In addition, there were participants from China, India, Sri Lanka, and the Pacific islands of Fiji and Tonga. The objective of this Conference was to analyse the gender-specific effects of trade liberalisation on women in the region, with the aim of maximising opportunities for women. The participants of this Conference worked together on the following Conference Message as an articulation of some issues relevant to gender and trade.
Trade can be an important catalyst for development.
We are for trade not as an end in itself, but in so far as it is important for the advancement of men and women in developing countries. This will be counterproductive to the basic concerns of furthering the cause of women in developing countries. A2 Governments should consider setting up a rapid response system to enable them to track changes happening at the local level that are impacting on women in the absence of safety nets. Feedback from all sectors of society should be responded to immediately. A3 Governments and Corporations should invest in women s potential as economic contributors - for example, targeting women s interests in technical skills training and transfer of improved technology so that they can benefit from trade liberalisation, in keeping with their contributions.