“Gender budgeting is not a luxury; it is an essential tool for achieving equitable development.”
In a land where women are revered as goddesses, an unexpected reality persists with gender disparities surfacing at alarming levels. Once celebrated as equals during the illustrious eras of the Indus Valley and Vedic periods, women adorned the political arena and scholarly circles with figures like Maitreyi and Gargi. However, the narrative shifted over time, as medieval customs and practices enveloped the female experience. Despite these hurdles, women persevered, emerging as vital pillars of contemporary Indian society. Today, their indispensable roles in healthcare, accounting for 70-80% of all providers, and food security underscore their enduring influence. Thus, amidst the ebb and flow of tradition and progress, the tale of India’s women narrates a saga of resilience and evolution, where facts intertwine with the vibrant threads of history. In this land of dichotomy, where goddesses walk among mortals, the quest for true gender equality embarks on a transformative odyssey, echoing the age-old adage: “Liberation lies not in worship, but in the empowerment of women.”
Introduction to Gender Budgeting
At the heart of India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation lies a steadfast commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women. This commitment is not only a moral and social imperative but also a critical component of sustainable development, as highlighted by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among these goals, SDG 5 stands out for its focus on achieving gender equality, underpinning the importance of this objective across all developmental agendas. India’s annual gender budget, unveiled during the Parliament’s Budget Session, embodies this commitment, aiming to build a society that is both inclusive and equitable.
Implementation of Gender Budgeting
Gender Budgeting in India is not just a policy measure but a reflection of the country’s adherence to global standards and agreements, such as the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Deprivation against Women (CEDAW) 1980, the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) 1994, and the Sustainable Development Goals established in 2015. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Gender Budgeting involves a systematic approach, coordinating across various ministries and departments to embed gender considerations into the fabric of India’s fiscal planning and policies.
Introduced in the fiscal year 2005-06, the Gender Budget, in this respect has since been a vital tool for highlighting and addressing the specific needs of women through targeted ministry and department-wise initiatives. It is defined by the Government of India as a gender-responsive budget that consciously aligns allocations with the goal of moving towards a more gender-equitable society by addressing existing gender disparities in social patterns. This approach integrates a gender perspective into budgetary processes, aiming to translate equality goals into concrete fiscal allocations.
Challenges in Gender Equality
The gender budget for 2023-24 witnessed a 4.3 per cent rise to Rs 2.23 trillion constituting 4.9 per cent of the total budget. However, despite the progress made, the challenge of gender inequality remains deeply entrenched. India’s global standing on gender parity is alarmingly low, with a significant gap in literacy rates and labour force participation between men and women. For instance, the female literacy rate stands at 59.3%, markedly lower than that of males at 78.8%. Moreover, women’s participation in the labour force is just 31%, a stark contrast to 76% for men, highlighting a pervasive gender disparity in the workforce.
This disparity extends to skill development as well. Despite the overall increase in allocation to the Skill India initiative, the gender budget for this sector saw a significant reduction, underscoring the need for enhanced investment in skill enhancement for women. Addressing these gaps is crucial for harnessing the full potential of India’s workforce in its economic growth journey.
Strategies for Gender Budgeting
The issue of women’s safety and security also demands urgent attention, with India ranking lowly in global indices on women’s safety and experiencing problems related to the utilisation of funds allocated for women’s safety, such as the Nirbhaya Fund. There is a pressing need for more robust government action and monitoring to ensure the effective use of these resources.
While the Gender Budget has predominantly focused on welfare-oriented schemes, expanding its scope to include economic and financial allocations more broadly could play a pivotal role in advancing gender equality. Moreover, the discrepancy between budget allocations and actual expenditure highlights an urgent need for more efficient Gender Responsive Budgeting practices. This includes holding the government accountable, enhancing transparency, and raising awareness about the gendered impacts of policies.
The imperative for Gender Budgeting transcends governmental efforts, extending to non-governmental organisations and citizens alike, emphasising a collective responsibility towards fostering gender equality. Proper implementation of Gender Budgeting could significantly improve governmental efficiency, setting a precedent for how budgeting can be leveraged as a tool for social change.
In conclusion, prioritising women-centric initiatives through Gender Budgeting is crucial for India to achieve a more inclusive, equitable society. By intensifying efforts to address gender disparities, India reaffirms its commitment to empowering all citizens, thereby laying a solid foundation for a prosperous future for everyone. This approach not only meets international obligations but also catalyses the nation’s development, ensuring that the journey towards growth and progress is inclusive and sustainable.
Dr. Fauzia Khan, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha Rehmat Arora, Policy Consultant