Research Session 8: Gender Gaps in Trade: Does Digitalisation Hold Solutions?

Interpretation: English, French, Spanish

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed businesses around the world to turn to digital trade, allowing them to resume trading during this global crisis. But how are women-owned export businesses managing this digital transition? How do trade agreements support inclusive digitalisation? These questions will be addressed in this research session chaired by Bernard Hoekman (European University Institute). Researchers will release data on the gender digital divide and assess the impact of digital tools on the gender export gap. New answers will be provided on the impact of regional trade agreements and joint statement initiatives on women's participation in e-commerce, especially in the context of a global pandemic. Finally, a government representative will contribute to the discussion, providing a policymaker's perspective on how trade policies can better support women exporters engaged in e-commerce.

Research papers to be presented:

• Sustainable Development and Women's Empowerment: The Challenges and Opportunities of Digitalization (authored by Chiara Piovani and Simonetta Zarrilli)
• Can Online Platforms Promote Women-Owned Exporting Firms? (authored by Jennifer P. Poole and Christian Volpe Martincus)
• The Role of the WTO's Joint Statement Initiatives in Promoting Gender-inclusive Governance (authored by Amalie Giødesen Thystrup)
• E-Commerce Adoption and Its Impact on the Performance of Women-led MSMEs in Metro Manila: An Ex-ante Study for RCEP (authored by Jill Angeli V. Bacasmas, Jean Clarisse T. Carlos and Jovito Jose P. Katigbak)