What is Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB)

Gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) is a strategic approach to public financial management that systematically considers the different impacts that fiscal policies, programs, and resource allocations have on people of different genders and diverse backgrounds. Rather than creating separate budgets for women or marginalized groups, GRB ensures that gender and inclusion are integrated throughout the entire budget process—from planning and formulation to execution, monitoring, and evaluation. 

By embedding an equity lens in budget decisions, GRB promotes better alignment of public resources with the needs of all population groups, helping to reduce systemic barriers and enhance inclusive economic and social outcomes.

Why is Gender-Responsive Budgeting Important? 

Traditional budgeting often overlooks how policies and spending affect different segments of the population. This can result in resource allocations that inadvertently reinforce existing inequalities or fail to meet the unique needs of women, men, and marginalized communities. 

Gender budgeting helps ensure that fiscal decisions are equitable and inclusive by identifying and addressing the different ways people experience public policies. For example, in the aftermath of COVID-19, recovery in employment was often faster for men than for women, underscoring how economic shocks can have gender-differentiated impacts. Similarly, austerity measures and fiscal consolidation have been shown to disproportionately affect women, especially in terms of employment in public services, caregiving responsibilities, and access to social protection. 

By applying GRB principles, governments and organizations can make more informed, fair, and effective decisions that improve outcomes for all. 

What is Gender-based Analysis (GBA) Plus? 

Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) is an analytical framework used to develop inclusive and responsive policies, programs, and initiatives. It helps identify who is impacted by an issue or opportunity, how they are affected, and what can be done to address their unique needs. 

The “Plus” in GBA Plus signifies its intersectional approach—looking beyond sex and gender to consider a range of identity factors such as age, disability, education, ethnicity, economic status, geography (including rurality), language, race, religion, and sexual orientation. By recognizing how these factors intersect, GBA Plus enables a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse experiences within any population.

Why is GBA Plus Important? 

GBA Plus is essential for creating initiatives that are equitable, effective, and inclusive. It helps identify potential barriers to access and participation and ensures that solutions are designed to meet the diverse needs of the people most affected. 

By applying a gender- and diversity-sensitive lens, GBA Plus supports better decision-making and more impactful results. It ensures that no group is overlooked, and that the benefits of a policy or program are truly accessible to all. In a rapidly changing and increasingly diverse world, this kind of analysis is not just beneficial—it’s necessary. 

What does
Nexus PFM Consulting offer?

 Nexus PFM Consulting supports governments, institutions, and organizations in embedding gender-responsive budgeting practices across the budget cycle. 

We offer: 

  • GRB Diagnostics & Assessments: Evaluation of how gender and inclusion are considered in budget planning, execution, and reporting – at national or sub-national levels. 
  • Training & Capacity Building: Tailored workshops and hands-on technical support for budget officers, policymakers, and analysts to strengthen understanding and application of GBA Plus in fiscal processes. 
  • Technical Assistance: Support with integrating gender analysis into budget documentation (e.g., Pre-Budget Statements, Budget Proposals, Fiscal Strategy Papers), reviewing gender audits, and advocating for improved gender-disaggregated data in fiscal reports. 

Whether you’re just beginning your GRB journey or seeking to enhance existing practices, Nexus PFM Consulting can help advance your organization’s goals for inclusive and equitable budgeting. 

Past publications:

  • Kevin Deveaux, Geoff Dubrow. “Action Kit on Engaging Parliaments in Gender-Responsive Budgeting,” UN Women, forthcoming

Notable GBA Plus Projects:

  • GBA Plus Consultant – DND/CAF Ombudsman – Supported the implementation of a GBA Plus analysis process and provided recommendations for capacity-building and inclusive practices
  • GBA Plus Consultant – Healthy Relationships Campaign – Reviewed and enhanced campaign content through a GBA Plus lens, offering strategies to improve diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. 
  • GBA Plus Training Facilitator – Women in Business New Brunswick– Facilitated bilingual GBA Plus workshops and produced podcasts to support awareness and learning around intersectionality and inclusive analysis. 

Notable GRB Projects:

  • Gender Responsive Budgeting Specialist – World Bank Laos 
    Led GRB training for civil servants, providing an implementation roadmap and institutional capacity assessment for gender-responsive budgeting. 
  • Feasibility Study on PFM System and GRB – UN Women (Kosovo) 
    Assessed Kosovo’s PFM system using PEFA and GRB frameworks, recommending improvements to ensure gender-responsive public financial management.