Africa/Global: Tensions between the role of trade, development and gender equality

This report explores the tensions between the role of trade, development and gender equality. The main conclusions are that gender considerations are intricately and practically linked with global trade, and that there exist fundamental tensions and dilemmas in the relationship between trade and economic development. The author argues that there are still many paradoxes even within development economics orthodoxies, including: apparent tensions between the norms, values and practice of trade and economic development; and, current patterns of trade (and trade rule-making) may present significant challenges for gender equality objectives, which, in turn, can have significant untoward effects for long-term development.