Gender and trade

This report analyzes Bangladesh’s major trade commitments and trade-related policies, laws, and institutions, on three levels: the content of these trade commitments and related laws, policies, and institutions; their possible interactions with Bangladesh’s other international commitments, national laws, and policies related to poverty reduction and gender equality, and with societal norms and practices that influence women’s status and opportunities; and law and policy changes or other measures that could expand the benefits of trade liberalization more widely or better mitigate the adjustment costs of trade liberalization for vulnerable groups, especially poor women.

The study reflects on the interrelation between gender equality and trade as a reciprocal relationship and on gender-differentiated impacts of trade. It identifies several relevant gender dimensions in trade and approaches how to address them, including practice examples. It further presents how gender in trade is and should be measured, including some gender-related indicators in trade. Chapter 4 presents key issues to be addressed to mitigate possible negative impacts of trade on gender equality and equity.

The Pre-UNCTAD X Expert Workshop convened in Geneva focused on the theme of trade, sustainable development and gender. The meeting was organized in line with the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing and the Platform of Action (1995), the UNCTAD IX Midrand Declaration (1996) and the agreed conclusions on gender mainstreaming (ECOSOC, 1997). Its objectives were to: (i) promote an exchange of experiences and views on policy-related issues concerning the interrelationship between trade, sustainable development and gender; (ii) identify modalities as to how such issues could be addressed in UNCTAD’s work, both by the secretariat and by the intergovernmental machinery and (iii) formulate policy recommendations and measures for action intended to promote discussion at the intergovernmental level in the context of reparation for UNCTAD X.1 Member States were invited to nominate experts to the Workshop, who participated in their personal capacities. Specialized agencies and intergovernmental bodies as well as nongovernmental organizations which wished to participate as observers were also invited. The Expert Workshop attracted a wide geographical range of experts, covering all regions. Fifty-three experts came from thirty-nine States members of UNCTAD, and forty-three representatives of agencies and organizations of the United Nations system and of non-governmental organizations. An additional five resource persons provided substantive inputs to the general Workshop sessions and to the Working Groups. The meeting’s programme of work was organized around three main areas of interest and concern: globalization and gender; trade-related issues and gender; and specific problems of LDCs and gender. The presentation of papers and related discussions were undertaken in four open general sessions with the main issues arising given further detailed consideration by three Working Groups.

This paper examines remaining discriminatory legislation and other obstacles women face as business leaders and entrepreneurs. It also highlights examples of existing initiatives that provide lessons that can be built upon to contribute to continued elimination of discrimination against women in business. Furthermore, the paper examines the gender implications of the regulation of business and transnational corporations in the international human rights context and evaluates the gender responsiveness in the formulation and implementation of principles for the private sector to respect human rights. Given the breadth of these issue and the time within which the paper was developed, it provides an overview but is by no means exhaustive.

This report highlights two approaches to catalyzing women’s economic empowerment. The first is supporting women-led businesses through greater access to credit and other financial services. The second is supporting women’s access to secondary and tertiary education and vocational skills development so that they can effectively compete for high-quality work in the labour market. Women’s work, either paid or unpaid, must be made visible. Women’s contributions to economic processes matter, not only to women but also as a means of achieving broader development outcomes. No single initiative alone can independently fulfill conditions for empowerment, and not all strategies will fit to all contexts. The most effective programs will be those that listen to the needs of potentially impacted women and carefully evaluate their resources, strengths, and vulnerabilities. This report illuminates the need for further partnerships -- those that support the world’s women in achieving the economic empowerment that can lead to better lives.