| Description |
China is one of the world's largest economies that boasts expansive and ambitious economic policies and has numerous trading partners across the globe. A closer look through an economic lens shows gender inequity runs pervasive. Thus, in this paper, I ask, "How does the presence and/or absence of gender-responsive provisions in China's trade and economic policies impact women's socioeconomic outcomes in Asia?" I argue that gender-related gaps in China's trade agreements with Asian countries will exacerbate existing gender-based inequities in labor market outcomes, including wages and employment. First, I review international standards on gender equality in the context of international human rights norms, why gender matters in trade agreements with examples, gender and trade in China, and the scope of the thesis. Second, I investigate the case of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, which does not contain gender-responsive provisions. In this case study, I begin by providing background on Pakistan's gendered industries and an overview of China's and Pakistan's bilateral trade. I compare, before and after, how these have impacted women's economic outcomes in the labor market, specifically their employment, unemployment, and wages, in gendered industries, such as the textile industry. Based on these findings, the paper provides a gender-specific analysis of trade in the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement. |
