Measuring the Gender-Responsiveness of Free Trade Agreements: Using a Self-Evaluation Maturity Framework
In the recent years, we have witnessed a sharp increase in the number of free trade agreements (FTAs) with gender-related provisions. The key champions of this evolution include Canada, Chile, and the European Union. These countries have proposed a new paradigm, i.e., a paradigm where FTAs are considered vehicles to achieving the economic empowerment of women. This trend is spreading like a wild-fire to other parts of the world. More and more countries are expressing their interest in ensuring that their FTAs are gender-responsive and not simply gender-neutral or gender-blind in nature.