Is Kerala Leading the Way in Gender Auditing?

Thiruvananthapuram, July 10 (NationPress) Kerala, renowned for its progressive initiatives across various sectors, is now taking the lead in gender auditing—a vital step toward ensuring institutional accountability and fostering inclusion.

This initiative has gained momentum through its early adoption in Kudumbashree, the state’s flagship program for women’s empowerment that is being replicated globally, as well as within local governance bodies and the tourism industry.

"Conducting gender audits is essential in any system that influences people's lives and choices. These audits evaluate whether institutions are equitably serving all genders," states Dr. Reshma Elizabeth Thomas, an ILO-certified Gender Audit Facilitator who has spearheaded numerous audits in Kerala.

She clarifies that gender auditing transcends mere compliance or superficial reviews of policy documents. “It’s a thorough, participatory reflection process,” she explained to IANS.

The methodology encompasses desk reviews, staff surveys, interviews, participatory workshops, debriefing sessions, and concludes with a Gender Action Plan featuring measurable outcomes and ongoing monitoring mechanisms.

Dr. Thomas asserts that gender audits enable institutions to pinpoint systemic inequalities within their structures, policies, and workplace cultures.

“They encourage organizational learning, improve communication across hierarchies, enhance psychological safety, and facilitate gender-responsive planning and budgeting. Most crucially, they instill a shared sense of ownership and dedication to achieving gender equality,” she emphasized.

Kudumbashree, for instance, has pioneered a Gender Crime Mapping Survey—a participatory auditing tool that systematically records occurrences of gender-based violence at the panchayat level.

Data is gathered directly from women’s community groups across wards, aiding in the identification of local “hotspots” and guiding community-led responses.

Building on these initiatives, Dr. Thomas highlighted the necessity for a comprehensive participatory gender audit manual to institutionalize audits across various departments and sectors.

“The next phase involves incorporating prevention, redressal, and systemic reform,” she noted.

While gender audits directly contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5—Gender Equality, their influence extends further.

“They foster inclusion, institutional responsiveness, and accountability, which also align with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions),” she stated, adding, “When implemented rigorously and linked to concrete actions, gender audits can drive institutional transformation—bridging the divide between policy and real-world experiences.”

Dr. Thomas also emphasized the significance of gender-responsive budgeting. “Without adequate financial backing, gender equality remains a mere rhetorical aim. Gender budgeting connects intent with actual impact,” she remarked.

On a global scale, the ILO’s Participatory Gender Audit model is regarded as the benchmark, and Kerala's advancements in this field reflect its increasing commitment to constructing more inclusive and equitable institutions.