Brussels – October 26, 2024 – The World Customs Organization (WCO) is actively promoting gender equality and inclusive development in global customs operations to unlock greater economic vitality and ensure trade benefits reach all communities. Through its Gender Equality and Diversity Virtual Working Group (VWG), the WCO advocates for inclusive trade policies worldwide while working to eliminate barriers faced by women traders and marginalized groups in cross-border commerce.
On October 20, 2024, the WCO's Gender Equality and Diversity (GED) Virtual Working Group successfully convened a significant online meeting titled "Advancing Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Trade Facilitation." The event brought together customs representatives from 18 countries and regions alongside private sector experts to explore collaborative approaches for enhancing customs services to better serve women traders and marginalized communities.
Gender Equality as a Catalyst for Trade Potential
WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders emphasized the pivotal role of gender equality in sustainable economic development during his opening remarks. "We believe a more equitable and inclusive trade environment benefits not only women and marginalized groups but also global trade prosperity as a whole," Saunders stated. "By removing trade barriers and ensuring fair access to opportunities, we can unleash global trade's immense potential."
The Secretary General highlighted the WCO's steadfast commitment to gender equality and praised the VWG's crucial role in advancing this agenda. "The VWG serves as a vital platform uniting customs experts worldwide to integrate gender perspectives into policies and practices," he added.
Exploring the Gender-Trade Nexus
Participants from Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Thailand, the United States, and 11 other nations examined the intrinsic connections between gender, inclusion, and trade. Discussions focused on key areas:
- Awareness of gendered trade policy impacts: Recognizing how certain tariffs and non-tariff barriers disproportionately affect women-owned businesses
- Mainstreaming gender perspectives: Incorporating gender considerations into trade policy design through impact assessments and gender clauses
- Private sector collaboration: Leveraging business insights to develop more effective customs programs
- Targeted support mechanisms: Providing specialized assistance to overcome trade barriers
Private Sector Perspectives on Customs Cooperation
Representatives from WCO's Private Sector Consultative Group emphasized the importance of streamlined customs processes, increased transparency, and enhanced training programs. Key recommendations included establishing regular dialogue channels between customs authorities and businesses, simplifying documentation requirements, and improving compliance assistance.
Addressing Challenges for Women Traders
The meeting spotlighted persistent obstacles facing women in global commerce, including limited access to financing, insufficient market information, complex clearance procedures, and sociocultural biases. Participants examined practical solutions using WCO's Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT), including:
- Optimizing clearance processes to reduce administrative burdens
- Developing targeted training programs on customs regulations and trade finance
- Establishing women trader networks for knowledge sharing
- Advocating for gender-sensitive trade policies
WCO's Ongoing Commitment
The organization presented its current initiatives, including a second online learning module on implementing gender-responsive customs practices and the recent "Women in Customs" event held on September 24. These efforts form part of WCO's broader strategy to build institutional capacity for gender equality and create professional development opportunities for women in customs administrations.
Through these comprehensive measures, the WCO continues working toward a more inclusive global trade environment that fosters sustainable economic growth while empowering all participants in international commerce.