Research objective:
To improve the quality of secondary education services by ensuring that the equal rights and needs of boys and girls are taken into account through a gender analysis of the planning and budgeting documents of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MES).
Based on the findings of the analysis, final recommendations and an action plan were developed to improve the national planning and budgeting system for secondary education in line with the implementation of the national gender equality policy. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring equal consideration of the rights and needs of girls and boys, as well as empowering individuals with special educational needs to access education without discrimination.
Tasks completed:
1. Develop and submit a concept and work plan for conducting the gender analysis, covering the full scope of work, implementation timeline, and deadlines for submitting final deliverables;
2. Develop a methodology for conducting a gender analysis of the planning and budgeting documents of a central executive body, using the MES in the secondary education sector as an example. This includes a gender analysis of the COVID-19 emergency response budget to assess the integration of gender considerations and the gender impact of government programmes;
3. Provide training to responsible staff of relevant MES committees and departments involved in the gender analysis on the procedures of the approved methodology and approaches to conducting the analysis;
4. Conduct a gender analysis of the MES planning and budgeting documents in the secondary education sector using the developed methodology;
5. Develop specific recommendations and an action plan to improve the MES planning and budgeting documents, with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of internal plans and programmes by integrating gender considerations and ensuring alignment with international standards, including OECD country practices;
6. Organize and conduct a practical conference jointly with UN Women to discuss the findings of the gender analysis, involving experts, government representatives, members of parliament, and civil society organizations, to further support the institutionalization of gender-responsive budgeting (GRB).
