Addis Ababa — In an effort to enhance the knowledge of policy makers and other key stakeholders on how to advance gender-equal outcomes in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) today kicked off a four-week online course entitled: "A Guide to Gender Mainstreaming in National AfCFTA Strategies".

The AfCFTA will only live up to its potential if the benefits from production and trade expansion are inclusive and shared equally, says David Luke, Coordinator of the ATPC.

"To advance the promotion of gender equality as one of the general objectives of the AfCFTA Agreement, there needs to be a deliberate effort to integrate a gender-sensitive approach to AfCFTA implementation through national strategies" he said.

The objective of the course is to assist policy makers and practitioners in the design of targeted gender-responsive policies and complementary measures to ensure that women can leverage new opportunities and benefits of the AfCFTA.

The training will be attended by more than 200 participants from African governments, the private sector and civil society, particularly women's organisations, and development partners. The course will be given in English and French.