Maryam Barodawala
Gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) is an essential tool for integrating gender perspectives into fiscal policies and ensuring that public expenditures contribute to reducing gender disparities in education, employment, economic empowerment, healthcare, safety, and governance. Maharashtra, one of India’s leading states in gender-focused policy initiatives, has taken significant steps toward institutionalizing GRB.
Since 2020-21, Maharashtra has been publishing the Gender Budget Statement (GBS) and has recently introduced the Maharashtra Women’s Policy (2024) to reinforce gender-inclusive financial planning. The GBS 2024-25 marks an increase in gender-related budget allocations, accounting for ₹21,951 crore, or 3.28% of the total state budget (Government of Maharashtra, 2024). While this represents progress, there is scope to further align financial commitments with gender equity goals, particularly in areas like economic participation, governance, and infrastructure development.
Maharashtra follows Diane Elson’s Five-Step Framework for GRB, which involves analyzing the situation of women and men in the economy, assessing budget allocations, and ensuring gender-equitable policy implementation (Elson, 2002). While the GBS 2024-25 provides a focused gender assessment, it does not capture all gender-responsive programs implemented across departments. Several schemes that significantly impact women, such as Tejaswini Rural Women Empowerment Program, Krishi Samruddhi Yojana for Women Farmers, Women Industrial Park Scheme, and the Sanitary Pad Distribution Scheme, are not included in the GBS, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive gender budget analysis across all sectors (Government of Maharashtra, 2024).
The state’s Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.695, among the highest in India, but gender disparities in income levels and workforce participation remain a concern (Government of Maharashtra, 2023). Crimes against women increased by 11% in 2023, yet funding for urban safety initiatives remains limited (National Crime Records Bureau [NCRB], 2023). The state’s Gender Inequality Index (GII) score is 0.465, reflecting areas where further progress can be made, particularly in workforce participation, economic opportunities, healthcare, and political representation (United Nations Development Programme [UNDP], 2024). While Maharashtra has improved its maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to 38 per 100,000 live births, rural healthcare infrastructure remains inadequate, emphasizing the need for stronger investments in gender-focused health programs (Government of Maharashtra, 2023).
Over the years, Maharashtra’s gender budget allocations have steadily increased. In 2021-22, the gender budget stood at ₹16,173 crore (3.12%), rising to ₹20,391 crore (3.11%) in 2022-23, and further to ₹21,951 crore (3.28%) in 2024-25 (Government of Maharashtra, 2024). The GBS 2024-25 highlights sectoral allocations, with the Women and Child Development Department receiving ₹1,255.42 crore, the Social Justice and Special Assistance Department ₹4,768.09 crore, and the Industries, Energy, and Labour Department ₹1.60 crore. The Urban Development Department’s allocation remains at ₹1 crore, suggesting potential for further investments in gender-sensitive infrastructure and safety measures (Government of Maharashtra, 2024).
The GBS 2024-25 includes allocations for education and skill development, though scope exists to expand funding for higher education, STEM, and workforce-linked training. The state has made remarkable progress in female literacy, which stands at 81.9%, higher than the national average (International Institute for Population Sciences [IIPS] & ICF, 2021). However, gender gaps persist in higher education, particularly in STEM fields.
The Gender Parity Index (GPI) in school education is 0.99 at the primary level, but it declines at the secondary and tertiary levels, indicating higher dropout rates among girls (Government of Maharashtra, 2023). The GBS 2024-25 includes ₹16 crore for OBC girls’ scholarships, ₹240 crore for tribal girls’ hostels, and ₹65 crore for vocational training (Government of Maharashtra, 2024). Expanding investment in skill-building programs, particularly in technology and high-growth industries, can further strengthen women’s participation in future-oriented job markets.
Workforce participation and economic empowerment are critical areas for gender equity. Maharashtra’s Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for women is 23.3%, with urban women’s participation at 16% (National Sample Survey Office [NSSO], 2023). Moreover, only 12.5% of Maharashtra’s businesses are owned by women, reflecting the need for greater financial inclusion and entrepreneurship support (Government of Maharashtra, 2023).
The GBS 2024-25 allocates ₹494.11 crore for self-help groups (SHGs) to support rural women’s businesses, but expanding financial incentives for female entrepreneurs in urban areas remains a key area of opportunity. The Industries, Energy, and Labour Department’s allocation of ₹1.60 crore suggests potential for growth in employment-linked training programs. Strengthening financial support for women-led startups, providing business grants, and offering incentives for companies hiring women can create more inclusive economic opportunities (Government of Maharashtra, 2024).
Urban infrastructure and safety play a significant role in ensuring gender equity. Maharashtra has prioritized women’s safety through initiatives such as the Nirbhaya Fund, which has been allocated ₹86.44 crore in 2024-25. However, the Urban Development Department’s allocation remains ₹1 crore, indicating the need for greater investment in gender-friendly urban infrastructure. Expanding measures such as improved street lighting, CCTV surveillance, women-only transport options, and gender-sensitive urban planning can enhance mobility and safety for women, especially in cities.
Governance and political participation are also essential components of gender-responsive budgeting. While Maharashtra has made progress in integrating gender considerations into policy frameworks, women’s representation in governance remains an area for further improvement. Less than 10% of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly comprises women, highlighting the need for leadership development initiatives. Expanding training programs for women in governance, providing financial support for female candidates in elections, and ensuring greater representation of women in policy advisory bodies can contribute to more inclusive decision-making.
To further enhance the impact of gender budgeting in Maharashtra, a few key strategies can be considered. First, increasing the gender budget share to at least 5-7% of total state expenditure can ensure that women’s empowerment remains a priority across all policy sectors. Expanding STEM education and digital skills training for women can create greater economic opportunities, while targeted financial incentives for female entrepreneurs can encourage business ownership and economic independence. Additionally, strengthening urban safety measures, transport security, and public infrastructure investments will enhance women’s mobility and participation in the workforce. Finally, investing in women’s leadership programs and governance initiatives can help bridge the gender gap in political and administrative roles.
It is crucial, however, to set up Gender Budget Cells in each department, sensitize officials, and apply GRB tools and methods across sectors to strengthen the overall GRB approach in the state. Institutionalizing gender budgeting mechanisms at the department level will ensure that gender considerations are mainstreamed across all policy areas, leading to more effective implementation of gender-focused initiatives. A stronger integration of the GBS with the Women’s Policy can help ensure that the state’s policy vision is backed by measurable financial commitments, leading to a more impactful and outcome-driven gender-responsive governance model
Maharashtra’s Gender Budget Statement (GBS) 2024-25 represents a positive step toward gender-inclusive financial planning. With continued investment in gender budgeting, inclusive policies, and long-term strategic planning, Maharashtra can set a benchmark for gender-responsive governance in India. Strengthening financial commitments in key growth areas, ensuring comprehensive gender budget analysis, and integrating gender considerations across all sectors will help create a more equitable and inclusive future for women.
References
Elson, D. (2002). Gender budget initiatives: Strategies, concepts, and experiences. United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).
Government of Maharashtra. (2023). Maharashtra economic survey 2022-23. Department of Finance.
Government of Maharashtra. (2024). Gender budget statement 2024-25. Department of Women and Child Development.
International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) & ICF. (2021). National family health survey (NFHS-5), 2019-21: India, Maharashtra. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). (2023). Crime in India 2023: Statistics on crimes against women. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
National Sample Survey Office (NSSO). (2023). Annual report 2022-23: Periodic labour force survey (PLFS). Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2024). Human development report 2024: Gender inequality index rankings.
About the Contributor: Maryam Barodawala is a fellow at YWLPPF 2.0 at IMPRI and Consultant, Gender and Policy Engagement for Navtejaswini, Maharashtra Rural Women’s Enterprise Development Project, Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal, Women and Child Welfare Department, Government of Maharashtra.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organization.
Acknowledgement: This article was posted by Saniya Verma, a Research Intern at IMPRI.
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