This teaching manual was developed to enhance the capacity of policymakers, civil society, and academics to assess the gender implications of trade flows and trade policy, and to formulate gender-sensitive policies on gender and trade. It provides a review of theoretical frameworks and empirical studies on the two-way relationship between gender and trade. It applies to Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama). It inter alia covers trade liberalization policies and presents a comparative picture of the socio-economic profiles of the countries. It examines the gender gaps in education, access to resources and opportunities and gender-based violence. It discusses the implications of these gaps for women's participation in trade.