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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]

Women devote much of their time to unpaid care work in West Africa. This situation is even more pronounced in rural areas and thus contributes to further weakening women's economic empowerment in these areas. Setting up community childcare centres is one way of creating time for these women. This article therefore analyses the impact of the use of these centres on the economic empowerment of rural women in Burkina Faso, using the Conditional Mixed Process model. Data collected from 1546 rural households in 2022 as part of the implementation of a research project funded by the International Development Research Centre were used for the analyses. The investigations showed that the use of community childcare centres offers more opportunities for rural women to participate in economic activities or the labour market through the time saved as a result of the reduction in time spent on domestic chores. Revitalising and scaling up community childcare centres in Burkina Faso are, therefore, the main way of empowering rural women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the advancement of timber traders and former middlemen in Riga's timber trade during the second half of the 19th and early 20th century. Using methods from spatial history, statistical data on the Riga timber trade and archival documents from the timber trade files in the collection of the Riga Exchange Committee at the Historical State Archive of Latvia, the article traces the transport of timber from the Belarusian, Ukrainian and Russian hinterland to the port of Riga. It explains why and how timber became one of Riga's main export commodities and highlights the actors behind the timber trade. It argues that the timber trade offered ample opportunities for new entrepreneurs of various ethnicities and shows how members of non-elite groups, especially Jewish and Latvian entrepreneurs, were able to challenge the trade monopoly of Baltic Germans in the wood sector. Using the biographies of members of three entrepreneurial families – Armitstead, Berlin, and Dombrovskis – the article explores the advancements of new entrepreneurs in Riga and their contributions to the Baltic timber trade. [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]

The present study discusses how adopting cryptos affects financial inclusion in developing economies. Primary constructs like financial inclusion (FI), perceived economic empowerment (PEE), trust in financial institutions (TFI), user satisfaction (US), and cryptocurrency adoption (CA) were tested through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results indicated that CA significantly and positively influenced FI, US, TFI, and PEE. These relationships extend to the interaction effects: US, TFI, and PEE, all positively related to FI. This is a reflection of cryptocurrencies as an opportunity to redress most of the afflictions characteristic of traditional finance systems and to promote financial inclusion and economic empowerment in developing countries. Future research should also investigate whether digital literacy and regulatory environments support cryptocurrency access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on women's economic empowerment in Bangladesh. Based on the available literature, this paper develops a holistic framework for economic empowerment and measures how COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to changes in the framework. The study adopts a quantitative research method to address the research question; of whether and to what extent women entrepreneurs were economically empowered by their businesses during COVID-19 pandemic. The empirical data was collected from 52 Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs via telephone interviews and online surveys using a structured questionnaire in February–March 2022, and respondents were chosen randomly from various online social groups and pages. The findings suggest that women entrepreneurs have contributed to family spending, resource allocation, and decision-making. However, their role has diminished significantly in asset ownership during the pandemic. In addition, women's attitudes toward violence, social stigma, and education have shifted dramatically. Furthermore, women entrepreneurs face several challenges, including a lack of government support, limited availability of credit, a lack of entrepreneurial education, and an increased responsibility in the family. Although numerous research studies have demonstrated how COVID-19 pandemic affected women during the pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on economic empowerment through gender lenses has frequently been disregarded in Bangladesh context. This study bridges that gap, particularly in developing economies context and the framework constructed in this study is instrumental for understanding the dynamics of economic empowerment that can be applied in future research.

Abstract 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 (χ 2 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.

Nearly three billion people across the globe cook every day using open, three-stone fires, or rudimentary stoves that burn biomass such as wood, agricultural waste, animal dung, and charcoal. Cooking with these traditional cookstoves is inefficient and grossly polluting, harming health and the environment, and contributing to global warming. In many places worldwide, women must walk for hours to collect firewood, risking their safety and sacrificing energy and time that could be used to earn a living. While often overlooked as a major contributor to the global burden of disease, cooking over open fires indoors is the largest environmental health risk in developing countries, and exposes women (and the young children near them) to amounts of smoke equivalent to burning 1,000 cigarettes inside the home. In Darfur, Sudan, where about 2.7 million people have been displaced from their homes by conflict, the situation is particularly dire. Each day, Darfuri women face the difficult choice between risking sexual assault during treks to collect firewood or selling a portion of their family’s meager food rations for cash to purchase wood. The Berkeley-Darfur Stove, developed by scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and volunteers from UC Berkeley and Engineers Without Borders, is a metal stove that reduces the need for firewood by more than half, owing to its improved combustion and heat transfer efficiencies. LBNL has partnered with a nonprofit organization, Potential Energy, and a number of aid organizations to disseminate more than 22,000 Berkeley-Darfur Stoves to Darfuri women. Several hundred thousand more are needed.

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.

This community service activity was conducted in Sidamukti Village, Pandeglang Regency, Banten Province. Known for its coastal area, Sidamukti Village is home to a predominantly fishing community. The fishermen harvest various seafood, including clams, a type of seashell commonly used for its edible meat. While the fish is sold and the clam meat is consumed, the shells are often discarded as non-biodegradable waste that pollutes the environment. To address this issue, the PKM team from Universitas Trisakti explored an alternative approach by transforming seashell waste into valuable art. These activities employed the ABCD (Asset-Based Community Development) method, involving four key steps: 1) Observation; 2) Planning; 3) Implementation; and 4) Evaluation. The outcomes included the creation of handcrafted items such as necklaces, brooches, curtains, and lamps. As a result, the village community, particularly women, has become more empowered, and potentially generating additional income to support their families and enhance the local economy.

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]

The primary purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of financial inclusion on women's social and political empowerment through the mediation of economic empowerment. A multidimensional index is created, using methodology by UNDP, to measure financial inclusion. Women's empowerment is measured through economic, social, and political dimensions. The data collected from 545 women in slums through a structured schedule on a 5-point Likert scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed to measure the construct. Multivariate statistical techniques such as regression were used to test the relationship between financial inclusion and women empowerment. The findings underscore a discernibly modest representation of women attaining high financial inclusion in slum settings. It is essential to recognise the pivotal role of economic empowerment as a partial mediator within the intricate interplay linking financial inclusion to social and political empowerment. This investigation is grounded in an examination of urban slums but has the potential for broader applicability, encompassing rural regions and locales proximate to financial centers within metropolitan areas to formulate a comprehensive framework for the empowerment of women. The findings underscore the impact of socio-economic and politico-economic factors on the incorporation of marginalized communities into the formal financial system. The current investigation results have implications for policymakers in developing countries that can serve as a valuable resource to enhance women's participation in the formal financial system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial literacy is crucial in empowering individuals, particularly rural women, to make informed financial decisions and achieve economic well-being. This study explores the financial literacy and awareness levels of rural women in the Malappuram district, focusing on the relationship between socio-demographic factors and financial literacy. The research, conducted through a cross-sectional descriptive study among 100 women, reveals that most respondents are young, educated, and possess a moderate level of awareness and knowledge of financial tasks and products. The study highlights significant barriers to financial literacy, including social and cultural issues, lack of education, income constraints, and gender discrimination. Despite these challenges, the penetration of financial products like bank accounts, debit cards, and mobile banking is relatively high among the participants. The study finds a significant relationship between age and financial literacy but no significant correlation between education or income levels and financial literacy awareness. The findings underscore the need for targeted financial education programs to enhance financial literacy among rural women, addressing identified barriers and focusing on age-specific strategies to improve their economic participation and contribute to national economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women entrepreneurs in rural Ecuador face significant obstacles, including limited access to education, financial services, and business networks. Despite their vital role in the economy, gender inequalities hinder their success. This study protocol aims to evaluate the impact of a tailored business training program designed to empower rural women entrepreneurs and promote sustainable economic development. Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Quality Education (Goal 4), Gender Equality (Goal 5), and Decent Work and Economic Growth (Goal 8), the program will assess improvements in women's agency, confidence, and business performance. Key results include a 54% increase in perceived self-efficacy and a 200% increase in locus of control observed in the pre-pilot phase, indicating enhanced decision-making capacities and program effectiveness. Expected improvements in business performance will be measured by sales figures and financial growth, with anticipated positive impacts on SDG 8. The program will also track participation rates, with high enrollment and completion rates contributing to SDG 4. Additionally, financial stability and the number of engaged suppliers will be monitored, supporting SDG 8. By incorporating additional structural interventions, the study will offer insights into enhancing the empowerment of rural women entrepreneurs, creating a holistic impact that fosters both individual and community development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leather processing industry always experiences growth every year. However, at the stage of processing leather to become raw material for a product, it produces a lot of solid waste containing hazardous materials used during the process. The resulting hazardous materials can cause pollution to the surrounding environment. Hence, there needs to be a solution to handle this solid waste, so that it does not pollute the surrounding environment. Magot Black Soldier Fly (BSF) cultivation training is a technique that can be used as a solution to process solid waste from the leather tanning industry so that it has high selling value. In a study, BSF cultivation shows circular economic results and future opportunities for investors, which will lead to increased demand. The cultivation of BSF as an alternative for processing waste into organic fertilizer and animal feed is a promising technology. It is worth inoculating, especially in countries that have low incomes with expensive fertilizer and animal feed costs. BSF maggot cultivation training was conducted for MSME players in the Sukaregang leather industry in the Garut district. The results of the evaluation were that 99% of the training activity participants felt that the training provided was very targeted and the material provided was appropriate, and easy to understand. So it can be concluded that the training provided is appropriate and beneficial for leather industry MSMEs, whoever participates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study explores the application of social entrepreneurship practices among the transgender community in Viksit Bharat (Developed India) and their impact on economic empowerment. With a sample of 130 respondents (100 transgender employees and 30 employers) collected using snowball sampling across India, the study aims to assess how social entrepreneurship initiatives contribute to the financial well-being of transgender individuals. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire designed from existing literature and analyzed using regression, hypothesis testing, and correlation tools. The findings reveal a strong positive relationship between social entrepreneurship involvement and income levels, particularly for those with higher education and greater work experience. Employers, who tend to have more experience and post-graduate qualifications, showed significantly higher income levels compared to employees, indicating the critical role of education in entrepreneurial success. The results also highlight significant differences in income across varying degrees of social entrepreneurship engagement, confirming that deeper involvement in these initiatives leads to better financial outcomes. However, the study acknowledges existing systemic barriers such as discrimination, limited access to education, and social exclusion, which continue to hinder the full potential of social entrepreneurship for transgender individuals. The paper concludes with recommendations for policy interventions that support education, inclusivity, and entrepreneurial development to promote greater economic empowerment for this marginalized community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfinance SHGs have played a significant role in poverty alleviation and economic empowerment of marginalized communities, particularly in developing countries. This systematic literature review sought to identify the many characteristics of self-help group operations contributing to poverty reduction and income generation to understand both the study and practice of microfinance SHG in India. The following three aspects regarding the impact of income generation were covered: Asset creation, economic empowerment of SHG members, and microenterprise development. Papers are found using a specific set of exclusion and inclusion criteria and assessed. This article provides insights based on a comprehensive analysis and synthesis of the literature. The conclusions of this review have implications for policymakers, microfinance practitioners, and researchers on how to improve the effectiveness and reach of Microfinance Self-help Groups in the drive for economic empowerment and sustainable development. [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]

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a public health programme in India involving multiple stakeholders across sectors with the common goal of reducing mother and infant mortality by boosting institutional deliveries. Under JSY, pregnant women receive financial assistance in the form of cash transfers into their bank accounts. Using data from the latest National Family Health Survey providing a sample of 15,968 poor women, we show that Financial inclusivity is associated with greater uptake of JSY. Our research highlights the inter-relatedness of health and financial sector policies, signifying the need to address citizen-centric development beyond the silos of schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the impact of social, demographic, and economic factors on the economic empowerment of rural women in agricultural activities in Ethiopia's Dire Dawa region, using a mixed-methods research approach. The research team collected data from a sample of 419 women engaged in agricultural activities and used the proportional odds model and the partial proportional odds model to identify the factors associated with economic empowerment. The study found that age, property ownership, and education and training had a negative effect, while social networks and media had a positive effect on economic empowerment. The results also showed that women aged 40 and above had a lower likelihood of being economically empowered and lack of property ownership and limited contact with extension agents hurt economic empowerment. The study recommended improving women's access to credit, land ownership, and training opportunities to promote gender equity and women's economic empowerment in the agricultural sector in Ethiopia. This study contributes to the literature by using a mixed-methods approach that integrated qualitative data with quantitative data, which has not been used before in Ethiopia. The findings provide important implications for policymakers and development practitioners in promoting gender equity and women's economic empowerment in the agricultural sector. The study highlights the need to address the challenges that women face in achieving economic empowerment, including limited access to credit, training, and land ownership. By improving access to these resources, policymakers and development practitioners can create an enabling environment that fosters women's economic empowerment and promotes gender equity in Ethiopia's agricultural sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing economic and social inequalities in urban settings, particularly those that affect marginalized groups, is becoming more challenging. In less privileged urban areas, women entrepreneurs face restricted opportunities, specifically in limited retail activities in urban spaces. This study examines the effects of implementing a tactical urbanism solution known as "Retailscape," as represented by Spacena, to address the existing socio-economic disparity. Spacena is an urban furniture piece designed to respect and accommodate PWD, serving as a platform for showcasing locally made products. Employing qualitative methods, including focus groups, interviews, and observations, the research assesses Spacena's economic and social impact. Key themes identified through coding reveal a strong desire for inclusive spaces, economic empowerment, and enhanced social integration. Findings indicate that Spacena is perceived as an opportunity for economic advancement, income generation, and social interaction among residents. However, concerns about project sustainability and regulatory challenges persist. This study demonstrates that tactical urbanism can effectively address economic disparities and foster social cohesion in marginalized communities, suggesting that similar small-scale interventions could have broad, positive implications for sustainable urban design. The findings highlight how Spacena's low-cost, scalable design and its positive impact on community inclusivity can serve as a model for replicating similar urban interventions in areas with comparable economic and social challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Tribal entrepreneurship can be understood as infusing the knowledge of commerce and trade into the tribal groups and thereby exploring their products and known for their economic betterment and social advancement. An accumulating body of research has demonstrated that artificial intelligence (AI) is an indistinguishable feature of the fourth industrial revolution. This study integrates the literature on AI and new technologies to examine the constraining and facilitating forces for developing and scaling-up AI-enabling technologies in Africa. This article proposes an integrated conceptual model to elucidate the range of external drivers encompassing global competitive drivers, and market and industry drivers. The internal drivers include the potential to enhance product development speed, improve quality, drive production cost down, and minimise errors and manual processes in organisations. OBJECTIVES: In this study, socio-economic status of tribal population has been taken as a reference in order to see whether there is any impact of economic wellbeing on their livelihood [1]. The study is an endeavour to examine the role of micro enterprises for social and economic empowerment of tribal community in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh and role of AI. RESULTS: The main results obtained in this paper are the following SEM identified that there is a lower degree of positive impact of "Tribal entrepreneurship" on "Economic Empowerment" and "women Empowerment" and lower degree of negative impact on "Social Empowerment". It is also concluded that Economic Empowerment of tribal entrepreneurs through micro-enterprises has reduced the dependency on private money lenders the most. Women Empowerment of tribal entrepreneurs has helped the women to achieve gender equality and the social Empowerment aids in the development of competency and technical skills through micro-enterprises. CONCLUSION: The tribal communities in Odisha are regarded as the most disadvantageous group of people in terms of their socio-economic status. The present research makes some pivotal contributions to the current AI literature. First, in spite of the growing recognition that development of new industries and new-business development is increasingly predicated on the adoption of new technologies (Krasniqi and Hajrizi Citation2016), there is a paucity of studies examining contemporary challenges faced by developing nations and their inability to capitalise on such ample and obvious opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to elucidate the economic empowerment of unbanked women within the National Pension Savings Bank (BTPN) Sharia, focusing on the role of financial inclusion. It investigates how enhanced access to financing impacts the income and savings of the womenfolk operating home-based businesses in West Sumatra, Indonesia, using a qualitative methodology to delve into the empowerment pattern of unbanked women at BTPN Sharia. Data collection consisted of in-depth interviews and questionnaires, sourced from various stakeholders, such as customers, community officers, and BTPN Sharia leaders, followed by a thorough qualitative and descriptive analysis. The findings showed that the economic empowerment of unbanked women, driven by financial inclusion, is achieved through an initial membership training program consisting of financial literacy, management, and savings. This program also offers convenient access to financing and subsequent assistance, all conducted in a participatory manner referred to as ‘baropok’, where women gather in a circle, facing the community officer. The financial inclusion-based empowerment model, emphasizing easy access to financing, has a positive impact on the income and savings of women engaged in home industry businesses in West Sumatra. These findings hold significant implications for the academic discourse on the economic empowerment of unbanked women within the framework of financial inclusion in Islamic Commercial banks.

AbstractThe shea industry is a catalyst for the economic empowerment of women engaged in this sector. However, we do not know the extent to which women actors are economically empowered along this value chain, and the factors impeding their empowerment. Addressing this is crucial to developing policies in advancing the economic empowerment of female shea actors. This study aims to assess the extent to which the shea industry economically empowers female shea actors. We utilized a convergent mixed-methods approach, gathering quantitative data from 384 female shea actors (including producers, collectors, and marketers) and qualitative data from 12 experienced older women in the industry, making an overall sample of 396. The qualitative data underwent thematic analysis, while the quantitative data were subjected to the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test to compare the level of economic empowerment among the three groups of shea actors. We found significant differences among the three groups of shea actors (χ2 (2) = 75.266, p = 0.000). Collectors had a mean rank of 236.60, marketers had a mean rank of 131.24, and producers had a mean rank of 205.31; showing economic empowerment varies among the shea actors. However, they face challenges of inaccessibility to land, finance, and markets, as well as inadequate storage facilities that affect their operations. We recommend that the shea actors join or form groups to increase their access to loans, and control over prices, while development agents (both statutory and non-statutory) must improve access to lands, finance, and storage facilities.

Disabilities have equal rights as Indonesian citizens, including employment and entrepreneurship rights. The implementation of policies regarding the obligation of institutions to employ people with disabilities is still far from expected. Limited job information and access to education and job 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 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

This community service activity aims to: 1) Provide training on how to produce water hyacinth into various kinds of craft products; 2) Provide training on digital marketing; and 3) Provide training on financial management. The series of training activities took place from August to October 2023. This activity began with an initial coordination meeting to prepare for the implementation of PKM activities with Partners in August 2023, followed by the implementation of training. The partners for this activity are the Sadama Group and the Aua Sarumpun Group with a total of 20 participants. The method used is community development through lectures, discussions, questions and answers, practice and mentoring to provide knowledge and skills in craft making, understanding of digital marketing and financial management. Partners also received assistance from water hyacinth drying machines, press machines and sewing machines. Apart from that, partners also created packaging designs, logo and Instagram designs. The results of this service are important for participants to be able to improve product quality and marketing and financial management of partners.

This paper examines the possession of family wealth and its impact on the academic achievement of primary school students in Eastern Uganda. A correlational survey design was employed to analyse UWEZO secondary data collected from eight districts in the eastern region of Uganda, encompassing 6,302 children and 6,031 families. Descriptive statistics and Pearson chi-square tests were employed for data analysis. The findings indicate that socio-economic factors positively influence children's literacy and numeracy achievements. Families possessing solar lighting, mobile phones, tables, chairs, textbooks, and a reliable source of water demonstrated higher proficiency in literacy and numeracy skills. It is likely that children in households with these possessions were able to engage in private study at home, given the conducive study environment, well-lit rooms, essential furniture, and access to textbooks. Furthermore, these children were more likely to receive additional tutoring after school and had access to the internet through mobile phones and computers, allowing them to access crucial educational information. Based on these findings, we recommend that the government provide sustainable livelihood options for struggling families.

BACKGROUND: Economic inequity systematically affects Black emerging adults (BEA), aged 18-24, and their healthy trajectory into adulthood. Guaranteed income (GI)-temporary, unconditional cash payments-is gaining traction as a policy solution to address the inequitable distribution of resources sewn by decades of structural racism and disinvestment. GI provides recipients with security, time, and support to enable their transition into adulthood and shows promise for improving mental and physical health outcomes. To date, few GI pilots have targeted emerging adults. The BEEM trial seeks to determine whether providing GI to BEA improves financial wellbeing, mental and physical health as a means to address health disparities. METHODS/DESIGN: Using a randomized controlled crossover trial design, 300 low-income BEA from San Francisco and Oakland, California, are randomized to receive a $500/month GI either during the first 12-months of follow-up (Phase I) or during the second 12-months of a total of 24-months follow-up (Phase II). All participants are offered enrollment in optional peer discussion groups and financial mentoring to bolster financial capability. Primary intention-to-treat analyzes will evaluate the impact of GI at 12 months among Phase I GI recipients compared to waitlist arm participants using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). Primary outcomes include: (a) financial well-being (investing in education/training); (b) mental health status (depressive symptoms); and (c) unmet need for mental health and sexual and reproductive health services. Secondary analyzes will examine effects of optional financial capability components using GEE with causal inference methods to adjust for differences across sub-strata. We will also explore the degree to which GI impacts dissipate after payments end. Study outcomes will be collected via surveys every 3 months throughout the study. A nested longitudinal qualitative cohort of 36 participants will further clarify how GI impacts these outcomes. We also discuss how anti-racism praxis guided the intervention design, evaluation design, and implementation. DISCUSSION: Findings will provide the first experimental evidence of whether targeted GI paired with complementary financial programming improves the financial well-being, mental health, and unmet health service needs of urban BEA. Results will contribute timely evidence for utilizing GI as a policy tool to reduce health disparities. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT05609188.

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]

Klithik puppet, in Wonosoco Village, Undaan District, Kudus Regency, is a local cultural heritage that is not well-known by the wider community, especially in Kudus Regency. The existing cultural potential and the title of a Tourism Village have not been utilized optimally for the welfare of the people in Wonosoco Village. To support the realization of the Village SDGS and make it economically equitable, the community has to play an important role in supporting the implementation of this goal. So, the idea emerged to carry out economic empowerment through product diversification such as t-shirts, hats, and keychains with the theme of Klithik puppet. This research aims to find out whether economic empowerment through diversification of creative economic products affects the economic welfare of the people of Wonosoco Village. This research is field research with a qualitative descriptive analytical approach. Data collection techniques were observation, interviews, and documentation studies. The results of the research show that economic empowerment can improve entrepreneurial skills, open new jobs, and encourage tourism in Wonosoco village, Undaan district, and Kudus district. The patterns used in implementing activities include socialization, product manufacturing, product manufacturing training, mentoring and monitoring, marketing management as well as program evaluation and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review paper explores the multifaceted dimensions of women's economic empowerment and the evolving landscape of women's work in today's world. It delves into the significance of women's economic empowerment for achieving gender equality and inclusive economic growth. Furthermore, it examines the shifting dynamics of women's work, including their increasing participation in traditionally male-dominated sectors, advancements in technology facilitating flexible work arrangements, and the recognition of the value of unpaid care work. Through a comprehensive analysis of scholarly literature and empirical evidence, this paper provides insights into the challenges, opportunities, and policy implications surrounding women's economic empowerment and the changing world of women's work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic empowerment (EE) services promote survivors' economic stability and well-being. A target for intervention and prevention, then, is to offer more effective EE services. The study purpose was to develop a clearer picture of what EE services agencies offer, and how prepared staff are to provide these services. We collected data from 154 providers. Survivors most requested, and agencies most frequently provided, housing services. EE services offered did not differ by agency location, staff size, or number of clients. Providers' confidence was greater if they completed high school; their agency offered more EE services; and they completed voluntary training. [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]