The context of women's recommendations on trade issues

Women around the world have come to recognise the growing significance of trade liberalisation, particularly after the conclusion of the Uruguay Round negotiations on 24 May 1994 and the establishment of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in January 1995. The impact of trade liberalisation on women has become an issue of much concern. Women have made key recommendations on trade issues in a number of important conferences:

• United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women (1995)

• UNIFEM’s Regional Strategies on Women and Trade through Policy Dialogue:
  • 1995: "Global trading practices and poverty alleviation in South Asia: regional perspectives" (organised with SIDA)
  • 1996: "Women, trade and sustainable livelihoods in Southeast Asia" (organised with ENGENDER)

• Women Leaders' Network from APEC Economies (1996, 1997, 1998)