Reflections from a Capacity Building Programme at IMPARD
Khan Sameer
Gender and child budgeting are essential instruments for inclusive and equitable decentralised governance. This article draws upon learnings from a three-day capacity building programme conducted at the Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development. It examines the conceptual framework, institutional responsibilities, and practical approaches to integrating gender and child concerns within the Gram Panchayat Development Plan. The article also highlights the academic and practitioner perspectives shared during the programme.
Introduction
The Gram Panchayat Development Plan is the cornerstone of participatory planning under the Panchayati Raj system. It provides a structured mechanism for identifying local priorities and allocating public resources. Integrating gender and child budgeting within GPDP strengthens equity, accountability, and responsiveness in local governance. A three-day training programme at IMPARD offered in depth understanding of these dimensions through expert-led academic and practical sessions.
Conceptual Foundations Of Gender And Child Budgeting
The programme commenced with an inaugural session and course orientation by Dr Shafia Wani, Course Coordinator. The session outlined the objectives and emphasised the importance of mainstreaming gender and child perspectives in local planning.
An overview of gender and child budgeting in the context of GPDP was also presented by Dr Shafia Wani. The session clarified that gender budgeting is not a separate budget for women but an analytical approach to assess the impact of public expenditure on different genders. Child budgeting was explained as a focused investment in child survival, development, protection, and participation.
Legal And Rights-Based Frameworks
The legal foundations of child and gender rights were addressed through expert sessions. Dr Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Assistant Professor at IMPARD, delivered a session on provisions of child rights in Jammu and Kashmir. The discussion highlighted statutory safeguards, institutional mechanisms, and the role of the state in child welfare.
Dr Aneeda Jan, Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Kashmir, presented a detailed analysis of constitutional rights, protection, and safeguards for women and children. This session reinforced the constitutional mandate for inclusive and rights-based governance.
Child Protection And Institutional Care
A critical perspective on child protection systems was provided by Dr Javaid Rashid, Assistant Professor at the University of Kashmir. His session on rethinking institutional care emphasised moving beyond custodial models towards rehabilitative, family-based, and community-oriented approaches to child protection.
The programme also included a session on the implementation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Act in Jammu and Kashmir. This session was delivered by Mr Qazi Irfan, KAS, Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir. It offered valuable insights into administrative processes, enforcement challenges, and interdepartmental coordination.
Gender Responsive Governance And Panchayati Raj
Gender responsive initiatives of the government were discussed by Dr Shafia Wani, highlighting policy measures and their implications for grassroots planning. Dr Jahan Ara Jabeen, Director Trainings at IMPARD, delivered a comprehensive session on gender and gender budgeting, focusing on analytical tools and budgetary frameworks.
Flagship programmes for women and children were examined by Dr Shafia Wani with emphasis on convergence, prioritisation, and effective utilisation of resources. The transformative potential of Panchayati Raj institutions for women was also explored, focusing on leadership, participation, and decision-making at the local level.
Integration Of Gender And Child Budgeting In GPDP
Specific sessions addressed the role of Gram Panchayats in gender and child budgeting. Dr Shafia Wani elaborated on planning processes within GPDP and the importance of gender and age disaggregated data. The concept of gender and child-friendly Panchayats was discussed with reference to inclusive infrastructure, service delivery, and participatory mechanisms.
These sessions underscored that gender and child budgeting must be embedded within the overall GPDP framework rather than treated as parallel exercises. Community participation and institutional coordination emerged as key enabling factors.
Conclusion
The capacity building programme at IMPARD provided a comprehensive and multidimensional understanding of gender and child budgeting within the GPDP framework. The integration of academic perspectives, legal analysis, and administrative experience enriched the learning process. The programme reaffirmed that gender and child budgeting are governance imperatives central to sustainable and inclusive rural development. Institutionalising these approaches at the Panchayat level can significantly enhance the quality and impact of decentralised planning.
The writer is the Superintendent, Palaash (CCI) Shopian (Mission Vatsalya Government of J&K)
kh*****************@***il.com