Market Women and Taxation: Amplifying Voices for Reform

Market Women and Taxation: Amplifying Voices for Reform

By transparency33 March 02, 2025

On February 19-20, 2025, TinT-FollowTaxes conducted a compelling documentary in Taraba State, exposing the taxation struggles of market women in the informal sector. The documentary serves as a crucial advocacy tool for the upcoming Gender and Taxation Research Presentation on March 5. Through firsthand accounts, it revealed the burden of high and overlapping taxes, limited awareness of tax policies, and the absence of tangible benefits from tax payments.

Key stakeholders including market women, CSOs, the Jalingo Local Government Chairman, and the Taraba State IRS shed light on multiple taxation, policy gaps, and enforcement challenges. Discussions emphasized the need for policy harmonization, better accountability, and digital tax payment solutions to prevent exploitation. The voices captured reinforced the urgency of making tax policies more inclusive and beneficial for women entrepreneurs.

A major takeaway was the call for inclusive decision-making. Stakeholders advocated for active participation of market women in tax reform processes, ensuring their voices shape policies that directly affect their businesses. The documentary shared the need for collaborative efforts between government agencies, CSOs, and grassroots organizations to create a fair and transparent tax system.

With five market women, one CSO representative, two state IRS officials, and one local government official interviewed, this documentary presents a clear case for reform. Stay tuned for our documentary’s impact report as we continue to push for policies that support women entrepreneurs and drive economic growth in Taraba State.