Expert task Kaduna on Gender-Responsive Data in Tax Systems
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
Tax governance experts have called on the Kaduna State government to adopt gender-responsive, inclusive data systems to improve tax Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs) and ensure fair treatment of all taxpayers, especially women in the informal sector.
This call was made by Rebecca Sako-John, Esq., Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow, during a presentation at a two-day GRM Review and Reflection Meeting and the Development of a Gender-Responsive Data Framework for GRM systems.
The meeting was organized by the Tax Justice and Governance Platform (TJ&GP) in collaboration with the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), with support from Christian Aid Nigeria and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).
Sako-John emphasized that collecting and using gender-disaggregated data is critical for designing tax policies and grievance systems that truly reflect the diverse realities of taxpayers. “Inclusive, gender-responsive data is not just about fairness; it strengthens trust, promotes transparency, and improves compliance,” she stated.
She explained that current tax and grievance systems often overlook the unique challenges faced by women and other marginalized groups, resulting in policies and interventions that fail to address their specific needs.
Presenting a gender perspective analysis of the informal sector in Kaduna State, Sako-John highlighted key gaps, including low trust in tax authorities, poor access to financial and tax incentives for women, and the absence of gender-specific strategies in tax policy and GRM operations.
She noted that many female entrepreneurs remain unaware of complaint channels and available support, which further discourages participation and limits opportunities for equitable economic growth.
To address these challenges, Sako-John recommended building a comprehensive gender-disaggregated database to understand taxpayer demographics and inform policy decisions.
She also called for tailored tax policies that consider women’s unique barriers, as well as the introduction of incentives for vulnerable groups.
Other recommendations include improving the presumptive tax regime, creating confidential and accessible complaint channels, and training tax and GRM staff on gender-sensitive service delivery.
She urged the state to invest in foundational gender data systems, leverage technology such as digital IDs, online portals, and interactive voice response (IVR) platforms and strengthen gender desk officers within tax agencies.
According to Sako-John, prioritizing gender-responsive data in Kaduna’s tax systems is vital for achieving equitable tax governance.
“When we invest in inclusive data, we empower all taxpayers and create a system that listens, learns, and serves everyone fairly,” she noted.
The two-day meeting, which brought together tax administrators, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders, aimed to strengthen GRM systems and ensure they are inclusive, responsive, and equitable for all segments of society.
