Program Title: HE FOR SHE TRADE_TRADE WISE
Program Focus: Gender Equality in Trade
Program Lead: Brendan Chukwuebuka Ugwu
INTRODUCTION
The HE FOR SHE TRADE initiative is a flagship program under the Young African Policy Research Hub (YAPORH) dedicated to achieving gender equality in trade by mobilizing all stakeholders—men, women, and particularly those in business, administration, and various sectors of society. The initiative focuses on leveraging privileged positions in society to break down gender barriers and actively support women in trade. This support includes promoting women-owned businesses, advocating for equal economic policies, and fostering environments where women can thrive economically.
Program Vision
To create a gender-responsive trade ecosystem in Africa where women are empowered, have equal access to trade opportunities, and can fully participate in the economic development of their communities.
Program Mission
To advocate for policies and practices that close the gender gap in trade, provide capacity-building for women in trade, and promote a culture of gender equality through the active involvement of men (He For She) in supporting women’s economic empowerment.
Objectives of the HE FOR SHE TRADE Initiative
The HE FOR SHE TRADE initiative is driven by a clear and purposeful set of objectives aimed at achieving gender equality in women’s participation in the economy, particularly within the trade sector. Our approach is comprehensive, targeting various aspects of the trade ecosystem to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for women. Here’s a breakdown of our key objectives:
1. Mobilizing Stakeholders for Gender Equality
Our primary objective is to achieve gender equality in women’s economic participation by mobilizing all stakeholders—men, women, and those in business, administration, and other sectors. We leverage their positions of influence to break down gender barriers and actively support women in trade. This includes promoting women-owned businesses, advocating for equal economic policies, and fostering environments where women can thrive economically.
2. Advocating for Equitable Trade Policies
We are committed to advocating for and promoting policies that ensure the fair and equitable treatment of women in international trade agreements. This involves providing the necessary resources and support to increase the participation and success of women-owned businesses in global trade.
3. Recognizing Commitment to Gender Equality
To inspire broader commitment, we aim to create awards and recognition programs that celebrate companies and individuals who demonstrate outstanding dedication to gender equality in their trade practices. This includes fair treatment of women employees and robust support for women-owned businesses.
4. Engaging Men as Allies in Empowering Women
Another key objective is to mobilize and encourage men to take an active role in empowering women in trade. We work towards eliminating barriers that prevent women from fully participating in and benefiting from supply chain activities, ensuring men are engaged as advocates and allies.
5. Promoting Transparency and Accountability
We encourage companies to publicly disclose their gender diversity and inclusion efforts within the trade sector. By fostering transparency and accountability, we aim to ensure that commitments to gender equality are upheld and continually improved.
6. Integrating Gender Equality into Industry Standards
We collaborate with industry leaders and partner with industry associations and chambers of commerce to integrate gender equality criteria into existing industry awards and recognition frameworks. This ensures that gender equality becomes a standard measure of success within the trade industry.
7. Utilizing the TRADEWISE Approach
We employ the TRADEWISE approach to systematically promote women’s participation in trade. This strategic framework covers key areas such as training, access to finance, digital inclusion, entrepreneurship support, and more, ensuring a holistic approach to empowering women in trade.
8. Encouraging Gender-Equitable Procurement Practices
Our objective also includes encouraging public and private sector organizations to adopt procurement practices that support gender equality and prioritize women-owned businesses. This helps ensure that women entrepreneurs have fair access to opportunities and resources.
9. Conducting Research and Data Collection
We conduct rigorous research and collect data on the gender dimensions of trade to inform our policies and interventions. This evidence-based approach allows us to tailor our strategies to the specific needs and challenges faced by women in the trade sector.
10. Collaborating for Collective Impact
We recognize the importance of collaboration and aim to work closely with governments, businesses, NGOs, and international organizations to amplify our efforts. Through these partnerships, we strive to achieve a collective impact in promoting gender equality within trade.
11. Advocating for Women’s Leadership
Finally, we advocate for increased representation of women in leadership positions within trade associations, corporations, and policymaking bodies. By ensuring that women are represented in decision-making processes, we help to shape policies and practices that are inclusive and supportive of women’s roles in trade.
Conclusion
The objectives of the HE FOR SHE TRADE initiative reflect our commitment to creating a trade environment where women can fully participate and succeed. By addressing the various challenges women face in trade—from policy advocacy to leadership representation—we are working towards a more equitable and prosperous global economy. Through these efforts, we aim to make gender equality not just a goal but a reality in the trade sector.
