Description:
Participating in the budget process has traditionally been considered as part of the main responsibilities of parliaments. However, the growing importance of the role parliaments are playing throughout the budgetary process has encouraged the rise of a new trend in the field of parliamentary development that classifies budgeting as a fourth function of the parliament, in addition to its legislative, representative, and oversight functions. Resources available in this section aim at providing information and building parliamentary capacity related to the various stages of the budget process. Further attention is paid to gender budgeting given its importance in the social and economic empowerment of women, and in ensuring equality and justice among citizens.