Gender equality | UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

We promote gender mainstreaming as a key element to achieving inclusive and sustainable development.

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Trade Policy through a Gender Lens

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E-Learning on Trade and Gender

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The Global Debate on Gender

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Women in STEM: Changing the narrative

News

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Beyond GDP: New data reveals persistent gaps but progress in inclusive growth

A higher GDP doesn’t guarantee shared benefits or sustainable growth. To better measure real progress, UNCTAD combines it with data on living conditions, equality and the environment.

Women sell Andean textile products at a market in Chinchero, Peru.

Elevating women traders’ voices in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru

UN Trade and Development renews calls for women’s empowerment – a vital cause that strengthens not only gender equality but also global economic resilience and sustainability.

A chart showing women's and men's share of value added to exports in selected economies

Women in trade: Female labour remains undervalued in global exports

Despite progress, women still contribute less to exports across all sectors. Closing the gap requires expanding their access to high-value sectors, strengthening labour rights and supporting their inclusion in larger enterprises.

A woman business owner on the phone

Breaking barriers: How non-tariff measures impact women in e-commerce

A UN Trade and Development report highlights why targeted support and gender-sensitive policies are key to helping women entrepreneurs thrive in the global digital economy.

Featured Podcast

Women’s Day: Why investing in women is the key to faster development for all

As we mark International Women's Day on 8 March, this episode of The Weekly Tradecast looks at the importance of investing in women with special guest Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, the UN’s trade and development body.

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Projects

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Data and statistics for more gender-responsive trade policies in Africa, the Caucasus and Central Asia

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Enhancing the horticulture and sustainable tourism sectors of Myanmar

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Trade and Gender in the East African Community

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Women in Informal Cross-border Trade

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PACER Plus transparency and trade portals

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Recent publications

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The impact of non-tariff measures on women’s e-commerce businesses in developing countries

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An ocean of opportunities: The potential of seaweed to advance food, environmental and gender dimensions of the SDGs

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Trade and entrepreneurship in Indonesia from a gender and development perspective

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The Recipe Book of Southern Shan

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Towards better trade opportunities for female farmers in Myanmar

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Compilation guidelines for measurement of gender-in-trade statistics

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Events and meetings

Online course on trade and gender linkages with a focus on non-tariff measures from a gender perspective

16 June – 20 July 2025

eTrade for Women masterclass for South Asia

2 – 5 December 2024

Online course on trade and gender linkages with a focus on non-tariff measures (NTMs) from a gender perspective

17 June – 21 July 2024

CSW68 side event - Empowering Women Through Trade: Breaking barriers and transforming subsistence into value chain participation.

New York, United States of America

Documents and publications

The impact of non-tariff measures on women’s e-commerce businesses in developing countries

UNCTAD/DITC/2024/1 - 05 Aug 2024

English

An ocean of opportunities: The potential of seaweed to advance food, environmental and gender dimensions of the SDGs

UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2024/1 - 26 Mar 2024

English

Contact

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