Concerns that women are over-represented in vulnerable sectors

CAPE TOWN - An economist from Stellenbosch University’s Business school warns that trade wars are disproportionately affecting African women.

Nthabiseng Moleko said that women are over represented in vulnerable sectors like agriculture and manufacturing, where jobs are often informal or low-wage.

She explains that as trade wars reduce exports or increase the cost of imports, businesses may respond by cutting costs, often by reducing female labour.

Moleko said that its important to understand gendered dimensions, in order to develop more inclusive economic policies.

"Higher tariffs are going to hit women harder because they dominate sectors that are sensitive to changes in the export market, they are also sensitive to cheap imports, sectors like textiles.”