The Global Gender and Economic Policy Management Initiative (GEPMI) is a comprehensive capacity development and policy advisory services programme that aims to accelerate achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by making economic policies and poverty reduction strategies deliver results equitably to women and men, girls and boys. This programme was designed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through regional partnerships, in order to respond to the urgent need to incorporate gender perspectives into national development frameworks.

This technical note is divided into three main parts. The first part compiles and presents the conclusions of the literature review on representative initiatives in the trade and gender area implemented in the region, which are the basis and guide for gender mainstreaming in INT operations, and identifies opportunities for future intervention by the Bank. The second part presents the process of gender mainstreaming in three types of trade interventions in INT. The last part outlines the knowledge and dissemination products, besides this technical note, that have been developed to supplement the knowledge and methodological needs identified: (1) a manual for mainstreaming gender in trade interventions; (2) a working paper on mainstreaming gender in the process of preparation, negotiation, and implementation of trade agreements; (3) analysis of specific trade agreements and proposed preparation of clauses with gender perspective; and (4) the Community of Practice on Trade and Gender.

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.