Details of the Declaration

• The Buenos Aires Joint Declaration on Trade and Women’s Economic Empowerment, signed in December 2017, aims to cultivate a more inclusive trade agenda that benefits all members of society.
• The main aspects of the Declaration include:
  • Encouraging the gathering and analysis of gender-specific data,
  • Exchanging country experiences and best practices, and
  • Working together to highlight the connection between trade and gender,
• These efforts can help us better understand how trade policy can be used to promote gender equality and guide policymakers in creating inclusive trade practices.
• As of September 2020, 127 World Trade Organisation (WTO) members and observers from all regions of the world have joined the declaration. This reflects the growing interest in supporting women's economic empowerment and giving it the necessary attention to ensure lasting change.

Understanding Women’s Empowerment

Women's empowerment is a process that involves enhancing the status of women in decision-making roles, increasing their representation in the political system, and promoting their participation in economic spheres. It is about ensuring equal access to education, profession, and lifestyle. Empowerment is fundamentally rooted in self-respect.

Exploring Women’s Economic Empowerment

Women's economic empowerment refers to the capability of women to control various aspects such as:

1. Resources
2. Assets
3. Income
4. Time
5. Risk
6. Their overall status and well-being.

Diving into the 73rd and 74th Amendment to the Constitution of India

The 73rd and 74th amendments to the constitution mandate the reservation of seats in the local bodies of panchayats and municipalities for women. These amendments were introduced in 1993 by the Government of India to increase women's representation in politics and achieve the goals of women's political empowerment.

The information provided above will be helpful for candidates preparing for the UPSC 2021 .