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Focus Areas

Gender Responsive and Participatory Budgeting (GRPB)

Setting the Standard for Public Expenditure Management

Different People, Different Needs

The GRPB initiative in Penang sets a global standard for public expenditure management by incorporating gender responsiveness and participatory elements into the budgeting process, which ensures that government budgeting processes are inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of the community.
The introduction of GRPB-The Penang Model was based on a conference held in 2013, marking Penang as the first state in Malaysia and around the world to combine Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) and Participatory Budgeting (PB).

Objectives

About the Programme

  • Includes all stakeholders in budget planning and delivery
  • Responsive to the different needs of different people
  • Allows data to support better and more informed policies
  • Strengthens the linkages between economic and social policy outcomes

The Penang Model

A Revolutionary Approach That Works for All
Penang is a global pioneer, uniquely combining Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) with Participatory Budgeting (PB) to create an innovative framework that places citizens at the center of budget planning.
Through PWDC, a transformative, participatory, and gender-sensitive methodology has been introduced, empowering communities to actively engage in democratic budget planning and decision-making. This approach champions the principle of “Different People, Different Needs,” ensuring inclusivity and equity in every step of the process.

Implementation and Collaboration

The implementation of GRPB involves collaboration between state and local governments, with PWDC serving as a consultant on gender perspective integration, women’s rights, and good governance.
This model has redefined how public funds are allocated to serve the diverse needs of the community. GRPB empowers people to organise, take responsibility, and strengthen connections between communities and local governments, fostering a more inclusive and participatory governance system.

Projects

Key projects under this initiative empower government departments to recognise and address the different needs of all community members, supported by sex-disaggregated data (SDD) and comprehensive training workshops.

GRPB Champion Award

Milestones

2012

Introduction of GRPB, supported by Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MISSP), marking Penang as the first city to combine GRB and PB.

2012

2014

Special Mention of the International Jury at the International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (IOPD) Award.

2014

2016

Initiation of the Gender Inclusiveness Policy drafting process

2016

2018

National recognition for the "Gender Responsive and Participatory Budgeting: Financing Reform Through Community Empowerment" initiative and international awards for participatory of "Our Money, Our Say” budgeting projects.

2018

2019

Official launch of the Gender Inclusiveness Policy, formally adopted by the Penang State Government.

2019

Milestones

2012

Introduction of GRPB, supported by Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MISSP), marking Penang as the first city to combine GRB and PB.

2014

Special Mention of the International Jury at the International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (IOPD) Award.

2016

Initiation of the Gender Inclusiveness Policy drafting process

2018

National recognition for the "Gender Responsive and Participatory Budgeting: Financing Reform Through Community Empowerment" initiative and international awards for participatory of "Our Money, Our Say” budgeting projects.

2019

Official launch of the Gender Inclusiveness Policy, formally adopted by the Penang State Government.

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