If we want public money to serve people equitably, we have to follow the money—and ask who’s missing.
In Jordan, I supported the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) and the General Budget Department (GBD) in analyzing over 70 government programs under the National Social Protection Strategy. At first glance, it was a classification exercise. But in reality, it was much more: a chance to unpack how budgets reflect national priorities—and whether those priorities serve everyone.
Gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) isn’t about creating separate budgets for women. It’s about understanding how public spending impacts different people differently, and then using that understanding to redesign systems that are more inclusive.
Through collaboration with MoSD and GBD, we reviewed the functional classification system for social protection programs, aligning it with COFOG and ESSPROS standards. But more importantly, we created an entry point for ministries to think about equity in spending, not just efficiency. This includes thinking about:
Identify and address gender-blind assumptions in program design
Map life-cycle vulnerabilities across different social groups
Design more inclusive safety nets and care services
The result would be to pave the way for more strategic, gender-sensitive allocation of resources—especially for children, the elderly, and women disproportionately affected by poverty, disability, or unpaid care work.