Gender Budgeting Practices and Their Impact on Women's Livelihoods in Nairobi: A Mixed Methods Analysis

Gender budgeting refers to a process by which governments allocate resources based on gender equality principles. In Nairobi, Kenya, there is increasing recognition of the need for such practices to address disparities in women's access to economic opportunities. A mixed methods approach was employed, combining qualitative interviews with quantitative data analysis of government expenditure records. Data collection involved surveys targeting women entrepreneurs and in-depth interviews with stakeholders including officials from the Ministry of Finance. The findings indicate that while some gender budgeting initiatives have led to increased funding for programmes aimed at supporting women’s businesses (30% increase), there remains a significant gap in addressing structural inequalities such as limited access to finance and discriminatory laws. Gender budgeting has shown promise but is not yet comprehensive enough to fully address the complex needs of Nairobi's female population. Further tailored interventions are required to ensure equitable resource allocation. Policymakers should prioritise gender-sensitive budgeting practices that specifically target women’s economic empowerment and advocate for legal reforms that eliminate discriminatory barriers.