Financing for Gender Equality: Reframing and Prioritizing Public Expenditures to Promote Gender Equality

Abstract

Gender equality has been widely embraced as a priority in a number of developing countries in recent years. Despite the stated goal, governments frequently note they lack the fiscal space to fund public sector investments to promote equality in education, health and livelihoods. Public spending on gender equality could more usefully be construed as an investment rather than simply an expense. This chapter considers the main macroeconomic challenges for financing for gender equality. Crucial theoretical linkages between expenditures to promote gender equality and fiscal space are identified. This is supported by empirical evidence on the beneficial effects of inclusive and equitable policies in a variety of developing countries. Key alternative policies and measures in relation to financing for gender equality that deserve policymakers’ attention are described.