"There is a growing recognition that trade and trade rules can be a useful mechanism to support women's economic empowerment. The 2017 Buenos Aires Declaration on Trade and Women’s Economic Empowerment should take credit for this shift in attitudes," DG Azevêdo said. "122 members and observers have now signed that declaration. It has given the issue real momentum at the WTO. The Declaration identified various instruments that can help us better understand the links between trade and women's economic empowerment. And members have been following through."
DG Azevêdo spoke at the opening session of the workshop co-organized by International Gender Champions’ IGC Trade Impact Group co-chairs Iceland, Botswana, the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in cooperation with the WTO.
"I hope that today's discussions can increase understanding and help to trigger new ideas on how women could benefit more from trade across the board. One thing is clear. All the evidence shows that giving women the same opportunities as men improves competitiveness and productivity. In turn, this boosts economic growth and poverty reduction," he added.
- Read his full speech here.
- DG Azevêdo highlights role of trade agreements in enhancing women’s empowerment, WTO, 28 March.