CBIC issues circular to foster gender inclusive facilities and encourage women participation in trade



Quick Summary
To mark International Women's Day, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued two circulars aimed at fostering gender inclusivity in trade. These directives encourage the representation of women in trade facilitation committees and the establishment of dedicated help desks for women traders and service providers. Additionally, the CBIC is promoting safe and gender-inclusive infrastructure in the workplace, including creches and enhanced security measures, alongside gender sensitisation training.

On International Women's Day, CBIC provisions gender-inclusive facilities and encouraging women participation in International Trade through two circulars

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) is committed to fostering a gender-inclusive trade environment that empowers women to contribute meaningfully to the global economy. CBIC has taken different steps for promoting gender inclusiveness in international trade and work place environment.

CBIC Boosts Women s Trade Participation with New Facilities

Keeping this spirit in mind, a Circular No. 02/2024 dated 8th March, 2024 (https://taxinformation.cbic.gov.in/view-pdf/1003193/ENG/Circulars) has been issued by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, directing its field formations to ensure:

  • representation of women in the Permanent Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFC) and Customs Clearance Facilitation Committee (CCFC) meetings
  • encourage the Trade bodies/ custodians to establish dedicated help desks and processing mechanisms for women traders and women logistics service providers, and
  • to support in upskilling women logistics service providers, freight forwarders and custom brokers by offering relevant trainings for women

Further, keeping in view the growing participation of women in the logistics sector, a Circular No. 03/2024 dated 8th March, 2024 (https://taxinformation.cbic.gov.in/view-pdf/1003194/ENG/Circulars) has also been issued to CBIC field formations  to ensure:

  • provision of safe and secure working environment to women and gender inclusive infrastructure, including care infrastructure and services, especially creches, sufficient lighting, panic buttons,  regular upgradation of facilities from a gender perspective, and
  • to spread awareness by holding regular gender sensitisation training sessions for all concerned staff/ stakeholders.

The above initiatives reflect CBIC's dedication to promote gender inclusiveness in the realm of work place ecosystem.

FAQ :

The CBIC has issued two circulars to promote gender-inclusive facilities and encourage women's participation in international trade and the logistics sector. This includes ensuring women's representation in trade committees and promoting safe working environments.

Trade bodies and custodians are encouraged to establish dedicated help desks and processing mechanisms for women traders and women logistics service providers. Training opportunities for upskilling women in logistics, freight forwarding, and customs brokerage are also being supported.

The circulars mandate the provision of safe and secure working environments, gender-inclusive infrastructure, care services like creches, sufficient lighting, and panic buttons. Facilities will be regularly upgraded from a gender perspective.

Yes, the CBIC is supporting upskilling for women logistics service providers, freight forwarders, and custom brokers through relevant training. Regular gender sensitisation training sessions for staff and stakeholders are also planned.

The circulars, numbered 02/2024 and 03/2024, were issued on 8th March 2024.




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