Female lawmakers call for joint efforts in gender responsive budgeting

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Female Members of Parliament are rooting for stronger collaboration among government institutions and stakeholders to ensure that the national budget fairly addresses the needs of all genders

Gilgil MP Martha Wangari said there is need for the government and other stakeholders in the private sector to work together to achieve Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB).

"As lawmakers we may keep talking about GRB. But we will attain it if we work in isolation without involving other stakeholders," she said.

Hon Wangari was speaking during a breakfast seminar organised by the Centre for Parliamentary Studies & Training -The CPST (CPST) on Gender Responsive Budgeting.

“As lawmakers, we may keep talking about GRB, but we won’t achieve it by working in isolation,” said Hon. Wangari. 

“Among others, the Ministry of Gender is a critical stakeholder and must be part of the conversation if we are to make real progress," she added. 

The seminar organised by CPST, in collaboration with the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA), UN Women, and the Parliamentary Budget Office, focused on analyzing the 2025/26 Budget Estimates through a gender lens.

Nairobi Woman Representative Hon. Esther Passaris echoed similar sentiments, emphasising that GRB is not solely a women matter.

“GRB is not a women’s issue—it is a governance issue anchored in the Constitution, Vision 2030, and global commitments like the Sustainable Development Goals. It’s about inclusion, equality, and people-driven development," said Hon Passaris.

Other leaders present included Hon. Flowrence Jematiah (Baringo), Donya Aburi (Kisii), Hon. Pamela Njeru (Embu), and nominated Senators Hon Beatrice Ogola and Hon Crystal Asige.

Apart from legislators, the forum brought together fiscal analysts, gender experts, and development partners, who jointly agreed on several key action points. 

They include the creation of a national gender-disaggregated expenditure database, submission of Gender Impact Statements in budget proposals, and the development of a GRB results framework to monitor spending at both national and county levels.

Participants also called for capacity building for ministries, departments, agencies, and county governments on GRB tools, increased public participation in the budgeting process, and a review of current GRB guidelines to enhance their effectiveness.