Expectations Versus Realities in Gender-Responsive Budget Initiatives

Citation:

Budlender, Debbie. 2006. "Expectations Versus Realities in Gender-Responsive Budget Initiatives." In Gender and Social Policy in a Global Context, edited by Shahra Razavi and Shireen Hassim, 322-339. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. 

Author: Debbie Budlender

Abstract:

The quote above and similar quotes from other reports give either implicit or explicit indications of the ambitious expectations that the gender-responsive-budgeting (GRB) idea evokes. The key question addressed in this chapter is: How does what GRB initiatives have done in practice compare with the claims and expectations about what they can achieve? In asking this question, the chapter does not aim to detract from what has been achieved. Instead, it attempts to bring some realism into the discussion, planning and assessment of these initiatives. The chapter also stresses that different initiatives have different objectives and different outcomes which depend on context, who is involved, and a host of other things. There is therefore no single ‘correct’ approach.

Keywords: civil society, political participation, macroeconomic policy, national parliament, international financial institutions

Topics: Economies, Gender, Gender Budgeting, Gender Mainstreaming

Year: 2006