| In a policy paper published by the Commonwealth, attention is drawn to the complex relationship between gender, trade, and public procurement in four member countries: Kenya, India, Australia, and Jamaica. This comprehensive analysis delves into the barriers faced by women in trade and offers recommendations to promote gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in public procurement processes. The policy paper brings to light the significant role that gender plays in shaping trade dynamics, with women often encountering obstacles such as limited access to resources, discriminatory practices, and unequal representation in decision-making positions. To foster inclusive and sustainable trade environments, it is imperative to effectively address these gender-based challenges. Public procurement emerges as a key driver for advancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, considering its substantial share of government expenditure. By incorporating gender-responsive measures into procurement policies and practices, governments can facilitate women’s entrepreneurship, improve their access to markets, and promote fair competition. Let us explore the insights specific to each country provided in the policy paper: Kenya has made commendable efforts to integrate gender considerations into its trade and procurement policies. Nevertheless, challenges persist in implementing these policies effectively. To maximize the impact of gender-responsive trade and procurement initiatives, the policy paper recommends strengthening gender-disaggregated data collection, enhancing capacity-building programs, and fostering private sector engagement. India, with its vast and diverse economy, continues to grapple with gender disparities in trade and procurement. Targeted interventions are necessary to enhance women’s participation in international trade and enhance their access to public procurement opportunities. The policy paper emphasizes the importance of capacity-building programs, mentorship initiatives, and the establishment of gender-responsive procurement guidelines to address these challenges. Australia has made significant progress in promoting gender equality in trade and procurement. The policy paper highlights Australia’s gender-responsive procurement framework and proposes strengthening monitoring mechanisms, encouraging supplier diversity, and promoting gender-inclusive supply chains. Collaboration between the government and private sector is seen as vital for sustaining and expanding these positive developments. Jamaica acknowledges the significance of integrating gender perspectives into trade and procurement policies. However, implementation gaps and limited gender-disaggregated data hinder the effectiveness of these efforts. The policy paper recommends enhancing institutional capacities, improving data collection systems, and conducting gender impact assessments to facilitate evidence-based decision-making in trade and procurement processes. The policy paper presents a set of cross-cutting recommendations applicable to all four countries: Firstly, enhancing data collection is crucial for improving the availability and quality of gender-disaggregated data related to trade and public procurement. This will enable evidence-based policies and interventions that effectively address gender disparities. Secondly, capacity-building programs targeted at government officials, procurement practitioners, and private sector stakeholders are pivotal in promoting gender-responsive approaches and practices. Thirdly, the development and implementation of gender-responsive procurement guidelines and frameworks are recommended to tackle barriers and encourage women’s participation in public procurement processes. Robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are essential to track the progress and impact of gender-responsive trade and procurement initiatives, forming the fourth recommendation. Lastly, fostering public-private partnerships is seen as an effective strategy to leverage expertise, resources, and knowledge for the successful implementation of gender-responsive policies in trade and procurement. By incorporating gender considerations into their trade and public procurement policies, these countries can foster more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable trade environments while harnessing the potential of public procurement for gender-responsive outcomes. The Commonwealth’s policy paper serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, stakeholders, and advocates in Kenya, India, Australia, Jamaica, and beyond. It emphasizes the need for concerted efforts to address gender disparities and promote women’s economic empowerment in trade and public procurement processes. To download this policy research paper click here |
Commonwealth Policy Research Paper Highlights Gender, Trade, and Public Procurement Challenges and Recommendations in Kenya, India, Australia, and Jamaica
You Might Also Like
A Review of the African Union’s Strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment
Nigeria Unveils Groundbreaking Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy and Action Plan, Ushering in a New Era of Inclusive Growth and Gender Equality
