Ouagadougou: The NGO Christian Aid, in collaboration with its partners, officially launched the 'Making Tax Work for Women' project on Tuesday in Ouagadougou. This initiative seeks to influence decision-makers to adopt a tax system that addresses the unique needs of women and children.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the project's coordinator, L©once Sanon, emphasized the importance of gender-responsive budgeting in Burkina Faso. The initiative will critically assess free healthcare for pregnant women and children under five, aiming to formulate recommendations that enhance care for these groups.

Sanon highlighted the need for taxation to serve women, urging leaders to focus on women and children, who are often vulnerable in the context of resource mobilization. His remarks were made during a two-day workshop in Ouagadougou, dedicated to presenting the project to various stakeholders.

The "Making Tax Work for Women" project seeks to mobilize and strengthen the capacities of civil society organizations (CSOs) and stakeholders. It aims to connect these entities and strategically align them to advocate for gender-just macroeconomic policies. Funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the project will run from October 2024 to September 2026 in three African countries, including Burkina Faso.

Implemented by the Technical Alliance for Development Assistance (ATAD), the project involves participation from civil society organizations promoting women's rights and support from the ministries of Health, Humanitarian Action, and the Economy.

Adja Salamata Gnanou, representing Burkina Faso's regional women's coordinators, expressed optimism that the project will build on the achievements of a previous initiative by Christian Aid. This earlier project, running from 2022 to 2024, focused on promoting women's recovery after Covid-19. Gnanou expressed that the new project will advocate for equitable tax resource utilization, benefiting women who comprise nearly 52% of the Burkinabe population.