Mainstreaming Gender into the African Continental Free Trade Area

By Sodfa Daaji

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

It is no mystery that trade is a crucial area for women and that inclusive trade policies valuably contribute to advancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. In the context of the African continent, the African Free Trade Area Agreement marked a milestone that defined Africa’s trade going forward. The extent of the impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), however, largely depends on its implementation. Arguably, a great and impactful win for women can be achieved only with the meaningful engagement of feminists and women’s rights organisations by ensuring a feminist lens is duly incorporated throughout the process. Capitalising on the benefits of the African Free Trade Area is therefore important to maximise the understanding of its benefits and importance, and ensure that as many Pan-African feminists and women’s rights organisations at the local, national, regional and continental levels are engaged throughout the process. Whereas the first phases of the Agreement have not seen a consistent participation of civil society, and broadly of women and youth, there is at the current stage the opportunity to lead the conversation and influence the negotiations that will culminate into the Protocol on Women and Youth.