The government has reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality by allocating Tk 260,766.6 crore for gender-responsive initiatives in the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2025–26 (FY26). This allocation represents 33 percent of the total budget and 4.2 percent of GDP.
Although the GDP share has slightly declined from 4.4 percent in the revised FY25 budget, the Finance Ministry’s Gender Budget Report 2025–26, titled “Fostering Gender Parity in Bangladesh,” highlights the positive trend in gender equity spending.
The operating budget dedicates Tk 170,985.9 crore—31.4 percent of its total—for gender-responsive programs, maintaining last year’s proportion. The development budget proposes Tk 89,780.7 crore for gender initiatives, accounting for 36.6 percent of the development budget, slightly down from 37.9 percent in FY25.
Over recent years, gender-responsive allocations have remained steady, with 34.1 percent in both FY25 and FY24, and 33.7 percent in FY23. The report emphasizes that gender perspectives are now structurally integrated across ministries and agencies, reflecting a strategic shift beyond isolated programs.
Despite minor fluctuations, the consistent allocation size signals that gender-sensitive budgeting has become a core national policy, aiming to improve outcomes and expand access to resources, services, and opportunities for women and marginalized communities.
