What is meant by 'Gender Budgeting' and 'Child Budgeting' ? Does Andhra Pradesh follow gender budgeting…

Question

What is meant by 'Gender Budgeting' and 'Child Budgeting' ? Does Andhra Pradesh follow gender budgeting and child budgeting ? Evaluate.

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

Gender budgeting integrates a gender perspective into every stage of the budget, while child budgeting tracks spending on children's education, health, nutrition and protection, and Andhra Pradesh follows both, though implementation gaps remain. It is among eight states preparing child budgets, yet audits flag fund diversion and health staff shortages.

**Introduction**

Gender Budgeting and Child Budgeting are fiscal tools to address women’s and children’s needs through targeted government spending⟦1⟧. Andhra Pradesh⟦2⟧’s welfare⟦3⟧ schemes like NTR Bharosa and Samagra Shiksha embody these principles, reflecting the state’s focus on inclusive growth and social equity.

**Meaning and Scope**

2. **Child Budgeting Concept**: Focuses on age-specific allocations for child development sectors, enabling targeted interventions; ==Andhra Pradesh is among eight states preparing child budgets, using schemes like Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0⟦4⟧.== It also helps track progress towards international commitments such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to child health and education.

**Implementation in Andhra Pradesh**

3. **Gender Budgeting Practice**: ==The state has raised allocations for women and girls significantly, with schemes like Thalliki Vandanam and Stree Shakti institutionalising gender budgeting.== These initiatives have strengthened gender-sensitive policy formulation and resource allocation.  
4. **Challenges and Audit Findings**: ==CAG audits reveal diversion of welfare funds and underutilisation in women-centric schemes, while health infrastructure gaps and staff shortages affect child welfare programs like Bala Sanjeevani.== Additionally, administrative inefficiencies and fiscal constraints limit the full realisation of budgetary goals.

**Way Forward**

5. **Strengthen Monitoring and Infrastructure**: Enhance budget cells for real-time tracking and impact evaluation, and improve health and education facilities by filling vacancies and upgrading infrastructure to ensure effective use of funds.

**Conclusion**

Andhra Pradesh’s gender and child budgeting show commitment but require better implementation, accountability, and infrastructure support to fully realise social justice and equitable development goals.

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