Advancing Gender Equality Through Responsive Budgeting

By Jane Meza

Nairobi, Kenya: As Kenya commemorated the 13th anniversary of its commitment to Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB), the focus on advancing gender equality has never been more urgent. During this anniversary, the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) renewed its call for national and county governments to uphold constitutional mandates on equality and non-discrimination.

Similarly, a vital training session held by the Coalition on Gender and Development-Kenya Gender Budget Network (CCGD-KGBN) and the Women’s Budget Group UK brought together advocates and policymakers to strengthen their understanding of advocacy, influencing, and communications in relation to gender budgeting, aiming to further embed these principles into the national fabric.

Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) has been at the heart of Kenya’s drive toward gender equality since 2011, following the adoption of the 2010 Constitution. The Constitution laid the groundwork for a more equitable society, mandating that government resources be allocated in ways that meet the diverse needs of men, women, girls, and boys. Thirteen years on, significant progress has been made, but gaps remain especially concerning the full implementation of key constitutional provisions, including the two-thirds gender rule.

At a recent workshop held by CCGD-KGBN and the Women’s Budget Group UK, gender advocates and civil society organizations gathered to reflect on these challenges and strategize for the future. The training offers participants hands-on exercises to better understand how to influence policy and engage in effective advocacy for gender-responsive budgeting. The event also aimed to bolster action planning at both the national and county levels, empowering advocates to drive meaningful change in Kenya’s financial governance.

According to Ms Erin Mansell, from the Women’s Budget Group UK, the GRB’s purpose is to promote accountability and transparency in physical planning hold the government accountable, and increase gender-responsible participation and budget process.

She emphasized the three aspects of gender Including Gender desegregation date by age and gender, intersectionality which means understanding different groups and analyzing the gender experience, and lastly Communication which targets the government and political complex.

‘’No affectedness gender budgeting can exit without consultation, civil society, Media, Community, different institution and difference categories of people and the country does not achieve its goals if it does not come from the grassroots and to advance gender equality and women’s rights, ‘’ Explained Erin.

However, one of the most pressing issues highlighted during both the anniversary celebrations and the CCGD-KGBN and Women’s Budget Group UK was the ongoing failure to fully implement the two-thirds gender rule. 

This constitutional mandate, which stipulates that no more than two-thirds of any elective or appointive public body should be of the same gender, remains unmet in numerous levels of governance. Despite repeated calls for action, including a 2020 advisory by former Chief Justice David Maraga recommending the dissolution of Parliament over its failure to pass necessary legislation, the issue remains unresolved.

The NGEC, urging the need for civil society organizations and gender equality advocates, reiterated its stance during the 13th-anniversary celebrations. Acting Chairperson Thomas Okoth Koyier emphasized that ensuring gender balance in governance is not merely a legal obligation but also a moral one.

 “We cannot continue to ignore this constitutional requirement, it is essential for true democracy and the advancement of human rights in Kenya.”

However, the CCGD-KGBN and Women’s Budget Group UK session worked through practical exercises designed to improve their advocacy for GRB and the two-thirds gender rule exercises helped them develop strategies to push for legislative action and hold government institutions accountable for their gender equality commitments.

The synergy between GRB and the broader constitutional mandates on gender equality is undeniable their mechanisms aim to create a more inclusive society, ensuring that resources are allocated fairly and that everyone regardless of gender has access to opportunities in leadership, education, healthcare, and economic development.

The Participants in the CCGD-KGBN and Women’s Budget Group UK session were reminded that GRB is a critical tool for achieving this and by linking budget allocations to gender and equity outcomes, government ministries, departments, and agencies can be held accountable for how they distribute resources.

To ensure that GRB becomes mainstream in budgeting processes at all levels of government there is a need for increased capacity building in county governments, where implementation of GRB policies has been uneven and explored ways to generate gender-disaggregated data, which is essential for tracking progress and identifying areas that require further intervention.

Beatrice Mjomba, from Taita Taveta Human Rights Watch and gender rights activist, mentioned that the biggest challenge they encounter as CSOs with the leaders is that they always need to push them to deliver the services mentioning the empty promises they make during the campaign season.

“As Kenyans, we would listen to a leader who wants to address our needs we capitalize on that and we elect them, but when it comes to addressing our needs that is where the gap comes in. How do you influence county government from that simple memorandum from zero budgeting gender to the next month you see five million? It means they just wait for us to push So I will not put all the blame on the government but I will also blame myself because I elected those people and they are my reflection,” said Beatrice.

As Kenya reflects on 13 years of GRB, the NGEC is also advocating for greater inclusion of youth and marginalized groups in governance. The Commission called for the development of a National Youth Inclusion Framework, which would outline clear pathways for youth participation in decision-making processes.

CCGD-KGBN and Women’s Budget Group UK, together advocate for the young people’s “G nez ” voices must be heard and that they should play a more active role in shaping the policies that will determine their future.

NGEC also addressed the need for broader compliance with constitutional articles that protect the rights of children, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized communities. The Commission urged for the ratification of international treaties that align with Kenya’s constitutional commitments, such as the Marrakesh Treaty and key ILO Conventions that support the rights of special interest groups.

The country has made notable progress in gender equality, however much work remains to be done. Gender Responsive Budgeting, the two-thirds gender rule, and the broader constitutional mandates on non-discrimination are powerful tools that can help bridge the gender gap and these tools are only as effective as the commitment behind them.

As Kenya moves forward, advocates, policymakers, and civil society organizations must continue to work together to ensure that the promises of the Constitution are fully realized. The CCGD-KGBN and   Women’s Budget Group UK workshop provided a roadmap for how this can be achieved through sustained advocacy, strategic influencing, and an unrelenting focus on practical implementation at both national and county levels.

As Koyier noted during the NGEC anniversary, “Together, we can build a more just and inclusive Kenya where everyone, regardless of gender, age, ability, or background, has the opportunity to thrive, with continued efforts to advance gender-responsive budgeting and uphold constitutional equality mandates, Kenya’s future can indeed be one of greater equity and opportunity for all,” stated Koyier.