Trade and Development in the State of Palestine Through a Gender Lens

This study investigated women’s participation in the economy and trade by distinguishing between women’s different economic roles as workers and entrepreneurs/business owners, and between different economic sectors such as agriculture, industry, and services. Specifically, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) carried out a qualitative analysis of women’s participation in the economy and in trade in selected subsectors of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) during April-May 2022. The olive oil sector was selected from agriculture due to its major role in Palestinian society and women’s significant participation in this sector. The food products sector was selected from industry because it is traditionally a major sector in which women are highly involved. Finally, the information and communications technology (ICT) sector was selected from services due to its significant potential for future growth prospects and women’s employment in the OPT.