MBABANE – African governments have been urged to move beyond treating taxation as a gender-neutral policy instrument.
Instead, they are urged to adopt structured gender-responsive tax systems that recognise the different economic realities faced by women and men.
This follows the release of new research by the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) through its ATAF Women in Tax Network (AWITN), which found that while many African countries acknowledge the importance of gender-responsive taxation, significant shortcomings remain in translating that recognition into practical tax policy and administration.
The publication, titled ‘Reducing Gender Inequality in ATAF Member Countries: Good Practice Framework,’ argues that tax systems have a critical role to play in promoting inclusive economic development and reducing inequality, provided they are designed with an understanding of how different groups of taxpayers are affected.
The findings are particularly relevant for African economies pursuing inclusive growth, as governments increasingly rely on domestic resource mobilisation to finance public services, infrastructure development and social protection programmes.
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… urgent need for stronger evidence to support policymaking
MBABANE – ATAF Women in Tax Network Lead Dr Nthabiseng Debeila said one of the strongest conclusions emerging from the research is the urgent need for stronger evidence to support policymaking.
She said gender-disaggregated data and comprehensive gender impact assessments are essential tools for identifying hidden inequalities within tax systems.
“One of the strongest messages from the study is that countries need better evidence. Gender-disaggregated data and gender impact analysis are essential for identifying hidden inequalities and designing tax reforms that work for all taxpayers,” Debeila said.
The report indicates that many countries currently lack the institutional capacity, data systems and analytical tools needed to conduct such assessments consistently.
As a result, tax reforms are often developed without sufficient understanding of their differentiated impacts across various population groups. ATAF believes addressing these gaps would improve not only gender equality but also the overall effectiveness and credibility of tax systems.
The organisation argues that taxpayers are more likely to comply voluntarily when tax systems are perceived as fair, transparent and responsive to the needs of all citizens.
The framework draws on surveys conducted among ATAF member countries and key stakeholders, complemented by international good practices and case studies from across Africa and other regions.
Rather than prescribing a single model, the publication offers a flexible roadmap that countries can adapt according to their institutional capacity, economic structure and policy priorities. For African governments facing growing demands to mobilise domestic revenue while promoting inclusive economic growth, the report suggests that gender-responsive taxation should become an integral part of broader fiscal reform strategies.
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