"This study analyses the extent to which national trade policies of the East African countries of Kenya, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania factor in gender challenges, with particular emphasis on women involved in agriculture and the informal sector. This includes [a] review of the gender dimension of economic policy reforms and international trade. The aim is to examine the extent to which women's issues and challenges are mainstreamed in trade, development and poverty reduction strategies to meet, among other developmental targets, the Millennium Development Goals, particularly that of halving poverty by 2015."--Abstract.