Jigawa Women Traders Call for Fairer Tax Policies to Reduce Business Burden

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

Petty women traders in Jigawa State have urged the government to restructure its tax policy to address gender-based marginalization and promote fairness in taxation.

Speaking at a two-day capacity-building workshop for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on gender-responsive tax reforms, organized by Prime Initiative for Development with support from Christian Aid and CISLAC, the women called for tax relief for female-led businesses in the informal sector.

Hajiya Fatima Halliru Haruna, leader of the Dutse women traders’ group, emphasized the need for policymakers to reform tax policies to support women entrepreneurs, acknowledging the unique challenges they face.
She noted that women juggle business with domestic responsibilities, limiting their working hours compared to men, yet they are taxed equally.

Executive Director of Prime Initiative, Comrade Muhammad Abdu Dutse, stated that the workshop aimed to equip CSOs and women’s groups with advocacy skills to engage policymakers on tax reforms that promote equity and inclusion. He urged participants to apply their knowledge to push for fairer tax policies in Jigawa State.