Issues & questions to be addressed: Session I Session II Session III Session IV Quick Links: Report of the Meeting Overview Presentations [Audio] Presentations [Text] Gender and Trade

Experts shared the view that gender equality was not only a fundamental human right, but a crucial factor in generating poverty reduction, economic growth and development.

The importance of gender equality for social and economic development was highlighted in Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 3. Women played an important role in contributing to countries´ economic development and better governance, and the well-being of their communities and households. The provision of enhanced opportunities for women led to improvements in poverty reduction and accelerated economic growth.

It was noted that trade policies were not "gender-neutral", but had strong redistributive effects between economic sectors, favouring some economic activities while disfavouring others.

Evidence suggested that, in some cases, trade liberalization had been associated with rising employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for women. In other cases, trade integration had exacerbated existing gender inequalities and worsened women´s economic and social status.