Gender in Union Budgets: Too Little for Too Many

Abstract

Widespread gender inequalities have serious implications for growth and development of a developing country like India. Gender inequality may have adverse impacts on a number of valuable development goals. The governments globally are increasingly realizing importance of reducing gender biases and inequalities. The government commitments are manifested into and evidenced by budgets. The present paper analyzed union budgets of central government in India to understand the emphasis given policymakers and financial commitments for fulfilling them. The paper found that gender issues are integrated in budget by way of gender budget statements through sustained efforts of feminist and gender economists in the country. The paper analyzed gender budget statements from two angles. First, the analysis of percentage distribution of total allocations in gender budget statement among various department/ministry and secondly, the percentage share of gender related allocations in respective departments/ministries total budgeted expenditure. The study found that the allocation on fully women specific schemes across ministries has been lop sided for whole period as significant part of budget allocation is concentrated on two three schemes only. The study found that of the total resources earmarked for women, nearly half is allocated for education and health, neglecting other crucial issues like support services to women, political participation of women, etc. There is need to considerable enhancement in gender related allocations in all the ministries/departments. Number of demands for grants in the gender budgeting statement remains stagnant at around 30-36 for most of the years.The study found that of the total resources earmarked for women, nearly half is allocated for education and health, neglecting other crucial issues like support services to women, political participation of women, etc.