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The issue of women's empowerment has been a topic of ongoing discussion in developing countries, considering the complex socio-demographic and cultural factors at play. Women tend to face disadvantages compared to men across various human development indicators. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly examine the different factors that influence women's economic empowerment within the specific context of Ethiopia. This study examines the factors that contribute to the economic empowerment of women in rural areas of Bahir Dar Zuria Woreda in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. The research employed multi-stage probability sampling techniques to achieve its objectives, resulting in a sample of 382 rural women randomly selected from seven selected kebeles. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the collected data. The study found that more than half of the women achieved a medium level of economic empowerment. The results revealed that age, educational status, income contribution, and ownership of property positively influenced rural women's economic empowerment. In addition, opening a savings account, information access, mobile phone accessibility, and membership of women's associations positively and significantly affect women's economic empowerment in the study area. Conversely, marital status, hours spent on unpaid work, and early age at marriage negatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: HIV prevalence among female sex workers (FSW) is significantly higher than among women in the general population. Studies have shown that FSW engage in unprotected sex which provides higher compensation when they face emergency situations. We co-created a savings intervention – Jitegemee (rely on yourself) – with FSW to encourage them to save part of their earnings to withdraw in emergency situations in order to reduce risk. Methods: We undertook a five-phase intervention development process between February 2021 and July 2023: 1) qualitative interviews with FSW to identify essential intervention features; 2) pilot trial to assess intervention feasibility; 3) literature review of studies on economic empowerment of FSW; 4) scoring of key components of Phases 1–3 on a scale of 1–5 (1 = definitely exclude, 5 = definitely include), for inclusion in the intervention package; 5) workshops with FSW and other key stakeholders to co-design the intervention. Results: In phase 1, nearly all participants (99%) found the intervention acceptable to them and 95% believed it would be acceptable to other FSW. Participants suggested inclusion of financial literacy (75%), savings groups (38%) and goal-setting (24%). In the feasibility assessment, 41% saved, of whom 46% withdrew some savings. Condom use was higher among FSW who withdrew their savings compared to those who did not (χ2 7.52; p = 0.006). In Phase 3, we identified 14 intervention components. In phase 4, all suggested intervention components scored 4.5 on average. In phase 5, we held 3 workshops with FSW to co-design the intervention, which included instructions for how to save and make withdrawals, financial literacy training, and formation of savings groups. Conclusions: A savings intervention for and by FSW was highly acceptable and feasible. Involving end-users in the design process is likely to result in greater economic security among FSW and lower engagement in higher risk transactional sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: This article explores gender budgeting in Indian healthcare, emphasizing its role in addressing disparities. Examining trends, recent highlights, and implementation, it showcases impacts on maternal health, reproductive services, gender-based violence, and empowerment. Examples such as Ayushman Bharat and Mahila Samman Savings Certificate illustrate economic implications. Beyond healthcare, gender-responsive budgeting is seen as a versatile tool for broader equality. Challenges prompt a call for sustained efforts and a comprehensive framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Encouragement of Islam through the rearing of Muslim female children in Pakistan is impossible without fabulous exploration of Islamic rights and cultural obstacles. Islam, as a branch of knowledge based on the Qur'an and hadith, encourages the moral, social, security, economic rights of women. These rights, the first of their kind when they were released, the 7th century, the equal right and dignity of all humans before God were the focus of the women's revolution. According to the Quran, women and men are spiritually equal their success in the attainment of piety and righteousness. These rights find substantial space in different Muslim societies because of various cultural norms and traditional interpretations of Sharia. Women in Pakistan suffer from the patriarchal system deeply ingrained in societal norms that restricts their freedom and opportunities. Right from family dynamics and socialization to marriage and reproductive rights, the women face the very discrimination of the system. Violence against women, including honor killings, is still a widespread practice, justified by cultural norms rather than Islamic principles. Women's problems are of course one of the results of socio-economic problems. Even though the laws are in place, there is a lack of enforcement of those laws. A set of actions and operations are necessary to be implemented to find the best solution, which consists of legal changes, policy interference, and culture change. By way of teaching true Islam perspectives, women's rights lecturer, and upbringing to end harmful cultural practices, Pakistan will have enough potential for its female half, which is in its turn the key to the success of the whole country. A relationship between Islamic rights and cultural practices, told in the form of a comparison, can be examined in the areas of acceptability and separation. While Islamic religion and local customs put their stress on family relationships and community development, but they are diverse when it comes to women's rights, their legal and social status, and the gender role of men. The teachings of Islam in turn convey the messages of justice and equality, whereas cultural norms often create the situation by which women are forced in the position of a "gender hack" and not having freedom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disabilities have equal rights as Indonesian citizens, including employment and entrepreneurship rights. The implementation ofpolicies regarding the obligation of institutions to employ people with disabilities is still far from expected. Limitedjob information and access to education andjob training programs are challenges in realizing economic independence for disabled persons. Therefore, it is very important to conduct community service activities aimed at increasing the entrepreneurial knowledge and skills of the Deaf Community through entrepreneurship training in order to reach economic independence. Nine Deaf Friends and four Sign Language Interpreters were involved in this study. The training was carried out by online method for three sessions, once a week. The questionnaires were distributed to assess the participants' level of knowledge before and after training. Each participant was required to develop and present a business plan in order to improve their entrepreneurial abilities. Two expert judges evaluated and provided constructive feedback to all participants. The knowledge of participants before the training was 65.9 + 6.2, and increased by 12.4% to 74.1 + 10.8 after training. Participants were able to develop business proposals by the end of the program, with an average score of 7.6 + 0.7. Entrepreneurship training is able to enhance the entrepreneurial knowledge and skills of the Deaf Friends. This entrepreneurship training is a provision to assist the deaf community in creating and developing businesses that will lead to economic independence in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to discuss the concept of behavioral economics, identify its connections with Islamic economics, and explore mechanisms for employing behavioral economics insights in development efforts. It presents a proposed framework for integrating behavioral economics perspectives into the operations of the Islamic Development Bank Group. To achieve the study's objectives, a descriptive-analytical approach was employed, examining various international experiences in integrating behavioral economics into development programs, with a focus on the experience of the Behavioral Economics Unit at the World Bank Group. The study's results confirm the importance of leveraging behavioral economics insights and their practicality in development efforts. They contribute effectively to understanding human behavior, motivating desired behaviors and choices, enhancing the efficiency of development policies, and maximizing their impact. The study recommends that the Islamic Development Bank Group enhance its developmental policies by establishing a Behavioral Economics Department within the Economic Empowerment Program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dairy co-operatives provide a stable source of income for thousands of dairy farmers in Palakkad district of Kerala. The rural people are primarily involved in farming activities such as animal husbandry and dairying. The research was carried out with an objective to study the empowerment of dairy farmers who were members of dairy co-operatives in Palakkad district. The primary data were collected from 200 active members of the four dairy co-operatives, namely Moolathara milk producer’s co-operative society Ltd. No. P 65 (D), Kunnamkattupathy milk producer’s co-operative society Ltd. No. P 126 (D), Menonpara milk producer’s co-operative society Ltd. No. P 281 (D), and Attappadi milk producer’s co-operative society Ltd. No. P 558 (D). Structured interview schedule was used for data collection. The data were analyzed by using the index method.The selected dairy co-operatives in the Palakkad district play an important role in the economic, social, psychological, and political empowerment of its member dairy farmers. The dairy farmer members make significant contributions to dairy development in Palakkad. Their involvement in dairy farming is regarded as an important tool for alleviating poverty and improving the rural community’s quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We assessed the impact of a personal agency-based training for refugee women and their male partners on their economic and social empowerment, rates of intimate partner violence (IPV), and non-partner violence (NPV). Methods: We conducted an individually randomized controlled trial with 1061 partnered women (aged 18–45) living in a refugee camp in Rwanda. Women received two days of training, and their partners received one day of training. The follow-up survey where all relevant outcomes were assessed was carried out at 6–9 months post-intervention. Results: At follow up, women in the intervention arm were more likely to report partaking in income generating activities (aIRR 1.27 (1.04–1.54), p < 0.05) and skill learning (aIRR 1.59 (1.39–1.82), p < 0.001) and reported a reduction in experience of physical or sexual NPV in the past six months (aIRR 0.65 (0.39–1.07), p < 0.09). While improved, no statistically significant impacts were seen on physical or sexual IPV (aIRR 0.80 (0.58–1.09), p = 0.16), food insecurity (β 0.98 (0.93 to 1.03), p = 0.396), or clean cookstove uptake (aIRR 0.95 (0.88 to 1.01), p = 0.113) in the past six months. We found statistically significant reduction in physical and sexual IPV amongst those experiencing IPV at baseline (aIRR 0.72 (0.50 to 1.02), p < 0.07). Small improvements in self-efficacy scores and our indicator of adapting to stress were seen in the intervention arm. Some challenges were also seen, such as higher prevalence of probable depression and/or anxiety (aIRR 1.79 (1.00-3.22), p = 0.05) and PTSD (aIRR 2.07 (1.10–3.91), p < 0.05) in the intervention arm compared to the control arm. Conclusion: Our findings echo previous research showing personal agency training can support economic well-being of women. We also find potentially promising impacts on gender-based violence. However, there is some evidence that integration of evidence-based mental health support is important when enhancing agency amongst conflict-affected populations. Trial registration number: The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT04081441 on 09/09/2019. Key message: What is known? • There are limited impacts of economic interventions in humanitarian settings on gender-based violence. • Outside of humanitarian settings, agency-based training interventions, both with/or without male partner engagement, have been shown to improve economic impacts, however IPV impacts are not known. • Integrated multi-component interventions that economically empower women and engage male partners hold promise in conflict-affected populations. What are the new findings? • An abbreviated two-day personal agency training for women and one-day training for their male partners led to significant increases in uptake of income generating activities and skill building for women. • Promising trends suggest reduction in non-partner violence for the full study sample and a reduction in intimate partner violence for women who reported IPV at baseline. • Increased rates of probable anxiety and/or depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were identified in the intervention group. What do the new findings imply? • Promising impacts on livelihoods and experience of violence are possible despite the abbreviated nature of this training. • Despite improvements in livelihoods and reduction in experience of violence, more concerted efforts are needed to prevent the increased risk of anxiety, depression, and PTSD found in conflict-affected populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the Tabot Festival in Bengkulu Indonesia focusing on its cultural, religious and sosioeconomic impacts, with the aim of demonstrating how local traditions can both preserve cultural heritage and empower the community economically. The study involves examining the festival's transition from a Shiite religious ceremony commemorating Imam Husein bin Ali's martyrdom, to a broader cultural celebration that attracts significant tourism. Employing a qualitative ethnographic method, data were analyzed through extensive literature reviews. The findings reveal that the festival retains its deep cultural and religious roots, reflecting humanitarian and Islamic values such as courage, sacrifice and justice through its rituals and processions. Despite its evolution into a lively cultural event, the festival continues to uphold significant Islamic traditions and symbols. Economically, the Tabot Festival provides substantial benefits to the local economy, boosting sectors such as hospitality, restaurants and transportation. It also creates a multiplier effect by stimulating the creative economy and generating temporary employment opportunities for vendors, artisans and service providers. The local community's active participation further strengthens social cohesion and economic welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To retrospectively assess changes in economic status, psychosocial status and empowerment among women who participated in Beyond Fistula reintegration programming following fistula repair. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study among 100 Beyond Fistula program participants capturing sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric and fistula history, program participation, and our primary outcomes: economic status, psychosocial status, and empowerment via quantitative survey at two time points: before program participation and currently. Data were collected from November 2020 to July 2021 from 2013 to 2019 program participants. We compared outcomes across these two time points using paired t tests or McNemar's tests. Results: The proportion of individuals owning property (28.0% vs. 38.0%, P = 0.006), having a current source of income (19.0% vs. 56.0%, P < 0.001), and saving or investing income (11.0% vs. 37.0%, P < 0.001) increased significantly from pre‐ to post‐programming. We also identified statistically significant increases from pre‐ to post‐programming in self‐esteem (5.0 [IQR 4.0–5.0] vs. 5.0 [IQR 5.0–5.0], P < 0.001), reintegration (53.0 [IQR 43.0–69.0] vs. 65.0 [IQR 51.0–72.0], P < 0.001) and level of input into household economic decision making (2.0 [SD 1.0] vs. 2.3 [SD 1.0], P = 0.004). Conclusion: Beyond Fistula programming likely improved economic status, psychosocial status, and empowerment of participants. Post‐surgical interventions incorporating a holistic approach can advance recovery through supporting psychosocial and economic wellbeing and should be offered to women undergoing genital fistula repair. Synopsis: A retrospective impact evaluation of the Beyond Fistula post‐surgical reintegration program in Kenya identified significant improvements in economic status, psychosocial status and empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cikidang Village is located in Cilongok Sub-district, Banyumas Regency, Central Java Province. Cikidang Village is the smallest village that attracts attention because it is located along the Purwokerto -Ajibarang provincial road and is dominated by agricultural land. The Cikidang Village Government has a short-term plan to explore the village's potential which includes natural resources, economic assets, social and cultural heritage, and human resources through the development of community-based agritourism. The medium-term plan for Cikidang Village is set out in the draft RPJMDES 2020-2025. This qualitative research involved field observations, interviews and documentation. Key informants in this research include the Village Head, Village Secretary, and General Affairs Officer of the Cikidang Village Government, as well as other stakeholders such as the Head of Bumdes, Head of Farmer Groups, Local Entrepreneurs, Community Leaders, and external parties including the Banyumas Regency Youth, Sports, Culture & Tourism Office, and Banyumas Regency small and medium business associations. The results revealed the potential of natural resources that can be developed as agro-tourism objects, while the development of the Cikidang Village rest area functions as a tourist centre that promotes local products and culture of the village. Based on stakeholder analysis shows that the participation of various parties in the agritourism development plan in Cikidang Village. Strategies to empower the community economy through agritourism in Cikidang Village are formulated in three stages, namely creating a conducive atmosphere, effective village government management, and maintaining long-term sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the proven efficacy of Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) in promoting primary healthcare in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), they are not adequately financed and compensated. The latter contributes to the challenge of high attrition rates observed in many settings, highlighting an urgent need for innovative compensation strategies for CHVs amid budget constraints experienced by healthcare systems. This study sought to identify strategies for implementing Income-Generating Activities (IGAs) for CHVs in Kilifi County in Kenya to improve their livelihoods, increase motivation, and reduce attrition. Methods: An exploratory qualitative research study design was used, which consisted of Focus group discussions with CHVs involved in health promotion and data collection activities in a local setting. Further, key informant in-depth interviews were conducted among local stakeholder representatives and Ministry of Health officials. Data were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed using MAXQDA 20.4 software. Data coding, analysis and presentation were guided by the Okumus' (2003) Strategy Implementation framework. Results: A need for stable income was identified as the driving factor for CHVs seeking IGAs, as their health volunteer work is non-remunerative. Factors that considered the local context, such as government regulations, knowledge and experience, culture, and market viability, informed their preferred IGA strategy. Individual savings through table-banking, seeking funding support through loans from government funding agencies (e.g., Uwezo Fund, Women Enterprise Fund, Youth Fund), and grants from corporate organizations, politicians, and other donors were proposed as viable options for raising capital for IGAs. Formal registration of IGAs with Government regulatory agencies, developing a guiding constitution, empowering CHVs with entrepreneurial and leadership skills, project and group diversity management, and connecting them to support agencies were the control measures proposed to support implementation and enhance the sustainability of IGAs. Group-owned and managed IGAs were preferred over individual IGAs. Conclusion: CHVs are in need of IGAs. They proposed implementation strategies informed by local context. Agencies seeking to support CHVs' livelihoods should, therefore, engage with and be guided by the input from CHVs and local stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the importance of traditional extractivism as a vector of development for the Amazon in the late twentieth century, it has currently been associated with a subsistence economy. This article aimed to analyze the correlation between extractive activity and social welfare in the Canutama State Extractive Reserve (Resex) in the State of Amazonas, in the Amazon region. For this, information was collected through field visits to the local office of the Secretary of Environment of the State of Amazonas, in the municipality of Canutama (AM) and in specialized databases, between 2021 and 2022. The analysis showed that the extractive activity in Resex is mainly based on the production and marketing of Brazil nuts (B. excelsa Humb. & Bonpl.), fish (fresh and dried), açaí (E. oleracea), as well as agricultural products (cassava flour (M. esculenta Crantz) and watermelon (C. lanatus)). These products represented 80.70% (U$D 2,858,200.20) of the sales of the 50 products marketed between 2015 and 2021. The economic concentration in a few products, the variation in production and commercialization, and the absence of public policies for this sector has weakened this economy in the Resex. Limiting the ability of this activity to promote the well-being of families, which is aggravated by the absence and low quality of public policies for social development. Thus, this activity needs to be understood within a broader debate of environmental policy in the Resex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The waste bank is one of the important solutions in overcoming the waste problem and forming a sustainable lifestyle. In the waste bank system, waste is collected, processed and recycled to create products of economic value. This abstract discusses the results and discussion of waste bank operations in the context of establishing a sustainable lifestyle. The operational results of the waste bank include reducing waste in landfills (TPA), increasing recycling, creating valuable products, and environmental education. By managing waste efficiently, waste banks reduce negative impacts on the environment and help reduce the use of natural resources. In addition, waste banks also play an important role in shaping a sustainable lifestyle through several discussions. First, the waste bank increases environmental awareness among the public, changes the mindset towards waste, and inspires changes in behavior towards a cleaner and more sustainable environment. Second, active community participation in the waste bank strengthens community involvement in waste management and creates a participatory climate in environmental decision-making. Third, the waste bank opens local economic opportunities by creating products from waste, helping to empower the local community's economy, and reducing social inequality. Furthermore, the waste bank reduces the use of new natural resources by processing used goods into useful products, helping to reduce pressure on the environment. Finally, the operation of the waste bank makes the public aware of the problem of waste and the importance of collective action in dealing with this problem. Overall, waste banks play an important role in shaping sustainable lifestyles by creating positive outcomes and driving behavior change and environmental awareness. The waste bank is an important first step in changing the perspective of waste and forming a more environmentally responsible society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines, both theoretically and empirically, the relationship between rapid‐onset disasters and women's economic freedom. Rapid‐onset disasters create difficulties for all involved, but without proper discussion of and changes to women's economic status in society, they will continue to suffer disproportionately. The study answers the following question: 'how do disasters impact women's economic empowerment?'. It argues that there are underlying factors contributing to unequal economic opportunities that are exacerbated by disasters. Current literature discusses how disasters affect women's economic and political rights, but often it does not account for variables that may not have been captured in contemporary indices. The paper assesses women's burden of care, restrictions on mobility, formal economic employment, and access to recovery resources with respect to their economic empowerment. And it analyses 180 countries and territories that experienced disasters between 1981 and 2019 to uncover their effects on women's economic freedom. This research could facilitate and help to alter the overall narrative on women's empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In rural India, poverty and unemployment constitute a vicious cycle. Unemployment is caused by poverty, while poverty is caused by unemployment. The vast bulk of poverty reduction programmes consists of community development activities, which include self help group (SHG) operations. These groups do a tremendous lot for rural communities, including improving the quality of life and generating employment through microcredit. Economic empowerment (financial stability) and social empowerment (social standing and self-confidence) are required to empower the poor. Empowerment will result from expanding mental and non-mental spaces that enable action and voice to enhance life quality. Planners and policymakers demand strategic planning for rural women's social and economic empowerment in the country's states, as most women joined SHGs for economic empowerment and family welfare. Reviewing articles, theses, and books yielded the findings of this study. India's best lesson is to employ SHGs for anti-poverty and women's empowerment which social workers can serve considerably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay examines the rhetorical strategies of the late Nipsey Hussle regarding the intersection of cultural rhetoric, identity, economic success, and financial literacy. Using what I call Afrocentric constitutive rhetoric as a methodological lens, I argue that Nipsey empowers his listeners toward an identity of economic success, specifically for marginalized communities, underscoring the ontological capacity of Hip-Hop rhetoric. To support this claim, I analyze select lyrics from Nipsey's Grammy-nominated album, Victory Lap, released in 2018. Further, I illuminate the culturally distinct qualities of Nipsey's rhetoric by coupling theorizations of Afrocentricity and constitutive rhetoric and its impact on identity formation for his listeners. Finally, I maintain that a cultural approach to constitutive rhetoric positions scholars to better understand the nuance of culturally specific rhetorical productions related to identity and economic empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Suubi is an evidenced based multi-component intervention that targets psychosocial and economic hardships to improve ART adherence, viral suppression, mental health, family financial stability, and family cohesion for adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in Uganda. Suubi was originally tested as a combined package of four components: 1) Financial Literacy Training; 2) incentivized matched Youth Savings Accounts with income-generating activities; 3) a manualized and visual-based intervention for ART adherence and stigma reduction; and 4) engagement with HIV treatment-experienced role models. However, it is unknown if each component in Suubi had a positive effect, how the components interacted, or if fewer components could have produced equivalent effects. Hence, the overall goal of this new study is to identify the most impactful and sustainable economic and psychosocial components across 48 health clinics in Uganda. Methods: A total of 576 ALHIV (aged 11–17 years at enrollment) will be recruited from 48 clinics and each clinic will be randomized to one of 16 study conditions. Each condition represents every possible combination of the 4 components noted above. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, 12, 24, 36 and 48- months post-intervention initiation. Using the multi-phase optimization strategy (MOST), we will identify the optimal combination of components and associated costs for viral suppression, as well as test key mediators and moderators of the component-viral suppression relationship. Discussion: The study is a shift in the paradigm of research to use new thinking to build/un-pack highly efficacious interventions that lead to new scientific knowledge in terms of understanding what drives an intervention's success and how to iterate on them in ways that are more efficient, affordable and scalable. The study advances intervention science for HIV care outcomes globally. Trial Registration: This project was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05600621) on October, 31, 2022. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05600621 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to summarize 15 years of intervention science in combination HIV prevention and microfinance among women engaged in sex work (WESW) in Central Asia, identifying gaps in our understanding and recommendations for future studies. We begin by describing the emergence of HIV/STI risk among WESW in the Central Asia region, specifically Mongolia and Kazakhstan, and bridge to the formative stages of our methodology as well as completed prevention intervention studies. We describe the development of combining HIV prevention with asset-based microfinance interventions, lessons learned, and contributions these studies make to HIV prevention, intervention science, and practice. We end by recommending next steps to move prevention science forward in this area and among this key population, which continues to be underserved in HIV prevention science worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health problem. Electronic empowerment has several positive impacts on health. No study has examined whether electronic empowerment prevents intimate partner violence. Economic empowerment has positive and negative effects on IPV victimization. The current study was conducted to investigate whether economic and electronic empowerment of women act as protective factors against IPV in India. Methods: A national representative sample of 66,013 ever-married women from 36 member states and union territories of India has been used from the National Family Health Survey 2015 to 2016. Emotional, physical and sexual violence against women by husbands were target variables. We used bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The prevalence of emotional violence was 13%, physical violence was 28% and sexual violence was 7%. IPV against women was as follows: The prevalence was higher among women living in rural areas, belonging to Hindu religion and those belonging to Scheduled Castes. Higher education and higher socio-economic status were found to be protective factors against IPV. The prevalence of IPV was higher among the working women, among those having knowledge of business loans for women and the recipients of such business loans. Exposure to media was found to reduce IPV. The women who used mobile phones and SMS facility experienced less violence. Conclusion: Economic independence of women was found to be a risk factor for IPV in India, whereas electronic empowerment was a protective factor. In the Indian context, policymakers should make use of mobile phones and support SMS use in the IPV awareness programs. Women empowerment, combined with gender equity, can reduce the prevalence of violence against women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the unfolding of Zimbabwe's indigenisation policy in the country's mining sector from the early 1990s to 2018. Informed by interviews, government reports, newspaper articles and online material, the article examines the attempts to indigenise some of the country's biggest mining concerns, like the platinum giants Mimosa, Zimplats and Unki platinum, which are all owned by multinationals. It also delves deeper into the indigenisation efforts by other mining giants, like Metallon Gold, Duration Gold, Freda Rebecca and RioZim. In the chrome sector it recounts the experiences of ZimAlloys and Zimasco. An examination of the indigenisation process in these mining concerns revealed how the policy was turned into a political elite accumulation spree. The ruling party heavyweights, members of the military and politically connected individuals frequently turned up as part of various indigenous consortia assembled to acquire shares in the mining companies as part of the indigenisation policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Optimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence is crucial for improved patient outcomes; however, ART adherence among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) is low. Also, the performance of various adherence measures among ALHIV is under contention. We monitored ART adherence and compared Self‐report (SR) and Wisepill electronic monitoring (EM) performance in measuring ART adherence and predicting HIV viral suppression among ALHIV. Methods: Between January 2014 and December 2015, we recruited 702 ALHIV aged 10–16 years into our cluster‐randomized controlled trial (2012–2018) in 39 clinics in Uganda. The intervention included a long‐term savings child development account, four micro‐enterprise workshops and 12 mentorship sessions. Using the entire sample, we performed multilevel logistic regression to predict monthly ART adherence trends for the first year of follow‐up. Since it is possible that the intervention had different effects on SR and EM adherence, we used participants in the control arm only to compare adherence using SR and EM and to calculate their sensitivity and specificity in predicting viral suppression. Results: There was a significant decline in adherence for each month throughout the entire follow‐up period regardless of the group assigned. Good ART adherence was measured at 79.2% (75.2–82.6%) and 97.0% (95.4–98.1%) using EM and SR, respectively. Overall, 64.3% (60.6–67.9%) had suppressed viral loads. The specificities for EM and SR in predicting viral non‐suppression were 80.4% (73.6–85.7%) and 96.7% (93.3–98.4%), while the sensitivities were 22.9% (15.0–33.3%) and 1.8% (0.4–6.9%), respectively. The area under the curve was low for both EM and SR, at 53.6% (45.7–61.5%) and 56.2% (53.2–59.3%), respectively. There was high agreement (78%) between SR and EM in monitoring adherence. Conclusions: Our findings highlighted the need for strategies for sustained optimal adherence. SR and EM measure adherence with a considerable agreement; however, neither is an accurate predictor of virological outcome. There is still a need for an acceptable, feasible and affordable method that predicts viral suppression among ALHIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa had enduring effects on health systems and healthcare utilisation. This study explores the intersection of economic constraints and gender roles in Guinea to understand delays in care-seeking post-Ebola. In-depth interviews (n = 45) and focus group discussions (n = 24) were conducted with mothers, male heads of household, grandmothers, and health workers in rural and urban areas in Basse-Guinée and Guinée Forestière. A thematic analysis identified salient themes related to gender and economic constraints on health care-seeking. Participants, particularly men, emphasised the high cost of seeking care, which led to delays as women secured funds. Men's engagement in care-seeking included providing funds and permission, picking up medication, and giving appointment reminders. As principal actors when 'navigating' the healthcare system, women were intimately involved in economic decisions and responsible for securing funds for services – even when lacking direct financial control. Essentialist descriptions of men as 'providers' and women as 'navigators', therefore, masked nuances in care-seeking and economic responsibilities. Programmes must acknowledge men's engagement in care-seeking and address both the economic barriers women face when seeking care and their economic roles. Greater attention to the complex intersection of economic constraints and gender roles could address care-seeking delays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Recent research demonstrates that economic interventions may positively effect HIV risk among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa. Some evidence reveals potential associations between financial decision-making and bargaining power in sexual relationships. However, this evidence is mixed, nuanced, and limited. This paper explores how AGYW in Zambia understand financial agency and its effect on intimate relationships. Methods: In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 females aged 15–24 years residing in Kalingalinga, a low income, high-density residential area in Lusaka. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: Participants spoke of the ability to earn and spend money as reality for some and aspirational for many others, intrinsic to cultural and religious caveats influencing perceptions of agency for women. The transfer of financial independence to sexual agency within relationships was viewed as a mechanism for HIV risk reduction; however, male sexual privilege was an obstacle irrespective of financial decision-making. Conclusions: Programmes aiming to enhance financial agency for AGYW have the potential to reduce HIV sexual risk. Yet, to be most effective, integration with gender-transformative programmes is needed to address norms of male dominance that keep AGYW in positions of vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relationship between (1) quality of life and forms of intimate partner violence (IPV) (i.e., psychological abuse, physical violence, sexual violence, and types of economic abuse), and (2) quality of life and economic empowerment among Latina IPV survivors. The authors used data from the Moving Ahead financial literacy program evaluation (n = 200). Nested random-effects models were conducted. Findings indicated that psychological abuse and economic control were significantly and negatively associated with quality of life. Economic empowerment (i.e., financial knowledge, economic self-efficacy, and economic self-sufficiency) was significantly and positively related to Latinas' quality of life. Financial strain was inversely associated with Latina's quality of life. These findings highlight the importance of identifying strategies for increasing the overall well-being of Latina IPV survivors. Economic empowerment interventions can be an effective mechanism for improving their quality of life. As such, domestic violence organizations should include economic empowerment as part of the services offered to survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women's economic empowerment is an essential component of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Not only is it an end in itself but it has further been promoted for its potential to create positive externalities, including the reduction of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, the link between economic empowerment and the risk of IPV remains theoretically ambiguous. Marital dependency theory predicts that women with more financial resources hold higher bargaining power and are in a better position to leave potentially abusive relationships. Conversely, Resource theory posits that an increase in women's financial resources may clash with traditional gender roles, which may prompt their partner to reassert their status through violent means. In light of this debate, we conducted a meta-analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of economic empowerment interventions on IPV. Based on a total sample size of 44,772 participants and robust variance estimation, our meta-analysis shows that women's economic empowerment was associated with a significant reduction in the pooled measure of emotional, sexual, and physical IPV. We further documented tentative evidence suggesting that these effects may be amplified when additional gender sensitization training is included in such programs. Despite the overall positive effects, some included studies reported increases in IPV, primarily in the form of partners exerting controlling behavior and dominance over financial resources. Our results therefore emphasize a need to prioritize women's safety in the process of designing economic empowerment programs and to closely monitor the potential risk of conflict and violence within beneficiaries' households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weru Village is one of two Fish Landing Centers (PPI) in Paciran District, Lamongan. The Weru Fisherman Group is a legal entity formed to assist the fishermen of the Weru village community in meeting their fishing needs. According to the preliminary survey, the Weru Village Fishermen Group faces two major challenges in producing processed fish products: production and marketing. The lack of standardization in the production of processed fish foods is a production issue. Meanwhile, in terms of marketing, people have been selling processed fish products without considering good marketing practices. In collaboration with the Departments of Cooperatives and Marine Affairs and Fisheries, this Community Service Program offers training on how to manage and market food products from Belo fish. The Belo fish is plentiful in the village. This training is expected to equip fisherwomen with the skills needed to produce high-value products and improve their economic standing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to identify the challenges and opportunities facing rural women to achieve economic empowerment in light of the president’s initiative to develop Egyptian rural villages of a decent life. The study was conducted in Assiut, Suhag, and Minya governorates according to the governorates of the first phase implementing the initiative of a decent life. The sample, selected according to the sample fraction, which is 10% of the total size in each village sample size was 886 respondents distributed as a proportion and as follows in Minya Governorate 678 respondents, Assiut Governorate 111respondents, and Suhag Governorate 97,Data were collected using a personal interview questionnaire, and frequencies and percentages were used. The most important results of the analysis are as follows; future opportunities through economic security by building a house in a decent life in Minya, Assiut, and Suhag governorates, and small projects, the opportunity to save time for work and increase income, and develop skills through training. (17%) and (3%) of the respondents indicated that they are available in the study governorates of Minya, Assiut, and (100%) of the respondents indicated that they are not available in the Suhag governorate. And about the challenges facing rural women to empowerment, the cultural challenge through some customs that prevent women from developing themselves, which was clarified by (81%), (92%) and (61%) of the respondents in Minya, Assiut, and Suhag governorates, and the challenge of controlling resources and productive assets. (80%), (57%), and (78%) of the respondents indicated the difficulty of owning agricultural land, and about the challenge of unpaid work, (72%), (45%) and (65%) of the respondents indicated that it is A challenge that exists in the study community, and aboutchallenges of the gender wage gap, it was clear by (100%), (16%) and (56%) of the respondents that the unequal wages for agricultural work are present in the villages of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We propose the Vanguard WEE Index, measuring the extent to which a woman transgresses the norm on economic participation and agency. • Index validity across diverse low- and middle-income settings was supported. • Women who participate economically in settings where it is non-normative are more likely to be older, poorer, and reside in rural areas. • The Vanguard WEE Index fills a policy relevant knowledge gap by providing a measure of non-normative women's economic participation. Women's empowerment and poverty alleviation are two key factors for successful and equitable international development. Norms surrounding women's economic participation and economic agency change over time, with some individuals achieving economic empowerment earlier than others. These "vanguard" women represent the leading edge of change. The objective of this study is to discuss and compare methodological strategies for creating a measure that captures the extent to which a woman's actions exceed community norms regarding economic participation and agency. We refer to this measure as the "Vanguard Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) Index." The Demographic and Health Surveys for 49 countries were used to capture community-level WEE norms using 8 WEE measures. To identify whether a community is non-normative for a WEE item, we explore four strategies, inclusive of two thresholds and two approaches for middle-prevalence communities. Using the community assignment, we construct the individual-level Vanguard WEE Index that captures the number of WEE items a woman has that are non-normative, i.e. vanguard, in her community. We validate this index through associating it with a validated index on women's financial discrimination. Subsequently, the characteristics of "vanguard" women were assessed through mixed effects modeling. Women who register higher on the Vanguard WEE Index are likely to be older, poorer, and live in rural communities. This study is the first to offer a valid method for measuring the extent that a woman goes against the community norm on economic participation and agency in low- and middle-income settings. The results outline a strategy for contextualizing women's economic empowerment within that setting's normative context. Practitioners and policy-makers can use this index when implementing economic empowerment programs to identify those who are pushing the needle in their community, as these women may be critical changemakers for gender equity broadly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the impact of a family-based economic empowerment intervention on viral suppression and mental health among ALHIV. Between 2013 and 2014, 702 participants aged 10–16, living with HIV, and taking antiretroviral therapy, were recruited from 39 clinics in Uganda. Twenty clinics (n = 358 participants) were randomized to the intervention and 19 clinics (n = 344 participants) were randomized to the control conditions. The intervention comprised a matched savings account, financial literacy training, and microenterprise workshops. The primary outcome was viral suppression, while the secondary outcomes included depression, hopelessness, and self-concept. We ran mixed-effects models to determine the intervention effects. At enrollment, participants' mean age was 12 years. The intervention improved viral suppression, evidenced by significant intervention-by-time interaction effects [χ2(5) = 12·81, p = 0·025], further qualified by increased viral suppression in the intervention group at year two, OR = 1.89 (95% CI: 1.14–3.15), year three, OR = 2.31 (95% CI: 1.05–5.04), and year four, OR = 2.34 (95% CI: 1.03–5.33). Regarding mental health, we did not find significant intervention main effects or intervention-by-time interaction effects for depressive symptoms, hopelessness, or self-concept for the entire sample. However, for participants owning fewer assets, we found significant intervention-by-time interaction effects for hopelessness [χ2(5) = 12·33, p = 0·031], and self-concept [χ2(5) = 27·26, p < 0·001], suggesting beneficial intervention effect for this demographic. Family EE interventions have the potential to improve viral suppression and mental health outcomes among ALHIV. These findings offer insights in designing programs and policies to improve outcomes among ALHIV. • ALHIV have poor adherence to ART leading to low viral suppression. • Only 60% of ALHIV in our sample achieved viral suppression at baseline. • Economic empowerment improves viral suppression and mental health among ALHIV. • Intervention impacts were greater among ALHIV from households with fewer assets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the impact of micro-credit and direct cash transfers on women economic empowerment has been extensively studied, the impact of having access to a bank account remains relatively understudied. This paper uses a detailed national representative dataset of female household heads in Ghana to analyze the relation between access to formal and informal financial accounts and women's economic empowerment. Using propensity score matching, our results elicit that women who have a financial account are more likely to be employed and tend to have higher income. The results are mainly driven by ownership of a formal account (i.e., in a commercial bank) while the impact of informal account ownership is not statistically significant. Thus our findings call for higher promotion of formal banking, particularly among women in rural and poorer areas where financial inclusion is lower. • Having a bank account increases women's income and helps them to gain employment. • Level of education and sector of employment positively influences women's economic empowerment. • Urban female household heads tend to be more economically empowered than their rural counterpart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article identifies coping strategies used by economically empowered Bangladeshi women who are victims of intimate partner violence. Interviews were conducted with 19 employed women who experience abuse at the hands of their husbands and with eight community leaders. A "Cultural Biography" approach was used to determine respondents' understanding of cultural phenomena and to gain life histories from victims in order to explore coping strategies in response to the harm experienced. Findings indicate that even though these women have access to financial resources due to their employment, many of them cope with the abuse by continuing to live in the home with the abuser because of the stigma surrounding divorce and the lack of laws that would grant them guardianship of the children or access to their property. Others live with family or friends in order to avoid the harassment experienced by divorcees. The few who sought more formal help from community leaders (4 of the 19) experienced pressure to remain in the marriage and, thus, the cycle of abuse continued. Community leaders supported the perceptions of the respondents emphasizing how cultural expectations for women's role in Bangladesh limit her ability to leave an abusive home, even if she is employed. As presented by Welby's patriarchal theory, we see that public patriarchy (oppression through norms, laws, and other social forces) supports private patriarchy (where men individually dominate their intimate partner), even for those women who are economically empowered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women, who were members of Economic Empowerment of Women Headed Family (WHF) Group and married in marital status, still tend to have lower economic status. There was a social reality that roles and functions of husbands and wives in many communities had shifted, especially of WHF Group members in Batang District, Central Java Province. The crucial condition causing the mentioned shifting was economic factors. Formerly, wives were only supporting bread winners, however, because of family economic needs, women switched their roles into breadwinners. Wives also took action as dominant decision makers in their households, although society had not fully recognized woman’s participation in development communication as head of family. The newest finding in this research was that married women, whose husbands had been fired, had already been included into WHF Program. There was 45 percent of WHF Group members, who still got married to husbands with no permanent jobs, and 15 percent belonged to those whose husbands had got fired, and five percent was jobless. The results of FGD supported the finding that there were some married women that had shifted from supporting breadwinners into main breadwinners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the relationship between women's economic empowerment and the incidence of intimate partner violence (IPV) using data from the National Survey on Domestic Violence against Women in Turkey (2008, 2014). Two hypotheses are tested: (i) women's economic independence reduces the risk of partner violence as suggested by household bargaining models; (ii) women's vulnerability to IPV increases when their economic situation improves relative to their partner's as suggested by a male backlash model. Women's employment has a positive effect on the exposure to IPV but it is not statistically significant after controlling for the simultaneous causality between employment status and IPV. Earning more income than their partners, on the other hand, lowers the risk of IPV by 9.3%, providing evidence for the household bargaining model. The protective effect of income differs according to class positions of women. Earning more income than their partners lowers the risk of physical (7.5%) and sexual violence (6.4%) for women in poor households while it lowers the risk of psychological violence (11.5%) for women in medium-wealth and rich households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been recognized as a defining human rights, development and public health issue of our time. Economic empowerment is one of the most promising interventions to reduce IPV in sub-Saharan Africa, yet the evidence around economic factors that are key to ensure a reduction in IPV are still mixed. Furthermore, there is a lack of clarity on what kinds of economic empowerment works for which population group. This paper seeks a more nuanced understanding, by investigating whether the associations between indicators of economic empowerment and physical and/or sexual IPV are similar between the general population of women and among urban versus rural and young, or middle aged women versus older women.Methods: Using couples data from 25 DHS surveys across 15 countries (n = 70,993 women and men aged 15 and above at time of survey), we analyse how household wealth, men's and women's education and employment status, decision making on women's income, differences in education and employment of women and their partners and women's cash income are associated with physical and/or sexual IPV. We also provide sub-analyses for both urban and rural areas and for women aged, 15 to 24 25 to 34 and 35 to 49.Results: Across all surveys, 20% of women reported physical and/or sexual IPV in the last 12 months. On the one hand, our findings reinforced certain well-established patterns between women's economic empowerment and IPV, with women's and men's higher levels of education and increased household wealth  associated with a decrease in IPV, and women's employment, especially if only the woman worked, and women earning more than her partner associated with an increase in IPV. Most patterns did not differ across urban and rural settings and age groups, but notable differences emerged regarding household wealth, women's and men's employment in the last 12 months and relative employment and education.Conclusions: Factors relating to women's economic empowerment are  vital in understanding and addressing IPV. Our analysis indicate however that future interventions need to consider the differing needs of urban and rural areas as well as be targeted to different age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Evidence from low‐resource settings indicates that economic insecurity is a major barrier to HIV treatment adherence. Economic empowerment (EE) interventions have the potential to improve adherence outcomes among adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV) by mitigating the effects of poverty. This study aims to assess the efficacy and cost‐effectiveness of a savings‐led family‐based EE intervention, Suubi + Adherence, aimed at improving antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence outcomes ALWHIV in Uganda. Methods: Adolescents (mean age 12 years at enrolment; 56% female) receiving ART for HIV at 39 health centres were randomized to Suubi + Adherence intervention (n = 358) or bolstered standard of care (BSOC; n = 344). A difference‐in‐differences analysis was employed to assess the change in the proportion of virally suppressed adolescents (HIV RNA viral load <40 copies/mL) over 24 months. The cost‐effectiveness analysis examined how much the intervention cost to virally suppress one additional adolescent relative to BSOC from the healthcare provider perspective. Results: At 24 months, the intervention was associated with an 8.85‐percentage point [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80 to 16.90 percentage points] increase in the proportion of virally suppressed adolescents between the study arms (p = 0.032). Per‐participant costs were US$177 and US$263 for the BSOC and intervention groups respectively. The incremental cost of virally suppressing one additional adolescent was estimated at US$970 [95% CI, US$508 to 10,725] over two years. Conclusions: Our results support the integration of family‐based EE interventions into adherence‐support strategies as part of routine HIV care in low‐resource settings to address the underlying economic drivers of poor ART adherence among ALWHIV. Moreover, per‐participant costs to achieve viral suppression do not seem prohibitive compared to other community‐based adherence interventions targeted at ALWHIV in low‐resource settings. Further research on combination interventions at the nexus of economic security and HIV treatment and care is needed to inform the development of feasible and scalable HIV policies and programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article empirically investigates whether women's access to economic resources acts as a risk factor or protective factor for spousal (emotional and physical) violence against them, particularly in the case of Pakistan. Using data from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) 2012 to 2013, we employed logistic regression to investigate this relationship between women's access to economic resources and spousal violence against them by using two indicators: (a) whether she earns money in cash and/or in-kind and (b) whether she owns property. The results indicate that women who earn in cash and/or in-kind face greater violence. Education can reduce the violence against women and family history of violence contributes positively for greater violence. Result also confirms existence of regional disparity in this regard. Based on findings of this study we provide policy suggestions to mitigate the issue of spousal violence against women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Conducting ethical and rigorous research to measure the effectiveness of humanitarian programs is urgently needed given the global level of displacement and conflict, yet traditional approaches to evaluation research may be too slow and disruptive for acute humanitarian settings. The current case study utilizes an experience of implementing a mixed methods evaluation conducted between March–August 2018 in northern Raqqa Governorate, Syria. The key research objectives were to examine the influence of an unconditional, three-month cash transfer program on household basic needs and women's wellbeing, including experiences of violence. This setting was selected for the research as it shared many aspects of an acute emergency within a protracted conflict given its recent opening of access to humanitarian aid programming following the withdrawal of ISIS as well as influxes of internally displaced persons fleeing airstrikes and fighting in Raqqa City in late 2017. Discussion: The current case study was scientifically important as the use of cash assistance in emergencies has increased exponentially in recent years. Yet, little is still known about how cash assistance designed to help households meet their basic needs may also influence women's overall wellbeing in the home. Challenges of conducting the research included selecting an emergency site appropriate for research, implementing an evaluation that would not delay or disrupt critical cash assistance programming, and measurement of sensitive violence against women outcomes. Four strategies were identified to meet the challenges of conducting an evaluation in such a setting, which included: (1) developing clear decision-making criteria for assessing feasibility; (2) frontloading processes to reduce time lag in launching research; (3) integrating the research approach within programming; and (4) closely collaborating with practitioners throughout the study, especially for research on sensitive topics like violence against women. Conclusions Advance consideration of these factors through a pre-positioning process will allow for timely, ethical, and rigorous research to be implemented in the immediate aftermath of a crisis. Such studies should be prioritized to ensure the highest effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian aid for populations grappling with acute emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article interrogates narrow forms of nationalism and nativist ideologies that are hidden beneath post-colonial African political leader statements and rhetoric about reversing colonial imbalances. The focus is on Zimbabwe's Third Chimurenga spearheaded by Robert Mugabe during the last ten years of his presidency. An analysis of the linguistic and discursive aspects of economic nationalisation, land reform and indigenisation programmes in Zimbabwe—also known as the Third Chimurenga—enables us to see the elements of policy discord and inconsistencies that characterised the second half of Robert Mugabe's nearly four-decade rule. The argument is that the reified and reductionist framing of the Third Chimurenga resulted in two unintended consequences: (i) alienating the majority of the very same black people that the policy sought to empower and (ii) diminishing opportunities for beneficiaries to contribute towards realisation of the ideals and aspirational goals of pushing back the frontiers of colonially inherited social and economic inequalities. I conclude by suggesting that Robert Mugabe's language and discursive rhetoric around social transformation in Zimbabwe betray unhelpful commitment to political exigencies at the expense of sustainable economic empowerment of ordinary men and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many emerging economies, owning and operating a small/medium-scale business is essential in the creation of wealth, empowering business owners and helping to address the developmental challenges of the society. Although many women are venturing into family businesses in Ghana, there are still some challenges that hinder their economic empowerment. Interviewing 15 women in small, family businesses in Accra, this article identifies three main concerns of the women which are identified as critical pathways that social workers interested in the economic empowerment of female entrepreneurs could follow. The implications of the findings for social work practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communities may need new skills and supports to succeed in a rapidly changing workforce environment. Public libraries can help their communities develop economic resilience and equity in the face of multiple possible futures by undergoing a three-step process: gathering data on key trends impacting the workforce, assessing the benefits and burdens of those trends on the community, and designing services to maximize benefits and minimize burdens. Three trends are explored as an example of this process: AI and Automation; Creative Economy; and Gigs, Sharing, and Entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Youth living with HIV (YLHIV) in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) are less likely to adhere to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other health-related regimens. As a consequence, YLHIV are not only at risk for health problems and mental health comorbidities, but are also at risk for cognitive deficits, including in areas of memory and executive functioning. The Suubi+Adherence study followed 702 adolescents (10-16 years of age) receiving bolstered standard of care and a family economic empowerment intervention comprising an incentivized youth financial savings account (YSA) augmented with financial literacy training (FLT) and peer mentorship. The study findings pointed to superior short-term viral suppression and positive adolescent health and mental health functioning among participants receiving the intervention. The original group of adolescents who received Suubi+Adherence are now transitioning into young adulthood. This paper presents a protocol for the follow-up phase titled Suubi+Adherence Round 2.Methods: The original cohort in Suubi+Adherence will be tracked for an additional five years (2020-2025). Specifically, the long term follow-up will allow to: 1) ascertain the extent to which the short term outcomes identified in the first 6 years of the intervention are maintained as the same group transitions through young adulthood; and 2) address new scientific questions regarding ART adherence; HIV care engagement; protective health behaviors; and the potential of FEE to mitigate the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders in YLHIV. Additionally, the team examines the potential mechanisms through which the observed long-term outcomes happen. Moreover, the Suubi+Adherence-Round 2 adds a qualitative component and extends the cost effectiveness component.Discussion: Guided by asset and human development theories, Suubi+Adherence-R2 will build on the recently concluded Suubi+Adherence study to conduct one of the largest and longest running studies of YLHIV in SSA as they transition into young adulthood. The study will address new scientific questions regarding long-term ART adherence, HIV care engagement, protective health behaviors, and the potential of FEE to mitigate the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders in YLHIV. The findings may inform efforts to improve HIV care among Uganda's YLHIV, with potential replicability in other low-resource countries.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov , ID: NCT01790373. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal mortality rates during childbirth in Sierra Leone are amongst the highest globally, with 1360 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Furthermore, the country's neonatal mortality rate is estimated at 39 deaths per 1000 live births. There is growing recognition of the health consequences of gender inequality, but challenges in addressing it. Gendered power dynamics within households affect health outcomes, with men often controlling decisions about their family's health, including their family's use of health services. The Government's Free Health Care Initiative, which abolished user fees for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under five is promising, however this reform alone is insufficient to meet health goals. Using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with men and women, this study explores women's economic empowerment and health decision-making in rural Sierra Leone. Findings show the concept of power related to women's income generation, financial independence and being listened to in social relationships. Whilst women's economic empowerment was reported to ease marital tensions, men remained household authority figures, including regarding health decision-making. Economic interventions play an important role in supporting women's economic empowerment and in influencing gender norms, but men's roles and women's social empowerment, alongside economic empowerment, needs consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the energy access space, women's entrepreneurship has gained momentum in the last few years. ENERGIA, International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy, has been implementing the Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) programme since 2014, focusing on developing women's enterprises in the clean energy sector. With its five partners, ENERGIA has supported more than 4,000 women in clean energy businesses in seven countries. WEE programme experience in the dissemination of clean energy technologies shows women entrepreneurs to be effective in 'last-mile' distribution for affordable clean energy technologies through their social networks. Supporting women entrepreneurs calls for a multi-pronged strategy combining the approaches of enterprise development and women's empowerment. Useful tactics to promote women energy entrepreneurs include combining technology and business skills upgrading with empowerment and agency building; sustained mentorship support; and trust-based one-to-one selling approaches. There is also a need to take an ecosystem approach that places an equal emphasis on the enabling environment and direct support to entrepreneurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As women are increasingly engaged in clean energy value chains globally, it is crucial to understand what business models, practices, and enabling conditions can support the dual goals of scaling energy access and empowering women. To understand gaps in the women's energy entrepreneurship ecosystem, we draw from recent theories of gender and entrepreneurship and both peer-reviewed and grey literature sources on entrepreneurship and development. Key challenges in women's energy entrepreneurship and potential programme supports to the women's energy entrepreneurship ecosystem are identified from a resource-based perspective, focused on five primary sources of capital - economic, social, time, cultural, and symbolic. Examples of programme supports include: (a) access to finance and capital; (b) access to coaches, mentors, and business networks; (c) business education and skill development; (d) training to foster personal agency, personal initiative, and entrepreneurial mindsets; and (e) inclusion of men within women's energy entrepreneurship programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic and reproductive empowerment mutually reinforce each other. However, while many studies have examined the importance of economic empowerment for reproductive empowerment, few have investigated the reverse relationship, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study uses retrospective contraceptive-use history and panel data from two time points from a peri-urban community in Ethiopia to explore the impact of quality of contraceptive use as measured by duration of use and type of method on a woman's ability to participate in the labor force, receive payment for work, and contribute to family income. Multivariate regression models were implemented based on the nature of the outcome variable. Women who reported more consistent use had statistically significant higher odds of working in the labor force and receiving cash payments. The findings illustrate the critical role of contraceptive use in enabling women to participate in the labor force and receive payment for their work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study departs from the fact that the partial empowerment model of farmers has failed to improve the welfare of farmers. Therefore we need a comprehensive farmer empowerment model that integrates several partial empowerment models using Islamic economic principles. The intended integral empowerment model includes; empowerment in the area of capital access (financial institutions), the field of crop marketing (market access), and the field of capacity building (assistance and training). The purpose of this study is to design a comprehensive model of farmer economic empowerment, which integrates a model of capital assistance (natural capital), assistance, and marketing of agricultural products with zakat, infaq, alms and waqf as its main capital as well as implementing shari'a principles in its operations. This paper tries to develop a model of farmer economic empowerment with the Research and Depelovment (R & D) method. It starts by studying much literature and then arranges the desired model. A comprehensive, integrative and shari'a empowerment model is expected to improve the welfare of farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores women's entrepreneurship research conducted in Zimbabwe. For this purpose, a literature review approach was adopted where all journal articles published between 1990 and 2018 that addressed the issues of women entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe were searched and analysed. The articles were searched on Google Scholar using the following keywords: women entrepreneurs, women small business owners, women in informal sector and Zimbabwe. In total, 11 articles were retrieved, indicating a dearth of research studies on women entrepreneurship, particularly from the formal sector perspective, giving a glimpse of the entrepreneurship landscape in Zimbabwe. The content analysis of the selected articles resulted in the identification of eight themes: (1) feminism perspective, (2) informal sector trading, (3) motivations for entrepreneurship, (4) entrepreneurship characteristics, (5) obstacles in entrepreneurship, (6) socio-cultural challenges, (7) cross-border trading and (8) coping strategies within the context of women entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe. Discussions on these themes were situated within the broader literature and trends on existing women entrepreneurship literature. The study has implications at a practical and theoretical level. Supporting women entrepreneurship has positive effects on poverty reduction in agreement with the Sustainable Development Goals, and this study suggests women's empowerment to operate at higher echelons of the business sector with bespoke support mechanism that fosters sustainable development. Also, the study proposed suggestions for future research on women entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe and other African countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]