IWDA calls for gender analysis of proposed Pacific free trade agreement as essential to anticipating impact and ensuring effectiveness

In its submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the proposed Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus negotiation process, International Women’s Development Agency argues strongly for gender analysis be part of the information that informs further development of trade policy options and related economic and social policy provisions.

Gender equality is recognised as integral to sustainable development, aid effectiveness and achieving the MDGs, and is an overarching principle of Australia’s aid program.  It is not an optional extra but a core requirement.  Understanding the potential gendered impacts of policies and programs is, consequently, integral to a full assessment of how Australia should approach PACER Plus – particularly given that a stated objective of the trade agreement is ‘genuine and sustainable economic development.’  Gender profoundly shapes men’s and women’s economic and social roles and the extent to which they are able to access and benefit from opportunities created by increased trade.  Given this, there are both effectiveness and efficiency arguments for taking gender into account in relation to the PACER Plus negotiations.

For DFAT’s goal of ‘genuine and sustainable economic development’ to be achieved through PACER Plus, consultation, research and negotiation processes must recognise and take account of the gendered impacts of trade. Pervasive gender inequality constrains the potential and sustainability of economic development initiatives. Considering the extremely low representation of women in Pacific Island governments, national and regional consultation processes also need to take specific steps to meaningfully engage women by consulting beyond the government-to-government level. This is the only means of ensuring policy options reflect the development aspirations of women and men in the region.

IWDA’s submission outlines the gendered impacts of trade policy, drawing on specific examples of the gendered outcomes of economic activities in the Pacific. It also examines the relevance of Australia’s international commitments to trade negotiations. It concludes with recommendations about ways in which trade negotiations can incorporate gender issues and promote genuine economic and social development in the Pacific.

As the submission notes, ‘If Pacific Island, Australian and New Zealand governments are to make policy choices that are effective, sustainable and contribute to outcomes that meet the needs of both women and men, they must take active steps to engage both women and men in meaningful consultations on regional development options…

Failure to integrate gender into economic policy may result in women being disproportionately excluded from economic opportunities created by trade liberalisation. At the same time women will carry an unequal burden of trade adjustment costs, exacerbating prevailing gender inequalities. DFAT is in a unique position to be able to drive an innovative process that links economic development objectives to gender equality in the Pacific.’

You can download the PDF of the full submission here.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 3rd, 2009 under Information Packs.