Gender-Responsive Budgeting

Abstract

The distribution of national wealth and resources amongst citizens takes place through the national budget. Through the national budget, the government can also empower women and reduce gender inequality. The budget has two sides: revenue and expenditures. In the case of Afghanistan, revenues or the taxation side of the budget has less influence on national income redistribution as compared with the expenditure side of the budget because domestic revenues are low; it covers less than half of the national budget. The tax rate is progressive, meaning that as income increases the tax rate also increases. Anyone whose income is around $2000 USD or more pays 20% income tax, and the average government salary is around $300 USD. On the other hand, important public services such as education and health are free. Although the quality of education and health services is very low, it has a huge impact on women’s empowerment and gender equality.