Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the European Union and regional groupings of countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific are being negotiated currently. Gender analysis has largely been absent in trade policy formulation, in negotiations, and in implementation. It is rare that negotiating teams include gender expertise. In addition, very little attempt has been made to consult women’s organisations and groups or to make it possible for them to engage more actively in the discussions on the implementation of trade liberalisation. For their part, women within government structures and women’s organisations and groups need to build their capacity to engage in trade debates and negotiations.
One World Action, in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, is seeking to put gender issues on the EPAs agenda, through gender analysis of the implementation of trade liberalisation, capacity building workshops and advocacy.
For more detailed information on this project, please see our concept note
Gender & Trade Checklist
Economic Partnership Agreements can work for women if governments, the EU and civil society take some steps
One World Action is committed to challenging the view that trade liberalisation is THE answer to poverty elimination.
We believe that the poorest citizens, and particularly women, are disproportionately affected by unequal and unfair trade rules. Women make up the majority of the world's poor. If trade is the driver of economic development and intended to contribute to poverty reduction, it is imperative that trade promotes and supports economic justice for women and men, and that women benefit directly from trade. We are working for more effective ways to ensure that women’s voices are heard in debates on trade liberalisation.
Our Gender and Trade Checklist identifies key questions which need to be asked about employment conditions and wages, tariffs and revenue, and participation and influence.
