Making Trade Agreements Work for Women: What’s Behind the South American Approach?

The impact of trade agreements is not gender neutral, as women and men play different roles and enjoy different opportunities in society, markets and the economy. In order to minimize the unintended discriminatory impact of these agreements on women, several countries have developed policy instruments with gender-related commitments. However, the nature and scope of these commitments vary considerably from one region to another. Moreover, while some countries have been at the forefront of including these provisions in their trade agreements, many others have lagged behind and have yet to take the first step in this direction. This chapter examines these dynamics. The first part of the chapter looks at the differences in gender-related provisions in different regions, using practical examples to illustrate differences and overlaps within these regions. The second part of the chapter zooms in on one of these regions, South America, as it has emerged as a frontrunner in drafting trade agreements with various types of gender commitments. This section offers reflections on the ways in which countries in South America have drafted gender provisions, the roles of women that these provisions have focused on, and the mainstreaming strategies that are unique to this region (such as the inclusion of stand-alone chapters and the creation of dedicated implementation mechanisms).