Gender budgeting is a strategic approach that integrates gender considerations into the budgeting process, aiming to allocate public resources in a way that promotes gender equality and addresses the needs of different genders.
This approach involves analyzing and distributing budget resources to meet the specific needs and priorities of women and girls, thereby fostering gender-sensitive policies and programs. Introduced in 2005-06, gender budgeting has been a tool for incorporating gender considerations into all stages of policy-making, from creating policies to distributing resources and ongoing assessments.
As we examine the Gender Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, it is essential to understand the context in which this budget is framed. Women in India face alot of systemic inequities that manifest in various forms, including limited access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
The National Family Health Survey (2019-21) highlights poor nutritional outcomes among women and girls, emphasizing the urgent need for a healthier, well-nourished workforce. With over 24 million currently married women aged 15-49 years unable to access contraception, expanding reproductive health services is not just a luxury; it is a necessity.
The GB for 2024-25 has seen a notable increase of 38.6%, with 43 Ministries, Departments, and Union Territories reporting a total of Rs. 3.09 lakh crore in the GB Statement, compared to 2023-24’s Rs. 2.23 lakh crore. While this increase is commendable, one must question whether it is sufficient to address the myriad challenges faced by women in the country.
The budget for Family Welfare Schemes under Central Sector Schemes/Projects increased from Rs. 516 crore in 2023-24 to Rs. 694 crore in 2024-25, marking a 34% increase. However, this allocation primarily focuses on the procurement of contraceptive supplies and payments to ASHA workers, leaving much to be desired in terms of comprehensive healthcare access for women.
Are we merely playing with numbers to create an illusion of progress?
The lack of gender-disaggregated data captured by government ministries and departments complicates the situation further, making it challenging to assess the prevailing challenges and plan for targeted expenditure. It seems that while the government is keen on showcasing its commitment to gender budgeting, the actual implementation leaves much to be desired, much like initiatives like PM AASHA etc.
The budget for the "Mission Shakti" program, aimed at enhancing women's welfare, safety, and empowerment, has also seen mixed results. The Sambal sub-scheme, which focuses on safety and security, witnessed a 12% increase from Rs. 562 crore last year to Rs. 629 crore in 2024-25. However, the Samarthya sub-scheme, which includes initiatives like Working Women Hostels and the National Creche Scheme, experienced a 3% decline from Rs. 2,581.96 crore to Rs. 2,516.97 crore.
One might wonder how we can empower women if we are cutting back on essential services that support their workforce participation. It’s almost as if the government is trying to play a game of budgetary hide-and-seek.
How is it Divided/ What are the categories?
The Gender Budget for 2024-25 is divided into three parts: Part A reflects schemes with 100% provision for women, Part B reflects schemes with at least 30% allocations for women, and Part C reflects schemes with allocations for women up to 30%.
The overall allocations made currently stand at more than ₹3 lakh crore for pro-women programs, making up for an approx. of 6.8% of the total budget expenditure for 2024-25, which is above the usual trends. However, this increase is partly driven by the inclusion of schemes with less than 30% provisioning for women, raising concerns about the actual impact of these allocations on women's welfare.
The challenges of gender budgeting are multifaceted. Despite the increase in the Gender Budget, the component allocated explicitly for women has declined since last year. This indicates that while the government may be increasing the overall budget, the focus on women's specific needs is waning.
Furthermore, the concentration of around 90% of gender budgeting in just five ministries underscores the need to bring a gender perspective uniformly across all government schemes. It’s as if the government believes that a few ministries can single-handedly solve the gender disparity issue, which is a rather optimistic view, to say the least.
To conclude, while the GB for 2024-25 may have reflected a significant increase in allocations aimed at women's empowerment, it is crucial to approach these numbers with a critical eye. The systemic barriers that women face in India require more than just financial allocations; they demand a comprehensive approach that includes access to quality healthcare, legal protections, social participation, economic empowerment and rationale for detailed reporting so as to pave the way for bridging gaps in the economy via Gender-responsive budgets. If we are to genuinely empower women, we must ensure that these commitments are not just a matter of arithmetic but a sincere reflection of our need for gender equality.
Source:https://behanbox.com/2022/02/07/women-hit-hardest-by-pandemic-needed-a-more-dynamic-budget-response/
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