Answer

Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) is a strategic approach that integrates a gender perspective into all stages of the budgetary process, ensuring that the allocation of public resources effectively addresses the diverse needs of women and men. In India, GRB serves as a pivotal mechanism for promoting women’s empowerment by directing funds towards programs that enhance gender equality and improve socio-economic outcomes for women.

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Concept of Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) and Its Role in Promoting Women’s Empowerment in India

• Definition of GRB: GRB integrates gender perspectives into the budgeting process to ensure fair resource allocation and address gender disparities in development.
  For example: The Gender Budget Statement (GBS) introduced in 2005-06 highlights resource allocation for women-specific programs.
• Resource Allocation: GRB emphasizes allocating financial resources to sectors improving women’s social, economic, and political status, enhancing their empowerment.
  For example: Increased funding in healthcare schemes like Janani Suraksha Yojana supports maternal health and reduces maternal mortality rates.
• Economic Participation: GRB encourages women’s economic participation by targeting employment generation and skill enhancement schemes for women.
  For example: Schemes like Mahila Shakti Kendra focus on skill development and entrepreneurship among rural women.
• Inclusivity in Policies: GRB aids in addressing inequalities for marginalized groups like SC/ST and minority women through targeted schemes.
  For example: Programs such as STEP (Support to Training and Employment Program) ensure inclusion of vulnerable women in skill-based opportunities.
• Mainstreaming Gender: By focusing on gender equality in budgeting, GRB ensures women’s concerns are integrated into national planning.
  For example: States like Kerala and Karnataka identify specific gender priorities in their budgets to advance equality.

Challenges in Implementing GRB at the Union Level

• Limited Budget Share: GRB allocations remain at 4-5.5% of the Union Budget, insufficient to significantly address gender disparities.
  For example: Budget 2023-24 was criticized for inadequate post-pandemic support for women rebuilding their lives.
• Lack of Gender-Specific Data: Absence of gender-segregated data hampers effective planning, monitoring, and resource allocation for women’s empowerment.
  For example: Data on marginalized sections like Muslim and DNT women is rarely incorporated in gender budget frameworks.
• Homogeneity in Approach: Treating women as a uniform group ignores intersectionality and challenges faced by marginalized communities.
  For example: Muslim women remain underrepresented, despite their socio-economic disadvantages and exclusions.
• Weak Monitoring Mechanisms: Insufficient monitoring frameworks hinder tracking of gender-budgeting outcomes and addressing gaps in program delivery.
  For example: The clustering of schemes in budgets has diluted their gender-specific impact.
• Bureaucratic Challenges: Inefficiencies in Gender Budget Cells (GBCs) and lack of coordination among ministries impede implementation.
  For example: Few ministries formulate gender action plans tailored to women’s needs.

Solutions to Strengthen GRB Implementation

• Increase Budget Allocations: Enhance GRB allocations to ensure significant investments in women-centric programs and support gender-sensitive planning.
  For example: Allocate higher funds to educational and skill-development initiatives targeting women from marginalized communities.
• Improve Data Collection: Develop comprehensive gender-segregated data systems, especially for marginalized groups like SC/ST, minorities, and differently-abled women.
  For example: Conduct targeted surveys for Muslim women to ensure inclusion in welfare programs.
• Intersectional Approach: Design GRB frameworks addressing intersectionality, recognizing the diverse challenges of different groups of women.
  For example: Formulate programs addressing both economic and social empowerment of Dalit and tribal women.
• Capacity Building of GBCs: Strengthen Gender Budget Cells with adequate training, resources, and authority to design gender-responsive action plans.
  For example: Empower GBCs to conduct performance audits and suggest policy interventions tailored to gender issues.
• Robust Monitoring Mechanism: Develop a robust framework for tracking the performance and impact of GRB allocations with regular feedback loops.
  For example: Implement digital dashboards for real-time monitoring of women-specific programs and their outcomes.

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While India’s commitment to Gender-Responsive Budgeting underscores its dedication to women’s empowerment, the effectiveness of GRB is hindered by challenges such as the exclusion of key programs benefiting women and the lack of sex-disaggregated data. Addressing these issues through stronger monitoring mechanisms and comprehensive data collection is essential to realize the full potential of GRB in advancing gender equality.

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