Gender Responsiveness in Planning and Budgeting: A Study of Annual Plan Budget of Kothamangalam Municipal Corporation

Abstract

Women in India are relatively disadvantaged and they enjoy somewhat a lower status than men in spite of the various measures and efforts taken by different governments. Gender gap still exists regarding their access to education and employment. The most recent way out suggested nationally as well as internationally to bridge this gap is through the initiation of Gender Responsiveness in the formulation of plans and budgeting the plan outlays. The present study in this context examines the gender responsiveness in the eleventh plan policies and outlays of the Kothamangalam Municipal Corporation. Gender Responsive Budget (GRB) is actually government planning and budgeting that contributes to the advancement of gender equality. 'It does not in any way mean separate budgets for women, or for men. It is an attempt to break down or disaggregate the government’s mainstream budget according to its impacts on women and men'. The present study in this context examines the gender responsiveness in the eleventh plan policies and outlays of the Kothamangalam Municipal Corporation.