Arab representatives look at gender and the budget

Meeting from 22 to 24 June 2004 in Beirut, representatives from 17 Arab parliaments took part in a seminar entitled Parliament and the budgetary process, including from a gender perspective. Hosted by the Lebanese National Assembly, the event was organised by the IPU, the United Nations Development Programme and the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The significance of such a seminar being held in the Arab region cannot be overstated, and the enthusiasm shown by the participants testified to their commitment to improve the wellbeing of their peoples and to strengthen their democratic processes. The seminar was the fifth in a series of regional events on this subject, all of which have been aimed at strengthening the capacity of parliaments to ensure transparency and accountability in the budget process, a key aspect of government activity.

For three days, the participants discussed the budget process and stressed the need for stronger parliamentary involvement. Speaking on behalf of the IPU, Mr. Martin Chungong, the IPU Director of the Division for the Promotion of Democracy, remarked that "legislators of the Arab world are entrusted with the crucial task of implementing the commitments made by their countries to the strengthening of democracy. Only with an effective parliament can people really feel that their interests and rights are promoted, respected and represented on a daily basis."

Dominating the discussion was the question of gender budgeting. With one or two exceptions, this is a relatively new approach, both in the Arab region and worldwide. The seminar provided the first opportunity for a broad gathering of Arab legislators to address the question. Women account for a mere 6% of all Arab legislators. In contrast, at the seminar, women comprised more than 20% of all participants. That was a first success, which enriched the tone and content of the proceedings.

The Arabic version of the Handbook "Parliament, the Budget et Gender"

"Arab societies are half paralysed", said Speaker Nabih Berri

While the gender-budgeting approach raised many questions, some of which ultimately remained unresolved, the seminar also offered a forum for a discussion of gender issues. The result was constructive and supportive, as the place of women in Arab society was emphasised and promoted. The Speaker of the Lebanese National Assembly, Mr. Nabih Berri, clearly set the tone in his opening speech.

"Arab societies are half paralysed and hampered in their development because of limitations on the role of women and because patriarchal or male society is still reluctant to give women equal rights in the political, economic, social and cultural fields. This means that Arab people, systems and societies stand, but on one foot, can see, but with one eye, and can hear, but with one ear; they benefit from only half of their labour force, severing away half of their production by maintaining a reactionary status quo that is fundamentally at odds with nationalist, human and religious teachings and thought, be they Muslim or Christian."

At the close of its proceedings, the participants adopted a report summarising the main issues discussed. The Arabic version of the Handbook for Parliamentarians entitled " Parliament, the Budget and Gender " was also presented and distributed at this event.