Introduction

This introduction provides an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book traces the surfacing of gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) in Timor-Leste, initially as a government initiative. It argues that the effort of institution building that supported a gender equality agenda made it possible for a narrative and a practice to emerge around GRB. The book investigates the contribution of the parliament to Timor-Leste's GRB initiative. It examines the role of Timor-Leste's women's cross-party caucus in the passage of a parliamentary resolution on GRB. The book studies the conditions under which women activists can influence economic policy, making the government accountable for its policy commitments and encouraging active citizenship around the budget. It argues that women's strategic mobilisation around a cooperative and autonomous political platform, Rede Feto, has created opportunities for gender equality to become part of Timor-Leste's development project.