation positively impacts:
- Institutional collaboration: It requires effective collaboration and partnerships between all levels of government, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.
- Data collection and analysis: Collecting and analyzing data regarding gender disparities is crucial for identifying areas where further action may be needed.
- Resource allocation: Sufficient resources and funding are needed to effectively implement gender policies and monitor their impact.
- Economic growth: It unlocks the full potential of all individuals and promotes innovation and productivity, thus fostering a more inclusive and resilient society.
- Sustainable development: It addresses social, economic, and environmental challenges in a more holistic manner.
- Improved education and health: It facilitates greater and more equitable access to quality education, healthcare, and other essential services, leading to a stronger base of human capital.
Making GRB effective can be achieved in a number of ways, including:
1. Analyzing gender inequalities and needs at all levels of government. Gender impact assessment can be conducted to describe and analyze the current situation of target groups.
2. Identifying relevant partners and the role of gender experts. Governments and subnational authorities must ensure that relevant actors - especially those with gender expertise - are included in the budget preparation and execution process.
3. Operationalizing gender equality in terms of policy objectives (partnership agreements) and specific objectives/measures (budget programs). When developing partnership agreements at the national and subnational levels, governments should identify aspects of the chosen policy objectives that may affect gender equality.
4. Mainstreaming gender equality in project/program design using a three-step process:
A. Alignment with the gender objectives and indicators contained in partnership agreements and budget programs.
B. Project/program application and effective implementation.
C. Project/program assessment.
5. Developing quantitative and qualitative indicators for advancing gender equality. This is a twofold process. First, define specific quantitative and qualitative indicators for advancing gender equality. Second, align these indicators for advancing gender equality with priorities defined in the country's National Gender Policy.
6. Defining gender-sensitive project/program selection criteria. The government should make clear that gender equality is a horizontal principle that must be respected and put into practice in any call for project proposals; explain that gender equality considerations will be a part of all project/program selection criteria; and include specific information about gender equality requirements in any call for proposals.
GRB requires time and resources to be deployed before progress become evident. The following country cases demonstrate varying levels of progress vis-a-vis gender equality.
Rwanda: In the last two decades, gender equality and women's empowerment have been positioned as cross-cutting components of the national planning and strategic development frameworks. Since 2002 the government has deployed a GRB program. Gender Budget Statements are prepared annually by all budget agencies. They support the tracking of equitable expenditures and promotion of gender equality in line with the provision of the Constitution, national gender policy, as well as other national and international commitment.
Morocco: Since 2000, an innovative GRB approach has made the issues of equality more concrete and quantifiable. Gender equality is enshrined in the Constitution. in 2013, a GRB Center of Excellence was attached to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. It disseminates methodology to all institutional levels. A Gender Budget Report is published every year. It is then used for discussions related to the annual budget law.
