Nagaland: 2-day training on gender equality for effective planning

A two-day, training on Gender Sensitive Budgeting and Outcome Budgeting began at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Kohima, on February 16, 2026.
The programme was organized in collaboration with the Planning & Transformation department.
In her opening remarks, Development Commissioner Temsunaro Aier highlighted that the participation of officers in the training reflects the importance the Government of Nagaland attaches to building a more inclusive, effective and capable system of planning and budgeting. She stressed that gender equality and women’s empowerment are central to sustainable and inclusive development.
Aier pointed out that while policies and commitments are essential, they must be supported by proper planning and adequate financial resources. “The budget remains the Government’s most powerful policy instrument,” she said. She clarified that Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) is not a separate budget for women, nor about equal spending on men and women, but about examining plans and budgets through a gender lens to ensure public resources respond to the diverse needs of women and men, girls and boys. This, she added, makes spending more efficient, equitable, and impactful.
Recalling that Nagaland initiated gender budgeting in 2009-10, Aier noted that the Planning & Transformation Department, as the nodal agency, has since guided departments to incorporate gender perspectives in their plans. Gender Budgeting Cells have been constituted to institutionalise this effort and to support departments in tracking and improving interventions.
She explained that the training aims to build awareness and practical skills among officers to integrate gender concerns into planning, budgeting and monitoring. It will help assess whether programmes are reaching intended beneficiaries, whether resources are being used efficiently, and whether outcomes are contributing to reducing existing gaps.
Aier further emphasized that GRB is not the responsibility of one department alone. “Every department, whether in social or economic sectors, has a role to play, because every policy and programme has a gender impact in one way or another. A budget that is not examined through a gender lens risks being gender-blind,” she cautioned. She encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions and reflect on how the tools and ideas shared could be applied in their departmental work.
Rajesh Saxena, joint secretary (Rtd), Government of India, is the main resource person for the two-day training programme.