WINDHOEK, Namibia - A Technical Working Meeting was held in Windhoek on 18 September 2023, to finalise the Gender-Responsive Budget Analytical (GRBA) Report.

The report, developed as part of the Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDG Fund) Joint Programme, outlines the budget allocations of the Namibian Government for gender equality (GE) and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR).

Led by the Government with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other UN agencies, the Joint Programme aims to create the right conditions and build capacities for the alignment of public and private capital with the SDGs, and to improve the quality and scale of financing.

Gift Malunga, UNFPA Namibia Representative, emphasized the importance of gender-responsive budget analysis as a critical tool for public finance management during the event. She also highlighted the pivotal role that the Analytical Report under review will play in advancing gender equality, stating that "by applying gender-based analysis, we establish a foundation for implementing equal opportunities for women and men in all spheres.

The report reveals that although the Health sector budget is worth N$8.4 billion (11.8%) for FY 2022-23, making it the third largest share of the National Budget, gender equality and the reproductive health rights of women and girls have generally been consistently under-financed at both national and sub-national levels.

Malunga urged collective action to dismantle gender barriers and create a more equitable society.

The meeting was facilitated by Benson Matali, Deputy Director for Gender Mainstreaming, Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare.