26 Advancing Gender Equality in Nepal: Refining gender-responsive budgeting for transformative impact 10. Strengthening the Role of Different Sectors The implementation of a GRB framework depends on the commitment of all involved stakeholders and institutions. Gender equality and GRB knowledge and expertise should be made available in all institutions involved in the policy and budgeting process. As highlighted above, clear guidelines, a comprehensive framework and adequate resources and staff for implementation are important prerequisites for adequate work. GRB demands coordination and collaboration between multiple stakeholders at every stage from design and implementation, tracking and monitoring of results and sharing of practices for future improvement. There is a need for knowledge building in and creating ownership of these processes regarding how and when to promote GRB to address gender gaps and challenges as well as to focus on transformative gender equality investments. The list of relevant sectors includes government institutions, parliamentarians, researchers, academics, experts, media, civil society and the private sector. These institutions and actors have different mandates, understandings and activities. Effective coordination and networking are vital to bring everyone onto the same platform to promote gender equality and GRB implementation in Nepal. In this context it is recommended to: • Promote experience sharing on gender equality and GRB implementation across different institutions on a regular basis, including a sustainable knowledge hub for sharing of knowledge and best practices; • Establish adequate coordination and support to fully implement the GRB localization strategy adopted by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration; and • Ensure consistency of GRB implementation at all tiers of government, establishing an effective coordination mechanism for gender equality and GRB between national level and the level of districts and municipalities(local governments). A. Role of parliament The government prepares policy documents such as the periodic plan, project bank, MTEF, annual plan and budget and monitoring framework, in consultation with stakeholders including parliamentarians. Government also consults parliamentarians specifically in different thematic committees. The resulting documents then go for approval by cabinet and parliament. However, these consultations tend to focus on physical and financial information provided by government, and less on the social and gender dimensions, which limits the discussion and the further fostering of women’s empowerment and the gender-equality agenda. Additionally, policy makers and parliamentarians have their own priorities and interests. Their approaches and education with regards to gender equality are often limited by the dominant patriarchal social structure, culture, and stigma. Parliamentarians have given correspondingly less priority to gender-equality issues. Policy makers and parliamentarians need proper orientation on the topics and process, to better discuss, lobby and influence relevant decisions.