Trade-led growth with regionalism and bilateralism: the implications for women's decent work

Organizer: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and Institute of Social Studies Trust (India)

This caucus gathers representives from regional intergovernmental organizations and INGOs & NGOs in a forward looking dialogue on priority setting for research, policy making and trade facilitation. Internationally leading feminist analysts from intergovernmental institutions and civil society will initiate the discussion by presenting gendered analysis of how recent trade-led development efforts in Asia and the Pacific reflect and respond to a variety of international agreements at global regional, and sub-regional levels, affecting women's work in complex and far-reaching ways. The discussion aims at identifying priorities for: policy relevant comparative research within and between sub-regions, for gender responsive policy formulation and implementation at regional, sub-regional and national levels, and for gender responsive trade facilitation.

Speakers:

• Devaki Jain: Feminist Economist, Founder of ISST:
  Women's livelihoods and regional trade agreements: Can we make the connections?
• Mia Mikic, Economic Affairs Officer, Trade Policy Section, UNESCAP
  Mode 4 commitments and the gendered implications of labour mobility of PTA involving the UNESCAP countries
• Patricia Alexander, Regional Advisor, UNIFEM
  Flows of people, flows of funds: Migrants, remittances, and gender issues
• Nelien Haspels, Senior Specialist on Women Workers Issues, ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) and;
  Semil Ecim, Senior Gender Specialist for the Arab State, ILO, Beirut
  Fundamental principles and rights at work: Pay equity and representation

Detailed programme for the caucus will soon be posted.