Officials from 15 Latin American and African WTO member countries recently concluded a four-day training course on Trade and Gender, aimed at bolstering skills in gender-responsive trade policymaking and fostering experience-sharing among participants. The course, which ended on April 18, brought together 27 government officials who expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to deepen their understanding of how trade intersects with gender equality and women's economic empowerment.
Throughout the program, participants gained practical insights into the nuanced relationship between trade and gender, exploring how trade policies can impact men and women differently. They also delved into the importance of gender-responsive trade policies in fostering women's economic growth and reducing poverty.
The training course covered a range of topics, including an overview of the WTO's work on trade and gender, the social dimensions of trade and gender issues, and concrete tools for designing and implementing gender-responsive trade policies. Additionally, discussions addressed policies to support women entrepreneurs and examined gender issues related to climate change and gender-based violence.
Importantly, participants actively shared experiences and best practices on women's economic empowerment, engaging in discussions on how to integrate gender issues into trade policymaking. Through case studies and group exercises, they explored empowerment strategies across various sectors, from agriculture and tourism to traditionally male-dominated industries like mining.
Claudia Guillermina Parra Silva, Director General of Foreign Trade Facilitation in Peru's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, commended the course for its practical approach, noting that it provided valuable insights into implementing gender-responsive policies and facilitated rich discussions among officials from diverse countries.
Felipe Sergio Amaya Gómez, Manager at Colombia's Directorate of National Taxes and Customs, highlighted the course's effectiveness in equipping participants with tools to identify and address obstacles women face in international trade, enabling them to evaluate progress and enhance women's participation in trade.
Francisco Javier Vicencio Macaya, Advisor in the Inclusive Trade Department of Chile's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the significance of the knowledge gained in advancing Chile's Feminist Foreign Policy and promoting gender provisions in trade agreements on the international stage.
Carolina María Rosales Rodriguez, Professional Advisor on Planning, International Cooperation, Trade, and Gender in Guatemala's Ministry of Economy, underscored the importance of achieving gender equity in trade to empower women economically and provide them with equal opportunities.
Overall, the course equipped participants with valuable tools and insights to advance gender-inclusive trade policies and promote women's economic empowerment on both regional and global scales.
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