Islamabad: The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) of the National Assembly, alongside Resource and Support Hub (RSH) Pakistan, conducted a Focus Group Discussion on Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) at the Parliament House in Islamabad. The event, led by Dr. Shahida Rehmani, MNA and WPC Secretary, brought together Members of Parliament and RSH representatives to deliberate on strengthening gender-responsive financing, budget tracking, and accountability mechanisms, with a focus on issues related to gender-based violence.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, participants, including several Members of the National Assembly and Senate, highlighted the necessity of moving beyond mere budget allocations to ensure comprehensive accountability from allocation to expenditure and implementation. Dr. Rehmani emphasized that GRB should be integrated into parliamentary oversight to translate legislative commitments into tangible benefits for women and girls.

Participants stressed the need for effective monitoring of gender-responsive budgets across all governmental departments. They proposed appointing focal persons in each ministry to oversee gender budgeting efforts, ensuring that allocations are properly monitored and implemented.

Moreover, the discussion underscored the importance of educating Standing Committees’ Chairpersons on GRB to ensure gender considerations are prioritized in budget discussions. Members also advocated for a women’s quota in public-sector schemes to guarantee equitable access to resources.

Ms. Asma Kiran of RSH Pakistan highlighted the role of GRB in promoting gender equality and safeguarding against gender-based violence. She noted that such budgeting frameworks could align public resource allocations with commitments to gender protection.

The session concluded with a consensus on the need for coordinated efforts among Parliament, Ministries, and technical partners to enhance gender budget monitoring. The WPC reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring gender-related financial allocations are visible, accountable, and effectively lead to desired outcomes for women and girls.