Gender Responsive Budgeting and Women in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper investigates, through a gender lens, how budgets are conceived, planned, approved, executed, monitored, analyzed and audited. It involves an analysis of government expenditure on women as compared to expenditure on men. The methodology was designed to analyze the budgets of two Provincial Councils and selected budgets of 11 Ministries with 6 Ministries in more detail at a national level to understand how budget allocations prioritize the needs of women. As monitoring of the impact of financial policies on women is more complex, the study was re-focused to include selected Districts level budgets and the involvement of Civil Society Organizations. The analysis of financial policies and budgets shows that it is a complex process due to lack of clarity in how budgets are allocated and there was no reliable information generated, and the funding system itself is a challenge for tracking as the provincial councils, ministries and other agencies through which state services are delivered received funds from the state sources and donors which leave many gaps in data. Generally, Sri Lanka’s budgeting process and outcome monitoring was gender neutral. Impact monitoring in health and education is the strongest as gender disaggregated data and considerable attention has been paid in bridging the gender gaps but not in all other sectors. Also, the study found that there were significant disparities in how women access and benefited from economic development especially because of their triple roles of production, reproduction and social. It was found that there is no consistent analysis of how government budgets are gender responsive or accountable. Therefore, a more comprehensive study of the impact of budgetary and social protection policy and practice on the women members is required.

Awareness on and Compliance with the Food Act in Sri Lanka: An Analysis of the Present Status 

“…According to the population density and degree of urbanization, the types and number of available food handling establishments might differ. Characteristics, attitudes, and interests of PHIs and the environmental factors, such as political situation, influence or support by higher authorities affect in identifying food safety issues (Herath, 2004). A previous study conducted by Herath (2004), also convinced that there is a wide variation in the performance of PHIs on food safety activities at PHI divisional level.…”

“…Characteristics, attitudes, and interests of PHIs and the environmental factors, such as political situation, influence or support by higher authorities affect in identifying food safety issues (Herath, 2004). A previous study conducted by Herath (2004), also convinced that there is a wide variation in the performance of PHIs on food safety activities at PHI divisional level. The level of activities related to food legislations differs from individual basis, depending on the personal characteristics such as attitudes and interests of the PHI and PHI range to be covered.…”

“…As revealed by the study, the stakeholders were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied regarding the present status of awareness and compliance on the Food Act in Sri Lanka. According to Herath, (2004), the food safety situation in Sri Lanka is not different, especially, from other developing countries. According to the literature, majority of the authorized officers are not satisfied with the level of enforcement of food safety rules and regulations (Herath, 2004).…”

“…According to Herath, (2004), the food safety situation in Sri Lanka is not different, especially, from other developing countries. According to the literature, majority of the authorized officers are not satisfied with the level of enforcement of food safety rules and regulations (Herath, 2004). The same study has revealed that the inadequacy of the number of authorized officers engaged in food safety activities at divisional level as a major issue.…”

“…The same study has revealed that the inadequacy of the number of authorized officers engaged in food safety activities at divisional level as a major issue. Opinions of different authorized officers on specific food safety activities revealed the inadequacy of coverage and intensity, not giving priority on a scientific basis, and the need for better feedback and follow up actions as the most important aspects that need improvements (Herath, 2004).…”