Gender inequality is characteristic of all societies. Deep-seated attitudes regarding the primacy of women’s reproductive role (as family care-takers) are the basis of pervasive inequalities between men and women in social and economic life. Governments can and must act to change this situation, and experience shows that concerted policies can be effective. The Round Table on Trade and Gender focused on four main themes: government policies to reduce the gender gap and enhance gender equality in the context of trade liberalization; multilateral trade commitments and the development objective of gender equality; the contribution of international trade to poverty alleviation and gender equality; and capacity building for trade and enterprise development.