Presented by ITA Trade Talks
in partnership with the Commerce Research Library

Join us for the next ITA Trade Talks event to discuss barriers to international trade for women entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses, as well as the broader implications of gender equality in trade for U.S. and global economic growth. It will broadly address the gender dynamics of international cross-border trade, with a primary focus on women-owned businesses and women exporters based in the United States. The session will also address the roles the U.S. Government (USG), and particularly ITA, can play in supporting women in cross-border trade.

In cross-border trade, women entrepreneurs and business-owners face challenges that are unique from those faced by their male counterparts, beginning before the border and continuing at and beyond the border. If women achieved gender parity in the global economy, they have the potential to add $12 trillion to the global economy, according to a 2015 McKinsey Global Institute report. A 2020 update to that report stated that, in the wake of Covid-19, governments acting now to advance gender equality in the economy could add up to $13 trillion to global GDP by 2030, compared with taking no action to advance gender equality.

The Biden Administration has clearly signaled an increased focus on gender equality and global women’s issues, for example by creating the White House Gender Policy Council. Participants in this program can expect to raise their awareness of how gender dynamics impact international trade with a focus on bolstering women’s participation. Experts will discuss the implications for U.S. economic development of addressing gender barriers to cross-border trade, current programmatic efforts by the U.S. Government and trading partners, and potential future policy options for addressing these challenges. This event will serve as a starting point for internal conversations on promoting gender equity in international trade.

Moderator: Terri Batch, Director, Global Diversity Export Initiative for ITA
Keynote: Diane Farrell, Acting Under Secretary for ITA
Panelists:
Mary Allen, Founder, Natural Brand Works, Savvy Green LLC
Nadia Rocha, World Bank, Senior Economist in the Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment Global Practice
Nicole Woods, EXIM, VP of Minority & Women-Owned Business Development [Acting], and Client Care Unit Director
Candace Chen, Founder & Chief Goddess, Facelube For Men & Goddess Cosmetics