Training on collection of gender-disaggregated data for trade policy was held in Ashgabat

In this regard, on 21-22 December the EU-funded project Ready4Trade Central Asia conducted a two-day training on collection of gender-disaggregated data for trade policy for representatives of government organizations and private sector. In total, 24 participants were in attendance, including representatives from Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population, State Customs Service, State Statistics Committee, and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.

The main objectives of the training included the role and influence of women on international trade, understanding how trade tariffs affect the increase in imports, and the significance of statistics for determining strategic decisions regarding the improvement of the terms of trade, in particular for women. The training program was composed of four modules and enriched with group exercises, examples, and discussions.

Ms. Renata Wrobel, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the EU to Turkmenistan: “Understanding the gender-based challenges that women face in trade are particularly important to ensure equal access to markets, fair competition and healthy business environment. Based on the gender mainstreaming concept, this is relevant not only to women, there are issues that men face as well, and it will also be part of promotion of the gender equality in trade. This approach in policy making helps to avoid the creation or reinforcement of inequalities. Since trade and business have no face, it is vital to ensure that the newly adopted policies create equal opportunities for all. Access to data and the ability to use it are essential for innovation and growth. Data-driven innovation can bring major and concrete benefits, such as better policymaking and upgrading public services”.

During the training, the participants discussed the most important issues, and also shared their experience. The ITC representatives talked about the trade facilitation and trade-related infrastructure for women, the economic contribution of women, indicators for defining and collecting gender statistics as well as talked about the institutions and organizations that should be involved in the collection of gender-disaggregated data and possible distribution of roles and responsibilities and the creation of multi-stakeholder coordination platforms.

The ITC experts noted that globally, the number of barriers to business for women has decreased, which has contributed to the growth of companies owned by women. A business led by women tends to start with a smaller volume, so it grows faster while, at the same time, most of the companies headed by women employ fewer than 10 people. It was also noted that the correct gender distribution of skills is very important, and may help to significantly increase labor efficiency.

The Ready4Trade Central Asia project is a joint initiative of the European Union and the International Trade Centre. Its aim is to contribute to the overall sustainable and inclusive economic development of Central Asia by boosting intra-regional and international trade in the region. Beneficiaries of the Ready4Trade Central Asia project include governments, small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular women-led enterprises, and Business Support Organizations. The project operates in 5 countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.