Advocates Push for Gender-Responsive Budget Policies in Africa
Six panellists who took part in the session highlighted the need to leverage fiscal policies as instruments for empowerment, breaking down traditional barriers that have marginalised these groups.
Dakar, Senegal— A panel discussion at the 3rd Edition of the African Conference on Debt and Development on Thursday called for fiscal justice reforms in Africa to better support women and girls on the continent, writes Winston Mwale.
The session, titled "Reimagining, Rethinking, Reorganising, and Remobilizing for Fiscal Justice for Women and Girls: A Glimpse into Uganda and Zambia," was organised by the African Women's Development and Communications Network.
Six panellists who took part in the session highlighted the need to leverage fiscal policies as instruments for empowerment, breaking down traditional barriers that have marginalised these groups.
They also called for simplifying fiscal communication, boosting the financial capacity of civil society organisations, addressing policy blind spots regarding gender issues, and promoting gender-responsive budget policies.
The session provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and strategies to promote fiscal justice for all citizens, with a particular focus on the marginalised and underserved.
The discussion revolved around the pivotal role of women and girls within fiscal systems, emphasising the necessity to leverage fiscal policies as instruments for empowerment.
The six panellists highlighted how traditional barriers marginalise these groups and called for their inclusion in discussions.
At the heart of this conversation was the profound role women and girls play within fiscal systems.
The panellists underscored the imperative to harness fiscal policies as instruments for empowerment, breaking down traditional barriers that have marginalised these groups.
The session also showcased innovative initiatives in Uganda and Zambia aimed at redefining fiscal paradigms and ensuring women's rights are embedded within fiscal policies.
The panellists passionately addressed the need for a more inclusive approach to fiscal justice.
They highlighted that simplifying fiscal communication, boosting the financial capacity of civil society organisations, addressing policy blind spots regarding gender issues, and promoting gender-responsive budget policies are essential steps towards reform.
One of the panellists emphasised the importance of breaking down technical barriers, saying, "For the longest time, the patriarchy has used technicalities as a way to close doors, as a way to get in and to keep women, girls, and other minorities out of the room."
The discussion also delved into the challenges faced by organisations advocating for fiscal justice.
A panellist from Uganda explained, "Especially in the context of developing countries, you have a few women's rights group organisations, and if we do, they have limited financial capacity. We are in this room to find solutions to drive this agenda."
A panellist from Zambia presented findings from the Zambia Tax Monitor, highlighting the gender disparities in tax burdens.
"46.2% of tax revenue in Zambia came from indirect taxes, including value-added taxes on menstrual hygiene products, disproportionately affecting women," George explained.
As the conference progresses, these conversations shed light on the need for comprehensive fiscal reforms in Africa, particularly those aimed at uplifting marginalised communities, especially women and girls.
The emphasis remains on achieving fiscal justice, economic empowerment, and gender equality on the continent.
The panel discussion highlighted the urgent need to bridge the gender gap in fiscal justice.
The advocates called for gender-responsive budget policies, simplified communication of fiscal matters, and data-driven decision-making to ensure that fiscal policies and practises work for women and girls, ultimately fostering economic empowerment and gender equality.
The session provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and strategies to promote fiscal justice for all citizens, with a particular focus on the marginalised and underserved.