By Landing Ceesay
The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), today, January 30, 2023, hosted the Society of Women in Taxation’s 2nd International Professional Conference.
The Conference is part of the West African Union of Tax Institute, the Society of Women in Taxation and the GRA’s 2023 annual Tax Conference. The theme of this year’s conference is “Building Women Leaders for the future.”
The society of Women in Taxation was formally inaugurated on 7th May 2010 as an arm of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) with a view to serving as an umbrella body of the female members of the Institute and to meet the yearnings and aspirations of women for recognition as a force to reckon with on tax policy issues. It also serves as a forum for the promotion of the socio-economic development of women.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Conference, Dr. Ruth Adimula, National Chairperson of SWIT, Nigeria, anticipates the knowledge gained from the conference would boost the self-esteem of the participants.
“I am confident that information at this conference will increase your self-belief and self-confidence. Questions to find clarity regarding what is important personally and professionally. It will make you prioritize self-reflection, self-care, and care for family without chaos.
“Professional women and women leaders, some politics, would make you stand out. These are very important qualities they include qualities in believing oneself, willingness to nurture, having a sense of being fair and just, use of women’s institutions, focusing on achieving one’s goals, future, and leading teams, willingness to question the status quo, some feelings to find a more effective solution, and not afraid of asking for help,” Dr. Adimula said.
Mr. Yankuba Darboe, Commissioner General of GRA, describes the theme of the conference as interesting, stating that women are often left out at decision-making levels.
“I found the theme of the conference very interesting. More than anyone before, women are taking up leadership positions in Politics, businesses, and communities, and they are doing fantastic work in these areas. Despite these facts, women continue to be vastly underrepresented in decision-making, in politics, business, and in communities. Women as leaders and decision makers at all levels are critical to advancing gender justice and gender equality,” he said.
The Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT) aims to encourage and assist women entering the taxation profession; and promote the continuing education, intellectual growth, and professional knowledge of its members.
SWIT also encourages members to participate actively in the Institute and other professional tax organizations
The conference that commenced today would run until the 1st of February 2023.