relationship

Broadly speaking, the relationship between gender and processes of globalization and trade liberalization has been more often than not assumed to be 'neutral'. Although these assumptions over time are being challenged with a string of evidence based research and analysis, a critical mass of debate, discussion and dialogue amongst concerned stakeholders is yet to emerge. For an objective assessment, trade linked gender impacts need to be approached in a sector and country specific manner. Despite this realisation, on account of various factors studies of trade gender linkages have not picked up to the desired extent. Also, there has been a felt need to mainstream gender into trade policies at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels so that gender outcomes are factored in trade policy formulation and implementation processes. All the concerned stakeholders need to be sensitised on this agenda.
With this backdrop in view, the Commonwealth Secretariat initiated a programme of sensitizing key stakeholders and senior policy makers through training workshops on the linkages between gender, trade and export promotion in different regions. Three regional capacity building workshops were held by the Commonwealth Secretariat on Gender, Trade Policy and Export Promotion in East Africa, the Caribbean, and South Asia collaboratively with identified partners. The workshops were held respectively between 25-29 July 2005 in Arusha, Tanzania; 23-27 January in Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and 28 August - 1 September in New Delhi, India.
Subsequently, it was felt that the diversified and rich network of gender and trade related resource persons and experts should continue to interact and remain engaged with critical issues and concerns. Action plans developed the workshops and the progress thereof could also be shared within the network and beyond to promote cross country cross sectoral learnings. Relevant case studies/success stories could also similarly exchanged.
In order to operationalise this approach, it was proposed that that the Commonwealth Secretariat in association with the Gender and Trade Initiative, GATI and DFID would initiate a e-newsletter Gender and Trade as also set up a comprehensive web-based resource centre on Gender and trade.
It is believed that the e-newsletter and website while aiming to be a pivotal tool and a central mechanism for promoting and facilitating such a network and exchange of ideas would also be an important step towards catalyzing further research in new areas.
The Commonwealth
The Commonwealth is an association of 53 independent states consulting and co-operating in the common interests of their peoples and in the promotion of international understanding and world peace. The Commonwealth's 1.8 billion citizens, about 30 per cent of the world's population, are drawn from the broadest range of faiths, races, cultures and traditions. The association does not have a written constitution, but it does have a series of agreements setting out its beliefs and objectives. These Declarations or Statements were issued at various Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings. The first, fundamental statement of core beliefs is the Declaration of Commonwealth Principles which was issued at the 1971 summit in Singapore . Among other things, it stresses the need to foster international peace and security; democracy; liberty of the individual and equal rights for all; the importance of eradicating poverty, ignorance and disease; and it opposes all forms of racial discrimination.
The Commonwealth Secretariat
The Commonwealth Secretariat, established in 1965 is the main intergovernmental agency of the Commonwealth, facilitating consultation and co-operation among member governments and countries. The Commonwealth Secretariat is headed by the Commonwealth Secretary General and is located at Marlborough House in London . Its sister inter-governmental organisations are the Commonwealth Foundation (also based at Marlborough House) and the Commonwealth of Learning (in Vancouver , Canada ). The association does not have a written constitution, but it does have a series of agreements setting out its beliefs and objectives. These Declarations or Statements were issued at various Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings. The first, fundamental statement of core beliefs is the Declaration of Commonwealth Principles which was issued at the 1971 summit in Singapore . Among other things, it stresses the need to foster international peace and security; democracy; liberty of the individual and equal rights for all; the importance of eradicating poverty, ignorance and disease; and it opposes all forms of racial discrimination.
To know more about The Commonwealth, visit http://www.thecommonwealth.org/
About GATI
The Gender and Trade Initiative (GATI) is an initiative of the Society for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (SOFCAR) a New Delhi based research and advocacy organisation.
GATI was launched in November 2004 with the support and guidance of UNIFEM South Asia Regional Office (UNIFEM SARO) to focus on critical issues relating to Gender and Trade in South Asia and beyond. Essentially, it originated with the realization that gender and trade issues have not been accorded their due importance by researchers and advocacy groups alike. Often, trade policies have been characterized as gender neutral. However, increasingly there is a growing recognition of the fact that the processes of globalization are associated with rapid changes in forms of work and life and have clear differential impacts on gender relations and outcomes.
Accordingly, the core objective of GATI has been to conduct credible evidence based research on the subject, provide policy inputs and promote a wider awareness and debate on the theme. Essentially, since the terms of the debate have been couched in technical jargons and the same needs to be demystified and communicated in a simple format to non-specialist audience.
GATI maintains active links with trade and gender experts in academic institutions and in civil society across South Asia.
Key programme areas include:
Conduct evidence based research on trade and gender linkages
Advocate for gender mainstreaming in trade negotiations through capacity building workshops, seminars and consultations
Build the capacity of government and civil society on trade and gender issues
Develop networks and convergence with regional and international organisations on issues of gender and trade
GATI is a partner of UNIFEM SARO and the Commonwealth Secretariat
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