EAGC was invited by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the Africa Women Agribusiness Network (AWAN), to speak in a session on “Regional Economic Communities: Setting the Scene”, in a dialogue on “Seizing the Opportunities of the AfCFTA for women traders- A South-South Cooperation Event”.
In the discussion, Mr. Masila noted that a large number of informal cross border traders along the East Africa region are women who tend to be engaged in ICBT in agricultural products at the lower end of the value chain. He pointed out that despite the women being the majority, they lack information on the procedures involved in cross border trade, stating that a large share of these women end up in ICBT due to lack of knowledge, information and procedures involved in formal cross border trade.
Mr. Masila however noted the need to create sensitization platforms for women to empower them with requirements for formal cross border trade, including beyond trade in agricultural products. He acknowledged that women cross-border traders are less likely to be familiar with cross-border trade requirements compared to their male counterparts. He further noted that knowledge creation on financial support services for cross border trade is critical to empower women with capital investment adding that with financial support, women can invest in proper modes of transportation for cross border trade in goods, rather than using their backs and heads.
He called for the establishment of gender desks at border crossings at all border points along the corridor to provide women cross-border traders with an avenue to report cases of discrimination, with the expectation that such cases will be investigated and prosecuted, thus serving as a deterrent against such discrimination.
Mr. Masila noted that it would be prudent to publish and distribute communication materials on cross-border trade requirements and procedures and establish associations of women cross border traders can to provide a voice to women engaged in cross-border trade.
