India’s progress towards gender equality over the last decade can be characterised using one of our favourite monikers – slow, but steady. Since 2005-06, each year, the Union Budget has been accompanied by a Gender Budget Statement, which provides a detailed estimate of the share of allocations under each major Ministry and scheme for women and girls. Yet, in 2024-25, the interim gender budget increased to 6.5 percent of the total expenditure, and touched nearly one percent of the GDP, breaking its own glass ceiling.Overall, the gender budget stood at Rs3 lakh crore. At a 40 percent increase over budget estimates of 2023-24, it is the highest annual increase over the last decade. In the short to medium term, governments may consider undertaking gender audits of Centrally sponsored schemes (CSSs) and flagship programs.In addition, the gender budget statement should include measurable outcome and output indicators, and their annual progress should be reported.

Source: Forbes February 05, 2024 15:49 UTC