The 2016 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Africa Human Development report evaluates the efforts African countries have made to accelerate women’s empowerment through all spheres of society.  According to the report, the rationale for increased representation of women in the public sector is that when the composition of the public sector reflects the composition of the society it serves, the government will be more responsive and effective.  Women’s equal participation in public administration and decision making is a necessary condition for women’s interests to be taken fully into account and properly addressed. It is argued that equality in the public service ensures inclusive development and democratic governance and assists in restoring trust and confidence in public institutions in addition to enhancing sustainability and responsiveness of public policies.  The report states that women’s equal participation in the public service can have a significant impact on women’s economic empowerment.  The UNDP’s 2011 Human Development Report on Sustainability and Equity analysis shows how power imbalances and gender inequalities at the national level are linked to unequal access to clean water and better sanitation, impacts on land degradation and other environmental concerns.

Empowering women in the key public finance roles will improve governance, stimulate the rejuvenation of the country’s sustainable economic development and social progress and contribute to the achievement of the National Development Plan priorities and Sustainable Development Goals and targets. Equally, both men and women in public finance roles can be empowered to be champions of GRPBMEA. 

 PURPOSE

To appoint an individual national consultant to conduct research on gender representation, the challenges women experience and available opportunities in public finance management roles in selected provinces and explore entry points for gender responsive budgeting