Experts convene to review report on the role of RECs in gender responsive implementation of the AfCFTA

Abstract

The Regional Integration and Trade Division (RITD) of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and the AfCFTA Secretariat today convened a workshop to validate the report on the role of RECs in gender responsive implementation of the AfCFTA. The objective of the workshop was to review of the status of gender mainstreaming in trade at the REC level, to identify best practices and success stories, highlight challenges in gender mainstreaming in trade policy, and provide policy recommendations for gender sensitive AfCFTA implementation. The report identifies challenges and opportunities for building on the frameworks, programmes, networks, and capacities of the Regional Economic Communities to address trade and gender concerns. Opening the workshop on behalf of the ECOWAS Commissioner for Trade, Customs and Free Movement, Mr. Tei Konzi, Trade Officer at ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Christopher Mensah-Yawson stated that RECs are implementing gender responsive initiatives that could be built upon. “To accelerate implementation, it will be important to build upon existing initiatives and capacities at the RECs level to take the regional integration process forward,” Mr. Mensah-Yawson stated.