Gender Equality Plans Leading Towards Intersectionality Gender Budgeting

Gender equality has become a central dimension of public governance and policy innovation, with gender budgeting widely recognized as a tool to promote fairness in the allocation of resources. Yet, traditional approaches to gender budgeting often remain limited in scope, addressing binary gender disparities without adequately considering the complex intersections of race, ethnicity, class, disability, migration status, and other structural inequalities. This narrow lens risks reinforcing partial solutions while leaving systemic inequities unchallenged. This article advances the argument that Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) represent a pivotal institutional mechanism for moving beyond conventional gender budgeting toward an intersectional approach. GEPs, increasingly mandated within academic, public, and private institutions—particularly under European Union frameworks—can embed principles of inclusivity, accountability, and diversity into organizational and fiscal practices. By integrating intersectionality into budgeting processes, GEPs enable more comprehensive and equitable policy outcomes that reflect the lived realities of diverse populations. The study contributes a conceptual framework that links GEPs to intersectional gender budgeting, demonstrating their potential to reshape policy design and implementation. It also highlights the policy implications for governments, universities, and organizations seeking compliance with international standards on equality and inclusion. In doing so, this article bridges the gap between normative commitments to gender equality and the practical tools needed to achieve them. Ultimately, the findings underscore the importance of institutionalizing intersectional practices within financial decision-making to advance substantive gender justice in contemporary societies.