MBABANE – The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has called on African governments to strengthen the integration of gender considerations into tax policy and administration, warning that existing tax systems often fail to account for the different experiences of women and men.
The call follows the release of a new study by the ATAF Women in Tax Network (AWITN), titled Reducing Gender Inequality in ATAF Member Countries: Good Practice Framework, which examines how tax systems across the continent address gender inequality.
The research found that while many countries acknowledge the importance of gender-responsive taxation, significant shortcomings remain in translating this recognition into policy and practice.
According to the study, 55 per cent of respondents believe gender inequality exists within their countries’ tax systems. However, only 29 per cent of countries collect gender-disaggregated data on tax compliance, making it difficult to assess how taxation affects women and men differently.
The report also found that 81 per cent of countries do not integrate tax policy into gender budgeting processes.
ATAF Executive Secretary Mary Baine said understanding how tax systems affect different groups of taxpayers was essential to creating fair and effective tax systems.
She explained that although tax laws may appear neutral on paper, women and men often experience taxation differently because of disparities in income levels, employment opportunities, business ownership, unpaid care responsibilities, access to productive assets and social protection.
Baine said recognising these differences enables governments to design tax systems that are more inclusive, equitable and responsive to the realities faced by taxpayers.
To help member countries address these challenges, the publication introduces a Good Practice Framework that provides practical guidance for governments and tax administrations.The framework identifies five priority areas for reform.
These include strengthening the collection and analysis of gender-disaggregated data, promoting gender-responsive tax policy and legislation, increasing awareness of the relationship between gender and taxation, advancing equal opportunities within tax administrations, and investing in infrastructure that supports gender equality.
ATAF Women in Tax Network Lead Dr Nthabiseng Debeila stressed that evidence-based policymaking would be critical to achieving meaningful reforms.She said one of the strongest findings from the research was the urgent need for better evidence, noting that gender-disaggregated data and gender impact assessments are essential for identifying hidden inequalities and designing tax reforms that benefit all taxpayers.
The framework is based on surveys conducted among ATAF member countries and stakeholders and incorporates international best practices and case studies from across Africa and other regions.
ATAF believes the publication provides governments and tax authorities with a practical roadmap for developing more inclusive tax systems that recognise the differing economic realities and tax experiences of women and men.
The organisation said implementing the framework could help improve fairness in tax administration while supporting broader efforts to reduce gender inequality and promote inclusive economic development across the African continent.
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