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Labour provisions in trade agreements and women's rights in the global south

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  • Ida Bastiaens
  • Evgeny Postnikov
  • Anne‐Kathrin Kreft

Abstract

The effect of trade liberalisation on women has been hotly contested. Here, we take a step back and explore the effect of the institutions underlying trade on freedoms for women in the Global South. We build on the literature showing that the design of trade agreements matters for social welfare outcomes and argue that labour provisions in preferential trade agreements (PTAs) can contribute to improved women's rights. We assess this claim using statistical evidence and find a robust, positive correlation between labour provisions in PTAs and civic freedoms for women and no robust relationship with economic or political freedoms for women. Our study aims to establish an empirical link between PTA design and women's rights, suggesting new policies are needed to better balance economic globalisation with social goals in the current protectionist era.

Suggested Citation

  • Ida Bastiaens & Evgeny Postnikov & Anne‐Kathrin Kreft, 2023. "Labour provisions in trade agreements and women's rights in the global south," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 14(5), pages 702-715, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:glopol:v:14:y:2023:i:5:p:702-715
    DOI: 10.1111/1758-5899.13267
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    References listed on IDEAS

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