Arguing that trade can be crucial to gender equality and sustainable development, Deputy Secretary-General Petko Draganov announced the upcoming launch of five research projects to assess the impact of trade policy on women workers in the developing world. The studies will identify which trade policies are most likely to empower women and boost national competitiveness.

UNCTAD believes that action should be taken to make trade an instrument for the empowerment of women and for achieving gender equality. Mr. Petko Draganov Deputy Secretary-General UNCTAD

Addressing the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York on Friday, Mr. Draganov said the increasing inclusion of gender-related objectives in national development strategies reflected recognition of the importance of gender equality to sustainable and equitable growth and development.

He announced the launch of a new work programme on trade, gender and development, with the launch of five research projects in two developing countries - Ecuador and Cape Verde - and three LDCs - Bhutan, Rwanda and Lesotho.

The aim is to establish the impact of trade policy on productive sectors and assess the specific implications for women workers and ultimately for households, in order to determine which policies and instruments are required to make trade a tool for women´s empowerment and gender equality.

• UNCTAD´s work on Trade and Gender
  
  
• Statements by Mr. Petko Draganov, Deputy Secretary-General of UNCTAD
  
  
• Remarks by UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon
  
  
• News: Women’s empowerment lifts obstacles to achieving development goals, Ban says