Gender Equality and Trade

Gender Equality Objectives in Trade

  • Is there an understanding of the impact each trade-related intervention has on people and the environment? Will women and men be impacted at the same level by these interventions?
  • Are women’s and men’s specific needs and priorities, and also knowledge and skills, considered and utilized in the development of trade-related activities and programmes in order to achieve maximum uptake?
  • Is explicit attention paid to ensuring that both women and men participate in and benefit from trade?
  • Are women and men given the same opportunity to contribute meaningfully to decision-making processes and to take on leadership roles in trade capacity-building?

Equal opportunities for women to participate in trade capacity-building and attain higher-level positions will also create the basis of a more equal society that will generate new needs and encourage the development of new products. This means gender mainstreaming is much more than just a women’s issue. It is the basis for establishing a level of equality between women and men that can help stimulate economic growth, create higher-level jobs, support communities, raise productivity and reduce poverty. Ultimately, mainstreaming gender in trade capacity-building projects will enhance the overall effectiveness and sustainability of technical cooperation services and will, at the same time, improve the contribution to the achievement of broader development goals.