Integrating Gender Responsive Budgeting into Public Financial Management

Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, Liberia | November 2, 2026:– The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), through its Gender-Responsive Planning and Budgeting (GRPB) National Coordination Unit under the Department of Budget and Development Planning, convened a three-day training on Gender Mainstreaming into the Public Financial Management (PFM) Cycle in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County.

The training was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) and supported by UNDP as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen gender-responsive governance and public financial management in Liberia.

It brought together over fifty representatives from government spending entities, key government institutions, and civil society organizations to enhance their capacity to integrate gender considerations into planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and reporting processes.

The initiative aims to strengthen gender-responsive public finance systems and promote more equitable and inclusive development outcomes across Liberia.

Held from October 28-30, 2026, the training forms part of ongoing efforts to institutionalize Gender- Responsive Planning and Budgeting (GRPB) within government systems and ensure that public policies, plans, and expenditures effectively address the needs and priorities of women, men, girls, and boys.

The workshop focused on equipping GRPB implementing officials and public sector practitioners with practical tools and approaches for integrating gender considerations throughout the public financial management cycle, from policy design and planning to budgeting, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and auditing.

Participants explored international and national policy frameworks, gender analysis methodologies, gender-responsive budgeting tools, expenditure tracking, gender audits, stakeholder engagement, and accountability mechanisms.

Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Minister for Administration, Andrew Tehmeh Sr., Technical Focal Point, underscored the importance of gender equality as a cornerstone of national development.

Gender equality is not merely a social aspiration. It is a fundamental requirement for inclusive development, effective governance, and responsive public financial management. Our national development efforts can achieve their full potential only when the needs and priorities of women, men, boys, and girls are adequately reflected in policy planning and budgetary decisions.

Tehmeh emphasized that the MFDP, as the institution responsible for coordinating national planning and public financial management, has a critical role in ensuring gender is integrated throughout Liberia’s budget cycle, enabling public resources to deliver equitable and meaningful results for all Liberians.

Representing the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), Samuel Ekginabah, Director of Research and Statistics, highlighted that the true impact of the training would be measured by how effectively participants translate the knowledge gained into institutional practice.

Gender-responsive budgeting is a shared responsibility. It requires strong coordination among policymakers, planners, budget officers, programme managers, auditors, and development partners.

The success of this training lies in how we apply these tools to strengthen programmes, inform budgetary decisions, and advance inclusive development.

During the three-day programme, participants examined key frameworks linking gender equality commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other international obligations to national public financial management systems.

The training also introduced approaches for conducting gender analysis across key sectors including agriculture, education, health, trade, industry, and MSME development.

Additional sessions focused on integrating gender into Liberia’s budget process, understanding Medium- Term Expenditure Frameworks (MTEF), applying gender-responsive budgeting tools, developing gender- sensitive indicators, preparing budget call circulars, conducting gender budget audits, and strengthening fiscal transparency through stakeholder engagement and open budget consultations.

Delivering remarks on behalf of UNDP, Elizabeth Sumo, Programme Associate, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the Government of Liberia in advancing gender-responsive governance and sustainable development. Gender equality is not only a matter of human rights; it is essential for sustainable development.

When women and girls have equal opportunities to participate in economic, social, and political life, communities become stronger, institutions perform better, and economies grow more inclusively.

She noted that gender-responsive budgeting is a critical tool for ensuring public resources are allocated fairly and effectively.

Through the Equanomics Initiative and other governance and gender equality programmes, UNDP continues to support efforts that strengthen gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and inclusive governance.

This training reflects our shared commitment to building the capacity of public institutions to integrate gender considerations into development planning and resource allocation.

The training was implemented under the broader framework of Liberia’s efforts to strengthen public financial management systems and advance gender equality through evidence-based planning, inclusive governance, and equitable service delivery.

Participants concluded the workshop by identifying practical entry points for integrating gender perspectives into Liberia’s budget formulation, enactment, execution, monitoring, and evaluation processes.

As Liberia continues its journey toward inclusive and sustainable development, initiatives such as this training reinforce the Government’s commitment to ensuring that public resources deliver equitable outcomes and contribute to closing gender gaps across society.

About the Initiative

The Gender-Responsive Planning and Budgeting (GRPB) programme supports the Government of Liberia’s efforts to institutionalize gender-responsive approaches across public sector planning and Through collaboration between MFDP, MGCSP, UNDP, and other partners, the initiative seeks to strengthen public institutions, improve accountability, and ensure that development investments benefit all Liberians equitably.

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