Reclaiming the Feminist Space in the Global “Trade and Gender” Debate: What role for human rights?

IISD convened a roundtable discussion on trade and gender at the International Association for Feminist Economics 30th Annual Conference, which took place online and in Geneva from June 29 to July 1, 2022.

The objective of the roundtable was to draw attention to the spaces in trade-related policy arenas where efforts can be directed to ensure that the direction of work on trade and gender is consistent with an inclusive and rights-based feminist agenda. It will bring together experts on women’s rights, feminist economics, and trade policy to critically and constructively assess opportunities to advance gender equality and women’s rights in trade policy.

Confirmed speakers 

• Joanna Bourke-Martignoni (Gender Centre, Graduate Institute and Geneva Academy of Humanitarian and Human Rights Law)
• Caroline Dommen (International Institute for Sustainable Development, Geneva)
• Marzia Fontana (Institute for Development Studies, University of Sussex, UK)
• Lolita Laperle Forget (World Trade Organization, Geneva)
• Adrienne Roberts (University of Manchester, UK)

Geneva provides the ideal setting to consider how discussions about women’s economic empowerment in international economic institutions are consistent with feminist and women’s rights objectives, as the city is home to the international human rights mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council, and the World Trade Organization.