Who is benefiting from trade liberalization in Rwanda? A gender perspective

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) aims to contribute to the analysis of the linkages between trade policy and gender equality, and to the related international debate, by looking at specific country experiences. This study is one in a series of case studies that are being conducted by UNCTAD in seven developing and least developed countries, namely Angola, Bhutan, Cabo Verde, Lesotho, The Gambia, Rwanda and Uruguay.

The study, Who is benefiting from trade liberalization in Rwanda? A gender perspective, attempts to assess the impacts of Rwanda's trade policies involving women and examines their role the country's economy. The report found that Rwanda has acknowledged the importance of gender equality and women's empowerment as tools for development and has made remarkable advances in furthering the status of women and girls — especially in education and political participation.

However, women's ability to fully benefit from the country's recent economic expansion remains impinged by factors such as gender-based cultural norms and women's limited access to economic assets and resources.

English