Women and Trade

More-of-the-same failed trade policies are hurting everybody, but these bad trade policies have a disproportionately negative effect on women. Not surprisingly, women's organizations are increasingly weighing in on trade issues and signing on to change the direction of trade policy (PDF).

Check out this document outlining why more-of-the-same trade policies have proven harmful, especially to women, and why Trade Is A Women's Issue (PDF).

Especially disturbing is that under agreements such as NAFTA, with their unenforceable labor provisions, basically anything is allowable (emphasis added):

NAFTA has locked in a model of unenforceable labor and human rights in the EPZs [Export Processing Zones], wherein women face such threats as on the job discrimination, sexual harassment, and violence. Women workers in many factories in Mexico have reported rampant physical abuse and sexual harassment. In addition, mandatory pregnancy testing as a condition for employment is often standard practice.

Women have a strong interest in making sure this Congress changes the direction on trade policy. This is an important opportunity for women's organizations to broaden their focus from restricted motherhood choice, sexual harassment and workplace abuse at home to participate in changing a set of policies that allow this same unfortunate discriminatory treatment abroad. Participating in the trade policy debate provides a chance to make a real difference in the lives of women all around the world.

To learn more about gender and trade, visit the International Trade and Gender Network.

Comments

[maftah youness]

Youness Maftah.
Ibn Hayan Association for Culture and Development vice president.
Ain Aicha-Ain Bouhajaj-P.O.B: 34255-Taounate-Morocco.
Gsm:+212 070 98 10 73.

Dear friend.
I'm a 25 years old teacher of English in a high school in addition to my thesis at the faculty of Fes-Saiss; department of English;the thesis is in "postcolonial studies" unit of resaerch.
Since boyhood, I'm very addicted to work in associations for humanistic purposes.
Actually, with the help of some retired men; high studies students, primary school teachers....etc; we built an association for the same aims. Hoping to fill the gapes of our government responsibilities towards all the citizens. Unfortunatly; the errors our responsibles committed in the past entailed many structural, dangerous problems and impediments for a real development.
Therefore,you are welcome to join us for this universally known aims.I hope that you will help us by providing us with English books and magazines(though they may be dated).The past events between Islam and its rivals; which some of our unconscious,short-sighted religious Imams are still spreading though it's time for such old-fashioned histories to disappear; entail conflicts and unseen hostilities that we are striving to sweep away through cultural negociations, and constructive exchange of ideas and cooperation instead of daggers.So; I hope to receive your aids as soon as possible to fulfill our hope of a common library for the students from different academic levels.

Youness.