Public Awareness and Support for Gender-Related Provisions in Trade Agreements

• In Event: Trade and Gender

Abstract

Recent trade agreements have started to address gender issues, aiming to eliminate discrimination and trade barriers and provide equal economic opportunities for women. These trade agreements include renewed commitments to UN principles of non-discrimination, as well as pledges for transparency and cooperation to enhance greater awareness of the significance of gender equality. Despite these advancements, critics express doubt regarding the effectiveness of linking trade and gender in international trade agreements, contending that it is mere rhetoric without substantial impact on women’s empowerment. This study investigates the effectiveness of such provisions in enhancing public awareness about gender-related aspects in trade agreements and, consequently, support for gender equality measures through trade. We hypothesize that individuals informed about the objectives of gender provisions within trade agreements are likely to endorse such measures, recognizing the potential for generating equitable benefits between men and women. Moreover, informed individuals are expected to be more supportive of gender-equality enhancement policies. Our hypotheses are tested using survey data from the United States, where trade agreements explicitly include provisions protecting or promoting women’s rights and economic interests. The study reveals that the inclusion of gender provisions in trade agreements can, at a minimum, contribute to enhancing public awareness about the importance of gender equality and policies through trade

Author

• Mi Jeong Shin, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics