Applications open for WTO Training Course on Trade and Gender

The course aims to enhance government officials’ knowledge on trade and gender and to help them integrate gender considerations in their work and develop gender-responsive trade policies. It supports the work of the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender on seeking to increase women’s participation in global trade

Course Objectives

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• better understand the nexus between trade and gender equality;
• use concepts and tools related to gender equality in trade to analyze trade policies and develop gender-sensitive trade policies;
• understand how the WTO addresses the issue of trade and gender equality;
• access various sources of information and data on trade and gender equality, and understand how to use them; and
• understand the role and objectives of the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender Issues, as well as its operation;
• understand the thematic issues affecting the trade-gender equality nexus, with the aim of helping Members integrate gender issues into their overall policies;
• better understand how they can integrate gender issues into their work at the WTO.

What is the course about?

• The course, which will be conducted in Spanish, will help to build the capacity of government officials to promote gender equality in trade. The aim is to develop officials’ expertise on trade and gender issues and to improve their capacity to analyse, formulate and implement trade policies that support increasing women’s access to trade and economic opportunities. The course will also provide guidance on policy tools for integrating gender issues into members’ trade policies and development objectives.
• The programme is built around lectures, discussions, group exercises and interactive brainstorming in ten live sessions over four days. The course forms part of the WTO’s 2024-2025 Biennial Technical Assistance and Training Plan.
• The training course is not only aimed at government officials involved in the work of the WTO and international trade but also officials from other ministries and agencies covering other areas, such as foreign affairs and finance.

The Course Will Combine Technical Lectures and Interactive Sessions

• Technical improvement sessions
  • Explanation of the work carried out at the WTO on trade and gender equality
  • Presentation of data on the impact of trade on women
  • Reference to examples that show that trade rules are not gender neutral
  • Explanation of WTO policy instruments relating to trade and gender equality
• Information exchange and interactive sessions
  • Dialogue with participants on national best practices in trade and gender equality and women’s (economic) development
  • Exchange of views on WTO policy instruments related to trade and gender equality
  • Exchange of national and regional experiences
  • Group exercises and debates within the framework of each session and sub session

Key Result

• Government officials are implementing WTO Agreements and fully realising Members’ rights and obligations

Key Output

• Government officials have enhanced knowledge about WTO Agreements, trade policy formulation and conduct of trade negotiations

Selection Process

• A call for participation and an invitation letter will be distributed to all eligible beneficiaries of trade-related technical assistance. Each applicant will submit a letter of motivation and a letter of endorsement from his/her authority/agency/ministry as well as an application form.
• Venue: Switzerland
• City: WTO
• Start Date: 15/04/2024
• End Date: 18/04/2024
• Duration: 4 (days)
• Target Audience: Government officials
• Language: Spanish

For more information, visit WTO.