The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged its member states to integrate gender considerations into their trade policies to ensure that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) benefits everyone.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandje Toure-Litse, made this call at the opening of a regional meeting on trade and gender in Abuja. She highlighted that women face significant barriers in international trade, despite making up half of the global workforce.
Toure-Litse emphasized the importance of addressing gender disparities in trade policies to promote inclusive and equitable practices. She noted that ECOWAS has already taken steps to promote gender-inclusive trade through various community texts and initiatives.
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The commissioner encouraged participants to share their expertise and contribute to the development of a comprehensive action plan on trade and gender. She stressed that such a plan would be crucial for achieving the goals of the ECOWAS Vision 2050, AfCFTA, AU Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Doris Uzoka-Anite, expressed support for gender mainstreaming in regional trade policies. She emphasized that this approach aligns with the Federal Government’s trade facilitation policy and relevant community texts.
By integrating gender considerations into trade policies, ECOWAS aims to create a more inclusive and equitable trading environment for all its member states.
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