Publication: Empowering Women in Pakistan : Commercial Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms
Date
2011-10
ISSN
Published
2011-10
Author(s)
Merchant, Navin
Ali Khan, Isfandyar
Abstract
An overburdened court system adds to the
disadvantages of women in Pakistan. Women entrepreneurs who
lack the time and resources to battle a dispute in the
courts also run the risk of being victimized for
highlighting their problems. Mediation provides a valuable
alternative, allowing women and others to settle disputes
out of court. As a dispute-settlement mechanism, alternative
dispute resolution (ADR) is gaining prominence and increased
application in most parts of the world. Its benefits are
several. However, for countries where the justice system
lacks efficiency, embracing ADR is also difficult. In 2006,
International Finance Corporation (IFC) launched an ADR
project with a goal of institutionalizing mediation for the
first time in Pakistan. Although the project had no
provision for separate gender activities, opportunities were
created for reaching out to women entrepreneurs and others.
This smart lesson relates our experiences and the lessons
the authors learned, demonstrating in particular how gender
became an integral part of the project and the impact it
gained over time.
Link to Data Set
Citation
“Merchant, Navin; Ali Khan, Isfandyar. 2011. Empowering Women in Pakistan : Commercial Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms. IFC Smart Lessons Brief. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/10432 License: CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 IGO.”
Report Series
Report Series
Other publications in this report series
-
PublicationWalking the Last Mile: Operationalization of Albania’s Authorized Economic Operators Program(International Finance Corporation, Washington, DC, 2017-02)Albania’s authorized economic operators (AEO) program is not yet operational, even though the country has adopted the necessary European Union (EU) legal and regulatory frameworks. This smart lesson outlines shortcomings in the adoption of AEO provisions under the European community customs code (CCC) as well as the obstacles the national government has faced putting in place the complementary reform measures necessary to ensure practical effectiveness. Lessons learned from the Albanian experience may be instructive for other countries in the central European free trade agreement region as they look to operationalize their AEO programs without diverting from AEO guidelines as set out in the EU acquis.
-
PublicationOpening Doors to Transparency in Cross-Border Trade: Lessons from the Malawi Trade Portal(International Finance Corporation, Washington, DC, 2017-02)Most business leaders in Malawi see the Malawi Trade Portal (MTP) as a step forward in the provision of public information via online platforms and the promotion of transparency in the delivery of public services. Its purpose is to facilitate trade by promoting easier access to information on laws, regulations, measures, standards, procedures, and forms related tothe governance of exports, imports, and transit of goods. This SmartLesson describes how the MTP is helping authorities facilitate trade by increasing transparency and accountability and by reducing the time it takes to access regulatory information on trade across borders. and it shares the lessons the authors believe are the most replicable.
-
PublicationWorking with Tajikistan to Develop its First National Commodity Nomenclature of Foreign Economic Activities(International Finance Corporation, Washington, DC, 2017-02)One of the most important instruments of trade facilitation is the commodity nomenclature, which provides a definition of all goods subject to foreign trade. The correct classification of goods forms the basis for determining the appropriate value of a good and for determining the customs duties imposed on a good on import or export. Customs statistics on foreign trade are derived from it, and those statistics in turn serve as a tool for the determination and implementation of customs policy. Commodity nomenclature is used not only at the national level, but also by the World Trade Organization, the World Customs Organization, the United Nations, and other international entities. Importers and exporters or investors in other countries visit customs nomenclature websites thousands of times a day to see the types and levels of customs duties and other charges and trade policy measures that particular countries apply. Trade policy regulations, rules of origin, and trade statistics in almost all of the developed and developing countries are designed and compiled on the basis of customs nomenclatures. This SmartLesson discusses how the Central Asia Trade Logistics Project worked with the Customs Administration of the Republic of Tajikistan on the development of its first national commodity nomenclature.
-
PublicationOpening Opportunities: Kenya’s Electronic Single Window Connects East Africa to Global Value Chains(International Finance Corporation, Washington, DC, 2017-02)One of the most challenging experiences for businesses involved in cross bordertrade along Kenya’s border points is the clearance of imports and exports. Until 2015, the process of clearing cargo was largely manual. More than 29 different government agencies with different roles in the clearance of international trade goods required businesses to apply for and submit different sets of cargo clearance documents. The World Bank Group’s trade and competitiveness team, through the Kenya investment climate program, has supported the government of Kenya in implementing the Kenya National Electronic Single Window System, also known as the Kenya TradeNet System. This smart lesson describes the system, how it works, its accomplishments, and lessons learned along the way.
-
PublicationTaking the First Step to Facilitate Trade in Sudan: Setting Up a National Committee on Trade Facilitation(International Finance Corporation, Washington, DC, 2017-02)The Republic of Sudan’s seaports used to be known for congestion resulting from the slow processing of imported goods. In response, the government created an ad hoc National Committee on trade facilitation to help streamline the processing of goods coming in and to facilitate trade. This smart lesson describes the steps taken in setting up the National Committee on Trade Facilitation and the challenges involved.