DIPR
Kohima, July 17
A stakeholders’ Consultation on ‘Strengthening Gender Responsive Budgeting’ (GRB) was held at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Conference Hall on July 16. Organised by UN Women Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka (New Delhi) in collaboration with Planning Department, Government of Nagaland, the meeting was attended by Administrative Heads of Departments, Heads of Departments, departmental Gender Nodal Officers and members of the Gender Group.
Yamini Mishra, GRB Specialist UN Women Office, New Delhi highlighted the rational and objectives of the Consultation besides the topic ‘Understanding GRB’. She said that the work of the UN Women Office included working for political empowerment of women, violence against women and role of women in peace building. She said that the UN Women Office has started partnering with State governments to move things forward in their endeavour to gender responsive budgeting. She said that involvement of active civil societies was essential for GRB as they can take up advocacy programmes on a better footing.
Yamini said that in India, GRB has been seen as an effective tool for women empowerment. Explaining the concept of GRB, she said that UN Women is trying to bring together the terms ‘budget’ and ‘gender’, adding that if budgets are not meaningful to half of the population, then they are not meaningful. Citing the example of the law on Protection of Women Against Domestic Violence, she said that it cannot be effectively implemented unless there is sufficient budget to back it.
Yamini said the need for GRB arises as budgets impact differently on women and men because of different socially determined roles they play in the society. She said that government budgets might inadvertently reinforce gender based disadvantages faced by women unless special measures are taken. Making the point clear, she said GRB is NOT a separate budget for women, it is not about spending the same amount on men and women nor is it about assessing programmes targeted specially at women and girls. She said GRB initiatives are diverse efforts aimed at making government planning, budgeting and accounting contribute to gender equality. GRB analyses differential impact of policies and budgets on men and women as well as other axes of social discrimination. She also stressed on the need to address gender budgeting at planning stage.
Project Officer GRB, UN Office (New Delhi) Dr. Bhumika Jhamb traced the Progress on GRB in the Union Government and State Governments. She said that for GRB to succeed, official acceptance as well as political commitment are essential and Nagaland was fortunate to have both. Commissioner & Secretary and Member, Gender Core Group Menukhol John gave a presentation on ‘Gender Mainstreaming- Good practices in Nagaland with special reference to practices adopted by Eleutheros Christian Society, Tuensang/Challenges’. A short documentary titled ‘Equal Half’ produced by UN Women Office was also screened at the meeting. The participants also undertook a group exercise on ‘Strenthening GRB in Nagaland: way Forward’, moderated by Ms. Yamini Mishra. Welcome address and opening remarks was given by Lithrongla G. Chishi, Secretary, Home and Member, Gender Core Group. The meeting also adopted a resolution, which would be presented to the government for formulation and plan.
