The Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are World Trade Organisation (WTO) compatible trading arrangements negotiated between the European Union (EU) and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries. The EPAs replace existing trade arrangements between the EU and ACP. Under EPAs, ACP countries are expected to remove tariffs on ‘substantially all’ imports from the EU.
Our report questions whether these agreements, based on the idea of reciprocal market access, will bring about positive changes for women’s lives in Southern Africa. Our research shows that EPAs will not be gender neutral. They will impact women’s and men’s livelihoods in different ways due to gender inequalities in access to resources, employment, markets and decision-making. Our report acknowledges that it is much too early to know what the actual impact of EPAs on women’s livelihoods will be because no finalised EPA exists.
The research therefore set out to examine the likely impact of EPAs by analysing women’s involvement in three key sectors: sugar in Mozambique, beef in Namibia and cut flowers in Zambia. It makes recommendations on how to integrate gender analysis more systematically in regional trade negotiations and agreements in order to ensure that such agreements promote women’s rights and gender equality.
By Zohra Khan, October 2006
Download full report in English
Horticulture in Zambia:
Horticulture & Floriculture Sector in Zambia
Horticulture & Floriculture Sector in Zambia (Portuguese)
O impacto provável dos Acordos de Parceria Económica sobre os Direitos da Mulher e a Igualdade dos Géneros no Sector das Flores Frescas da Zâmbia
Horticulture & Floriculture Sector in Zambia (French, Executive Summary)
Genre et Cotonou. Les implications des Accords de Partenariat Economique pour les rapports de genre en Zambie. Le cas de l’industrie des fleurs coupées
Beef in Namibia:
Beef Sector in Namibia
Beef Sector in Namibia (Portuguese)
O Impacto dos Acordos de Parceria Económica da UE na Subsistência da Mulher na Namíbia
Beef Sector in Namibia (Executive Summary only - French)
Genre et Cotonou. L’impact des Accords de Partenariat Economiques sur les rapports de genre en Namibie. Le cas de l’industrie du boeuf
Sugar in Mozambique:
Sugar Sector in Mozambique
Sugar Sector in Mozambique (Portuguese)
O impacto provável dos Acordos de Parceria Económica sobre os Direitos da Mulher e Igualdade dos Géneros em Moçambique, na Namíbia e na Zâmbia
Sugar Sector in Mozambique (Executive Summary only - French)
Genre et Cotonou. Les implications des Accords de Partenariat Economique de l’UE pour les moyens de subsistance des femmes. Le cas de l’industrie sucrière au Mozambique
Can trade be democratic? The Challenges for Trade Unions
The seminar highlighted the specific challenges faced by women workers and workers in the informal sector along with some of the potential limitations of advocating the inclusing of social clauses in trade agreements. The importance and potential of the ASEM process for workers organisations was also examined.
Can Trade be Democratic? (pdf)
February 1998, 73 pages
