OSCE Mission to Montenegro supports Parliament to enhance capacities for gender responsive budgeting

In close co-operation with parliament’s Gender Equality Committee, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized a training course for MPs and parliamentary staff on gender responsive budgeting, on 29 and 30 November 2021.

Gender experts Slavica Striković and Marija Risteska led the workshop, held in blended format, focusing on budget literacy and structure, budget processes and tools for gender responsive budgeting.

Through practical exercises, participants examined whether a given budget is gender sensitive and how it should address the different needs of men and women. Participants agreed that a continuous training process is important to acquire a sound understanding of this topic and could enhance efficiency in monitoring the application of gender responsive budgeting throughout the entire budget cycle.

Expert Slavica Striković said that it is very important for Parliament to recognize the potential and capacities of parliamentary staff and to support their eagerness for learning and sharing their knowledge.

Expert Marija Risteska said that Parliament has a crucial role in incorporating gender perspectives into the budgetary process. “Through each phase of the budget process, Parliament could have an active role deciding on how public finances are allocated in order to meet the different needs of women and men. Its role is essential for fairer management of public finances,” said Risteska. She added that Parliament should conduct its own gender analysis, apply measures and set gender goals for its work, promoting gender responsive budgeting through its work.

The Mission will continue to support the Gender Equality Committee in its efforts to ensure that gender equality and gender responsive budgeting have a well-deserved place on the agenda of the Parliament of Montenegro.