To mark its 5th anniversary, the ATAF Women in Tax Network (AWITN) convened a commemorative webinar bringing together more than 300 participants from members, partners, and stakeholders to reflect on its journey and the impact it has had in advancing women’s leadership in tax administration across Africa.
Opening the session, ATAF Executive Secretary, Ms Mary Baine, reflected on the deliberate investment that has shaped AWITN over the past five years.
“Since the inception of AWITN, ATAF has invested resources and time in supporting this strategic initiative,” she said, highlighting the expansion of mentorship programmes, leadership initiatives, and the growing participation of women in capacity-building programmes across Africa.
She emphasised that mentorship remains central to the Network’s impact, recognising the many women who have dedicated their time and expertise to supporting the next generation of leaders in tax administration.
A key highlight of the webinar was a series of testimonies from participants, who shared how AWITN has contributed to their professional growth and leadership development. These reflections underscored the Network’s role in creating opportunities for women across the continent—through mentorship, peer learning, and increased participation in ATAF programmes.
The anniversary webinar also featured a keynote address by AWITN Board Chair and Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority of Sierra Leone (SNRA), Ms Jeneba J. Bangura, who reflected on both the progress achieved and the challenges that remain.
“The fifth AWITN Anniversary Webinar celebrates the progress made in advancing women’s leadership in tax administration while recognising that much more remains to be done to achieve gender equality,” she said, noting that persistent inequalities continue to shape leadership and economic opportunities across the continent.
Commissioner General Bangura emphasised the important role of tax administrations in advancing inclusive development and commended the 23 ATAF member countries that have signed the AWITN Pledge since 2024.
Drawing on country experiences, she highlighted tangible progress across member administrations. In The Gambia, institutional reforms have increased female representation in senior management from 6 to 23 women out of 72 positions. In Namibia, maternity leave policies have been revised to address workplace barriers affecting women. In Sierra Leone, she noted that the proportion of women in executive positions has increased from 25% to 39% since the introduction of the SNRA mentorship programme in 2022.
“These examples demonstrate that tax policy and administration can play a key role in promoting gender equality and supporting sustainable development of our continent,” she affirmed.
Calling for continued commitment, Commissioner General Ms Bangura encouraged leaders and institutions to translate commitments into meaningful action.
“It all starts with all of us doing the right thing for the Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” she emphasised.
During the webinar, the Executive Secretary also paid tribute to the individuals who laid the foundation for AWITN’s success to recognise the individuals who laid the foundation for AWITN’s success, including former AWITN Board Chairs Dr Amélia Muendane and H.E. Ms Veronique Herminie, former ATAF Executive Secretary Mr Logan Wort, Ms Varsha Singh, Commissioner General of the Seychelles Revenue Commission, and ATAF’s Ms Susan Nakato.
As AWITN marks five years of impact, the Network continues to expand its activities, reinforcing its role as a key platform for empowering women and contributing to more inclusive and effective tax systems across Africa.
