Targeted Budget Program and Women Empowerment: A Multiple Case Study of Tillottma Municipality, Rupandehi

Abstract

Women empowerment has become global agenda as well as movement towards sustainable development ensuring zero violence of women in terms of various forms. In order to maintain gender equality, various historical discourses of gender namely Women and Development, Women in Development and Gender and Development were devised. Along these conceptions, several mechanisms have been implemented to pursue gender-based objectives. Nepal has quite sparking history for women empowerment and gender equality in terms of legislations as well as institutions. With Gender Responsive Budget 2011, separate mechanism Target budgeting is being operationalized in each local levels with 10% of total budget for women especially. With this regards, objectively, researcher is pursing the objectives of the research to examine implementation and effectiveness of Targeted Budget Program (TBP) for women empowerment. Tilottama Municipality of Rupandehi district was selected for this study. Allowing descriptive and explanatory research approaches under multiple case study methodology, the researcher adopted quantitative dominant qualitative analysis. Required data and information were gathered via primary and secondary data resources. Determining 187 sample size using sample determination formula, Household Survey of the sample was done. In order to triangulate findings, researcher conducted Key Informant Interview with selected persons and finally data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The participation in TBPs, trainees who were 30-40 years was higher. Janajati (e.g. Gurung, Magar) communities were highly participated by 62% out of total sample. The participant of Secondary level education was high with 45% and married participants were focused than unmarried participant. The agriculture was highest primary occupation of family. The findings of the study reflect that municipality allocated 10% budgets for 103 work plans of various women empowerment program. Separately in ward number 9 and 14, 1.56% and 3.59% budget of total budget for women of the municipality were expended to implement TBP respectively. The findings regarding to the effectiveness of program, the study reflected that role of women in socio-economic dimensions found increased. Budget found sufficient for program but time found insufficient for program. The output of TBPs showed that more than half participants out of total had been using skills of TBPs. Analysis of advantageous of TBPs; it was found that in order to raise awareness was highly scored and was followed by motivating for leadership. Rationality analysis of TBPs, to change women role, reduce discrimination, social development TBPs were highly essential following to reducing discrimination. These are directly/indirectly, indicating about more demand of TBPs with timely evaluation and feedback.