Women Traders Demand Gender-Responsive Tax Reform In Jigawa
By Ahmed Aminu, Dutse
Women traders in Jigawa state have called for gender-responsive tax reform to reduce marginalisation and promote equity.
The women traders made the call during a two-day capacity building workshop on gender-responsive tax reforms organised by Prime Initiative for Development.
The Syndicate reports that the workshop was funded and supported by Christian Aid and CISLAC.
The women said whatever reform was introduced, it must reduce the burden on women-led businesses in the informal sector.
They expressed concern that the current tax policies did not provide subsidies for women-led businesses despite the challenges they face daily.
One of the women leaders from Dutse, Hajiya Fatima Halliru Haruna said policymakers should support women to be self-reliant rather than running them out of business through oppressive taxation.
According to her, women in businesses face the challenge of managing their homes and families while trying to stay afloat, as such they deserve concessions when it comes to tax payments.
“It is not ideal to pay same amount of tax with men who are always at their shops and other businesses throughout the day,” Hajiya Fatima argued.
Earlier, the Executive Director of Prime Initiative, Comrade Muhammad Abdu Dutse said the two-day capacity building workshop was aimed at bringing together women groups and CSOs with policymakers to discuss on gender-responsive tax reforms in the state.
He said this was to promote equitable and inclusive tax system in Jigawa state, taking into cognisance the challenges women taxpayers and other informal operators face in running their businesses.
Abdu, therefore, urged the participants to engage with the policymakers and other relevant stakeholders to champion the reforms they desire.
