The links between gender, trade and development are increasingly being recognised. Developed out of a series of regional workshops, this Action Guide explores the different impacts of trade on women and men; provides practical tools on how to take advantage of the opportunities trade can offer to further development, alleviate poverty and promote gender equality; and suggests ways to get gender onto the international trade agenda.

The Action Guide is flexible and can be used by trainers or for self-study. It includes case studies, activities, training suggestions and recommended readings provided on CD-ROM and can be used as a basic introduction or as a resource to develop capacity building for others. It will enable people to take action and apply what is learned to their own context and requirements.

Aimed at a broad spectrum of people coming at the issues from many different angles of trade or gender - government officers in relevant trade sectors, gender specialists, NGOs, regional trade policy advisers and more - it is intended particularly for people who are responsible for capacity building and bringing about change, for example through training, briefing or lobbying.