Women and the US Budget: Where the Money Goes and What You Can Do About It

The national budget represents the common resources of the people of the United States. Yet only a handful of experts understand the full impact of budget policy on the American people. Since women comprise just a fraction of national decision-makers, women's needs and perspectives are largely left out of budget policy – a critical absence during our current era of rising deficits, increasing military and security budgets, and cutbacks in public investment. 'Women and the US Budget' helps fill the gap between the significance of the national budget in women's lives and the lack of information about it by focusing on budget literacy. In Part One, readers take on the role of 'public investigator' and explore the questions: Where does the money come from? Where does the money go? Surplus or debt? and Who decides? Part Two connects the budget with national and international economies and examines what organisations are doing around the world to create gender-sensitive and people-centred budgets. Part Three describes values, guiding principles, and framework for a new budget for the United States, suggests ways to take action, and provides resources. Part of a worldwide movement for more transparency and accountability in public budgeting, the book provides women and others with a tool for advocacy and action. It will appeal to a general audience as well as a variety of women's organisations, social service and labour union professionals, women community activists and elected officials, and students in a number of disciplines.