Gender parity in supply chain and trade

International trade plays a vital role in shaping countries economic and social performance. Increasing women’s participation in trade could add $28 trn* (source ITC/She Trade) to the global economy – this could be particularly effective in tackling both equality and poverty, since poverty also has a feminine face. 380m (source UN) women globally could become exporters by adopting digital.

Awareness is growing that international markets can expand economic opportunities for women SME’s. Concentrated efforts are needed which may start in local markets and then expand globally. World Bank/IFC and UN studies show that prioritising supplier diversity has:

• A 133% greater return on procurement investment spend
• 20% less spend on buying operations
• Smaller procurement teams than those without supplier diversity

Globally almost 40% * ( source ITC, WTO,She trade, World bank)of all SMEs are owned by women, so helping these businesses connect to local and global value chains could magnify trade related benefits. Gender parity in local and global supply chains can:

• Increase competition and thus drive down costs between vendors
• Facilitate innovation and collaboration with smaller suppliers on more customised products
• Improve corporate reputation and relationships with the community

Most WTO members of least developed, developing and developed economies, believe that trade can play an important role in empowering women and contribute to achieving UN sustainable development goals on gender equality (source Aid for trade monitoring and evaluating results 2017).

Whilst, close to 40% of SME’s worldwide are women owned businesses, only 15% of exporting firms are led by women (source: ITC 2017). Various instruments are in place to commence mainstreaming the gender dimension in international trade.

Our report highlights some of the key barriers that hinder female entrepreneurs from tapping into local and global supply chains. Our report also highlights instruments that can advance mainstreaming of gender dimensions in international trade.