The Commissioner General of National Revenue Authority (NRA), Mrs. Jeneba J. Bangura, who is also the Vice Chairperson of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) Women in Tax Network, has delivered a keynote address titled “Gender-Responsive Tax Policy Design in the Context of Beijing+30” at the ECOSOC Special Meeting on International Corporation in Tax Matters, United Nations Headquarters, New York in the United States.

In her keynote address, the Commissioner General emphasized the critical role of tax policy in advancing gender equality as the 30th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action approaches.

Mrs. Bangura highlighted that despite international commitments like the 1995 Beijing Declaration and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), significant gender disparities persist globally.

She pointed out that that many tax systems inadequately address women’s unique challenges, citing issues such as the disproportionate impact of consumption taxes on women, biases favouring male-dominated industries, and income tax structures that reinforce existing inequalities.

Advocating for the inclusion of women in tax policy formulation, Mrs. Bangura stressed that their perspectives are essential for creating equitable policies. She called for comprehensive research and collaboration among governmental bodies to gather and analyze gender-disaggregated data.

The Commissioner General further noted that sharing insights across nations can enhance understanding of the relationship between tax policy and gender equity.

Mrs. Bangura also showcased Sierra Leone’s initiatives to promote gender-responsive tax policies, including the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act of 2022 and tax incentives for organizations that employ women in senior management positions.

She concluded by urging continued collaboration and commitment to designing tax policies that empower women and foster equitable economic development.
Credit: Public Affairs and Tax Education Unit National Revenue Authority