Gender Equality in Trade Agreements: The Old, the New, and the Future

The purpose of this chapter is threefold: providing an overview and analysis of gender provisions in preferential trade agreements (PTAs), assessing what gender issues are not covered and why, and showing how PTAs can be used as a policymaking tool to address specific needs and obstacles women face. More specifically, the chapter provides an overview of the inclusion of gender provisions in PTAs and more precisely looks at how PTAs can support women’s economic empowerment and tackle gender inequalities, mapping out and analysing the gender provisions included in PTAs, in substance (what gender issues they cover and why) and in type (legally binding or best endeavours language, etc.). It also goes beyond just analysing the provisions. It explores how they are tied to PTA, dispute settlement mechanisms or impact and monitoring and evaluation processes. It also provides an assessment of what gender issues are not covered and addressed in PTAs and links these to women’s needs, adding a practical perspective to the analysis. Lastly, the chapter shows how policymakers can use PTAs as a toolbox to identify the adequate approach, methods, and matters when they develop their trade policies pertaining to gender equality in trade.