Focus panel 17 – Challenges to feminist fiscal policies beyond growth: a focus on gender budgeting tools

Summary

This panel aims to explore the role of gender budgeting in implementing feminist fiscal policies that promote gender equality and care economy, with a particular focus on the challenges specific to the European Union (EU). While the EU has numerous programs and funding streams aimed at promoting gender equality, there is a need to make these policies more effective and binding. The panel will discuss how gender budgeting can be used to reshape fiscal policies, and what steps the EU must take to counteract the ongoing backlash against gender rights. An ambitious feminist approach to the care economy, as outlined in the European Women’s Lobby’s Purple Pact challenges the current macro-economic model founded on unsustainable growth, at the expense of women. Monitoring public expenditures is a powerful tool to reshape fiscal policies towards a redistribution of power and resources to women. 

Mainstreaming these guidelines, along with other gender-related aims to the disbursement of funds such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility or the European Social Fund+ could be an effective approach, but we are yet to see real progress on the ground. Besides, most of the EU budget is implemented through member state authorities, and in member states where governments are outright hostile to gender rights. It is particularly challenging to ensure that these funds are used effectively. What do such programs look like from stakeholders' perspective? What should the EU do to counteract the ongoing backlash against gender rights? What is the role of civil society in this process?

The panel aims to discuss the importance of gender budgeting, with a particular focus on the challenges that may arise within the European Union (EU) context. Additionally, it will explore the specific difficulties faced by EU countries that are operating within an illiberal political environment, hindering the implementation of feminist fiscal policies.

Chair

• Katalin Cseh - MEP (Renew Europe), Beyond Growth Conference organiser

Speakers

• Mary Collins - Senior Policy Advisor and Advocacy Coordinator at the European Women's Lobby
• Keveházi Katalin - Director General of the Jol-Let Foundation
• Edina Heal - Head of Equalizer Foundation