As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, ACCA unveils groundbreaking research highlighting the transformative potential of gender-responsive budgeting in addressing systemic gender disparities.
In a bold call to action, governments and policymakers are being urged to adopt gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) as a pivotal tool for fostering inclusive growth and driving systemic change. New research from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), titled Gender-responsive Budgeting: Unlocking the Potential , underscores the critical role professional accountants can play in advancing equitable societies.
The report, which draws on insights from experts across Eastern Europe, Eurasia, and the Middle East, comes at a time when global efforts to address gender inequality are more urgent than ever. As Jamil Ampomah, Director – Africa, ACCA, explains, “This report offers critical insights into the strategies and tools that facilitate the effective adoption of GRB across government agencies and state-owned organizations.”
The Role of Professional Accountants in GRB
Professional accountants are uniquely positioned to champion GRB, leveraging their expertise in data analysis, budgetary techniques, and policy advocacy. Their skills enable them to not only design and implement GRB frameworks but also monitor and evaluate their effectiveness.
“Accountants have a vital role in the application of GRB,” says Ampomah. “Governments are increasingly turning to GRB as they pursue more equitable and just societies, and accountants are essential to making this vision a reality.”
Jessica Bingham, Global Sustainability Lead – Strategy, ACCA, adds, “Incorporating gender considerations into budgetary processes enables governments to ensure that resources are allocated in a way that meets the diverse needs of all. This promotes fairness and lays the foundations for sustainable economic growth and social inclusion.”
Key Recommendations for Policymakers
To successfully implement GRB, ACCA’s research outlines five key recommendations for policymakers:
- Build Institutional Capacity and Awareness: Strengthen understanding of GRB principles and practices within government agencies and public institutions.
- Strengthen Data Collection and Analysis: Develop robust systems to collect and analyze gender-disaggregated data, ensuring budgets are informed by evidence.
- Learn from Best Practice and Benchmark Against Peers: Study successful GRB initiatives globally and adapt them to local contexts.
- Establish Inter-ministerial Collaboration and Partnerships: Foster collaboration across government departments and with civil society to align efforts and maximize impact.
- Champion Gender-Balanced Leadership and Decision-Making: Promote diversity in leadership roles to ensure gender perspectives are integrated into policymaking.
A Pathway to Sustainable Growth
By embedding gender considerations into fiscal policies, governments can create fairer societies while unlocking significant economic benefits. Research shows that closing gender gaps in education, employment, and entrepreneurship could add trillions to global GDP annually. GRB is not just a moral imperative—it’s an economic one.
“Policymakers have an opportunity to embrace GRB and ensure it is a fundamental component of their strategies,” says Bingham. “Doing so will create a more equitable future for all and lay the groundwork for sustainable development.”
A Call to Action
As the world marks International Women’s Day, ACCA’s findings serve as both a roadmap and a rallying cry for governments worldwide. By adopting GRB, policymakers can address entrenched gender disparities, empower marginalized groups, and build resilient economies.
Read the report here