The General Department of Taxation of Mongolia: First tax institution in Asia-Pacific to be awarded the Silver Gender Equality Seal.

October 17, 2025 was a proud day for Mongolia’s General Department of Taxation (GDT). In a ceremony filled with celebration, GDT became the first tax institution in the Asia-Pacific region, and the first public institution in Mongolia, to receive the Silver Gender Equality Seal from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

So, what does this mean? 

It means GDT is recognized for making its workplace and services more inclusive, fair, and gender responsive. 

A Tax System That Works for Everyone 

GDT has been busy transforming how they work, from the inside out. The award ceremony highlighted the GDT’s dedication to advancing gender equality, with leaders reflecting on both the institutional achievements and the broader significance of the recognition. 

Some standout achievements include: creating a registry that tracks sex disaggregated data for both taxpayers and staff, enabling data-driven policy and service design; launching a Public Tax Education Enhancement Program aimed at women entrepreneurs and small business owners and establishing a Civil Society Council to bring more voices into tax policy discussions. 

All this built on a foundation of internal transformation including: making gender equality a core part of their 2025–2028 Strategic Plan; a dedicated Gender Specialist and Gender Sub-Council with their own budget and work plan; requiring every department to use a Gender Checklist to make sure services meet the needs of both women and men; taking bold steps to ensure safety and fairness at work, including a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment, and family-friendly work arrangements and achieving near gender parity in leadership roles. 

Voices from the Ceremony 

At the award ceremony, leaders shared what this journey has meant. 

“The Gender Seal Programme, which we implemented over the last one and a half years, has been transformative. It has significantly contributed to improving staff relations, attitudes, productivity, and ultimately fostering a better organizational culture. Most critically, it has helped us create a favorable work environment that prevents discrimination and violence.”

Mr. Chimidsuren, General Commissioner of the General Department of Taxation

Also from the institution, Ms. Uelun-Ujin, GDT’s Gender Specialist, reminded everyone that gender norms can be barriers—but with the right tools and commitment, those barriers can be broken. 

Reinforcing UNDP’s commitment to supporting institutional transformation for gender equality, Ms. Lin Cao, UNDP Mongolia’s Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), praised GDT’s leadership and commitment, saying their efforts are exactly what the Gender Equality Seal is designed to support. 

Finally, Ms. Adilbish, Chief Secretariat of Mongolia’s National Committee on Gender Equality (NCGE), expressed the commitment of the national gender equality machinery to expand its support to the implementation of the Seal in the wider public administration sector in the country. 

What’s Next? 

Receiving the Seal isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning. It’s a promise to keep pushing forward, to turn plans into action, and to make sure public institutions truly serve everyone. UNDP Mongolia is excited to expand the Gender Equality Seal to more institutions across the country.