Gender-responsive Budgeting in Ghana: An analysis of GRB implementation and its existing and potential impacts on women small-scale farmers

Overview

Gender-responsive budgeting (GRB), also known as gender budgeting, is an approach to budgeting that takes into account the various needs of a diverse population by using an intersectional gender lens to respond to the different experiences of women, men, and gender-diverse groups. In addition to promoting more equitable budgeting outcomes, GRB requires that the budgeting process itself be inclusive and accessible to all. This study focuses on GRB in Ghana and how it does and could impact women small-scale farmers. The research was conducted by Oxfam, Ghana Trade and Livelihood Coalition (GTLC) and SEND Ghana, and included a literature review, interviews, and focus group discussions. The five areas addressed in this paper are: (1) the gender responsiveness of the budget process in Ghana; (2) systems and structures for GRB implementation; (3) best practices in GRB advocacy, particularly regarding agriculture budgets; (4) women’s engagement in the budget process; and (5) the budget’s responsiveness to the needs of women smallholder farmers. The aim is for these findings to contribute directly to GRB advocacy by NGOs in Ghana, as well as to provide useful insights for relevant government officials in Ghana and other GRB practitioners and advocates in other countries. Thus, this paper concludes with recommendations for the Government of Ghana as well as NGOs and civil society members in Ghana.