SECTION 3.3 – EX-ANTE GRB

Overview: In this section, you will learn how civil society organizations can advocate for and support Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) during the budget approval stage. We’ll explore how budget documentation can include gender considerations, conduct gender-sensitive debates and public consultations, and incorporate intersectionality throughout the budget cycle.

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. 

• Click to see the 2024/25 GBS for Rwanda. The GBS is organized by sectors (e.g., Health, Education, Agriculture), where each sector outlines specific gender-related objectives, activities, and budgetary allocations. For each sector, the document provides:
  • Amount Allocated: The financial resources dedicated to gender-specific initiatives.
  • Purpose of Funds: A detailed explanation of what the funds will be used for, such as improving maternal healthcare, supporting girls’ education, or promoting women’s entrepreneurship.
  • Expected Outcomes: The targeted gender impacts or outcomes that the funds aim to achieve, such as reducing gender-based violence or improving women’s access to economic resources.

• Parliament can establish a gender equality committee or similar body to examine the gender dimension of policies and programs. For example, in Canada in 2018, the 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. 

Civil Society: How CSOs Can Support GRB During the Budget Approval Phase

1. Review and Analyze the Gender Budget Statement (GBS). CSOs can review the Gender Budget Statement submitted alongside the draft budget to ensure that gender priorities are properly reflected. By analyzing the GBS, CSOs can assess whether proposed allocations are sufficient to meet gender-specific objectives in sectors like health, education, and economic empowerment. CSOs can then provide feedback to Parliament, highlighting any gaps and offering recommendations to improve the gender-responsiveness of the budget.
2. Lobby for the Inclusion of Gender-Specific Budget Amendments. CSOs can directly engage with legislators to propose specific budget amendments that address the needs of women and marginalized gender groups. By presenting evidence-based recommendations, CSOs can ensure that budget allocations include funding for gender-focused programs, such as women’s health services, education for girls, or gender-based violence prevention initiatives.
3. Conduct Gender Impact Analyses of Revenue Policies and Spending Proposals. CSOs can assess the gender impacts of revenue and spending proposals. For instance, in Ecuador, research revealed that structural adjustment policies increased unpaid work for women and reduced girls’ time for schoolwork. These analyses, along with suggested mitigation strategies, can be shared with Parliament and external stakeholders to shape debate. In Ghana, Oxfam collaborates with local CSOs to quickly produce gender analyses of the budget, which are shared with Parliament and the media to inform the budget approval process.
4. Participate in Budget Hearings to Advocate for Gender Priorities. When Parliament creates opportunities for public input during budget hearings, CSOs can ensure the voices of women and girls are heard and their needs are reflected in budget decisions. CSOs can also build the capacity of other groups to engage effectively in the budget process, ensuring diverse gender perspectives are considered.
5. Build Alliances with Legislators to Promote Gender-Equitable Decisions. CSOs can form strategic partnerships with progressive members of parliament and parliamentary committees, encouraging them to champion gender-responsive policies during the approval phase. These alliances can push for the inclusion of gender impact assessments and gender-sensitive indicators in the final budget.
6. Provide Gender Data and Evidence to Inform Parliamentary Debate. CSOs can support legislators by providing gender-disaggregated data and evidence of gender inequalities within different sectors, such as health, education, or employment. This data can help parliamentarians make informed decisions that prioritize gender equality when approving budget allocations.
7. Monitor and Report on Gender Representation in Budget Allocations. CSOs can track how well gender is represented in the approved budget by monitoring whether there are allocations for programs that benefit women, girls, and other gender groups. They can publish reports that assess whether the final budget reflects the gender commitments made during the formulation stage and whether adjustments are needed in the next budget cycle.
8. Propose Specific Amendments to Address Gender Priorities. CSOs may propose specific amendments to the draft budget to better address the needs and priorities of women and girls. These proposals can help ensure the final budget is more inclusive and equitable, addressing gender-based disparities.
9. Engage in Media Advocacy to Influence Public Opinion. CSOs can leverage traditional and social media platforms to generate public discussions around gender-responsive budgeting. By bringing attention to the gaps or successes in gender equity within the budget, CSOs can put pressure on decision-makers to adopt more gender-sensitive policies before the budget is approved.