WCO Upgrades Gender Equality Tool for Customs Agencies

WCO Upgrades Gender Equality Tool for Customs Agencies

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has released an updated Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT) to assist member customs and tax administrations in assessing the integration of gender equality and diversity within their internal policies, practices, and external relations. The 2023 update focuses on security, action, and user experience. It includes a new security and safety chapter, strengthens action-oriented templates, and optimizes user experience design. This aims to promote gender equality within the customs domain and improve organizational performance through a more inclusive and equitable environment.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Advocates Gender Equality in Global Trade Reform

WCO Advocates Gender Equality in Global Trade Reform

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has released a Declaration on Gender Equality and Diversity, aiming to promote fairness and inclusion within customs systems. Eight key actions are outlined to eliminate discrimination, enhance efficiency, and foster sustainable development. These actions focus on creating a more equitable and representative workforce, ensuring equal opportunities, and promoting a culture of respect and understanding. The WCO hopes this declaration will serve as a catalyst for positive change within customs administrations worldwide, leading to a more inclusive and effective global trade environment.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Promotes Gender Equality in Global Customs Operations

WCO Promotes Gender Equality in Global Customs Operations

The WCO Gender Equality Conference highlighted progress in gender equality within customs administrations, sharing best practices and urging member collaboration to build a fair and inclusive environment. The conference emphasized the importance of mainstreaming gender perspectives in customs policies and operations. Participants discussed strategies for promoting women's leadership and addressing gender-based discrimination. The call for collaborative efforts aims to foster a global customs community that values diversity and ensures equal opportunities for all, ultimately contributing to more effective and equitable trade facilitation.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Benin Customs Boosts Gender Equality with WCO Backing

Benin Customs Boosts Gender Equality with WCO Backing

The World Customs Organization (WCO) collaborated with Benin Customs to promote inclusive customs by implementing Gender Equality and Diversity (GEDC) policies. This follow-up mission included awareness workshops, assessed the progress of the GED action plan implementation, and offered recommendations for improvement. The aim is to establish a more equitable and efficient working environment within Benin Customs. The mission focused on evaluating the effectiveness of current initiatives and identifying areas where further action is needed to ensure a truly inclusive and diverse workforce within the Benin Customs administration.

01/22/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Americas Caribbean Customs Agencies Push Gender Equality at Forum

Americas Caribbean Customs Agencies Push Gender Equality at Forum

The Americas and Caribbean Customs Virtual Forum focused on gender equality and diversity, bringing together representatives from 24 countries. They shared experiences, discussed challenges, and launched the Spanish version of the WCO Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT). The forum aims to promote progress in gender equality within customs administrations and integrate it into the customs agenda. This initiative lays the foundation for building a more equitable and inclusive customs environment across the region.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Cte Divoire Customs Boosts Gender Equality with WCO Backing

Cte Divoire Customs Boosts Gender Equality with WCO Backing

The WCO conducted an assessment in Côte d'Ivoire on the progress of gender equality and diversity within customs administration. The assessment provided recommendations for improvement, aiming to create a work environment that promotes equal opportunities for all. The focus was on identifying areas where customs practices and policies could be enhanced to foster a more inclusive and equitable workplace, benefiting both employees and the effectiveness of customs operations. Ultimately, this initiative supports the WCO's commitment to promoting gender equality and diversity within its member organizations.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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West Africa Customs Adopts Gender Equality to Boost Trade

West Africa Customs Adopts Gender Equality to Boost Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is implementing a Gender Equality and Diversity (GED) capacity-building project in West Africa. Through workshops, assessments, and action plans, the project aims to enhance the GED awareness and practical capabilities of customs administrations in countries like Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. This initiative seeks to promote a more equitable, inclusive, and efficient customs system, ultimately facilitating trade and fostering economic development in the region. The project focuses on improving internal policies and practices within the customs administrations.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Expertise France Boost Gender Equality in African Tax Agencies

WCO Expertise France Boost Gender Equality in African Tax Agencies

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and Expertise France jointly organized a gender equality workshop in Côte d'Ivoire. The workshop aimed to raise awareness of gender equality among customs and tax officials in West and Central Africa. Practical tools, such as the Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT), were introduced. The event also facilitated the exchange of experiences between countries, laying the foundation for a more equitable and inclusive customs and tax environment. The initiative underscores the importance of international collaboration in promoting gender equality within customs and taxation sectors.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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New Framework Aims to Boost Gender Equality in Global Trade

New Framework Aims to Boost Gender Equality in Global Trade

During the 2019 WTO Global Review of Aid for Trade, the WCO co-organized a side event focusing on gender mainstreaming in trade facilitation. The meeting highlighted the importance of gender equality, revealing barriers to women's participation in trade. Experiences from the EU and Uganda were shared, and the WCO presented its tools and initiatives to promote gender equality and diversity in customs. This event laid the groundwork for future efforts to promote gender equality within Aid for Trade initiatives.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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World Customs Organization Boosts Gender Equality in East and Southern Africa

World Customs Organization Boosts Gender Equality in East and Southern Africa

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through Phase II of the Finland-East and Southern Africa Project, is helping customs administrations in the region enhance their gender equality capabilities. This includes providing tools, organizing training, and promoting cooperation. Workshops focused on gender mainstreaming, sharing practical examples, and developing guidelines for regional development. The WCO will continue to support national customs agencies in building a more equitable, inclusive, and efficient working environment.

01/20/2026 Customs Knowledge
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