Training programme for government officials

Objectives

The objectives of the training programme for government officials are to:

• give a new perspective on how trade can impact women's economic empowerment
• help explain why trade rules are not gender neutral
• deliver solutions on how to integrate gender into trade policies, based on members' practices
• assist government officials in their work on trade and gender
• collect data on gender-related trade policies, initiatives, programmes and statistics from members
• help drive research by collecting information on members’ priorities
• focus on the needs of governments prior to providing relevant training.

Training module

WTO members mandated the WTO Secretariat to develop a training module on trade and gender as part of the WTO's Technical Assistance and Training Plans for 2017-2018 and for 2020-2021 (WT/COMTD/W/227/Rev.1; WT/COMTD/W/248/Rev.1).

The first WTO training course on trade and gender was launched on International Women's Day in 2019.  Between 2019 and 2023, the WTO Secretariat delivered 19 training activities on trade and gender to government officials.

Training programme for 2021-2026

The training programme was revamped in 2021 to enhance WTO members' understanding of how trade and trade rules are not gender neutral. The updated training programme is designed to support government officials working on trade and gender, enabling them to address women's trade-related challenges and to participate in the formulation and implementation of gender policies, strategies and programmes aimed at leveraging opportunities in regional and international markets. 

The training course develops government officials' awareness of trade and gender issues. It covers how gender concepts can apply to trade policy making, guides officials in using the WTO's trade and gender policy tools, looks at the collection of trade data broken down by gender, and focusses on how gender perspectives can be integrated into policies. It also includes an introduction to gender issues in areas such as standards, climate change, education and health.

National activities

The WTO Secretariat also delivers training on trade and gender in response to national requests. Some 30 government officials from Saint Kitts and Nevis participated in a training programme on trade and gender in August 2021.