“What the ATAF Women In Tax Network does is try to address – since the beginning of time – what has been such a male dominated industry. There has been inherent gender blindness that has had significant negative effects on women. The AWITN is trying to achieve two things; see the extent to which we can identify the systemic issues within the entire spectrum of tax policy making, identify them and propose solutions. What I love about this network is that it’s intentional in trying to build individuals. There’s a mentorship programme in the network which I think is so necessary. I’ve already benefitted from mentorship from women who have been in the space much longer than I. I’m super excited about it and it will shake up the space.”
Launched in March 2021, the AWITN is a unique platform that represents and connects African women with furthering discussions on the effect of tax policy on gender equality and empowering women in tax.
Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Mukumba has travelled to different parts of the world to further her studies and was thus exposed to different cultures and way of life.
She spent time in countries such as Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Switzerland, India and is now based in Kenya, Nairobi.
“I got offered a job in India. My parents were completely appalled and didn’t think this was the direction I should be taking with my career. But I thought to myself ‘I know I want to work in Africa but what I want first is to see what the developing countries context is’.”
Mukumba hails the experience as enriching. She then moved to Zambia and headed the Consumer Unity & Trust Society office. After that, she progressed to work for Tax Justice Network Africa as the Policy Researcher and Advocacy Manager.
The AWITN Vice President said these types of organisations are so much needed.
“Part of the reasons for this network was the contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals which is promoting women in leadership to promote an equal future in a post-COVID19 world. I’m excited to see it grow,” she added.
Asked why she joined the network, Mukumba couldn’t contain her excitement!
She asserted that she joined the AWITN because she wanted “to be part of the change”.
“Often when I get asked to speak at these spaces, I’m not only the woman, but black woman there.”
Mukumba argued that African women speaking on issues of tax and gender equality are needed so that they can represent and reflect the context in which they live.
“My boss likes to say to me ‘if you’re not at the table then you’re on the menu’, so let’s get more women at the table so that the outcomes are inclusive.”
The AWITN Vice President urged women to apply for positions which scare them. She said women should take opportunities which they feel unqualified for because the men are applying for those positions. “Take the leap! You can absolutely do it.”
Mukumba noted that her faith and religion inspire her personal decisions.
“The people that have gone before us and have paved the way. People like Doris Akol, Attiya Waris and Irene Ovonji-Odida – I’m in awe of those women and wanna be just like them! They show you what is possible in that male dominated space.”
Since the early 1970s there have been developments on gender equality this was further emphasised with the adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979.
In recent years, there’s the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (2015) as part of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development with gender equality as a goal enshrined in SDG 5.
It cuts across all 17 SDGs which contains 45 targets and 54 indicators related to gender equality. The AWITN aims to represent and connect the women of Africa working in the area of taxation.
