TRG takes a deeper look at the history of women in international trade and how far the industry has come in providing opportunities for women
Today, March 8th, is International Women’s Day and to celebrate, Trade Risk Guaranty wanted to take a closer look at the history of women in international trade and where the future is headed in the industry.
The following is a look at women’s contributions to the world of international trade throughout history.
Women in International Trade Through the Ages
Throughout the evolution of civilization, trade (both international and regional) has been an indispensable part of shaping the modern world. However, the role of women in international trade is often obscured since, historically, the industry has clearly defined gendered social dimensions. Yet it seems in spite of the cultural reasons for these defined roles, women have still had a presence in trade that can be traced across continents.
In 14th and 15th century Europe there were some long-distance women merchants that operated despite being discouraged by family and members of the community. These women did not receive the protection of the large male-owned trading firms and often tended to be bookkeepers, buyers, or managers of small trading firms.
In areas of the world such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America the pressure to regulate work to inside the household was even stronger. Women were discouraged from traveling long distances for a number of cultural reasons, including kinship regulations, religious concepts, and gender roles for what was an acceptable occupation for a woman. However, in many cases, it was the work of women that provided the basis for international trade in the area.
It was a common practice of the time for men to take the surplus goods produced by women and trade them internationally throughout their travels. There are many examples of this of practice throughout the world, including in the Mexican state of Chiapas where men attempted to take control of the pottery and loomed textiles produced by Mayan women in order to trade them internationally.
Regardless of the societal pressure to stay within the household, there are a some examples of women’s contributions to international trade that allowed women to take a more active role in the industry:
- Women of Scotland
In the 1500s, many Scottish women worked as economic partners with their husbands, traveling and bringing in their own capital. Some of these women were even active merchants, trading wool and spices as they traveled through the Baltic and Scandinavia. - Women of Tanzania
In the mid to late 1800s, women in Tanzania joined their spouses or male kin in the long-distance ivory trade caravans. The social status of the individual woman would determine her role among the caravan, with elite women managing porters and participating in trade while poorer women would work as porters or servants. - Port Traders in Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines
From the 1500s to the 1700s, women in these areas were the primary merchants of imported goods and the sellers of regional products for the purpose of international trade. Affluent and connected families would often train their daughters in languages, accounting, bargaining, and other skills to ensure success in trade.
Celebrating @womensday with a little reflection on the History of Women in #InternationalTrade: https://t.co/T1b6oesBkG #BeBoldForTrade pic.twitter.com/Kfkcr6eGVx
— Trade Risk Guaranty (@TRG_Bond) March 8, 2017
The Modern State of Women in Trade
In the modern world of international trade, women are still working to secure their spot within the industry. In general, most international financial firms, the largest import/export companies, and leading manufacturers of commercial goods for international trade are owned, run, and managed by men.
However, through the capital expansion of the world, more and more women are seizing the opportunity to work in the international trade industry. Today organizations such as the Association of Women in International Trade (or WIIT) exist to promote women working in international trade.
Women in Trade at Trade Risk Guaranty
As for the women here at Trade Risk Guaranty, we are proud to work in the international trade industry and to keep making a lasting impact on the businesses of United States importers. And we are definitely ready to #BeBoldForChange!
