Gender Equality in Trade Leadership | Interview with Anoush der Boghossian (WTO)

International bodies play a pivotal role in shaping decisions that impact the lives of individual, nations, and institutions worldwide. These bodies’ decisions on crucial issues, including international law and human rights, climate change, peace and security, trade, development, and economics, shape local, national, and international politics, and governance.  

 GQUAL is founded on the shared understanding that for reasons of equality, the impact of women’s participation in expanding the talent pool, the legitimacy of international bodies, and its potential impact on sustainable development and peace, women’s engagement in international justice is critical.  

 Achieving gender parity promotes the protection of women’s right to equality and strengthens the legitimacy and impact of international fora. It also helps ensure that the decisions made in these forums accurately reflect the diverse needs and experiences of the global population, contributing to more inclusive and comprehensive outcomes.  

 In May 2021 the World Trade Organization (WTO) launched the Gender Research Hub to deepen the understanding of women’s economic empowerment through trade by fostering further research and data collection efforts. The Hub serves as an information-sharing and knowledge-gathering platform where the latest findings of researchers and experts can be shared global. 

 On this interview, Anoush der Boghossian, Founder and Chair of the WTO Gender Research Hub and Head of the WTO Trade and Gender Unit, explores the critical connection between gender equality and international trade, emphasizing the need for more inclusive policies and equal participation of women.  

“Gender equality in trade leadership is more than just fairness—it’s the key to unlocking global economic growth and social progress. Without more women in leadership, we limit our potential as a global community.”

  • Anoush der Boghossian 

Check out some gender statistics on leadership between 2022-2023 produced by the WTO Gender Research Hub that underscores the gender disparity in trade leadership: 

 

  1. WTO Secretariat Statistics on female leadership and women in management positions (% of all WTO staff) 

 

  • 12% women in leadership, decision making and management roles.1 
  • 14% of women in middle management levels.2 
  • 31% of women in low level positions.3 

 

  1. WTO Membership statistics on female leadership  

 

  • 36% of WTO Ambassadors and 19% of Ministers in charge of WTO affairs are female  
  • 4 women chairs of the General Council since 1995. 
  • 23% of WTO bodies are chaired by women (includes the General Council Chair). 
  • 17% of the accession working parties are chaired by women. 

 

  1. Women’s participation in the WTO dispute settlement system 

 

Bodies / Positions  Data 
Panellists   Between 2022 and 2023, 10 panels have been composed. Out of the 30 panellists appointed during this period, 40% were women. 

 

Appointed female panel chairpersons: One female individual has served as the chairperson of one panel out of 10.  

 

Note: Since 1995, only 15 women have been appointed as chairpersons of panels.  

 

WTO Indicative List of governmental and non-governmental panellists 

 

Out of 464 names on the WTO Indicative List of governmental and non-governmental panellists, 22% are women and 78% are men. 
Arbitrations pursuant to Article 22.6 of the DSU 

 

No arbitrator was composed between 2022 and 2023. 

 

  1. National Trade Facilitation Committees  

 

On average, 37% of members of National Trade Facilitation Committees (NTFCs) are women and 40% of NTFCs are chaired or co-chaired by women. 

 

Watch the interview for more insights.