The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants’ (ACCA) new report has urged policymakers and governments to adopt gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) for inclusive growth and systemic change.
The study, titled “Gender-responsive budgeting: unlocking the potential,” draws from the experiences of accountants and leaders across Eastern Europe, Eurasia, and the Middle East.
GRB is defined as the practice of evaluating the implications for both women and men of any planned action, such as legislation, policies, and programmes, across all sectors and levels.
ACCA has recommended policymakers measures to facilitate the adoption of GRB, including enhancing institutional capacity and awareness as well as improving data collection and analysis.
It also includes learning from best practices, fostering inter-ministerial collaboration, and advocating for gender-balanced leadership.
The report also emphasised on the role that professional accountants can play in advancing gender equality through approaches such as data analysis, budget formation and policy advocacy.
It suggests that accountants are well-positioned to analyse gender-disaggregated data and develop gender-sensitive performance indicators.
They can also ensure that budget allocations are effectively designed to tackle gender inequalities and monitor the outcomes of gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) policies post-implementation.
ACCA Policy and insights senior manager Joe Fitzsimons said: “This report offers critical insights into the strategies and tools that facilitate the effective adoption of GRB across government agencies and state-owned organisations.
“Accountants have a vital role in the application of GRB using their skills and knowledge of data analysis, budgetary techniques and policy advocacy. They can also monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of GRB implementation. Governments are increasingly turning to GRB as they pursue more equitable and just societies.”
ACCA Global Sustainability Strategy lead Jessica Bingham said: “Incorporating gender considerations into budgetary processes enables governments to ensure that resources are allocated in a way that meets the diverse needs of all.
“This in turn promotes fairness but also lays the foundations required for sustainable economic growth and social inclusion. Policymakers have an opportunity to embrace GRB and ensure it is a fundamental component of their strategies creating a more equitable future for all.”
This research follows another ACCA report that highlighted the importance of accountants’ professional judgement in the ethical and effective integration of artificial intelligence within organisations.
