Changing Contours of Fiscal Policy and Budgets to Address Violence against Women

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed important changes in planning and budgetary processes in the country. The constitution of NITI Aayog in place of the Planning Commission, restructuring of the Union Budget following the Union Government’s acceptance of the 14th Finance Commission recommendations and measures undertaken for rationalisation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes have marked gender implications. They also have a bearing on public financing of government programmes in a range of sectors, including those meant to address violence against women. The analysis of schemes to address violence against women by state governments in Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand presented in the chapter, reflects low priority towards the issue in the state budgets, indicating that the importance accorded to gender violence in policy discourse is yet to translate into budgetary priorities. The author concludes that budgetary dimensions of the state’s response to the issue require attention if we are to ensure a comprehensive response mechanism for women facing domestic violence.