Public Eye on Davos 2004
Speech by Phides Mazhawidza (23.01.04)
Alternatives to the WTO discussions with a special focus to gender and human rights
Press conference at “The Public Eye on Davos”, 23 January 2004
Speech of Phides Mazhawidza, Gender and Trade Network in Africa (GENTA), Zimbabwe
From Singapore to Doha, from Doha to Cancun - the discussion is the same, where the Northern powers are pushing for the “new issues” coined the “Singapore issues” and their counterparts from the South resisting them. But there are alternatives to this WTO discussion!
1. WTO members must be accountable to Human Rights Treaties, to which most of them are signatories and have ratified for example the:
By signing and ratifying these treaties, the WTO members have committed themselves, hence they must ensure that;
2. Instead of focusing their attention on negotiations over the so-called “new issues”, developed and developing countries in the WTO should pursue an assessment of the Uruguay Round and in particular its impact on developing countries, before new trade agreements are signed. Such an assessment should lead to a reform of the institutional framework of trade negotiations in favour of developing countries.
3. Trade barriers and globalisation are based on the principle of national competitiveness of certain countries, as such, the system of negotiations at WTO, must take into account needs of the developing countries. Bringing on the table issues of market access and end in subsidies as these have a negative impact on developing countries.
4. The predominance of women in agriculture and the critical role they play must be recognised and gender relations be transformed to allow full exercise of citizenship to women. We doubt if the export oriented model of the South will work, given the negative experiences of the Structural Adjustment Programs in developing countries in particular for the peasant women farmers. We advocate for the developing and strengthening of the local structures and regional co-operation.
Speech of Phides Mazhawidza, Gender and Trade Network in Africa (GENTA), Zimbabwe
From Singapore to Doha, from Doha to Cancun - the discussion is the same, where the Northern powers are pushing for the “new issues” coined the “Singapore issues” and their counterparts from the South resisting them. But there are alternatives to this WTO discussion!
1. WTO members must be accountable to Human Rights Treaties, to which most of them are signatories and have ratified for example the:
 | UN Beijing Plat Form of Action -1995 Decade for women |
| | Convention on the Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW) which was adopted in 1976 and entered into force in 1980 |
| | The 116 and 146 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) |
| | The Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) |
| | sustainable development for all not free trade as they are advocating, is the objective of the WTO |
| | that gender-discrimination must be combated in all contexts and at all levels |
| | that all transactions of the WTO and its agreements, do not violate human rights, including rights of women and that they do not endanger sustainable developments. |
2. Instead of focusing their attention on negotiations over the so-called “new issues”, developed and developing countries in the WTO should pursue an assessment of the Uruguay Round and in particular its impact on developing countries, before new trade agreements are signed. Such an assessment should lead to a reform of the institutional framework of trade negotiations in favour of developing countries.
3. Trade barriers and globalisation are based on the principle of national competitiveness of certain countries, as such, the system of negotiations at WTO, must take into account needs of the developing countries. Bringing on the table issues of market access and end in subsidies as these have a negative impact on developing countries.
4. The predominance of women in agriculture and the critical role they play must be recognised and gender relations be transformed to allow full exercise of citizenship to women. We doubt if the export oriented model of the South will work, given the negative experiences of the Structural Adjustment Programs in developing countries in particular for the peasant women farmers. We advocate for the developing and strengthening of the local structures and regional co-operation.
