Gender Equality and international law: the role of the WTO

In the majority of the countries in the world, still in the new century, women live in disadvantaged conditions with regard to their role and position in the economy If compared with men. The reasons have to be looked for in the past centuries, which have generated a dangerous concurrence of gender norms and perceptions, connected to inheritance related to culture, religion and family, which put women on a lower level. This is reflected on an insufficient participation in the labour market, poor conditions of work and quality of employment, wages inequality and lack of empowerment and endangers women in all their roles in the economy, as producers, as workers and as consumers. Also, the figure of women can be influenced by constraints they have to face once they decide to enter the world of trade, which do not touch men in any way or at a lesser level, and can affect them as producers, consumers and workers both within the borders and beyond the borders. Hence, disparities still exist and an intervention is urgently required. Even though trade is considered a provider of inequalities related to gender, It could be trade itself the means to make them disappear little by little.195 In this context, the World Trade Organization can play a fundamental role with respect to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. Significant steps forward have already been made and the gender-related issues are increasingly in the spotlight, but It is unquestionable that there is still a lot to do in this regard. Efforts to address inequality in gender have been made not only by international organizations, including WTO, but also by governments, private sector companies and civil society.196 Despite the fact that gender equality isn’t explicitly mentioned in Its agreements, they are already giving a great contribution to the matter. WTO deals create a favourable trading environment for women inclusion, because they aim at ensuring that It is open, transparent, rules-based, predictable and stable for trade to operate and expand. With these conditions, women are more protected from uncertainties and risks of opaque and unpredictable trade policies and can be more included If open markets are established. In addition, there are several ongoing negotiations and initiatives that involve sectors characterized by a high share of female participation.197 The European Union, also as one of the WTO members, is giving Its contribution. The idea underlying this paper is that still today gender equality remains an objective that hasn’t been completely reached. Steps forward have already been moved from different sides but the goal is other than achieved. Even If trade can have a negative impact on women role in the economy, It can turn out to be a useful means in order to finally make a change. More specifically, The World Trade Organization can really make the difference through Its policies and regulations. There is a tendency to try to make a change and steps forward have been made by many countries, including the European Union. Hopefully the time for an actual change is finally arrived.