Gender Equality and Trade

In today’s globalized economy, trade plays the leading role in providing developing countries with the opportunity for sustainable economic growth.

Yet trade activities tend to have different effects on women and men who have diverse economic and social roles and varying access to and control over resources.

Women tend to be more affected by the negative side effects of trade liberalization and face bigger challenges than men when it comes to taking advantage of the opportunities trade offers.

This situation arises out of gender biases in education and training, gender inequalities in income and command over resources, as well as unequal access to productive inputs such as credit, land and technology. All of these lead to significant gender differences in the distribution of jobs.

Although a number of women are engaged in trade-related services, their contribution is often not recognized.

Lack of information on their rights and also lack of visibility, backed up by cultural beliefs, contribute to perpetuate a highly discriminatory and detrimental situation.