Gender and Trade in Africa

The discussion on gender and trade liberalisation follows from discussions of gender and economic growth. These have evolved over time and gender activists, and other civil organisations have employed different approaches to incorporate gender issues into trade policies and development agenda of countries. Trade liberalisation leads to economic growth and increase in employment opportunities. The global value chain has a lot of opportunities; however, women operate at the fringes on very small scales, and they lack the capacity to take advantage of opportunities. Their male counterparts have more opportunities to acquire additional skills giving them an advantage, and this widens the gender gap. The gains of trade liberalisation can improve the livelihoods of women if deliberate efforts are made, and special initiatives are taken to incorporate gender in trade and development at the international and national levels. The chapter examines the issue of gender in trade in Africa. It examines the impacts of trade and trade policies on women. The chapter also provides policy direction on how trade can support women and address the gender inequality gap. The chapter starts with a discussion on the impact of trade on women’s economic empowerment and then looks at the approaches to gender and trade. The chapter also discusses the gender and trade in development policy, and the development of gender-sensitive trade policy.