SECTION 2.3 – EX-ANTE GRB: PART 1: FORMULATION PHASE
Overview: In this section, you will learn how civil society organizations can advocate for and support Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) during the budget formulation and approval stages. We’ll explore how budget documentation can include gender considerations, conduct gender-sensitive debates and public consultations, and incorporate intersectionality throughout the budget cycle.
Why is it important to incorporate GRB and intersectionality through budget planning, formulation and approval? Let’s consider the following benefits:
- In the budget planning phase, identifying the specific needs and challenges of different groups helps set priorities that are inclusive and equitable.
- During formulation, integrating gender and intersectional analysis ensures that proposed expenditures address the diverse needs of the population.
- When budgets are reviewed and approved, an intersectional and gender-responsive approach ensures that policymakers consider the implications of budget decisions on all groups.
Now let’s explore the concept of gender-responsive budgeting.
- This video gives and introduction to GRB. Take time to watch and reflect on what the concept means and how it works.
- This second video explains how GRB is used as a mechanism in developing budget
- In this last video you will learn about how GRB mechanisms aid in understanding the importance of GRB.
Watch this video to gain more understanding of the concept of GRB and its importance.
Now, take some time to reflect on the videos you have watched. We hope you have taken some notes as well?
Parliament and GRB in the Formulation Phase:
As noted earlier, while the executive typically leads the budget formulation process, parliaments can help identify budget priorities during pre-budget debates. In particular, the budget formulation stage is an opportunity for parliaments to highlight gender-responsive policies and programs as a key priority and promote gender-responsive aspects of budgeting, including the development of budget documents that take into account the differential impact of revenue and spending proposals on men and women within the overall goal of promoting gender equality (Dubrow 2022:36).
As a CSO you can ally with your parliaments to amplify calls for gender-responsive policies and programs as well as support the demand for gender-responsive budget documents. You can also support your parliament by producing relevant analyses that highlight the needs of women and girls as well and build the capacity of your parliament to engage in GRB (Oxfam: 3)
How Parliaments and Civil Society can Support GRB during Budget Formulation:
Parliaments
- Parliaments can establish public hearings and pre-budget consultations in which they prioritize the inclusion of women and women’s organizations, with a focus on women who experience intersecting forms of marginalization. Doing so can help ensure that the voices of women and organizations which represent them are included in pre-budget debates, during which budget priorities are identified. Parliaments can also make a special effort to invite CSOs focused on gender, gender experts, women’s organizations, and other civil society organizations that may be able to share a gender analysis of the budget or bring a gender perspective to pre-budget debates. (Dubrow 2022:36-37).
- During pre-budget debates, members of parliament themselves can promote gender-responsive budgeting and priorities. To enhance their capacity to examine the budget from a gender perspective, parliamentarians can seek out organizations that provide skills and tools for examining the budget from a gender perspective. Members can also advocate for bringing on parliamentary staff who have the skills to conduct gender analysis, which they can use to inform their interventions and decision-making (Wehner et al 2004:76).
Civil Society
- During budget formulation, civil society organizations (CSOs) can assist Parliament in identifying gender-focused budget priorities through needs assessments that highlight concerns for women and girls (Oxfam: 3). In Ghana, for example, Oxfam collaborates with local partners to produce assessments shared with the Ministry of Finance.
- CSOs also assess how past budget policies have impacted gender inequalities and examine the distribution of public services between men and women (Oxfam: 4). These findings can be shared with Parliament during the pre-budget phase to inform recommendations.
- Additionally, CSOs can amplify women’s voices in pre-budget debates and consultations by participating in public hearings and helping women’s groups engage with the budget. In Vietnam, Oxfam and the Women’s Budget Group have trained local CSOs in Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) (Oxfam: 6). See for example a written submission prepared for the pre-budget consultations in Canada by the Canadian Women’s Foundation.
How Parliaments and CSOs can support GRB during Budget Approval:
Parliament
- Members of parliament can support the review of policy objectives and specific appropriations from a gender perspective and use a Gender Budget Statement (GBS) to guide discussions and advocate for gender-equitable decisions (Dubrow 2022:40). For example, in Rwanda, the budget law states that the GBS is one of the annexes of the draft budget that both the Cabinet and Parliament must approve (ibid).
- Parliament can establish a gender equality committee or similar body to examine the gender dimension of policies and programs. For example, in Canada, House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women questioned the Finance Minister on policy objectives related to gender equality — including pay equity, income distribution, adult education, and parental leave — during the approval phase of the budget (Dubrow 2022:41)
- As noted above, parliaments can also advocate for the publication of budget documents with gender-related considerations, which can inform legislative decision-making.
- CSOs can conduct gender impact analyses of revenue policies and spending proposals. For instance, in Ecuador, research revealed that structural adjustment policies inadvertently increased unpaid work for women and reduced girls’ time for schoolwork. These analyses, along with mitigation strategies, can be shared with Parliament and external stakeholders to shape debate. In Ghana, for example, Oxfam partners with civil society to quickly produce gender analyses of the budget, which are then shared with Parliament and the media (Oxfam: 6).
- When Parliament creates opportunities for public input during budget hearings, CSOs can participate to ensure the voices of women and girls are heard, and their needs reflected in budget decisions. CSOs can also build the capacity of other groups to engage in the budget process.
- Moreover, CSOs may propose specific amendments to the draft budget to better address the needs and priorities of women and girls (Oxfam: 3).
Share your impressions and contributions with other learners in the comment section provided
10 Comments
Très bonne impression dans cette partie du cours qui nous montre comment les parlements et les OSC peuvent soutenir la budgétisation sensible au genre lors de la formulation et de l’approbation du budget. Bonne réception.
Le genre est une question transversale, c’est-à-dire que l’analyse du genre devrait être effectuée et appliquée dans toutes les planifications sectorielles.
Key Take away; CSO have a role to ally with parliaments to amplify calls for gender-responsive policies and programs as well as support the demand for gender-responsive budget documents.
CSOs and Parliament need each other to support GRB during Budget Formulation and approval
Child and gender-responsive budgeting is crucial in subregions, requiring policy integration, capacity building, data collection and analysis, public participation, monitoring and evaluation, and advocacy. Policy integration ensures budgeting considers the needs of women, men, girls, and boys. Capacity building trains government officials and stakeholders on these techniques. Data-driven approaches promote equality and inclusivity. Public participation ensures marginalized groups’ voices are heard. Monitoring and evaluation track implementation and ensures priority.
Nous trouvons que cette partie renforce notre conviction dans la nécessité de travailler ensemble entant que osc avec le parlementaire
Chez au Niger avec le soutien des certains partenaires comme OXFAM, NDI OSIWA ,nous avons renforcés les capacités des parlementaires et les élus locaux en budgétisation sensible au genre pour leur permettre de prendre en charge les questions spécifiques du genre dans leurs budgets respectif
Gender Response Budget is crucial in sustaining democratic good governance. Policy makers and other stakeholders should give it a serious consideration when formulating budget. The role of civil society is also crucial in helping communities be aware of the importance of gender response budget as it will narrow the gap on dependency and boost sustainable development across every strata of society.
Mutuality of goodwill must be established for GRB to be actualised.
Le genre est un domaine transversal .Le contenu de cette formation nous donner des informations importante sur la budgétisation sensible au genre .
Ce contenu de cette formation nous montre l’importance de respecter la question du genre et surtout les OSC doivent s’impliquer à faire amplifier la voix des femmes dans les débats et consultation prébudgetaire