WCO Addresses Pandemics Gender Disparity with Equality Plan

A virtual working group meeting of the World Customs Organization discussed the impact of the pandemic on gender equality, focusing on the economy, gender-based violence, and working from home. Representatives shared their respective responses, emphasizing the crucial role of customs in supporting employee well-being and protecting public interests. The discussion also explored how data analysis can provide a more precise understanding and response to the gender-differentiated challenges posed by the pandemic. The meeting highlighted the need for targeted interventions and policies to mitigate these disparities.

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has unveiled a comprehensive Gender Equality and Diversity Virtual Working Group (VWG) solution designed to help customs administrations address pandemic-related gender disparities. The initiative comes as global trade faces unprecedented challenges from COVID-19, with women disproportionately affected across multiple sectors.

Comprehensive Framework for Gender-Responsive Policies

The WCO solution provides customs agencies with a three-module approach to identify and mitigate gender-specific impacts of the pandemic:

  
   Key Components:
  
     Gender-differentiated impact analysis
    
    examining economic, workplace, and domestic challenges
   
     Practical response strategies
    
    including transportation security, mental health support, and digital transformation
   
     Customs-specific policy recommendations
    
    for creating equitable work environments

Pandemic's Disproportionate Impact on Women

Data reveals that women in customs-related professions face unique pandemic challenges:

Economic Vulnerability

Female workers dominate sectors most affected by pandemic restrictions, including hospitality and retail trade facilitation. The temporary and informal nature of many positions held by women has led to higher job insecurity.

Increased Domestic Pressures

School closures and reduced childcare services have intensified unpaid care responsibilities, primarily borne by women. Remote work arrangements have simultaneously created barriers to career advancement through reduced visibility in key projects and meetings.

Rising Gender-Based Violence

Lockdown measures have correlated with increased reports of domestic violence, while simultaneously limiting victims' access to support services. Customs officials now frequently encounter these cases during border interactions and workplace incidents.

Customs-Specific Solutions

The WCO framework recommends several operational adjustments:

Transportation security: Implementing agency-sponsored shuttle services to reduce public transit exposure
Mental health initiatives: Virtual workshops addressing work-life balance during extended remote periods
Digital transition support: Specialized training for less tech-proficient traders, particularly women-led small businesses
Flexible scheduling: Accommodating family care needs through adjustable work arrangements

Data-Driven Policy Making

The guidance emphasizes analytical approaches to gender equity:

"Customs administrations possess unique datasets that can reveal gender disparities in trade participation, workforce retention, and border-related crimes," notes the WCO report. "Disaggregating statistics by gender enables targeted interventions where most needed."

Examples include analyzing female traders' declaration patterns to identify pandemic-related barriers, or tracking gender-specific absenteeism rates to improve workplace supports.

Global Collaboration

The solutions draw from practices across 16 member administrations, including Australia, Brazil, and Eswatini. Participating agencies report early successes in implementing framework recommendations, particularly in workforce policy adjustments and trader support programs.

The WCO confirms the guidance will undergo continuous updates as pandemic conditions evolve and new gender equity research emerges. The organization positions the initiative as both an immediate crisis response and long-term strategy for building more inclusive customs administrations worldwide.