UN Report Highlights Challenges in India’s Gender Responsive Budgeting

A recent UN report reveals that India struggles with its Gender Responsive Budgeting due to the exclusion of key women’s programs and insufficient sex-disaggregated data. Recommendations include improving the Gender Budget Statement and enhancing monitoring mechanisms. India’s government claims a 218 percent increase in gender budgeting. The report highlights similar challenges faced by the Philippines in GRB implementation, emphasizing the need for stronger measures across the Asia-Pacific region.

India faces significant challenges in the effectiveness of its Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB), as highlighted in a recent report presented at the UN Ministerial Conference on Women Empowerment. The report underscores the exclusion of crucial programs that directly benefit women and the absence of sex-disaggregated data, which hampers effective implementation. Despite Asia-Pacific countries, including India, expressing commitment through gender-responsive budgeting, these issues hinder substantial progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established 30 years ago in Beijing. The report, titled “Charting New Paths for Gender Equality and Empowerment: Asia-Pacific Regional Report on Beijing + 30 Review,” recommends that the Ministry of Women and Child Development in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance should focus on improving the design and application of the Gender Budget Statement. Establishing robust monitoring mechanisms is crucial to enhance GRB quality sector-wide and ensure alignment with women’s unique needs. Furthermore, integrating gender-responsive budgeting considerations in the budgeting prioritization phase and encouraging local governments to implement GRB practices are suggested. This approach aims to elevate the participation of marginalized groups of women in the planning and budgeting processes. The three-day Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference, attended by over 1,200 delegates from various sectors, emphasizes collaboration and commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment in anticipation of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. In the context of India, the government has reported a notable increase in gender budgeting, citing a 218 percent decadal growth. However, similar challenges related to GRB implementation are noted in the Philippines, where factors such as inconsistent capacities among Gender and Development focal points and inadequate tracking of expenditures persist. These insights reflect a collective understanding of both the progress made and the extensive work required to integrate gender perspectives into public financial systems effectively.

The topic of Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) focuses on the allocation and management of public financial resources with a specific goal of addressing gender disparities and promoting women’s rights and empowerment. The initiative has gained traction worldwide, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, as countries strive to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action from 1995 serves as a foundational framework to enhance gender equality and empower women globally. As issues of gender inequality persist, particularly in resource allocation and public planning, continuous assessment and improvement of GRB strategies are vital for achieving these objectives.

The analysis presented in the UN report emphasizes the crucial need for India and other Asia-Pacific nations to enhance the efficiency and inclusivity of their Gender Responsive Budgeting efforts. By addressing the identified gaps, such as the lack of critical programs benefiting women and the absence of sex-disaggregated data, countries can better align with the Sustainable Development Goals and promote gender equality. The collective commitment demonstrated at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference could serve as a catalyst for stronger initiatives aimed at empowering women and ensuring their voices are integrated into financial planning processes.

Original Source: indianexpress.com