Five countries awarded with International Prize for Gender Equality in Trade

Launched by the Co-Chairs of the IWG in 2024, the Prize recognizes impactful gender-responsive trade policies, export programmes and Aid for Trade projects implemented by WTO members and observer governments. Winners are selected based on a set of eight criteria designed to assess the impact of initiatives in supporting women's inclusion in trade and their economic empowerment (INF/TGE/COM/15). 

The initiative seeks to showcase concrete actions that remove barriers to women's participation in international trade and create more inclusive economic opportunities.

In the "Female Entrepreneurs" category, three countries were recognized:

• Ecuador, for its programme under the Organic Law to Boost the Economy of Women Entrepreneurs and Executive Order No. 190
• Colombia, for its Fondo Mujer Libre y Productiva (FOMMUR), a key policy instrument supporting rural women entrepreneurs
• Cabo Verde, for the programme of its Institute for Gender Equality and Equity (ICIEG), promoting the economic empowerment and autonomy of women and youth.

In the "Sustainable Development and Gender" category, Türkiye received the award for its gender-responsive trade data initiative, which analyses women's role and contribution to exports. 

In a separate category, Peru received a Special Mention for its Ella Exporta programme, which supports women business leaders and their participation in trade.

The ceremony highlighted the importance of translating commitments to gender equality into concrete policies and actions. It also underscored the role of international trade in opening new opportunities for women, strengthening their economic independence and contributing to more inclusive and sustainable growth.

By recognizing these initiatives, the International Prize for Gender Equality in Trade aims to inspire further action among WTO members and observer governments to ensure that women can participate fully in, contribute to, and benefit from, international trade.