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Gibson Mhaka
GENDER equality is a fundamental human right that ensures everyone, regardless of their gender, has equal opportunities, rights and responsibilities. It’s a cornerstone of a just and equitable society.
The United Nations has identified gender equality as one of its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and it is also one of the eight pillars of Global Peace.
Making progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment, as outlined in the SDG 5, requires systematic and innovative approaches. One such approach is Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB), a fiscal planning and allocation process that ensures government budgets address and mitigate gender-based disparities, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The application of GRB at the local government level can be a powerful tool for achieving SDG 5. This is because gender equality and local governance are inextricably linked. They are essential for socioeconomic development and democratisation.
Local authorities, being the closest to the people, are best positioned to directly address the persistence of inequality and promote governance models that strive for a truly egalitarian society.
In a move aimed at empowering all 92 local authorities in the country to develop and implement gender-sensitive policies and programmes, ultimately leading to more equitable and responsive service delivery, a crucial step towards achieving SDG5, Gender Links Zimbabwe (GLZ), partnered with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and Diakonia through support from the Embassy of Sweden in Zimbabwe.
As a result of the joint initiative, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works gave a policy directive mandating all council budgets to be gender-sensitive as a condition for approval.
GL Zimbabwe country director, Priscilla Maposa said the attainment of Vision 2030 towards a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income economy demands that the local government sector provides engendered and inclusive basic services.
“Recognising this imperative, Gender Links Zimbabwe in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and Diakonia through support from the Embassy of Sweden in Zimbabwe is implementing a gender main-streaming programme and working with all 92 local authorities in Zimbabwe for over a decade. The aim is to ensure that local authorities come up with gender responsive policies and programmes, which result in gender responsive service delivery,” said Maposa.
Maposa encouraged local authorities to have a gender planning framework that encompassed gender budgeting systems and strategies, gender infrastructure development and planning, gender sensitive monitoring and evaluation saying this would assist local authorities to be wholly inclusive.
It is important to note that gender inequality persists globally and local governments are often at the forefront of addressing community needs. GRB provides a concrete strategy to tackle this issue at a grassroots level.
As the world continues to focus on achieving SDG5, highlighting the role of local governments in driving gender equality is crucial.
Social worker and development practitioner, Duduzile Mhlanga stated that by implementing gender-responsive budgeting, local authorities can significantly contribute to achieving SDG 5 and fostering a more equitable and inclusive society for all.
She said gender-responsive local governance is also about making sure that all local governance processes, procedures and systems are developed and implemented in ways that take into account the different needs of women and men.
“GRB allows local authorities to identify and address gender-specific needs and disparities. This ensures that resources are allocated to programmes and projects that directly benefit women and girls, such as education, healthcare, economic empowerment and violence prevention.
“By incorporating gender equality into the budget process, local authorities can be held accountable for their commitment to achieving SDG 5. This can enhance transparency and public participation in decision-making. GRB also allows local authorities to identify and address gender-specific needs and disparities.
“This ensures that resources are allocated to programs and projects that directly benefit women and girls, such as education, healthcare, economic empowerment and violence prevention,” said Mhlanga.
She said GRB can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public spending by ensuring that resources are used to address the most pressing needs of women and girls. This can lead to better outcomes and greater impact.
It is clear from Mhlanga that, gender-responsive budgeting by local authorities is not just about numbers; it’s about transforming lives and accelerating progress towards SDG 5. By prioritising women’s needs, investing in their potential and ensuring their voices are heard, local budgets can become powerful catalysts for a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) Councillor for Ward 17, Sikhululekile Moyo, said that while local authorities were encouraged to develop gender-responsive policies and programmes that lead to gender-responsive service delivery, a crucial step towards achieving SDG5, they face several challenges.
“There are several challenges that local authorities face when implementing and sustaining gender-responsive budgeting practices. One of the main challenges is limited budgets, which can lead to insufficient allocation for gender-specific needs. This can hinder efforts to address gender inequalities and adequately meet the needs of marginalised groups.
“Additionally, poor community participation in budget consultations can be a challenge for local authorities. If community members are not actively involved in formulating the budget, many gender-specific needs may not be addressed.
“Therefore, community participation is crucial, as community members possess valuable insights, including the specific needs and challenges faced by different groups. It’s also important to include persons with disabilities by providing tailored messages through the use of braille and sign language, ensuring that no one is left behind. To address the issue of limited budgets, local authorities can seek additional funding through grants or partnerships with gender-related organisations,” said Clr Moyo.
To advocate for stronger national commitments and frameworks that prioritise gender equality and provide resources for gender-responsive budgeting initiatives towards achieving SDG5, Clr Moyo suggested that local authorities can engage in various activities such as lobbying, raising awareness, and collaborating with other local authorities and organisations.
“They can also highlight the benefits of gender equality and provide evidence of the positive impacts it can have on communities and societies.
“Additionally, they can work to ensure that adequate resources are allocated for gender-responsive budgeting initiatives and that policies and frameworks at the national level are proactive and prioritise gender equality.
“By working together and using their collective influence, local authorities can actively contribute to national policies and priorities to promote gender equality and ensure that the needs of all members of society are met,” she said.
derick.khumalo