Trade policy and women's economic empowerment in the Covid-19 era and beyond

Over the last years, an inclusive trading system creating equal opportunities for participation in international trade regardless of gender has become one of the major issues addressed by the WTO. Increased interest in women empowerment in the global trade system resulted during the Buenos Aires Ministerial Conference in the adoption of the Declaration on Trade and Women's Economic Empowerment. The declaration is the first joint initiative within the WTO to increase women's participation in trade. Supporters of the declaration committed themselves, inter alia, to exchange experience and best practices on inclusive trade policies. In order to implement the Buenos Aires Declaration, the Informal Group on Trade and Gender was formed at the WTO. To support women’s economic empowerment some WTO members have introduced gender chapters into its Free Trade Agreements. WTO initiatives for women's economic empowerment seem particularly relevant given the strong negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's economic situation worldwide. Further support of women's economic empowerment should be an important part of post-crisis economic recovery. The paper aims to answer the question: How trade can support women's economic empowerment in the Covid-19 era and beyond.