The Government of Nepal has demonstrated a solid commitment to advancing Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in policymaking and budgeting. One of the primary approaches adopted by the Government of Nepal to integrate GESI in national and sectoral development frameworks and plans is Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB). In this context, NASC has always stood by and is fully responsible towards the government's national and international commitment and thus partnered with UN Women to strengthen the institutional capacity in Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) and initiated the project "Strengthening GESI/GRB in Federal Nepal". Under this project, two study reports were published: a survey report, "Local Governance, Gender Responsive and Socially Inclusive Public Finance Management: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices", and a policy study report, "Gender-Responsive Public Finance Management in Nepal: A Diagnostic and Forward-Looking Strategy". A launch event was organized on 19th October 2022 by Nepal Administrative Staff College(NASC) at Prithvi Hall, Dikshya Sadan, to disseminate the reports and present the findings of the study to the concerned stakeholders.
The event was chaired by Dr Rajan Khanal, Executive Director of NASC. Hon’ Dr Bimala Rai Poudyal and Dr Sucheta Pyakuryal were the dignitaries present at the event. Ms Anita Poudel, the program host, welcomed all the guests and briefed the program's agenda. Mr Trilochan Pokhrel, Senior Director and Ms Geetanjali Upadhyaya, Deputy Director of the Studies, presented the key highlights of the survey reports and made the audience realize the current reality of the status of GESI/GRB that the data portrays of the three provinces that the survey was conducted- Madesh Pradesh, Bagmati Pradesh and Sudurpaschim Pradesh. The team expressed that the survey findings will serve as a baseline for all levels of government to strengthen Gender Responsive Public Financial Management (GRPFM). In the same way, Mr Rajendra Adhikari, Director of Studies, presented the key highlights of the study on the GRPFM report. The study proposes a partnership and advocacy plan to implement the recommendations at every stage of the GRPFM cycle.
Dr Pyakuryal put forward her remarks on the report and stated that the gaps pointed out and recommendations given in the report are commendable. She also expressed that despite a slight contradiction in the study, the recommendations given will be valuable to the line ministries and sub-national government and congratulated NASC for carrying out the study.
Ms Priti Shrestha, Program Officer from UN Women, thanked NASC and acknowledged that there is still a lot of work to be done in this domain though Nepal is already ahead in making policy compared to other South Asian countries. Representing UN Women, she said that UN Women would relentlessly work and contribute to better policy, plans and programs in Nepal in the context of GESI/GRB.
Dr Poudyal expressed that the data presented gives an alarm to the government and makes us think about the issue minutely. She also suggested that an impact study about GRB allocation and its outcome has to be conducted. The floor was open to the audience to address their queries or suggestions.
Hon’ Bishnu Maya Ojha, Dharmendra Lekhal and Bal Govinda Bista added valuable insights through their observation. The program ended with the closing remarks from Dr Khanal. He mentioned that allocating the budget as GRB is not essential, but the headings' coding matters. He suggested that the government should work on reframing the GESI framework and build the capacity of the bureaucrats and elected officials at the provincial and local levels. He also thanked the technical team members, UN women, Finland Embassy, and consultantsfor their valuable support in making this study successful.
