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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
October 2022 | VoICE International | 45