Foremost civil society group, ActionAid Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to create policies and systems to remove gender bias in tax and responsive social services in the country.
The group made the call in a statement signed by its Communications Coordinator, Lola Ayande, to mark the International Women’s Day.
It urged the government to stop tax abuses by multinational corporations and illicit financial flows; reduce unfair tax burdens on women; remove gender bias and discrimination in tax policies.
It further called for an increased allocation of tax revenues for gender-responsive social services and ensures tax and fiscal policies recognize, reduce and redistribute unpaid care work.
Quoting the Country Director, Ene Obi, the statement reads, “Multinational corporations are systematically avoiding and evading taxes, by abusing weaknesses within the national tax system and these abuses comprise a large part of illicit financial flows (IFFs), resulting in hundreds of billions of Naira in lost public revenues every year.
“These potential public revenues could and should have been used by the government at all levels to provide economic and social services and infrastructures that are urgently needed to address inequalities.
“However, instead of improving legislation and regulations, the Nigerian government is conceding more and more tax giveaways in the form of tax exemptions and incentives, as well as scaling back regulations with the alleged intention of attracting investment.
READ ALSO: IWD: D-G Calls for More Political Appointments for Women
“At the same time, the government is introducing copious austerity measures and increasing the tax burdens on the poor, particularly on women, which is, in turn, aggravating the precarious social situation of women in Nigeria.”
“Amid poverty and heightened levels of exposure to violence and insecurity, the group said most women in excluded communities across Nigeria have poor access to food, potable water and reproductive health services.
It held that such basic amenities and services are vital for women’s survival, as well as empowering them to lead productive and meaningful lives.
Citing its previous report “Leaking Revenue,” the group said it found out how a 10-year tax break by the Nigerian government to some international oil and gas companies led to the country’s loss of US$ 3.3 billion in tax revenue.
The group, therefore, called on the Federal Government to prioritise gender-just, progressive and transformative tax policies and improve funding and fulfilment of Women’s Rights.
“If tax revenues were collected in a progressive and gender-just manner, they could be a sustainable and predictable source of income to publicly finance Nigeria’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including ending poverty, reducing inequality and tackling climate change.” Mrs. Ene said.