Empowering Women in Trade – A South Asian Perspective

By: SDPI

Partner/Donor: Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Pakistan

Starting Date: 2023

Team Members: Dr Vaqar Ahmed, and Ms Mahnoor Arshad

Introduction: The market access arrangements like GSP+ and EBA have been an excellent opportunity for countries in South Asia such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to augment their export flows towards the EU. The renewal and (later reapplication) of the GSP+ status and integration with foreign value chains is indispensable for the stability of these countries’ external accounts. While exports to EU have exhibited an uptick, however, broader objectives which included expansion of items in export basket, increasing share of women-in-trade, and allowing smaller firms (or firms from vulnerable regions) to integrate in EU value chains remains a work in progress for all three countries. There are several gender-specific barriers to trade and it is pertinent to find ways to improve outcomes for women exporters from small and medium enterprise (SMEs) through leveraging market access opportunities such as the GSP+, EBA, and FTAs.

To understand these barriers and research about the way forward, Friedrich Nauman Foundation (FNF) Pakistan in collaboration with Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) initiated a study on “Empowering Women in Trade - A South Asian Perspective”. The study demonstrates the are the various gaps in various subsectors across agriculture, industry, or services where women-focused firms could not achieve the anticipated gains, how women can benefit more from preexisting trade agreements, what are the best-case scenarios to follow in the south Asian region, and highlights the roles of public and private sectors in this scenario in addition to policy recommendations for public, private, and regulatory spaces to address identified gaps. Using a mixed-method approach, the study also derives its analysis and recommendations from consultative discussions and policy dialogues, with participation of key stakeholders.

Objectives:

The following questions have been addressed in this study:

How women can benefit more from preexisting trade agreements and what are the best-case scenarios to follow in the south Asian region?
How have women-focused firms integrated regionally and globally because of market access arrangements on ground?
What are the various gaps in various subsectors across agriculture, industry, or services where women-focused firms could not achieve the anticipated gains?
The roles of the public and private sectors in this scenario and policy recommendations for public, private, and regulatory spaces to address identified gaps.

Impact and Outcome:

The study has made a significant contribution to advancing gender-sensitive trade policies and practices in the region. By providing an in-depth analysis of the barriers women face in trade and offering actionable recommendations, the report has:

Increased awareness of the systemic gender gaps in trade across South Asia, helping policymakers and stakeholders understand the need for more inclusive trade environments.
Empowered women entrepreneurs by advocating for enhanced access to markets, finance, and capacity-building initiatives tailored to their needs.
Informed policy frameworks at both the national and regional levels, influencing key decision-makers to integrate gender-responsive strategies into trade agreements and programs.
Supported sustainable development by aligning its recommendations with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Status: Completed