Assessing Gender Responsive Budgeting Practice in Programmes and Projects Within Devolved Governance in Kwale County, Kenya

Abstract

Gender inequalities continue to be prominent globally. In developing countries, inequalities tend to exacerbate vulnerability and marginalisation of women. Despite the different gender empowerment frameworks and feminist models that have been applied in championing for the rights of women, limited change has been realised in developing nations. For instance, the previous development discourse and tools on inclusion and empowerment of women such as Women in Development (WID), Gender and Development (GAD), and Capabilities Approach (CA) have all presented limitations. A new paradigm shift that is anchored on the liberal feminist thought has emerged and seeks to engender public sector fiscal and monetary policies. Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) has been lauded as a panacea to deepening gender equality commitments globally. GRB has been practised in Kenya but there is limited documentation and lessons drawn. The existing studies are majorly carried out by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for programmatic and advocacy purposes. The study assessed the practice of gender responsive budgeting in programmes and projects in Kwale County under the devolved system of government. It was conducted in the sub-counties of Matuga, Msambweni and Lunga Lunga in Kwale County covering the 2018-2022 fiscal planning period. The study applied multi-method qualitative research approach to guide the processes of data collection, data analysis and reporting. The data collection involved two series of FGDs and several key informant interviews with ward and village administrators, chiefs and assistant chiefs, county government budget officers, civil society actors, and GRB experts. Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) and narrative guided the analysis and synthesis of data. The study was guided by Liberal Feminist Theory and augmented by the Caroline Moser Gender Analysis Framework. The findings established that women participation in budgeting and planning among the public was low and the perception on gender-sensitivity of Kwale County budgeting varied. Low awareness and knowledge of women on existence of county government processes or leadership actions was noted. Different institutions, both formal and informal were established to be critical to implementation and oversight of GRB in the county. The County Budget and Economic Forum (CBEF) is tasked with improving accountability, transparency, coordination, and participation of the people in county planning and budgeting as contemplated in Articles 10 and 174 of the Kenya’s Constitution 2010 but from the FGDs, the role of Kwale CBEF was found to be invisible. Some of the key challenges identified as hampering effective GRB practice were: entrenched patriarchy and cultural practices; low education of women; poor access to information on public participation forums; inconvenient time schedules of public participation forums, mismatch in community driven priorities and the political leadership priorities; low technical competency on GRB and competing interests for the meagre public sectors resources. The study recommends intensified public education on GRB principles, applications, and intended outcomes and applying a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder approach through greater involvement of relevant government functions, private sector, civil society groups and the public