Incorporate gender issues into budget, NGO urge govt

The network also asked the government to allocate enough financial resources to facilitate the implementation of gender issues in the development plan.

TGNP board chairperson Assey Muro remarked that to have sustainable development in the country, everyone needs to fully take part.

She was speaking during a special training on how to include gender issues in plans and budget organized for planning officers from local councils in the country.

 The training is supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

Muro said the trainees will study guidelines on involving gender issues in the national plan and development which have been prepared by TGNP.

Muro challenged the officers to convert their perspectives in their daily working by including gender issues in implementing development plans.

“The nation has resolved to develop all the people, regardless their gender; therefore this is the right time to implement the resolve.”

Speaking about the prepared guidelines, the chairperson said they give the real picture about where the country reached in development and the importance of engaging women in development plans.

Also the guidelines describe the steps to follow in order to fully engage women in development issues to enable the country achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

TGNP has decided to train planning officers because they are the key people in planning and development in their areas and they also meet community members directly.

“Planning officers have a great opportunity to implement development plans in the councils,” she said, challenging them not to forget including women in their plans and the budget.