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Gender mainstreaming in trade and industry: a reference manual for governments and other stakeholders

Fostering gender equality in trade and industry

Authors: O. Regan Tardu
Publisher: Commonwealth Secretariat, 2003

Full text of document

This reference manual aims to facilitate gender mainstreaming within Ministries of Trade and related government agencies, and within the private sector trading community. Several strategic objectives for advancing gender equality in the trade sector are identified, including the need to:

  • Establish the institutional arrangements for gender mainstreaming
  • Undertake gender analysis of existing trade policy documents, as well as those in formulation for the next planning period
  • Review the programme of work of the Ministry of Trade to identify areas where gender discrimination may take place
  • Identify current gender imbalances in the staff of the Ministry of Trade and related agencies
  • Undertake gender planning and training needs analysis
  • Carry out gender sensitisation at all levels
  • Improve interaction between the Ministry of Trade and the private sector
  • Monitor and evaluate the impact of gender mainstreaming and gender planning

In most cases, a number of specific recommendations for action are added, for example setting up more accessible systems of credit and loans for women in business. Models of good practice drawn from developing Commonwealth countries are also included.

Summary written in collaboration with BRIDGE and Siyanda