Gender equality a must

Dr. Liam Fox, the United Kingdom nominee for the post of Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), is advocating for gender equality as it relates to the global economy.

In a recent press briefing with journalists from across the United States and the Caribbean region, Fox acknowledged that it is one of the tenets of his campaign bid for the top position at the international rules-based trade entity, as he said he believes that women have an important role to play in the political, social and economic development of countries, but are not being given the opportunities to meet their potential. His comments came as he said women’s involvement in the economies of the countries in which they live, have a positive impact on the political stability of those countries.

“About seven, eight years ago, I wrote a book called ‘Rising Tides’ and in that I set out from my perspective as the Defence Secretary at the time, why it was important for political stability that we got more women into the global economy, because all of the evidence suggested that where you have more women active in any economy, they are likely to be politically more stable and less likely to be subject to political radicalisation in the way that some have,” he said.

Fox added, “From my time as Trade Secretary, you add one level on top of that, which is the economic level. If as many women were incorporated into the global economy, the value of that global economy would grow hugely – so you have an economic effect, you have a development effect, you have a political effect and a security effect – it is absolutely a win-win.”

The former UK Secretary of State for International Trade maintained that it is not a tokenistic policy, but a “hard-headed evidence-based policy”, which shows that if more opportunities could be made available to women, so as to get them involved in trade, including e-trade, then there is a benefit for everyone.

“I think there are genuine benefits for all of us if we can get the system to work better for many women who find themselves disempowered around the world at the present time,” he stated. (JRT)