WPC and RSH Pakistan Hold FGD on Gender-Responsive Budgeting

The consultation brought together Honourable Members of Parliament and representatives of RSH Pakistan to discuss strengthening gender-responsive financing, budget tracking, parliamentary oversight and accountability, particularly in relation to gender-based violence (GBV), safeguarding and protection.

Speaking at the session, Dr. Shahida Rehmani, MNA and Secretary, Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, emphasised that Gender-Responsive Budgeting should not be treated merely as a technical exercise. She stressed that Parliament must ensure that gender-related policy commitments are adequately financed, effectively implemented and translated into meaningful outcomes for women and girls.

Dr. Rehmani highlighted the need to look beyond budget allocations and examine the complete accountability chain — from allocation and release to expenditure, service delivery, implementation and parliamentary scrutiny.

During the discussion, Honourable Members stressed the need for a strong and effective mechanism to monitor gender-responsive budget allocations in every Ministry and Department. They proposed that a designated focal person on gender budgeting should be nominated in each Ministry/Department to facilitate coordination, monitoring, reporting and implementation of gender-tagged allocations.

Members further emphasised the importance of sensitising Chairpersons of Standing Committees on Gender-Responsive Budgeting so that gender considerations are given due attention during deliberations on ministry-wise budgets, policies, programmes and performance. They also called for regular monitoring to ensure that **gender budget tagging is properly implemented and reflected in actual expenditure and outcomes.

Another important recommendation was to ensure appropriate representation of women in public-sector schemes, programmes and departmental initiatives, with Members proposing that a women’s quota or defined participation target should be incorporated, wherever appropriate, in schemes and programmes to ensure that women benefit equitably from public resources and development interventions.

Ms. Asma Kiran, Country Lead, RSH Pakistan, highlighted the importance of strengthening systems for safeguarding, prevention of gender-based violence and protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. She noted that Gender-Responsive Budgeting can provide an effective framework for ensuring that commitments to gender equality and protection are reflected in public priorities and resource allocations.

The discussion also focused on improving the visibility, traceability and accountability of gender- and GBV-related expenditure, including through clearer budget information, institutional responsibility mapping, expenditure tracking and stronger parliamentary follow-up.

The participants agreed that effective Gender-Responsive Budgeting requires a practical mechanism that links policy commitments with budget allocations, implementation, expenditure and measurable results.

The consultation concluded with a call for stronger coordination between Parliament, Ministries, Standing Committees and technical partners to improve gender budget monitoring and ensure that public resources respond effectively to the needs and priorities of women and girls.

The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus and RSH Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement on **Gender-Responsive Budgeting, parliamentary oversight and accountable public financing, with the objective of making gender-related allocations more visible, traceable, effectively implemented and results-oriented.