Thank you.
Thank you to all of you for being here.
Ms. Vincent, I was reading a co-authored piece that you recently with Jess Tomlin. In the last paragraph, you both state, “The world will be more secure and more prosperous when gender equality is front and centre in foreign policy.”
My question comes with a view to getting the following on the table: the relationship between gender, international trade, and human rights. Some—not in the government, but in the opposition—have said that NAFTA is purely about economics, that it comes down to dollars and cents, and any effort to put issues such as gender onto the table, onto the agenda, amount to—quote, unquote—“virtue signalling”. Also, the word “trinkets” has unfortunately been used.
I want to ask for comments from Ms. Pastrana, Ms. Alejo, and Ms. Vincent—unfortunately, we don't have as much time as I hoped—on the following: how can we address gender imbalances with a view to achieving gender equality in trade agreements?
I think issues of gender equality have a fundamental place in trade agreements. I think there is a connection between the full participation of women in the economy and human rights. I think you can make that argument, but I would love to hear your thoughts as advocates and human rights defenders.