CGE ANNUAL REPORT

2022/23 ANNUAL REPORT

The report identifies some of the challenges faced by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) in its attempts to ensure that the framework is embraced and implemented by all national government departments. The main aim of this research study was to assess the readiness/ preparedness of national government departments in the implementation of the GRBF for the financial year 2020/2021. The objectives of the study included: • Assessing the measures or systems put in place by national government departments in preparation for the implementation of the GRBF; • Assessing what resources were required, both financial and human, to implement the GRBF; • Assessing levels of awareness of the GRBF tool by the various national government departments; and, • Assessing experiences and challenges faced by the national departments in implementing the GRBF. Conclusions of the Study: Based on the presentation, discussion, and analysis of the findings in this report, the CGE has drawn several conclusions, listed in this section. It is clear from the research study that a number of challenges face the implementation of the Gender Responsive Budgeting Framework (GRBF) and gender responsive budgeting generally in South Africa. One of the challenges observed is that although the DWYPD is the lead department in the implementation of the GRBF, it lacks the resources – both financial and human to implement Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) in South Africa. GRB should already have been implemented by all national departments as of 2020, however this is not the case, and already implementation is lagging based on the timelines and projections of the DWYPD. This is a cause for concern and needs urgent intervention to address the issue and ensure the projected timelines of the implementation of the GRBF are observed or are as close as possible to initial projections. Secondly, the DWYPD is quite a small department, and so is its share of the budget allocation in comparison to other departments budgets like education and health. The DWYPD needs to be assisted urgently by the National Treasury and other key government departments like the DPME, the DPSA and the Presidency in the implementation of GRB in South Africa. Also, more financial resources must be provided by national government to implement gender responsive budgeting. Thirdly, we conclude that there is a lack of clear and effective communication channels regarding the specific roles and responsibilities of the various key departments in terms of the GRBF, particularly among the core departments (i.e. DWYPD, DPME and National Treasury).

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