Tue Nov 19 17:24:36 UTC 2024: ## India’s Gender Budgeting Praised, but Challenges Remain: UN Report

**Bangkok, Thailand – November 20, 2024** – A new UN report released at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review highlights both progress and persistent challenges in gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) across the region. While India’s adoption of GRB is lauded as a demonstration of commitment to women and girls, the report notes significant hurdles in implementation.

The report, “Charting New Paths for Gender Equality and Empowerment,” acknowledges India’s 218% decadal increase in gender budgeting, with $37 million allocated in the current financial year. Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Preetam B. Yashwant, emphasized India’s “women-led” development approach, showcasing women’s leadership in local governance and self-help groups.

However, the report points to limitations in India’s GRB effectiveness. A lack of sex-disaggregated data and the exclusion of key women-focused programs hinder progress. The report recommends that the Ministries of Women and Child Development and Finance collaborate to improve the design and use of the Gender Budget Statement, strengthen monitoring mechanisms, integrate GRB considerations during budget prioritization, and encourage sub-national GRB adoption. The Philippines was also highlighted as a country implementing GRB, albeit with similar challenges.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted in 1995, serves as the framework for these assessments. The UN report underscores the need for continued efforts to ensure that budget allocations effectively support gender equality and women’s empowerment across the Asia-Pacific region.

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