Women Parliamentarians Rally for Key Sector Budgeting in Kenya

In a collaborative effort between the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) and the Institute for Public Finance (IPF), a breakfast meeting convened on Monday, May 13th, 2024, to strategize on safeguarding critical sectors during budget allocations.

Discussions at the event centered on the protection of pivotal areas vital to the welfare of citizens, including Education, Health, Water, Agriculture, and Social Protection.

One significant issue highlighted was the inadequate representation of women in leadership roles within departmental committees and the Budget and Appropriations Committee, posing a hurdle to advancing gender-related concerns.

IPF emphasized the need for efficient resource allocation, urging women legislators to address overlaps, particularly in development expenditures outlined in the 2024/25 Budget Policy Statement.

To address urgent priorities in key sectors, Women Parliamentarians pledged to utilize the Public Participation window by submitting presentations to the Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Hon. Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North), the vice chairperson of KEWOPA, emphasized the importance of rectifying discrepancies between sector reports and the Budget Policy Statement. KEWOPA vowed to present relevant inquiries to the Budget Committee during the upcoming Public Participation sessions.

This initiative reflects a concerted effort to ensure gender-inclusive and well-informed budgeting processes for the benefit of all Kenyan citizens.