One day is all it takes to change your life

 Demonstrate the human, and gender dimensions of free trade and globalisation.

 

This gripping first hand account is an example of bringing facts and figures alive through the experiences of one woman. Draw out the devastating personal consequences of factories that come and go at the whim of international capital. These consequences are physical and psychological. Notice how the workers were kept in the dark; how they know little about the bigger forces at play; and how the closing down of the factory came as a complete shock. This demonstrates a point frequently made by feminist economists: that while women may have gained jobs as a result of gobalisation, they have lost much of the social capital: the right to organise, to be part of the labour movement etc. 

Ask participants what words come to mind when they think of globalization. Which of these are positive and which are negative? Now disaggregate this information by gender. Are there gendered dimensions to globalisation in your country?

 

 

What conclusions do you draw from the above?

Click here for additional training resources and information. Refer to fact sheet six.