Meetings 2003

	Meetings Expert meetings TD/B/C.I/EM.2/1 Session III

Expert meetings

Trade and Development Board

Working Party

Trade and Development Commission

Investment, Enterprise and Development Commission

ECOSOC-Commission on Science & Technology

Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy

Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR)

UNCTAD Conferences

Other meetings

Issues and questions to be addressed - Session III

Mainstreaming gender in trade policy: from theory to practice

Issues & questions to be addressed:

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In parallel with or prior to the negotiation of a trade agreement, an assessment could be carried out concerning the potential gender-related implications that the trade agreement may have. As a result, trade negotiators could be provided, for example, with a list of gender-sensitive sectors where trade liberalization could be expedited, delayed or exempted to enhance female employment and empowerment.

Gender-related commitments could be directly included in the main body of trade agreements. However, gender considerations should not result in trade barriers and their implementation should not constitute an excessive burden for developing countries in terms of financial and human resources.

The inclusion of gender commitments in trade agreements may (a) raise the profile of such an issue; (b) encourage a broader participation of civil society in the negotiation and implementation of the agreements; (c) make it easier to find funds to finance gender-related activities; (d) enhance gender-related cooperation among trade partners; and (e) enhance technical cooperation and capacity-building on the issue.

Issues and questions to be addressed

What are the mechanisms that have been used so far to mainstream gender in trade policy? What are the lessons learned? Has the experience been different in different countries and geographical regions?
What types of policy instruments are needed before and during trade negotiations? What types are needed once agreements come into force?
How suitable would it be to carry out a gender impact assessment of trade agreements? What is the experience arising from the environmental impact assessments of trade agreements?
How to avoid the risk that the inclusion of gender-related considerations in trade agreements becomes a heavy burden on developing countries and a new conditionality for market access?
How can technical cooperation activities be used for strengthening developing country ability to mainstream gender in trade policy?
How can developed countries ensure greater harmonization between their trade policies and development assistance to promote pro-poor growth?