unctad.org | Gender mainstreaming in macro-economic policies, espcially trade policy

UNCTAD/Gender and development team's activities in this area are aimed at building the human and institutional capacities of key national stakeholders - policymakers and trade practitioners - to mainstream gender in macro-economic policies, especially in trade policy. The ultimate objective is to make trade instrumental to the achievement of gender equality and women's economic empowerment, as a means to ensure inclusive development.

UNCTAD's comprehensive work in this area includes:

(a) Analytical work

Three country case studies on the linkages between trade, gender and development have been published to date:

Quem beneficia com a liberalização do comercio em Cabo Verde? Uma perspectiva de gênero

Who is benefiting from trade liberalization in Lesotho? A gender perspective

(b) National workshops/fact-finding missions

Workshops have the objective to present and discuss the findings of the country-case studies as well as to explore different policy options towards maximizing the social inclusiveness of trade liberalization with a focus on women.

On the occasion of the launching of the study "Who is benefiting from trade liberalization in Bhutan? A gender perspective", a workshop was organized by UNCTAD on 18 May in Thimphu, Bhutan's capital. The workshop attracted participants from different government departments, the private sector, the academia and the resident United Nations agencies, read more on "Tackling trade and gender issues in Bhutan"

On the 11 and 12 September two events were held by UNCTAD in Praia, Cape Verde to present the study “Who is benefitting from trade liberalization in Cape Verde? A gender perspective”. A national workshop was held to present the findings of the study to participants from the government, the private sector, academia, and the UN system.

It was emphasized that Women in Cape Verde deserve more opportunities to contribute to country’s development. A training was also held on the quantitative methodology used in the study, addressed to around twenty officers from the National Institute of Statistics, the Department of Industry and Trade and the National Institute for Gender Equality and Equity.

Fact-finding missions are conducted to gather "real-life" information and gain more in-depth and accurate insights into the gender effects of trade policies in target countries.

A "fact-finding" mission was carried in Maseru, Lesotho, in November 2011. Relevant information was gathered through interviews with governmental officials, trade unions, business representatives and non-governmental organizations.

(c) Awareness-raising among policy, decision-makers and donors on the need to mainstream gender in macro-economic analysis.

The high-level Event on Women in Development was held on 23 April during UNCTAD XIII Ministerial Conference (Doha, Qatar, 21-26April 2012). A publication highlighting the contributions and discussions of this event is being prepared to disseminate findings on the importance of engendering macroeconomic analysis

On the occasion of the IV Ministerial Conference of the LDCs (LDCs IV), UNCTAD/Gender and development team and UN Women jointly organized a Special Event on "Making trade work for women in LDCs" (Istanbul, 11 May 2011).

On 8 March 2011, to celebrate the 100 years of International Women's Day, UNCTAD/Gender and Development team organized a "Panel discussion on enhancing women's access to education, science and technology for economic growth and development" (Geneva, 8 March 2011).

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Applying a gender lens to Science, Technology and Innovation