Patna: Bihar is strengthening gender-responsive budgeting to ensure women’s needs are considered from scheme planning and budget allocation to implementation and outcome assessment.
A state-level review-cum-sensitisation workshop was organised by the Women and Child Development Corporation under the Social Welfare Department.
Focus on Outcomes, Not Just Spending
Officials stressed that gender budgeting should go beyond allocating funds for women. Plans should address women’s economic participation, employment, entrepreneurship and empowerment, while also recognising their unpaid household work.
Finance Department Secretary (Expenditure) Rachna Patil said schemes should be assessed by their actual impact on women and girls, rather than only by the amount spent.
Read Also: ₹1 Lakh Loan, ₹85,000 Monthly Income: How Pinki Built Her Own Business in Gaya
Separate Data to Improve Planning
Women and Child Development Corporation Managing Director Inayat Khan called for separate data on male and female beneficiaries to better assess the gender impact of government schemes.
Officials also stressed strengthening gender budget cells and making gender-responsive budgeting a regular part of departmental planning.
Outcome-Based and Local Planning
The workshop discussed links between gender budgeting, outcome-based budgeting and the Sustainable Development Goals. UN Women experts shared international experiences on implementation.
Participants also discussed connecting gender budgeting with decentralised planning so that local needs of women and girls receive greater attention.
Read Also: 2,972 Youths Selected on Day One as Bihar Mega Job Fair Opens in Patna
