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International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated annually on March 8, honors the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year’s theme ‘For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment; is timely in these unprecedented times marked by unpredictability and the shifting goals of the global political, social and economic arena.
In the wake of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, whereby women around the world gathered to create a detailed roadmap of commitments to enhance women’s equality, this day presents the opportunity for us to reflect on the past, reimagine the future, reorganize our strategies on the achievement of gender equality and accelerate action, creating a feminist future where no one is left behind.
In 2025, the global community continues to push for gender equality, with a focus on progressing with the purpose of a call to action for intentional, sustained efforts to address gender disparities across all sectors of society.
TJNA’s Policy Lead, Feminist Tax Initiative Grace Arina highlights a key aspect of gender equality: economic justice through progressive taxation. She emphasizes that tax systems must be designed to work for women, acknowledging that many women, especially in low-income countries, shoulder the burden of poorly designed tax policies. These women often carry the weight of unpaid care work, yet their contributions remain unrecognized in economic systems.
“We call for tax policies that prioritize women’s needs, ensuring progressive taxes that fund public services like healthcare and education, which are essential for reducing women’s unpaid labor and empowering them economically,” Ms. Arina added.
While progress has been made such as the increased representation of women in leadership roles and the continued momentum of movements significant challenges remain. Gender pay gaps persist and women in many regions still face barriers to education and healthcare. In conflict zones, women continue to endure displacement, violence, and exploitation, and activists advocating for their rights face considerable risks.
This year's International Women’s Day serves as a reminder that the fight for gender equality is far from over. It calls for systemic change in key areas such as education, leadership, healthcare, violence prevention, and climate justice. Women must have equal access to education, more representation in leadership roles, and better protection from gender-based violence. Healthcare, including reproductive rights, is essential for women’s autonomy, and their role in climate decision-making must be prioritized as they are disproportionately affected by environmental changes.
TJNA, together with its partners, is committed to driving lasting change and creating a future where integrity and fairness lead Africa’s growth. On this international Women’s Day, we reaffirm our dedication to building a new Africa where tax justice is at the heart of its progress.
For more information about TJNA and its work on Feminist Tax Initiative, please contact Grace Arina at garina[@]taxjusticeafrica.net