The Executive Director of the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE), Patricia Munaabi, has urged tax collection authorities to sensitise women entrepreneurs about the benefits of paying taxes to improve compliance and address concerns surrounding taxation.
Her call follows a new study titled “From Neutrality to Equity,” conducted by FOWODE, which reveals widespread lack of awareness and fear of taxation among women engaged in business.
The report also highlights the additional financial burden faced by women operating in the informal sector, noting that many pay various fees outside the formal tax system, which they perceive as taxes and which further increase their financial obligations.
Speaking at the launch of the study report, Munaabi called on the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to adopt a more flexible and responsive approach during tax enforcement.
She urged the authority to listen to the concerns raised by women entrepreneurs and take their challenges into consideration when implementing tax compliance measures.
Munaabi emphasised the need for tax authorities to improve public awareness and engage women in business to help them understand their tax obligations and the benefits of compliance.
The study seeks to highlight the challenges women entrepreneurs face within the tax system and the need for a more equitable approach that recognises their circumstances, particularly those operating in the informal sector.
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