Gender responsive budgeting, social protection, and economic resilience among women-headed households in Indonesia

This study examines the associations between perceived gender responsive budgeting, social protection, and the economic resilience of women-headed households in Indonesia. Grounded in gender and development theory and the capability approach, it explores how fiscal responsiveness and welfare support relate to household capacity to manage economic shocks. Data were collected from 270 women-headed households in four Indonesian regions that have implemented gender mainstreaming in budgeting. Partial least squares structural equation modelling and multi-group analysis were applied. The findings show that both perceived gender responsive budgeting and social protection were positively associated with resilience, with social protection demonstrating a stronger direct association. These relationships varied by education, employment status, and dependency burdens. The results suggest that gender-responsive fiscal reform should be aligned with targeted social protection to support inclusive and context-sensitive resilience among vulnerable households.