Women in Takadum (GR550): Gender-Inclusive Perspectives in Budget Planning

The Women in Takadum training, a recent joint initiative by Itach-Maaki, Adva Center, and Shatil, aims to promote gender-inclusive perspectives in budget planning for Arab society in collaboration with Arab local authorities. The organizers recognize the significant underrepresentation of Arab women and their needs in governmental decisions and state policies, including the GR-550 (Takadum) five-year plan. The training comprises six sessions designed for civil society organization representatives.

Approved in October 2020 with a 30 billion NIS budget, the GR-550 plan aims to narrow gaps and remove barriers to growth across key areas of economic activity in Arab society. In 2022, a team led by the Ministry of Social Equality and advised by Itach-Maaki began integrating gender perspectives into the plan’s implementation. 

Despite the recent budget cuts and implementation challenges in development plans, stakeholders acknowledge the importance of equipping civil society professionals with the tools and expertise to effectively monitor government decisions and promote gender-sensitive policies.

The learning sessions explore essential elements of the state budget and how its distribution influences societal inequalities in Arab communities. Participants gain insights into identifying key stakeholders in budget formulation, analyzing gender disparities in financial policies, and proposing equitable alternative allocations. The training underscores that existing budgetary methods frequently neglect the specific requirements of marginalized groups like Arab women, perpetuating social and economic disparities.  For example, it examines the ways the current socio-economic development plans affect household income, poverty levels, healthcare disparities, and other critical areas.