Johannesburg, South Africa

Dr. Daphne Pillai was one of the speakers on the panel discussion on the subject ‘Women driving Trade’ at the 8th ‘Global Women’s Trade Summit’ in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 29th, 2024.

She spoke on the topic ‘Challenges faced by women in international trade in India’.

Summary of her talk
If you look at the statistics in India, only 13.76% of establishments are run by women entrepreneurs.
The majority of these women-owned companies in international trade are MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises).
The first hurdle that women face is that of getting finance. Women face difficulties in accessing finance from banks due to lack of guarantors or collateral.

Then there is the Inheritance issue. Women often lack control over inherited property and assets.

Women also face challenges in sourcing raw materials, including identifying suppliers who are in remote places accessible by harsh transportation modes. There are safety concerns along the route due to lack of proper toilet facilities and they can be subject to thefts, attacks on their way.

The social dynamics in a patriarchal society also pose a barrier to women in international trade. They face gender-biased socio-cultural norms, restrictions on ownership and inheritance, and lack of decision-making powers.

Paperwork and regulatory compliances can be a significant burden for women in international trade. The complexity and volume of paperwork required for licenses, compliances, and custom clearances can be overwhelming, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Some of the specific challenges related to paperwork and compliance include:

• ⁠Navigating complex regulatory requirements
• Obtaining and maintaining various licenses and permits
• Ensuring compliance with customs regulations and procedures
• Managing the time and cost associated with paperwork and compliance

These challenges can be particularly daunting for women who may already face other barriers in accessing resources, networks, and information.

Women are also underrepresented in trade policy-making globally, including in WTO negotiations, trade ministries, trade agreements, international trade committees, and trade policy research.

We see therefore, that women in international trade face a multitude of challenges that can obstruct their success and participation in the global economy.