Taking account of women’s perspectives is crucial not only to raise awareness of the challenges they face in terms of gender equality but also to achieve sustainable peace through trade in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAs), said Deputy Director-General of WTO, Xiangchen Zhang on Friday.
Delivering opening remarks at a webinar titled “A trade for peace perspective on women’s empowerment in FCAs”, DDG Zhang stressed that the WTO’s Trade for Peace Programme can offer a platform to discuss concrete actions in support of women entrepreneurs and businesses in these countries.
Zhang said there is no doubt that trade can contribute to women's economic empowerment through the creation of job opportunities and higher wages for them. Trade brings more resources to the household, which in turn has a positive effect on increasing the standards of living, even for future generations.
We will explore ways in which women can participate in trade, especially those traders or entrepreneurs from fragile and conflict-affected states like the ladies we have here today.
For instance, what kind of policies are needed to support business opportunities for women? Given the very challenging circumstances in FCS, what more can the international community do to support women entrepreneurs and businesses in these countries?
The Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala always says that the WTO is about people — about making people's lives better — and this has to include women, including those in fragile and conflict-affected states.
He mentioned that starting conversation is essential, but it is not enough. It must translate into action. I hope that the Trade for Peace Programme can offer a platform to discuss and share ideas for concrete actions which can make an impact in FCS through women economic empowerment.
