Gender responsive budgeting in focus at OSCE-supported training course in Podgorica
The basic concepts of gender responsive budgeting, its importance and implementation at the municipal level were discussed during an OSCE-supported training course held on 15 and 16 June 2017in Podgorica.
The OSCE Mission to Montenegro implemented this training course in partnership with the Gender Department of the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights for municipal gender focal points, an informal network of public servants from 20 municipalities across Montenegro.
Opening the training course, Head of the Democratization Programme in the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Lia Magnaguagno, emphasized that these meetings are particularly important considering that some focal points have joint the network only recently. “Gender responsive budget is a key mechanism for ensuring that social and economic matters are well connected and that gender equality principles are included into all stages of the budget process.”
Biljana Pejovic, Head of the Gender Department in the Ministry for Human Rights reminded the participants that the Ministry will continue its support, together with the Mission and other international partners. "This course is part of a very important process, and I am sure that it will help you strengthen the Municipal Gender Focal Point Network, as well as your mutual co-operation and coordination."
Use of local resources in implementation of gender standards and principles, as well as gender budgeting have been identified as the priority areas for building capacity of participants of this informal focal point network. The Mission will continue to build the capacities of the network with an additional two-day training course in autumn this year.