The President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, (CITN), Barrister Samuel Agbeluyi, has asked the government to exempt women from paying tax while they are on maternity leave.
Agbeluyi stated this in Abuja on Tuesday at the Maiden Tax Summit, organised by the Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT) with the theme ‘Beyond Numbers: Unveiling the Gender Dynamics of Taxation for Inclusive Economic Growth’.
“There are things women do that men don’t do and that is giving birth. And that is a major responsibility they do on behalf of all of us. So, I am proposing that during the period of their maternity leave, can we skip their tax deduction. Can we exempt them from paying tax? It will help them and will not take anything from the system,” Agbeluyi said.
Speaking on the theme of the summit, the speaker and Council Member of CITN, Dr Titilayo Enitan Fowokan, said a gender-inclusive tax system was a powerful tool in Nigeria’s quest for sustainable development.
The National President of the Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT), Mrs Bosede Ikhanoba, said the whole essence of the summit was to bring to focus and attention the issue of gender inclusiveness, and responsiveness and to ensure that women are given a fair share.
