Experts Urge Enhanced Accountability and Targeted Spending in Bangladesh Gender Budget
Advocates for gender equality have called for greater transparency, accountability, and inter-ministerial coordination to ensure the effective implementation of the upcoming gender budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year. During a press conference held Thursday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, speakers from the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad highlighted that while national commitments to women’s empowerment are expanding, significant gaps remain in resource allocation and strategic oversight.
Analysis presented at the event revealed that while funding to promote women’s participation in the economy has increased, there has been a concerning decline in allocations for critical areas, including secure employment, protection against gender-based violence, and cybersecurity initiatives. Although the proposed budget earmarks 34.8 percent of total spending—or 4.8 percent of the GDP—for gender-related initiatives, experts warned that the lack of clear financial mapping for key promises, such as childcare facilities and expanded educational support, undermines the budget’s potential impact.
Professor Sayema Haque Bidisha of the University of Dhaka emphasized that the success of gender budgeting relies on precise data collection and rigorous evaluation. She argued that social safety net programs must transition from mere cash transfers to comprehensive initiatives that integrate vocational training and sustainable employment opportunities for women.
The conference also reviewed the Finance Division’s recent shift toward the Gender Financial Tracking (GFT) model. While this methodology has improved the integration of gender-responsive accounting within government systems, Professor Sharmind Nilormi of Jahangirnagar University noted that the current framework lacks specificity. Specifically, proposals such as the introduction of "farmer cards" for women remain ambiguous, as the Ministry of Agriculture has yet to include these measures in its review process.
Addressing the assembly, Mahila Parishad President Fauzia Moslem underscored that true empowerment is inextricably linked to social security and property rights. She called for increased investment in education, healthcare, and digital safety to better protect women in an evolving economic landscape.
General Secretary Maleka Banu concluded the discussion by stressing that transforming women into skilled human capital requires a robust policy shift. She urged the government to prioritize cross-departmental collaboration, ensuring that budget implementation is both transparent and directly responsive to the needs of the country’s female population.
