ATPC GENDER WORKSHOP APRIL 21 -22 2009

TEN THINGS WE HAVE WE LEARNED ABOUT WOMEN AND TRADE: HOW DOES IT APPLY TO AFRICA

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WHY WOMEN WHY TRADE?#1

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TRADE LIBERALIZATION CAN LEAD TO WINNERS AND LOSERS (World Bank) -SUFFICIENT STUDIES SHOWN NOT GENDER NEUTRAL -”WINNER” OR “LOSER” DEPENDS UPON THE CAPACITY TO PARTICIPATE AND BENEFIT FROM PRODUCTION AND TRADE AND ON THE SPECIFIC LIBERALIZATION ASPECTS

WHY WOMEN WHY TRADE?#2

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ENGENDERED MARKET ENTRY -The positioning of women’s entry into markets determines their ability to respond to the “magic of the market” - Women’s constraints and inequality arising from traditional discriminatory norms ( Educ; LFPR; Wage gaps, Income levels) inhibit their ability to contribute and benefit equally (... the where and how)

WHY WOMEN WHY TRADE?#3

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TRADE LIBERALIZATION CAN RESTRUCTURE LABOUR MARKETS -Economic miracle of South and SEA Asia led to intensification of women’s labour in export growth=low wage strategies for high growth (reserve labour force) - Creates Global chains of production in which Informal sector serves

WHY WOMEN AND TRADE#4

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TRADE LIBERALZATION IMPACTS -A GHETTO-IZATION OF WOMEN WORKERS - DFI AND EPZ’s CONTROL TRIMS - CASUALIZATION OF WORK/RIGHTS - PROFITS GLEANED FROM THESE INFORMAL SECTOR GLOBAL CHAINS OF PRODUCTION ... The soccer balls and barbie dolls syndrome

WHY WOMEN WHY TRADE#5

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TRADE REDUCTION REVENUES -Developing countries disproportionate impacts on government revenue: i.e can be average 28% compared to .8% OECD -can lead to reduced rates of gov. spending on educ health and public services; user fees & privatization -Coping strategies impact harder upon women who need these more for families

WHY WOMEN AND TRADE#6

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EXPORT PROD. CREATES SHIFTS: -CASH CROPS FOR EXPORT (Agro processing; horticulture, export crops) -SHIFT DOMESTIC FOOD PRODUCTION TO MORE MARGINAL LANDS -WOMEN’S LABOUR ON CASH CROPS = can be reduced benefits -MNC’s creating sustainable livelihood issues

WHY WOMEN AND TRADE#7

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LOSS OF SUBSIDIES IN AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES: -high concentration of women in commodities -Gov used to provide subsidies, extension services and credit to small scale farmers, These cut, Price on inputs (fertilizer etc) soared. Local food prod seasonal -Women suffer access/mobility/trade at farm gate issues

WHY WOMEN?WHY TRADE#8

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MARKET ACCESS ISSUES (NAMA) - May work against women if the major product sector facing lack of market access to a WTO member economy -High economic dislocation in women dominated sectors (in garment industries, footwear, handicrafts & traditional textiles) -Can destroy infant local industries/can’t compete -Affects women servicing them upstream and downstream (canteens; processing, marketing etc) -INFORMATION DISSEMINATION differs

WHY WOMEN?WHY TRADE?#9

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MARKET ACCESS ISSUES (TRIPS;SPS) -Have important consequences to women as protectors of traditional knowledge( medicinal herbs) -Women in developing countries seed and plant varieties critical for farming MNC firms have patented these ( seeds. Micro organisms) without sharing with communities. Estimated 97% control Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary measures cannot compete with stringent standards set

WHY WOMEN?WHY TRADE?#10

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TRADE POLICY ANDAGREEMENTS: Where are the women’s voices to be heard?

-trade analysis and reports?

-trade policy and decision –making fora -WTO and national negotiation teams?

-RECS and REI?

-Business women’s orgs – FEM COM-COMESA

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NUMBERS GAME CAN MISLEAD

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YET THE IMPACTS ARE FELT BY WOMEN AS CONSUMERS AND PRODUCERS