Gender Responsive Budgeting as Smart Economics: A Comparative Analysis between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republic of Macedonia

Abstract

This paper addresses a comparative analysis of two different frameworks for inclusion of gender in fiscal economics through gender responsive budgeting(GRB) initiatives that took place over one decade - from 2000 till 2010 in two former Yugoslavian republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Republic of Macedonia (Macedonia). Namely the comparison of two countries with two different methods for GRB is depicted: a) Case of BiH where GRB was introduced through overall public finance management (PFM) reform within the realm of program based budgeting, versus b) Case of Macedonia where GRB was introduced through specific program level initiatives and interventions without an overall integration with budgetary system and performance budgeting as a baseline concept. The paper analyzes these two approaches, and provides an argument and evidence for concluding that the introduction of gender sensitive budgeting through an overarching PFM reforms a more practical and comprehensive mechanism. It suggests that GRB can be used as a tool for more efficient and equitable policy and budget making decisions, and that the capacity level directly affects the absorption capacity, level of implementation and overall sustainability. Furthermore, due to the transition from social regime toward open market parliamentary democracies that Balkan countries are experiencing, integration of GRB practices within the PFM reforms is an attractive model given that those reforms are already taking place. Gender equality through GRB mainstreamed through PFM reforms supports contributes to overall socio-economic prosperity.