Gender-Responsive Budgeting and Social Sector Development

This study analyzes the reflections of gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) practices in the social sectors by reviewing Türkiye's budget justifications between 2007 and 2024 through a gender perspective. Focusing on the education, health, and employment sectors, it investigates the extent to which the needs of women and girls are considered in the budget justifications. Using a hybrid thematic analysis method, the study evaluates the scope and impact of gender-based policies. The budget justifications were analyzed using MAXQDA software, and policies aimed at addressing gender inequalities in the social sectors were identified. The results indicate that Türkiye's GRB process became more pronounced as of 2017, but challenges such as difficulties in tracking justifications, repeated texts, and superficial statements have prevented the full effectiveness of the implementation. The study points towards using more descriptive and evaluable arguments in the justification of the budget share; further recommendations for the improvement of policy strategies to support and improve gender equality are also provided.