The government has begun implementing Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) by preparing a Gender Budget Statement for the 2026/27 financial year, a move aimed at ensuring public spending and development plans respond to the needs of women, men, girls, boys and people with special needs.
Finance Minister Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar announced the initiative while opening a training programme for members of the Tanzania Women Parliamentarians Group (TWPG) at Parliament in Dodoma.
The move marks a new phase in the government's efforts to integrate gender considerations into budget planning and resource allocation, with officials arguing that more inclusive budgeting can help address development disparities and improve service delivery.
Mr Omar said Gender-Responsive Budgeting should not be viewed as a separate budget for women, but as a framework that assesses how government revenue and expenditure affect different groups within society.
“Through this approach, we are able to ensure that public resources are allocated in a manner that reflects the needs of all citizens, including women, men, girls, boys and people with special needs,” he said.
He noted that studies have linked greater gender equality to stronger economic performance, arguing that removing barriers that limit participation in economic and social activities can contribute to poverty reduction and broader development outcomes.
The minister said the initiative is aligned with the implementation of Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the National Gender and Women Development Policy of 2023.
As part of the initial phase, the government will pilot the Gender Budget Statement in nine ministries: Agriculture; Education, Science and Technology; Constitution and Legal Affairs; Water; Health; Communications and Information Technology; Livestock and Fisheries; Industry and Trade; and Home Affairs.
The pilot programme will also involve the Regional Commissioners’ Offices in Geita and Singida, as well as Chalinze District Council.
According to Mr Omar, lessons from the pilot exercise will help shape the future expansion of gender-responsive budgeting across government institutions.
He urged lawmakers to use the training to strengthen their understanding of the new framework, saying Parliament has a critical role in overseeing public expenditure, enacting legislation and advising the government on development priorities.
“The knowledge gained from these trainings will strengthen Parliament’s ability to oversee public finances and ensure development plans benefit all groups of citizens equitably,” he said.
The introduction of the Gender Budget Statement represents a shift towards a more inclusive approach to public finance management, as Tanzania seeks to align budget decisions with the diverse needs of its population while promoting equitable and sustainable development.
