Globalization
Issues:
Trade and Labour Market
In the era of globalization, development questions are becoming more and more complex. One consequence of globalising processes is that the economic, spatial and social structures of countries and regions are changing. Considering globalization from a gender perspective involves examining how globalization differently affects the lives of men and women. It also requires analysing the impact of globalization on gender roles, gender relations and gender inequalities.
Publications:
Siyanda: Mainstreaming Gender Equality
Trade and trade policies affect men and women in different ways and at different levels. This is because of gender inequalities in access to and control of economic and social resources and decision-making, and because of women’s and men’s different roles as producers, consumers and providers. As a result, women and men benefit or lose out from trade liberalization in different ways. On the one hand, it can lead to increased employment opportunities and economic ‘empowerment’ for women, particularly in export-oriented sectors such as textiles. On the other hand, it can result in new labour market structures like low income jobs and home based work, in most cases with discriminating effects on women. Due to the strongly gender biased labour market, women are not equally affected by changes as men, but as history shows, in a long-term run, gender inequalities are deepening in times of crisis, and women loose access to economic resources and control over them. In spite of this evidence, it is still very common to look at trade issues from a gender neutral perspective. Development interventions can change this by using a sound gender analysis as a baseline for policy dialogue.
Links:
ILO: International Labour Organization
Publications:
