The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Consumer Affairs,{{more}} in collaboration with the National Council of Women (NCW), conducted a consultation on the EPA and Gender on Monday, February 13, 2012, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Conference Room.

The consultation heard remarks from Silma Mclean, representing National Council of Women (NCW). Mclean highlighted the challenges faced by women and the need for assistance to enable women to benefit from the EPA.

Polly Oliver, Coordinator of Gender Affairs, also addressed the consultation and supported the initiative to conduct a gender analysis on the implementation of trade liberalization (EPA) and to strengthen advocacy to put and keep gender equality and women’s rights issues on the table.

Andreas Wickham, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the importance of gender and social issues in trade agreements and the importance of investment in skills training and enterprise development.

The objectives of the consultation were to build the awareness of the stakeholders on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and to highlight the implications for gender in the implementation of the EPA.

The consultation was facilitated by Okolo John-Patrick, Project Manager EPA Implementation Unit. Over 45 persons attended the consultation representing Youth Development Groups, Young Women Christian Association, National Council of Women, National Workers Movement (NWM) among others.