(Photo: Women’s march organised by the All India Women Hawkers Federation in Kolkata/India, in 2020)
As the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) discusses solutions to advance gender equality throughout its 65th session, the Global Alliance for Tax Justice (GATJ) delivered an open letter to the UN, endorsed by 127 civil society organisations and trade unions. GATJ and the other signatories reiterate their commitment to work for democratic, inclusive and redistributive economic model and tax systems that realise women’s rights, and call for a multilateral solution to make taxes work for women.
Since its creation, GATJ has made an appeal for the establishment of an intergovernmental global tax body under the auspices of the UN. “The United Nations is the only place where we could ensure equal taxing rights of nation states. The creation of a global tax body there would be a big step to stop all forms of tax abuse by multinational corporations and the wealthy elites”, said Caroline Othim, Global Policy and Campaigns Coordinator – Africa at GATJ.
Read our open letter to the UN in English.
Global Days of Action on Tax Justice for Women’s Rights 2021
The open letter to the UN is part of a series of activities of the Global Days of Action on Tax Justice for Women’s Rights 2021, a campaign organised by GATJ, its members and partners to raise awareness on the importance of tax and fiscal justice to advance gender equality. The campaign highlights the global tax justice movement’s longstanding call on governments and multilateral institutions to fulfill their obligations to realise human rights, and on multinational corporations to pay their fair share of taxes.
This year’s edition takes place when the world completes at least one year since the COVID-19 disease outbreak, which has deepened pre-existing inequalities, including gender inequality, and disproportionately impacted women. This negative impact on those living in poverty — especially women — is rooted in an overdue economic system that places individual and corporate profits over people and the planet, and reinforces the urgency to make taxes work for women in a rights-based and gender equal new economy.
