The World Customs Organization (WCO) Virtual Working Group on Gender Equality and Diversity examined inclusive trade facilitation on October 20 to foster a harmonized and coordinated approach to its implementation with all stakeholders at the border, according to the statement.
In this regard, representatives of 18 customs administrations (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Eswatini, Gambia, Guatemala, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Liberia, Maldives, Mali, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Thailand and USA.) discussed the links between gender, inclusion and trade, and how customs, through enhanced collaboration with different private sector stakeholder groups, can improve their services to better meet the needs of women traders and marginalized groups. Also, guest speakers from the WCO Private Sector Advisory Group They shared their ideas on the importance of greater collaboration between the private sector and customs, the official information indicated.
Thus, the need for greater awareness of the different impacts and opportunities that trade policies can have on women and men, as well as The benefits of incorporating the gender perspective in trade policies so that women and other marginalized groups benefit more from the opportunities that trade can bring. Also highlighted were the unique challenges faced by women traders when entering the global business marketplace, and provided examples from the WCO Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT) of what Customs can do to better address them.
Finally, the statement said that a Brief update on the work of this agenda at the WCO, which includes the ongoing development of a second e-learning module on how to promote gender equality and inclusion in customs, and the recent organisation of the Women in Customs event, held on 24 September as the first event forming part of the new initiative to establish a network for gender equality and diversity in customs.
It is worth noting that the WCO considers it essential that gender equality and diversity be one of the priorities on its agenda as a matter of human rights, sustainable development and well-being.WCO Press Release)
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