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Global Perspective


        helps to reduce friction and avoid resistance when   evaluation of gender effects by reinforcing the
        subsequent actions are proposed.                  new behaviour and making the value more
           The first three strategic ideas below are aimed   tangible.
        at driving acceptance and buy-in among members   International IDEA’s tested these strategic ideas
        of parliament. The fourth and last idea is instead   in 2021 as part of its support to parliamentary
        aimed at driving action and maintenance of the new   financial oversight in Myanmar. However, the
        behaviours.                                   political developments in the country since
        1.   Align legislatures’                                            February 2021 have
            tendency to see        Promoting gender responsive budgeting and   not allowed to see how
            family as the most     pursuing gender equality are long-term processes   the implementation of
            important value to     that must be thought of as an integral part of   these ideas actually
            Myanmar people         building a healthy, stable democracy.    affects the behavior of
            with the idea of                                                members of parliament
            considering gender                                              in integrating a gender
            effects of government budget. This strategy   perspective into their oversight work and reviewing
            can increase acceptance and buy-in for gender   the impacts of government budget on gender
            consideration among members of parliament   equality. Thus, important learning has not taken
            by leveraging a sense of consistency in the face   place.
            of changing the status quo;
        2.   “Frame” gender consideration as a means   The Potential of the Behavioral
            of showing constituents that members of   Approach
            parliament work hard for the well-being of all   Promoting gender responsive budgeting and
            their constituents, including both men and   pursuing gender equality are long-term processes
            women. This strategy can increase acceptance   that must be thought of as an integral part of
            and buy-in for gender consideration among   building a healthy, stable democracy. The prospects
            members of parliament by leveraging pride and   for the institutionalization of gender-responsive
            the desire to behave consistently with how they   budgeting are improved if legislatures and other
            see themselves;                                                decision-makers embrace
        3.   Embed workshops,                                              the ideas, values, and
            seminars, and          Embed workshops, seminars, and training on   practices of integrating
            training on            gender issues within broader topics of “good   gender considerations
            gender issues          practices”.                             into the national
            within broader                                                 budget cycle. Making
            topics of “good practices”. This strategy can   gender integration work requires changing the way
            increase acceptance and buy-in for gender   legislatures behave.
            consideration among members of parliament    While any solution from elsewhere needs to be
            by reducing friction and aligning with their   carefully tailored to the local context, International
            goals, interests, and preferences; and    IDEA’s experience in Myanmar suggests that the
        4.   Provide members of parliament with feedback   behavioural approach has the potential to help
            on their performance in considering gender   legislatures beyond this country, make global
            issues in their oversight work and their   support for gender sensitive parliamentary oversight
            contribution to improving constituents’ well-  more effective, and move the needle towards
            being. This strategy will drive continuous   achieving gender equality.
                                                                                 Motoki Hayakawa
                                                                      Public Financial Management, Myanmar
        Link to original Article: https://www.idea.int/news-media/news/how-science-human-behaviour-can-help-legislatures-advance-
        gender-equality
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