1. GENDER RESPONSIVE BUDGETING Yerevan, 2008 Assessment mission workshop Elizabeth Villagómez International Expert and Consultant Almenara, Estudios Económicos y Sociales S.L. +34 91 242 40 59 almenara@almenaraestudios.com www.almenaraestudios.com

2. EU EXPERIENCES

3. Where? Austria Belgium Czech Republic France Germany Italy Spain Nordic countries (individual and joint efforts) Switzerland United Kingdom

4. How? Pilot initiatives Development of analytical tools Legislation Central, regional and local With and without involving citizens Different approaches

5. Who? Government officials from the finance and the gender equality departments Officials from other departments (usually under gender equality monitoring mechanisms) Experts Citizen’s groups (gender equality, women’s rights, transparency and accountability advocates) Parliamentarians

6. What has been achieved? Changes in tax-benefit structures Increase in gender impact assessment of budgets and gender aware budget statements Changes in policies and budgets that were formerly perceived as neutral Increase in transparency and accountability Increase in efficiency of expenditure

7. What is left to do? Strengthening of tools Sustainability of experiences Strengthen community of practice Strengthen advocacy and awareness Civil society monitoring Advocate for a stronger commitment at EU level