This document summarizes the findings from a recent survey of Development Assistance Committee (DAC) members' programs and projects that address improving market access for women entrepreneurs and wage earners in developing countries. The study focuses on a number of key impediments to women's access to labor markets, financial markets, and markets for goods and services in developing countries. The report presents an overview of key programs and projects undertaken by DAC members and provides recommendations for best practices to enhance women's access to markets.

This document provides an overview of inequalities in women's access to markets and how these gender inequalities negatively affect pro-poor growth. It summarizes gender issues in the labor, financial, goods, and service markets, the controversies of different donor approaches, and the policy implications of failing to focus on women's market access. In addition, it offers policy recommendations and presents a variety of recommended best practices.

This fact sheet covers the benefits of integrating women into the world economy, why they are affected differently by trade and economic growth, and what factors constrain women's ability to participate in global trade. The fact sheet provides examples of how women have been affected by trade in the agriculture, handicrafts, and manufacturing sectors and with regard to tariff reduction and trade liberalization. As well, it summarizes how USAID can help improve gender equality in trade and economic growth and how the Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) project helps USAID Missions integrate the needs of the poor, particularly poor women, into their trade and economic growth programs.

For most countries, there are a number of national and international options for data sources. International and national statistics can help USAID Strategic Objective teams draw important conclusions about key gender differences that need to be addressed through program objectives and activities. Sex-disaggregated data includes micro- and macro-economic data as well as national statistics on social development, labor force participation and segmentation, incomes, poverty rates, educational attainment, health status, legal status, judicial access, and political participation.

This document is a collection of tables that describe illustrative Gender Integration Strategies for Trade (GIST) and present possible gender constraints, mitigating strategies, and indicators.

This document defines gender terms commonly used in economic growth projects.

This document provides examples of good gender-sensitive indicators for economic growth activities.

This paper investigates the unique position of women within the economy, drawing attention to the numerous aspects of gender inequality that limit women's full participation in "productive" activities. It explores why the inclusion of gender issues is not only beneficial, but also crucial, to the success of economic development programs. Through an examination of the domains of economic development and trade liberalization, the paper emphasizes that integrating gender considerations leads to a greater understanding of the impediments that hinder women's full participation in the economy.

This document is a compilation of presentations, reference lists, case studies, and other materials from a December 2008 workshop on the importance of incorporating gender into economic growth and trade activities. The workshop focused on the East Africa region and was held in Nairobi, Kenya. The Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Project organized and led the workshop.

This report presents the findings of a gender assessment of sustainable conservation-oriented enterprises, which was conducted under the WID-funded Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Project. It is based on the findings of a gender assessment team that spent three weeks in Kenya in 2007. It also builds on a desktop review of activities in other parts of the country. The objectives of the study were to:

1. identify specific business development constraints facing men and women engaged in nature-based income-generating activities, and
2. recommend strategies and interventions to increase the socio-economic benefits of biodiversity conservation through nature-based enterprises.

This research brief summarizes the findings of a gender assessment of sustainable conservation-oriented enterprises conducted under the WID-funded Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Project. The larger report is based on the findings of a gender assessment team that spent three weeks in Kenya in 2007. It also builds on a desktop review of activities in other parts of the country. The objectives of the study were to:

1. identify specific business development constraints facing men and women engaged in nature-based income-generating activities, and
2. recommend strategies and interventions to increase the socio-economic benefits of biodiversity conservation through nature-based enterprises.

The Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Program Manager traveled to Kenya from November 30 to December 8, 2008 to follow-up with two USAID/Kenya implementing partners on work conducted by GATE between May and November 2008. The GATE Program Manager also participated in the East Africa Gender and Economic Growth Workshop hosted in Nairobi, Kenya. This trip report discusses the meetings with the Kenya Dairy Sector Competitiveness Program and the Kenya Civil Society Strengthening Program. (The details of the workshop can be found in the GATE Workshop Report December 3-4, 2008.)

A team from the Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Project traveled to Kenya in September 2008 to train the staff of three USAID/Kenya agriculture programs on integrating gender into value chain programs. This trip report describes the development and execution of the gender integration training. This training is the first of three planned country efforts to improve the capacity of both Missions and implementing partners to systematically gather gender-related data for value chain assessments and to improve gender equity in agricultural value chains.

This document, produced under the WID-funded Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Project, shares the materials used in a September 2008 USAID/Kenya staff training on integrating gender into agricultural value chains. The objectives of the workshop were to help participants become familiar with value chain analysis, comprehend key gender concepts, understand the process of gender analysis in value chain development, and learn how to apply gender analysis to address gender constraints in value chain development activities. The training materials include PowerPoint slides and handouts.

This book of Gender Training Materials, prepared by the USAID-funded Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Project and tailored to the needs of the USAID/Kenya Mission, supports the Mission's commitment to gender integration for activities related to Economic Growth and Trade. It was used during a September 2007 workshop for USAID/Kenya staff and partners working on Strategic Objective (SO) 7 and 5. The materials are directed to the staff of the Agriculture, Business and Environment Office (ABEO) Team as well as partner organizations. They are designed to increase participants' knowledge, skills, and confidence in asking the right gender questions, finding the necessary data and assistance to answer these questions, and developing appropriate program interventions to meet gender-related targets.

This fact sheet provides a snapshot of Kenya's economy, covering key economic indicators, trade, poverty, and the labor market. In addition, it presents a development diamond that maps poverty, labor market segmentation, trade, and wage rate trends over a 10-year period.

Kano State is in the heart of the Nigerian "cowpea belt". In 2007, under the GATE Project, a study was conducted to assess the cowpea value chain and provide recommendations on how to enhance the strategy of the USAID/Nigeria-funded Maximizing Agricultural Revenue and Key Enterprises in Targeted Sites (MARKETS) Project by incorporating a pro-poor approach. The objective of the study was to identify strategies and opportunities for increasing the participation of and benefits to the poor, particularly poor women. This report synthesizes the findings of (1) an extensive literature review on cowpeas for Nigeria and the West Africa region and (2) interviews with a range of actors in the Kano cowpea value chain.

This fact sheet provides a snapshot of Nigeria's economy, covering key economic indicators, trade, poverty, and the labor market.

This research brief summarizes the findings of a larger report, Gender Impacts of Trade in South Africa Post-1994: An Exploration Based on Female Employment and Firm Ownership, based on research by Myriam Velia and Imraan Valodia, School of Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. The objective of the study was to fill a gap in South African literature on the impact of trade liberalization on women and to contribute to the growing international debate on gender, trade liberalization, and poverty. The research focused on the relationship between trade liberalization in South Africa and women's employment and their positions in firms as employees and owners. Two main themes are detailed in this brief: (1) linkages between trade liberalization and women's employment in general and across different economic sectors and (2) changes in women's employment and ownership across a range of sectors and firm sizes.

This paper evaluates how tariff liberalization impacted male- and female-headed households in South Africa during 1995, 2000, and 2004. An analysis of consumption trends by sex of household head show statistically significant differences, and these are transmitted through the impact in the tariff incidence. The research findings suggests that the sex of the household head matters and must be considered in addition to other household-identifying factors (e.g., socio-economic status) when evaluating the impacts of tariff liberalization.

This report was produced for USAID/South Africa by the GATE Project, Development & Training Services, Inc. (dTS), based on research by Myriam Velia and Imraan Valodia, School of Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. The objective of the study was to fill a gap in South African literature on the impact of trade liberalization on women and to contribute to the growing international debate on gender, trade liberalization, and poverty. The report explores in detail two aspects of the gender impact of trade liberalization in South Africa:

1. the relationship between trade liberalization and women's employment, and
2. the relationship between trade liberalization and women's ownership of enterprises in the informal sector.

This study uses a dynamic general equilibrium and microsimulation model to assess the effects of trade liberalization on growth, employment, and poverty in South Africa. It examines how men and women have been affected and whether or not trade liberalization has contributed to the faster rise in female unemployment and poverty. A Research Brief of the same name (PN-ADJ-407) summarizes the findings of this report. 

This Research Brief summarizes the findings of a larger report, Has Trade Liberalization in South Africa Affected Men and Women Differently? (PN-ADH-667), which was prepared for the Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Project. The report examines how trade liberalization has affected men and women since 1994 using an applied general equilibrium and microsimulation model. This Research Brief presents the key implications and recommendations of the report.

This research brief summarizes the findings of a larger report, Gender Dimensions of the Incidence of Tariff Liberalization, prepared for the Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Project. The report evaluates how changes in South Africa's import tariffs affected male- and female-headed households during 1995, 2000, and 2004.

This fact sheet provides a snapshot of South Africa's economy, covering key economic indicators, trade, poverty, and the labor market. In addition, it presents a development diamond that maps poverty, labor market segmentation, trade, and wage rate trends over a 10-year period.

This research brief summarizes the findings from a larger report, "A Trade Impact Review for Bangladesh" (PN-ADJ-429), which was prepared by the Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Project. The research explores the linkages between macroeconomic policy changes in Bangladesh and micro-level changes in employment, enterprise development, prices, and consumption levels in Bangladesh, particularly the differential affects on gender. The larger paper summarizes the findings from three separate reports: (1) a gender and pro-poor analysis of the shrimp value chain; (2) a gendered CGE model of Bangladesh; and, (3) a legal and regulatory analysis.

This report, by the GATE Project, seeks to assist donors and policymakers in understanding the effects of trade policies on key sectors in Bangladesh, as well as on poor producers, consumers, and entrepreneurs. This analysis employs a gender perspective, assessing where men's and women's experiences under trade liberalization diverge and suggesting actions that would create more gender-equitable opportunities for both men and women to gain from increased trade openness. The report summarizes the findings from three separate papers: (1) a gender and pro-poor analysis of the shrimp value chain; (2) a gendered Computable General Equilibrium model of Bangladesh; and (3) a legal and regulatory analysis.

This fact sheet provides a snapshot of Bangladesh's economy, covering key economic indicators, trade, poverty, and the labor market. In addition, it presents a development diamond that maps poverty, labor market segmentation, trade, and wage rate trends over a 10-year period.

This report was produced for USAID/Bangladesh by the GATE Project, Development & Training Services, Inc. (dTS), under a task order of the USAID Office of Women in Development. The objective of this study is to (a) review and track ongoing and planned research or program activities on remittances; (b) review ongoing projects on in- and out-migration and its impact; (c) provide a gender perspective on donor projects and studies; and (d) formulate possible programs and recommendations that USAID/Bangladesh can consider to promote remittances as a development tool, with a particular emphasis on women's experiences as migrants and receivers of remittances.

This Gender Training Handbook, prepared by the Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Project, is designed primarily to complement and augment the October 17-18, 2005 training on integrating gender into economic growth activities. The handbook aims to go beyond the training and provide Mission staff with additional knowledge, skills, and ideas to develop appropriate program interventions to meet gender-related targets. Its goal is to help Mission staff understand how they can design USAID programs to enhance the abilities of men and women -- including the poorest citizens -- to proactively seize the new opportunities presented by trade and economic growth activities.

This book of gender training materials, prepared by the USAID-funded GATE Project, was used during two different workshops for USAID/Bangladesh staff. It was designed primarily to help the Mission's Economic Growth, Food, and Environment Team increase their knowledge, skills, and confidence in asking the right gender questions, find the necessary data and assistance to answer these questions, and develop appropriate program interventions to meet gender-related targets.

This report, prepared by the Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Project for USAID/Bangladesh, explores the nature of production and the terms and conditions of employment along the shrimp value chain in Bangladesh. The primary objectives of the report are to identify opportunities to improve market outcomes, raise productivity and wages, and foster pro-poor growth in the shrimp sector. To analyze costs and returns within the sector, the report employs a pro-poor livelihoods approach and a value chain approach, which includes a gender analysis of the value chain.

This study by the Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Project provides an overview of information and communications technology (ICT) trends and opportunities for women in Bangladesh. It explores ways that the USAID/Bangladesh mission can integrate gender and poverty concerns into its programs and recommends pro-poor, gender-sensitive ICT interventions for the mission's review. The study aims to help USAID/Bangladesh ensure that its ICT development programs promote gender equity and create opportunities for economic growth.

Under the Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Project, USAID/Bangladesh commissioned Development & Training Services, Inc. (dTS) to carry out a trade impact review (TIR) to inform its Country Strategic Statement (2006 - 2010) for Bangladesh. The Bangladesh TIR includes several complementary analyses, including this legal and regulatory analysis. The report analyzes the coherence between (1) Bangladesh's trade commitments and trade-related policies, laws, and regulations, and (2) the country's international and national commitments to poverty reduction and gender equality.

This fact sheet provides a snapshot of Albania's economy, covering key economic indicators, trade, poverty, and the labor market. In addition, it presents a development diamond that maps poverty, labor market segmentation, trade, and wage rate trends over a 10-year period.

This study, prepared by the Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Project, explores the factors that make a successful Albanian agribusiness woman. Through case studies of women agriculture producers, an underexplored group of farmers in Albania, it aims to increase understanding of the variables that influence the progress of women in agricultural enterprises. The study looks at the most important variables for successful, sustainable enterprises as well as the strategies women employ to mitigate constraints.

The Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Research and Program Manager traveled to Albania from December 8-12, 2008 for a management trip as part of the GATE Country Action Plan. The scope of the trip included the following tasks:

1. Meet with the USAID-funded Albania Agriculture Competitiveness Program Chief of Party to plan for the gender value chain activity.
2. Follow-up with Opportunity Albania on the financial education training.

Este informe fue elaborado por el proyecto de Mayor Acceso a la Expansión del Comercio (GATE, por sus siglas en inglés) para la Misión de la Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional en la República Dominicana (USAID/República Dominicana), bajo una Orden de Trabajo de la Oficina de la Mujer en el Desarrollo. El propósito del documento es analizar, mediante un enfoque de género, el perfil de los y las trabajadores(as) desplazados(as), explorar su reinserción laboral e identificar intervenciones y lineamientos de políticas y programas que contribuyan a reducir los efectos económicos y sociales del cierre de las empresas, y asistir a los y las trabajadores(as) desplazados(as).

Este informe ha sido preparado para la Misión de la Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional en la República Dominicana (USAID/República Dominicana) por el proyecto a Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE), bajo una Orden de Trabajo de la Oficina de Mujeres en Desarrollo. Su propósito es analizar, con un enfoque de género, el perfil de los/as trabajadores/as desplazados/as, explorar su reinserción laboral e identificar las intervenciones y los lineamientos de políticas y programas que contribuyan a reducir los efectos económicos y sociales del cierre de las empresas y asistir a los y las trabajadores/as desplazados.

Este estudio ofrece una actualización del panorama productivo, comercial y laboral del sector de zonas francas de exportación, con especial atención en las confecciones textiles. Asimismo, el trabajo analiza los factores determinantes de las dinámicas del sector y sus consecuencias comerciales y para la fuerza laboral empleada, y discute algunas alternativas al nivel de políticas.

This fact sheet provides a snapshot of the economy of the Dominican Republic, covering key economic indicators, trade, poverty, and the labor market. In addition, it presents a development diamond that maps poverty, labor market segmentation, trade, and wage rate trends over a 10-year period.

This report, produced by the WID-funded Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) Project, aims to stimulate reflection on the human dimension of competitiveness, particularly gender aspects. It emphasizes the economic role that women play in competitive situations and the economic benefits of policies and programs aimed at mitigating inefficiencies and inequalities between men and women. The report identifies existing institutions and initiatives in the Dominican Republic through which competitiveness can be optimized by reducing gender inequalities.

This report presents the primary findings of two studies produced by the Caribbean Center for Economic Research and Tejada & Associates in collaboration with the WID-funded Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) project. Using data from the National Survey of People Displaced from Free Trade Zones, conducted by Tejada & Associates, the two reports:

• analyze the differing impact of the textile sector crisis in the Dominican Free Trade Zones on men and women,
• examine the possibilities for absorption of displaced labor from the sector, and
• identify programmatic interventions and policy guidelines necessary to reduce the economic and social effects of the layoffs.

This report was prepared for USAID/Peru by the Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) project with support from the Centro Peruano de Estudios Sociales (CEPES). It explores the artichoke value chain in Peru using a pro-poor and gender-sensitive analysis to examine the nature of production, the relationships between various actors in the value chain, and the terms and conditions of employment. With an emphasis on promoting pro-poor growth, the study aims to identify interventions that will improve market outcomes, raise productivity, and increase income for male and female farmers, day laborers, and agro-industrial workers along the value chain.

This book of gender training materials, prepared by the WID-funded GATE Project,  is intended to be used during four different workshops planned for USAID/Peru staff, contractors, and grantees. It is primarily designed to help Mission staff on the Economic Growth and Environment Team increase their knowledge, skills, and confidence in asking the right gender questions, finding the necessary data and assistance to answer these questions, and developing appropriate program interventions to meet gender-related targets. Its goal is to support Mission staff in their efforts to use USAID programs as a means of enhancing the abilities of men and women, including the poorest citizens, so that they can proactively seize the new opportunities presented by trade and economic growth activities.

Este libro de Materiales de Capacitación en Género, preparado por el Proyecto Mayor Acceso a la Expansióndel Comercio (GATE por sus siglas en inglés), financiado por USAID, apoya el compromiso de la Misión (y de USAID) con la integración del género, específicamente para actividades relativas al Crecimiento Económico, el Comercio y la Inversión y el Medio Ambiente. Este libro está hecho con la intención de ser usado durante cuatro talleres diferentes con el equipo de USAID/Peru, los contratistas y beneficiarios. Ha sido diseñado principalmente para contribuir a que el personal de la Misión del Equipo EGE (Economic Growth and Environment) amplíe sus conocimientos y habilidades, adquiera confianza para realizar las preguntas apropiadas sobre género, encuentre la información y apoyo necesarios para responder estas preguntas, y desarrolle intervenciones de programa adecuadas para alcanzar los objetivos relativos al género. Nuestra meta es apoyar al personal de la Misión en sus esfuerzos por usar los programas de USAID como un medio para fortalecer las habilidades tanto de los varones como de las mujeres, incluyendo a aquellos ciudadanos más pobres, de manera que puedan proactivamente aprovechar las nuevas oportunidades que presentan las actividades comerciales y de crecimiento económico.

This fact sheet provides a snapshot of Peru's economy, covering key economic indicators, trade, poverty rates, and the labor market.

To assist USAID/Peru with developing a gender-sensitive, pro-poor growth strategy, the Greater Access to Trade Expansion (GATE) project has produced this report to provide an overview of gender constraints to market access, best practices to ameliorate impediments, strategies for incorporating gender concerns into economic growth and trade activities, and possible indicators for measuring results. This report is a compilation of information and data drawn from recent GATE publications on market access, lessons learned on women in the economy, rationales for including gender in economic growth programs, training materials for USAID Mission staff on integrating gender into economic growth and trade programs, and gender and trade assessments conducted for USAID/Peru.