Women-Centric Budgets A Job Half-Done

Context: Women-centric budgets (adopted in 2005) are only halfway towards women empowerment, and the remaining half can be achieved through political empowerment.

Recent examples of Women-centric budgets

• Delhi budget: claimed that the ‘role of women is the key to progress of Delhi.
  • Aimed to provide accessible healthcare and education: Promised 500 Anganwadi centres and 100 Mahila mohalla clinics in various parts of the city.
• Union Budget 2021-22:  Allocated funds to schemes like the Integrated Child Development Services, Anganwadi services, Poshan Abhiyan, Scheme for Adolescent Girls and the National Creche Scheme.

Major reason for governments to adopt Women-centric budgets:

• Increase in the sex ratio of voters: from 715 in the 1960s to 883 in the 2000s. 
• Women vote differently from men: Thus can make a remarkable effect on election outcomes.

Concerns related to women empowerment

• Reluctance of political parties to accommodate women in politics: In 2019, the BJP had given tickets to 429 candidates, of which 53 were women (12.3%);
  • Failure to pass progressive bills: The Women’s Reservation Bill — envisaging 33% quota for women in the Lok Sabha and in all Legislative Assemblies — is still stuck.
  • Low percentage of women legislators in parliament: India is at the 149^th spot on a list of 193 countries, while Bangladesh is at the 97^th spot and Pakistan is at the 101^st
• Gaps in government measures: Due to lack of political empowerment and participation in parliament.
  • Inadequacies in addressing violence against women: e.g.
    • Nirbhaya Fund (scheme for the safety of women) does not include interventions to address domestic abuse, such as shelter homes and legal aid.
    • Women’s helpline and ‘one-stop centre’ are missing from the current Budget.
  • Decreased funds allocated for the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD).
  • Lack of provisions for improving women mobility: E.g. Swachh Bharat, (Clean India, Healthy India) excludes aspects like public toilets.

Conclusion: Enhanced political representation of women will rectify the gaps in government measures for women empowerment.