What does it mean to be a woman in taxation in a West African context? For many, it means stepping into spaces not always designed with them in mind. Through SWIT West Africa, however, many women are not only finding footing—they’re shaping the terrain.
Case Study 1: Informal Trade to Formal Recognition
In a recent SWIT conference in Ghana, women who run small market stalls and sewing businesses attended tax-education workshops for the first time. Many had never registered or filed taxes because they felt the system was opaque or burdensome. The training eased their concerns, clarified their obligations, and helped some begin the process of formalization. The result: greater confidence, more income for local governments, and a sense that “everyone is part of the country’s development.”
Case Study 2: Leadership Journeys
Several senior women in tax institutes—some working in ministries of finance, revenue authorities, accountancy bodies—attribute growth in their careers to visibility and networks gained via SWIT. The Society’s conferences, mentoring connections, and professional development have helped them access decision-making spaces they might have been excluded from before. These women now serve in leadership roles, influencing tax policy, enforcement, and revenue administration with a sharper gender lens. (While I don’t have personal names in all cases, these patterns come through strongly in SWIT’s stories.)
Case Study 3: Gambia’s Hosting of Regional Dialogue
Gambia, under its Revenue Authority, hosted the 2nd International Professional Women Conference (IPWC) organized by SWIT and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. The theme: “Building Professional Women Leaders for the Future.”
The event brought together stakeholders from various countries to reflect on women’s leadership, tax education, and the importance of including women in revenue mobilisation strategies. Attendees reported increased self-confidence, networking opportunities, and specific takeaways they could apply in their home contexts.
Challenges These Stories Reveal
The gap between awareness and implementation: Even when knowledge is shared, structural barriers (registration, legal framework, cost) remain.
Cross-country disparity: Some West African countries have more established systems for women in taxation; others are just emerging. Language, legal tradition, institutional capacity vary, making harmonization difficult.
Informal economy dynamics: Women here tend to juggle many obligations; sometimes tax compliance seems secondary when survival and family care are immediate needs.
What These Stories Suggest
Tailored interventions work: For example, tax awareness programmes that speak directly to women in informal sectors (markets, small enterprises) have strong impact.
Peer networks & mentorship matter: Seeing others succeed gives role models; SWIT’s platform for these interactions is powerful.
Policy must follow dialogue: Conferences open doors; the next step is embedding the insights into law, regulation, and administrative practice.