Exploring Gender-Responsive Budgeting in India: Progress & Challenges

Understanding Gender-Responsive Budgeting

Gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) serves as a crucial fiscal strategy aimed at addressing gender disparities within public budgets. By integrating gender perspectives into financial policies and programs, GRB seeks to enhance women's welfare and promote equality in economic opportunities.

Progress in India's Gender Budgeting

Since 2014, India has made notable strides in gender budgeting. The share of gender-focused allocations has increased from 4.5% to 6.8% in 2024-25. Initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and the Nirbhaya Fund have been introduced to support women, although challenges in implementation still persist.

Challenges Facing Gender-Responsive Budgeting in India

• Lack of Comprehensive Frameworks: Many state-level programs lack standardized gender-focused frameworks.
• Inadequate Monitoring: The effectiveness of programs like Ujjwala Yojana is often questioned due to insufficient follow-ups.
• Socio-economic Barriers: Women in rural areas continue to face challenges in land ownership, despite initiatives such as PM-Kisan.
• Symbolic Reforms: Some allocations, like those in the Maternity Benefit Programme, remain significantly underfunded.

Improving Gender-Responsive Budgeting Frameworks

• Standardized Data Collection: Developing a national database for GRB can enhance accountability and transparency.
• Gender-Specific Indicators: Implementing impact metrics that measure women's participation in workforce programs like MGNREGA is essential.
• Global Best Practices: Learning from models like South Africa's GRB can help link budget allocations with measurable outcomes in health and education.
• Utilizing Digital Tools: Platforms like India’s Aadhaar-linked services can facilitate real-time tracking of subsidies and benefits.

Empowering Rural Women through GRB Initiatives

Rural women often encounter barriers when accessing land and financial resources. However, programs like the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana assist women in forming self-help groups, while the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) provides tailored financial assistance for women farmers.

International Examples for India

• Austrian Model: Austria mandates annual gender equality reports, ensuring accountability in budgeting.
• South African Approach: Their GRB integrates gender equality into policy planning and monitoring.
• Mexico’s Involvement: Actively engages civil society organizations for oversight in GRB practices.

The Economic Impact of Bridging Gender Gaps

Research indicates that if women's workforce participation matched that of men, India's GDP could grow by 27%. Enhancing women's roles in sectors like IT and manufacturing can significantly elevate productivity levels.

The Importance of Regular Assessment in GRB

Continuous evaluation of GRB initiatives is crucial to identify gaps and rectify inefficiencies. For example, tracking the effectiveness of schemes like Janani Suraksha Yojana is vital for ensuring improved maternal healthcare outcomes. Without regular assessment, GRB risks being merely symbolic rather than transformative.

Investing in gender equity today builds a stronger, more inclusive tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is gender-responsive budgeting (GRB)?
Answer: Gender-responsive budgeting is a fiscal strategy that ensures public budgets consider gender disparities and promote women's welfare through financial policies and programs that incorporate gender perspectives.

Q2. What is India’s progress in gender budgeting?
Answer: Gender-focused allocations in India have increased from 4.5% in 2014 to 6.8% in 2024-25, with initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao launched, though gaps in implementation remain.

Q3. What challenges does GRB face in India?
Answer: GRB in India faces challenges such as a lack of comprehensive frameworks, inadequate monitoring, socio-economic barriers for rural women, and underfunded symbolic reforms.

Q4. How can GRB frameworks be improved?
Answer: Improving GRB frameworks can involve standardized data collection, gender-specific indicators, learning from global best practices, and utilizing digital tools for better tracking of subsidies.

Q5. What is the economic impact of bridging gender gaps in India?
Answer: Reports suggest that aligning women's workforce participation with men's could increase India's GDP by 27%, highlighting the importance of women in sectors like IT and manufacturing.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What does gender-responsive budgeting aim to achieve?
A) Ensure gender equality in education
B) Address gender disparities in public budgets
C) Promote women's sports
D) Increase government revenue
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Which scheme is associated with women's welfare in India?
A) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
B) Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
C) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
D) Atal Pension Yojana
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: What is a significant challenge for GRB in India?
A) High budget allocations
B) Comprehensive frameworks
C) Inadequate monitoring
D) Strong implementation
Correct Answer: C