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This paper provides empirical evidence on the relationship between women's land ownership and nutritional outcomes in Nepal. Using three waves of the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey and employing a bounding technique by Oster, I estimate bounded treatment effects of land ownership. The results show that women's land ownership is associated with a reduction in the incidence of childhood underweight and stunting and an increase in women's body mass index. Additionally, I find the selection on unobservable characteristics has to be larger than the selection on observable characteristics to drive these estimates to zero, suggesting that land ownership credibly improves nutritional outcomes. Furthermore, heterogeneous results show that the negative association between land ownership and childhood nutritional status is more prominent in male children and children from the Brahmin caste. Similarly, the negative relationship between land ownership and underweight in women is more pronounced in women employed in agriculture and rural areas. While I argue that landownership improves nutrition, these estimates are sensitive to the assumptions made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Do women in politics contribute to gender parity in education? This study seeks to provide an empirical answer to this question by examining whether women in politics (women parliamentarians) contribute to closing the gender inequality in education using a global sample of 191 countries from 1990 to 2020. We deployed the two‐stage least square (IV‐TSLS) technique and gender quota as an instrument to isolate the exogenous effect of women in politics on gender parity in primary, secondary and tertiary education. The findings from the IV‐TSLS estimators show that an increase in the number of female parliamentarians is associated with a significant increase in gender parity at all levels of education. These results survived several robustness checks, including using different estimators such as the Lewbel two‐stage least squares and the Kinky least‐squares estimators. Based on the quota type, we documented that women in politics significantly spur gender parity in education in countries with reserved seat quotas and not in countries with candidate quotas. We also found that the results differ across different geographical regions and income groups. The findings call on policy‐makers to address societal, legal and structural barriers limiting women's political participation to achieve gender parity at all levels of education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Gender prejudice and stereotypes are prevalent in the workplace, particularly for women in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry, where they can significantly hinder professional development and limit prospects for growth. These challenges contribute to the underrepresentation of executives in AI. However, with the right measures, these barriers can be overcome, leading to a more inclusive and diverse AI industry. Women in this demanding technological domain often face additional difficulties in achieving a work-life balance, further constraining their professional advancement and engagement in the industry. This research aims to examine the implications of AI capabilities on work-life balance and the empowerment of female faculty members in enhancing the efficiency of educational institutions. The research performs a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach, using a survey conducted on female faculty of Saudi Arabian universities. The study specifically considers moderating variables such as age, education level, experience, and marital status. The findings, which reveal that AI managerial capability, as well as AI infrastructure agility, impacts work-life balance and empowerment of women faculties in educational institution efficiency, underscore the significance of considering demographic factors when analyzing women’s empowerment and work-life balance as outcomes. By exploring these factors, the research provides a comprehensive understanding of how AI capabilities impact women’s empowerment and their ability to maintain a work-life balance, ultimately contributing to the efficiency and effectiveness of educational institutions. These results emphasize the value of increasing women’s empowerment and raising the standard of performance evaluation systems in educational sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising divorce rate in developing nations is a cause of concern among social scientists. Though women's ability to dissolve marriages in response to domestic violence can be observed as an agency, it has long been perceived as undesirable for society. The paper examines the complex association between domestic risk factors, violence, and the likelihood of marital dissolution. Using the fourth round of Demographic and Health Survey data, we unravel these relations in India, where domestic violence is extremely high compared to the divorce rate. We find that divorce incidences are rising among Indian women as a protest against domestic violence towards them. Marital dissolution is more common among the victims of severe physical violence and sexual violence than those of emotional violence or less severe violence. Economic empowerment in terms of land ownership and employment has helped the process of dissolving abusive marriages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, marriage breakup or divorce has become a significant issue, and Bangladesh is no exception. The divorce rate among urban women has dramatically increased in Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka City. This study aims to uncover the factors contributing to the rising divorce rate among women in Dhaka. Utilizing desk-based research and expert interviews, it critically examines the causes of marriage breakdown. The study argues that industrialization, women's empowerment, and feminist movements have fostered a rise in individualism among women in Dhaka, making them more educated and empowered compared to those in other Bangladeshi cities. This individualism serves as a deterrent against physical and mental abuse, extramarital affairs, authoritarian attitudes, and other forms of discrimination traditionally faced by women. Women's sense of individualism also fosters intolerance toward unhappy marriages, allowing them to pursue independent lives due to their financial solvency. Additionally, the study identifies other factors negatively impacting divorce-seeking behavior, including drug addiction, marital dissatisfaction over infertility or impotence, extramarital affairs due to partner absence, and the influence of social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper attempts to contextualize the significance of the work of unpaid female family helpers' (UPFFH) for women empowerment. Additionally, it brings into light the subjective feelings and perceptions of unpaid family helpers. The current research is based on primary data collected through a self-structured questionnaire from 200 females aged 15+ years who were helping in the household income generation without getting paid. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among UPFFHs residing in district Lahore, Pakistan. The participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The analysis of UPFFHs empowerment was performed by employing a percentage distribution approach based on four levels of participation in decision making. The research puts emphasis on the impact of excessive, unequal, and unpaid work on women and further argues for social rational of recognizing the work through empowering women in decision-making process at their personal, household, and community level. The findings of the study indicates that the young UPFFHs are less empowered as they face the greatest familial and community pressure when it comes to making their life decisions. However, the paper further documents their aspiration to attain economic independence which would then bring change in gender perceptions and their overall social standing. The paper concludes by highlighting the problems associated with "unpaid work" and why it must be addressed, especially if the country has to fully realize the valued goal of women empowerment and gender equality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial inclusion is essential in achieving sustainable development goals in emerging countries. Goal number five of the sustainable development agenda, "Gender equality", depends on women's financial empowerment. It enhances women's ability to make decisions, access resources and income, and control benefits from economic gains and power. The paper investigates the relationship between financial inclusion and women's financial worries, using the 2021 Global Financial Inclusion Survey recently published by the World Bank for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This paper examines the effects of several aspects of inclusive finance, access, usage, and quality on women's financial worries. The research implements an ordered probit analysis and contributes to the literature on women's financial empowerment and inclusion by demonstrating that having access to financial services empowers women to make decisions about their lives, which greatly improves their welfare and sense of security. These findings provide policymakers with different targeted policies and strategic management practices to substantially improve financial inclusion and alleviate financial concerns within the population, especially among women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely assumed that women's empowerment plays a key role in achieving sustainability in agriculture. However, there is a lack of empirical analysis to support this claim and operationalise the concept of women's empowerment. Furthermore, it has not been formally demonstrated through which farming practices women's empowerment can contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture, or whether gender empowerment is indeed meaningful compared with other well‐documented social drivers. We calculated frontier eco‐efficiency, taking into account specific environmental pressures (i.e., soil biodiversity loss) and public goods (i.e., plant diversity) as desirable outputs in small crop farms, which dominate in Central and Eastern European countries (Poland, Romania, Serbia and Moldova), based on a survey conducted in a sample of 1630 units. We estimated the impact of different levels of women's and men's empowerment on eco‐efficiency in the context of other time‐invariant socio‐economic factors (i.e., succession, age, education and specialisation) in a two‐stage double‐bootstrapped Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach. A set of four levels of gender empowerment was defined, taking into account social participation and decision‐making power. We then assessed the degree of input and output inefficiency associated with each level of gender empowerment. The general conclusion is that lower levels of women's empowerment have a negative impact on eco‐efficiency. Therefore, the issue of gender empowerment, not only in terms of equality, decision‐making and access to resources, but also in terms of social participation, should be emphasised in sustainable agriculture policies, on a par with the issue of ageing farmers and farm succession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study seeks to assess the relationship between financial inclusion and women entrepreneurship in the context of Mission Shakti in Odisha. It aims to evaluate the impact of Mission Shakti on women entrepreneurship. The study employs empirical techniques and utilises statistical tools, such as Structural Equation Model, to analyse the collected data. Statistical software like AMOS, SPSS and Excel is being utilised. The primary data is gathered from 499 respondents. The study explores three key constructs: Financial Inclusion, Women Entrepreneurship and Mission Shakti, using Exploratory Factor Analysis. The results of the measurement model indicate that all constructs meet the criteria for validity and reliability. Furthermore, the study finds a significant positive impact of Mission Shakti on women entrepreneurship. This research contributes to the existing knowledge in the field of financial inclusion, Mission Shakti and women entrepreneurship through multivariate analysis. The study emphasises the practical implications of employing modern statistical techniques and primary data for future research in the areas of financial inclusion, Mission Shakti and women entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the impact of a MOOC-based e-Platform on the qualification and training of Saudi women in order to achieve sustainable development, as well as to justify the barriers, requirements, and impacts. The descriptive-analytic method was utilized to characterize and comprehend the phenomenon under study and its dimensions. As an experimental group, 410 women received training in skills development via an e-platform created by the researchers (using the Mooc system). The results illustrated what the MOOCs-based e-platform offered in terms of content, training activities, videos, direct access to beneficiaries, and the potential for participation and effective communication between educators and peers. In addition, the MOOC-based e-platform enabled students to engage in activities that supported the growth of newly acquired skills. The results demonstrate the homogeneity of the sample in terms of academic credentials, specialization, age, training courses, and occupation. This represents the motivations of Saudi women. The study suggests emphasizing the use of MOOC-based e-learning platforms as an effective means of empowering women and increasing their leadership roles and participation in all disciplines, as well as positively impacting their lives and enhancing their leadership and practical skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child stunting is a serious challenge in Indonesia, one of the largest middle-income countries in the world. Beyond the influence of bio-behavioral determinants, mothers’ bargaining power in the household is expected to have an overarching contribution to stunting, particularly as the primary caregivers of their children. Using a dataset from the fifth wave of the Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS-5), this study examines whether and to what extent a mother’s bargaining power influences children’s nutritional status. The study uses the instrumental variables method to correct the potential endogeneity of the mother’s bargaining power. Results suggest that children of mothers with higher intrahousehold bargaining power have a lower prevalence of stunting and better anthropometric outcomes. However, other members of the household matter, in the sense that improved outcomes are evidenced when the mother exercises her choice in decision making in a more consensual manner, by consultation with other household members.HIGHLIGHTSIn Indonesia, higher women’s bargaining power enhances child nutritional long-term outcomes.Child nutrition improves when women make decisions jointly with other family members.Boys appear to be the main beneficiaries of mothers’ higher bargaining power.Policies to increase women’s agency need to consider family support and social norms.In Indonesia, higher women’s bargaining power enhances child nutritional long-term outcomes.Child nutrition improves when women make decisions jointly with other family members.Boys appear to be the main beneficiaries of mothers’ higher bargaining power.Policies to increase women’s agency need to consider family support and social norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The continuum of care (CoC) in maternal health refers to the continuity of individual reproductive health care across the antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal periods. The CoC is an indicator of the quality of maternal and newborn health outcomes and women's empowerment is crucial to improving maternal and neonatal health service access and utilisation. Objective: To examine the spatial patterns of continuum of care use for maternal and neonatal health services and its correlation with women's empowerment. Methods: We analysed data from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS) of 2011 and 2016. All women aged 15–49 who had live births in the preceding five years of the DHS surveys were included in the analysis. We measured the continuum of care using the modified co-coverage index (CoCI), which consisted of six indicators. Women's empowerment was assessed using a validated survey-based Women's Empowerment (SWPER) index. We used the Getis-Ord-Gi* spatial analysis tool to portray locations with clusters of CoC service use and spatial correlations between CoC use and women empowerment. Results: None of the newborn-mother pairs in the 2011 survey received the entire continuum of care and only 2.5% of newborn-mother pairs received the full range of continuum of care services in the 2016 survey. In 2016, 6.9% of mother-newborn pairs received the basic CoC services (four or more antenatal care [ANC] visits, skilled birth attendance [SBA], and postnatal care [PNC]), and no mother-newborn pair received all three services at the same time in 2011. The Amhara, Afar, and Somali regional states had the least CoC service use in both surveys. There was a positive spatial correlation between CoC use and women's empowerment domains. Conclusion: Our analysis showed that the use of four or more ANC visits, SBS, newborn PNC, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine uptake, and tetanus toxoid protection at birth were low in Ethiopia. Women empowerment domains were found to have a positive spatial correlation with CoC services use. To improve and preserve continuity of care, it is critical to leverage every maternal health facility encounter to encourage sustained service usage at each step of the continuum. Government policies should prioritise women's empowerment and raise public awareness of maternity services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the relevance of sex-disaggregated budget information in reducing gender inequality and poverty among women in Nigeria, focusing on Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) and its impact on women's educational and socio-economic empowerment, as well as its potential to enhance inclusiveness and peaceful co-existence. Using a qualitative methods approach, the research involved qualitative interviews with key stakeholders. Findings revealed that while efforts to integrate gender considerations into public budgets have been made, significant gaps remain in achieving full gender responsiveness. Budget allocations for critical sectors such as education, health, and social welfare showed improvements but were often insufficient, especially in rural areas. In terms of socio-economic empowerment, GRB facilitated women's access to vocational training, microfinance, and entrepreneurship support, leading to improved economic independence and household incomes. The study concludes that for GRB to be more effective, there needs to be stronger political commitment, enhanced capacity building, increased budget allocations for critical sectors, community engagement, improved infrastructure, and robust data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women have unique experiences with mental health challenges that require relevant strategies and interventions that effectively support their mental health. Empowerment interventions that vary in nature and format have the potential to play a key role in supporting women's mental health. The purpose of this scoping review is to outline empowerment interventions targeting improvement in the mental health of women living in Canada.A search was undertaken using major databases including Medline, Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library for studies published between 2013 and 2023. A total of 243 articles were identified, from which 12 were ultimately included in this review. All included studies were conducted in Canada but were diverse in design, setting, and sample size. A total of four types of interventions were identified including mental health and emotional awareness, reading, peer support, and skill building and engagement. The findings of the review inform key insights for mental health care and service providers to focus on sustainable outcomes for women's mental health. The findings also guide the need for a systematic review to appraise the existing empowerment interventions for women's mental health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rangeland restoration in southern Africa faces complex challenges that require the involvement of diverse social groups to ensure both ecological and social sustainability. This systematic review focuses on the role of social inclusion in rangeland restoration across multiple countries in the region, specifically examining the engagement of marginalized groups such as women, youth, and indigenous communities. We conducted a comprehensive search using the PRISMA approach, utilizing Scopus and other literature sources. Initially, we found 853 articles published between 2000 and 2024, which were subsequently screened down to 20 studies that met stringent inclusion criteria. This review identifies key strategies and outcomes associated with social inclusion in restoration efforts. Our findings reveal that participatory planning, gender-inclusive strategies, indigenous engagement, and capacity building are crucial for gaining community support, promoting social equity, and enhancing ecological resilience. However, challenges such as power dynamics, cultural norms, and resource constraints often impede the full realization of these inclusive practices. Despite these barriers, integrating local and indigenous knowledge and empowering marginalized groups significantly strengthens governance structures and leads to more sustainable restoration outcomes. Our review highlights the necessity of adopting holistic and inclusive approaches in rangeland restoration where social inclusion is not just a component but a central pillar of successful ecological management. It emphasizes the importance of social inclusion in the restoration of communal rangelands in southern Africa and provides insights into the approaches used, challenges faced, and outcomes achieved in incorporating social inclusion in rangeland restoration efforts. Our findings underscore the significance of collaborative efforts and social inclusion among local communities, policymakers, and stakeholders to achieve the sustainable restoration of communal rangelands in southern Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Food security is unquestionably crucial to society's well-being. The world is experiencing unprecedented global shocks; therefore, it is critical to protect the agri-food systems. This concept is broad and complex, with various interpretations around the globe. The problems of social equity, environmental sustainability, and food security are interconnected and are rarely best addressed separately. The failure to address the farming sector, particularly that of women farmers, is the basis of the current discussion. Creating sustainable food systems requires moving from an agriculture-centred to a food system policy and research framework. This will be fundamental to fostering the complex and holistic transformation necessary to achieve sustainable food systems, which is, in turn, a prerequisite to achieving sustainable food and nutrition security. Therefore, the current study aims to establish the link between women's empowerment and food security. The study used a systematic literature review approach based on secondary data available in relevant and contemporary literature. The findings showed the scarcity of research in areas of gender response to climate change and coping strategies and cultural biases against women. Moreover, most policies designed to improve and expand local communities’ capacity for adaptation are gender-neutral. Interdisciplinary research and innovation are likely to be the most effective methods for tackling food insecurity while considering its complex social, economic, and environmental components. The objective is to advance sustainable solutions. Therefore, in addition to academic thought, a focused approach to the issue is required; one must act following reality.

Abstract Background The continuum of care (CoC) in maternal health refers to the continuity of individual reproductive health care across the antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal periods. The CoC is an indicator of the quality of maternal and newborn health outcomes and women’s empowerment is crucial to improving maternal and neonatal health service access and utilisation. Objective To examine the spatial patterns of continuum of care use for maternal and neonatal health services and its correlation with women’s empowerment. Methods We analysed data from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS) of 2011 and 2016. All women aged 15–49 who had live births in the preceding five years of the DHS surveys were included in the analysis. We measured the continuum of care using the modified co-coverage index (CoCI), which consisted of six indicators. Women’s empowerment was assessed using a validated survey-based Women’s Empowerment (SWPER) index. We used the Getis-Ord-Gi* spatial analysis tool to portray locations with clusters of CoC service use and spatial correlations between CoC use and women empowerment. Results None of the newborn-mother pairs in the 2011 survey received the entire continuum of care and only 2.5% of newborn-mother pairs received the full range of continuum of care services in the 2016 survey. In 2016, 6.9% of mother-newborn pairs received the basic CoC services (four or more antenatal care [ANC] visits, skilled birth attendance [SBA], and postnatal care [PNC]), and no mother-newborn pair received all three services at the same time in 2011. The Amhara, Afar, and Somali regional states had the least CoC service use in both surveys. There was a positive spatial correlation between CoC use and women’s empowerment domains. Conclusion Our analysis showed that the use of four or more ANC visits, SBS, newborn PNC, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine uptake, and tetanus toxoid protection at birth were low in Ethiopia. Women empowerment domains were found to have a positive spatial correlation with CoC services use. To improve and preserve continuity of care, it is critical to leverage every maternal health facility encounter to encourage sustained service usage at each step of the continuum. Government policies should prioritise women’s empowerment and raise public awareness of maternity services.

Women have unique experiences with mental health challenges that require relevant strategies and interventions that effectively support their mental health. Empowerment interventions that vary in nature and format have the potential to play a key role in supporting women’s mental health. The purpose of this scoping review is to outline empowerment interventions targeting improvement in the mental health of women living in Canada.A search was undertaken using major databases including Medline, Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library for studies published between 2013 and 2023. A total of 243 articles were identified, from which 12 were ultimately included in this review. All included studies were conducted in Canada but were diverse in design, setting, and sample size. A total of four types of interventions were identified including mental health and emotional awareness, reading, peer support, and skill building and engagement. The findings of the review inform key insights for mental health care and service providers to focus on sustainable outcomes for women’s mental health. The findings also guide the need for a systematic review to appraise the existing empowerment interventions for women’s mental health outcomes.

This service activity aims to improve women's life skills in processing the potential of the village, namely watermelon into an agribusiness product that has a high economic selling value. The method of implementing this service uses training with target partners, namely housewives, and women of productive age in Gapura village, Central Lombok Regency, NTB. The results of this service show that this activity could improve the ability and skills of the people of Gapura Village to process watermelon into products with more selling value, namely watermelon peel and jelly candy. In addition, this activity could increase the knowledge of Gapura Village women to process agricultural products based on agribusiness. Based on the results of the evaluation, most of the partners responded that this training was very useful in improving life skills by obtaining a percentage of 55%.

This study aims to analyze the role of the National Board of Zakat (Badan Amil Zakat Nasional = Baznas) in empowering women in Indonesia, using a contextualization approach to the philosophy of empowerment. Women's empowerment is a crucial strategic issue for sustainable development because women are essential in various social, economic, and cultural aspects. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study method, which involves data analysis from Baznas annual reports, policy documents, and in-depth interviews with managers of Central Baznas, West Java Baznas, and Bengkulu Baznas. The results show that the women's empowerment program carried out by Baznas focuses on increasing women's economic capacity through entrepreneurship training, business capital assistance, and business assistance. Apart from that, Baznas also pays attention to women's education and health as an integral part of the empowerment program. This research concludes that the women's empowerment philosophy implemented by Baznas reflects the values of social justice, active participation, and desire. The implementation of Baznas programs has had a positive impact on improving the quality of life of women, especially among the poor and elderly. However, there are still challenges that must be overcome, such as limited resources and program accessibility. Therefore, collaboration with various stakeholders and more innovative and inclusive development strategies are needed to increase the effectiveness of women's empowerment programs in the future. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis peran Badan Amil Zakat Nasional (Baznas) dalam pemberdayaan perempuan di Indonesia, dengan pendekatan kontekstualisasi filosofi pemberdayaan. Pemberdayaan perempuan merupakan isu strategis yang krusial bagi pembangunan berkelanjutan karena mereka memiliki peran penting dalam berbagai aspek kehidupan sosial, ekonomi, dan budaya. Studi ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode studi kasus, yang melibatkan analisis data dari laporan tahunan Baznas, dokumen kebijakan, serta wawancara mendalam dengan pengelola Baznas Pusat, Baznas Jawa Barat, dan Baznas Bengkulu. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa program pemberdayaan perempuan yang dilakukan oleh Baznas berfokus pada peningkatan kapasitas ekonomi perempuan melalui pelatihan kewirausahaan, bantuan modal usaha, dan pendampingan bisnis. Selain itu, Baznas juga memperhatikan aspek pendidikan dan kesehatan perempuan sebagai bagian integral dari program pemberdayaan. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa filosofi pemberdayaan perempuan yang diterapkan oleh Baznas mencerminkan nilai-nilai keadilan sosial, partisipasi aktif, dan keberlanjutan. Implementasi program-program Baznas telah memberikan dampak positif terhadap peningkatan kualitas hidup perempuan, terutama di kalangan masyarakat miskin dan lanjut usia. Namun demikian, masih terdapat tantangan yang harus diatasi, seperti keterbatasan sumber daya dan aksesibilitas program. Karena itu, kolaborasi dengan berbagai pemangku kepentingan serta pengembangan strategi yang lebih inovatif dan inklusif diperlukan untuk meningkatkan efektivitas program pemberdayaan perempuan di masa depan.

Objective: Development is an essential concept of social and economic progress. In Turkiye, non-governmental organisations contribute to development and empowerment through their activities. The aim of this research is to respond to “What are the alterations caused by NGOs empowerment activities in the field of development of refugee and local women’s triple role in society after the 2011 Syrian crisis?”Method: This research article employed qualitative methodology with semi-structured face-to-face and online interviews. The interviewer was selected from 10 NGOs officers between the ages of 24-35 who graduated from social sciences and humanities and had at least 2 years’ experience working in the social cohesion, livelihoods, and protection units of NGOs.Results: The findings reveal that NGOs empowerment activities that considered "class andgender," "community participation," and "social cohesion, as concepts have effects on refugeeand local women’s triple role in society after the 2011 Syrian Crisis.Conclusion: Development policies and NGOs activities have an important role in the civil society. Itenhances women status in the society. Additionally, NGOs’ activities that focused on women'sempowerment and women's strategic life choices (resources, agency, and success), have positiveimpacts women’s triple roles.

The paper examines the correlation between patriarchal attitudes, women's asset ownership, participation in household decision-making and women's educational attainment across 27 post-communist countries. It hypothesizes that patriarchal attitudes hinder women's educational achievements while women's asset ownership and participation in household decision-making facilitate them. Utilizing regression analysis, marginal effects, post-regression simulation, the study tests and confirms these hypotheses. Results show that for every unit increase in women's asset ownership and participation in decision-making, the odds of achieving higher educational attainment increase by approximately 35.7% and 16.5%, respectively. Conversely, a unit increase in patriarchal attitudes decreases these odds by 15.8%. The findings underscore the importance of state and civil society commitment to addressing gender disparities in education.

Abstract Background Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are public health problems in Ethiopia. Women have a higher chance of acquiring STI. STI complications are more severe in women compared to men. Despite that, treatment seeking for STI among women is poor. Woman empowerment and gender related factors may be playing a role for treatment seeking practice for STI. However, there are no studies that assess the association between these factors and treatment seeking practice for STI among married reproductive age women in Ethiopia. Therefore, this analysis was designed to explore this association in Ethiopia. Methods This analysis used the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey (EDHS) data. The 2016 EDHS collected data about STI treatment seeking practice for STI among other variables. Data was analyzed using STATA 17.0. Sampling weights were applied to improve the representativeness of the samples. Descriptive statistics were computed to describe the characteristics of the women. Binary and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to identify the association between treatment seeking practice for STI and predictor variables. Multicollinearity was checked using variance inflation factors before running the multivariable logistic regression. Results In this study, about 28% (95%CI: 20.87, 36.77) married reproductive age women with STI or STI symptoms sought treatment from the formal sector. Women whose husband attended secondary and higher education (AOR, 8.52; 95%CI 1.42, 51.21), and women with higher women empowerment scores (AOR 1.38, 95%CI 1.06, 1.81) had higher odds of treatment seeking for STI or STI symptoms. On the other hand, women who believe wife beating is justified had lower odds (AOR 0.32; 95%CI 0.15, 0.68) of treatment seeking for STI or STI symptoms. Conclusions Treatment seeking practice for STI among married reproductive age women in Ethiopia is low. The Ministry of Health and development partners shall conduct further research to identify barriers for treatment seeking practice. Gender variables (women empowerment and belief that wife beating is justified) were significantly associated with STI treatment seeking practice among married reproductive age women. STI prevention and control strategies shall include women empowerment and gender issues as essential component in STI prevention, treatment, and control activities.

Gender equality is a prevailing global discourse and is particularly critical for Africa a continent drowned in patriarchy. Attempts are continually being made especially by gender inequality-conscious leadership in Africa to adopt international policies and implement national policies to promote gender parity. While African countries attained different levels of progress towards gender parity with these policies, the coronavirus pandemic that began in 2019 introduced another dimension to the gender equality debate globally. This study using the qualitative research method through pieces of literature analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on gender equality in Africa. It explored the potential for attaining gender equality in Africa by the years 2030 and 2063, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063, respectively It examined how COVID-19 exacerbated the inequalities amongst genders in comparison with the state of gender equality before COVID-19. The study further evaluated the role of COVID-19 in the state of affairs of gender roles, especially in attaining gender equality. The paper went ahead to discuss how gender equality can be improved during a crisis. The paper argued that the pandemic had magnified and exacerbated gender disparities in Africa, affecting various aspects of women’s lives. Furthermore, it was discovered that this effect has caused setbacks in the advancement towards SDGs 2030 and Agenda 2063. Issues such as gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, and maternal mortality rates have experienced a notable increase. Therefore, in addressing these disparities, the paper recommends countries build equitable healthcare systems, create gender-disaggregated data production, implement policies to support women in the formal sector in managing remote work while balancing their domestic responsibilities and adopt gender budgeting practices.

Purpose – The main goal of the study is to participate in academic debates and explore women's leadership and related challenges and opportunities in governance, and the extent to which women’s leadership has been enhanced by administrative reforms. The goal is to broaden the scope of action by promoting women's engagement and leadership in local government. Design/methodology/approach – This is a qualitative study that uses inductive content analysis to examine the relationship between administrative reforms and women’s leadership development in the context of local government in Southeast and South Asia. Findings – There is a positive impact of administrative reforms on women's leadership development. There is evidence that women are preparing for leadership roles in administration, which is a sign of progress in political change and modernization of society. They have been empowered by political and administrative education in a transformative way. Research limitations/implications – This article contributes to the literature that expands knowledge about governance, female leadership and administrative reform. They are interrelated because they are precursors to the development of women's leadership in countries. Practical implications – The findings of this study can help governments in South and Southeast Asia become more aware of strategies to promote gender balance in governance. The unsatisfactory situation was found to exist because of problems related to socio-political, economic, cultural, and personal development. Originality/value – This study is the first to highlight the relationship between administrative reform and the development of women in leadership positions in a rarely studied developing country.

Purpose – This study aims to identify how the involvement of female university students in volunteer organisations is contributing to their self-empowerment in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach was conducted. A total of 20 in-depth interviews with female student volunteers, two focus group discussions with student members of the volunteer organisation and ten key informant interviews with academics, gender experts and high-level representatives of civil society organisations were conducted. The data were collected from eight purposively selected universities in Dhaka. The data were collected between 1 January 2023 and 23 March 2023. Findings – The inter-organisational environment appears to be supportive and welcoming, despite the fact that some male colleagues belittle women with insulting comments. Female students are predominantly involved in public presentation activities and their advice is rarely considered. To reach a top position, they have to show more commitment than their male colleagues. Subjective prejudices discourage women from taking on positions of responsibility. Participation in voluntary organisations strengthens the self-confidence, critical thinking, networking and social capital of female students, making it easier for them to gain employment. These factors contribute to the empowerment of female students. Originality/value – This study is an excellent empirical document that establishes a link between the empowerment of female students and their participation in voluntary activities. The recommendations of this study pave the way for future research in different countries on how volunteering helps young people, especially female students, to shape their future by taking on social responsibility alongside their academic activities.

The concept of women empowerment has not been extensively examined within P2P accommodation. This study investigates female Airbnb hosts’ empowerment gained through hosting on the platform. Additionally, the study examines the impact of their empowerment on their quality of life. The study applied Structural Equation Modelling to a sample of 343 female Airbnb hosts established in Greece. Findings reveal that female hosts are empowered differently in terms of the dimensions of empowerment (economic, political, social, psychological and educational) according to their hosting motives and proactive attitudes. Findings indicate that empowerment through hosting positively affects female hosts’ quality of life, whereas former experience in tourism moderates their empowerment. Important theoretical and practical implications are elicited regarding gender equality in hospitality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigates the associations between women empowerment and the prevalence of mental health symptoms and care-seeking behavior among ever-married Nepalese women aged 15–49 years. Methods: We utilized 2022 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey data to measure women empowerment, employing the Survey-Based Women's Empowerment (SWPER) index. The index focuses on the domains of social independence, decision-making, and attitudes towards violence. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), respectively. Multiple logistic regression was performed to estimate adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for associations of women empowerment domains and mental health problems and care-seeking behavior. Results: Among 5556 women, the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression was 23.1% and 6.1%, respectively. Among those with any symptoms of anxiety or depression, 18.3% sought care. Compared to women with low level of empowerment in the "social independence" domain, those with high level of empowerment were less likely to suffer from symptoms of anxiety (aOR = 0.68; 95%CI, 0.57–0.82) and depression (aOR = 0.69; 95%CI, 0.50–0.94). However, high empowerment in "decision-making" domain was associated with higher likelihood of anxiety (aOR = 1.67; 95%CI, 1.33–2.10) and depression (aOR = 1.80; 95%CI, 1.26–2.58). There was evidence of positive association between high empowerment in "decision-making" and care-seeking (aOR = 1.28; 95%CI, 0.96–1.71). Conclusions: This study underscores important roles of women empowerment on mental health symptoms and care-seeking behavior, suggesting the need to integrate empowerment initiatives into strategies to promote mental health among women in Nepal and similar low- and middle-income settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the growing number of studies on women empowerment in tourism, the topic has received scant attention in the expanding sector of peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation. This paper sets out to explore the perceptions of female Airbnb hosts regarding the ways in which hosting on the platform contributes to their empowerment. Semi-structured interviews with 30 female hosts located in Greece were undertaken, using purposive sampling. Study findings reveal that women empowerment through hosting is achieved varyingly by female hosts, with several factors influencing the process. A framework of women empowerment through hosting is provided to illustrate the conditions, process and outcomes of women empowerment through hosting. Study findings provide significant theoretical insights which may serve as a point of departure for further research into this under-researched topic. Findings also make a practical contribution as they enable policymakers and industry practitioners to improve gender equality, which is essential for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women in low and middle-income countries are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity. The non-profit humanitarian organisation CARE has implemented village savings and loan associations (VSLAs), funded by the Canadian International Development Agency, in many Sub-Saharan African countries to enhance women's access to savings and credit and empower them to tackle the challenges of food insecurity. Despite the importance of this innovative programme, its effects on food security outcomes have not been thoroughly examined. This study examined whether women's participation in VSLAs was associated with food security of women and their children. Using data collected by CARE involving 1,077 women and their children in Ethiopia, our findings showed that VSLA participation was significantly associated with a higher dietary diversity score among women. The findings also suggest that under certain conditions, VSLAs targeting women may positively influence food security of women and their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article sought to analyse the gender dimensions in communally managed water schemes in rural Uganda. Taking two rural villages as empirical referents, the study used multi-methods of data collection and a gender-based analysis to interrogate the challenges to equitable access and decision-making in rural-based water schemes. The analysis reveals that, despite the existing policy and legislative regime, access to water for women is severely constrained, and their level of decision-making in communally managed water schemes is remarkably low. The article holds that women's participation is critical for the much-needed collective action towards community-based water governance, gender equity, and empowerment. Consequently, the barriers to sustainable water access and effective women's participation can be addressed through significant investments in systematic water institutional reforms, targeted capacity-building initiatives, and plugging existing policy monitoring and implementation gaps at all levels. There is a need to address the policy reality gap regarding ownership of productive resources for women as a key strand towards addressing the equity challenges at different levels of water governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper empirically investigates whether oil abundance affects fertility in a panel of developing and developed countries for 1970–2020. The exploration sheds light into why poor developing economies rich in natural resources such as Sub-Saharan African countries have stagnated with high fertility. It finds that fertility rises once oil abundance crosses a threshold level, below which fertility drops, controlling for oil volatility and per-capita GDP. The effect operates in part through women empowerment proxied by female's labor supply and education. It is also found that oil volatility raises fertility. Besides, we observe a reversal of fertility decline once income reaches a certain level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the impact of self-help group (SHG) intervention and entrepreneurial traits of SHG members on the economic and socio-cultural empowerment of rural women. A purposive sampling method has been used to collect a sum of 344 responses from the SHG of women who are engaged in entrepreneurial income-generating activities in their village. A linear regression model has been used to analyse the data. The study found and argues that SHG interventions have a positive association with the economic and socio-cultural empowerment of rural women. The parameters identified and analysed in the study are helpful to the stakeholders to make policy decisions to strengthen all the factors, which are responsible for the success and growth of SHG in general and the micro-enterprise of SHG women entrepreneurs, in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multinational corporations (MNCs) are increasingly involved in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiative to enhance the quality of life in host countries. Gender equality (SDG 5) is the key focus. This study examines how MNCs in the male-dominated mining industry in Thailand and Laos promote gender equality through their policies and practices. Using a qualitative approach, we investigated the experiences of stakeholders in the mining sector. Our findings reveal significant gender disparities in employment, health, and vocational opportunities. While MNCs are making efforts to address these issues, the complex interplay of stakeholders and cultural factors influences progress. To effectively advance gender equality, this research suggests a shift in focus towards strategies that actively engage women in diverse business roles. Providing women with the necessary skills and knowledge is essential for their growth and empowerment within the mining industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of Industrial Revolution 4.0, working women are often associated with technology which is related to efficiency and effectiveness matters. Women's economic empowerment refers to the process of enabling women to have wider control of their economic lives including their access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making power. If women are empowered economically, they are better able to support themselves and their families, contribute to their communities, and support economic growth. Women entrepreneurs should implement current technology to maximize their business and marketing in order to take advantage of digital technology. By using digital applications, innovative creations can be provided uniquely and expanded into various materials. Furthermore, there are applications that help users to do independent financial management, having unique branding, global networking, and promotions. Digital marketing will help to expand the product reach in society and social media accelerates communication with customers more professionally. By attending workshops, joining industry associations, and participating in events or online communities, women can enrich their talents, access funding from organizations that support women entrepreneurs, and increase family economic support. On the other hand, there are some constraints faced such as taking care of children and budgeting limitations for increasing their skills. This study was conducted to analyze 25 women's potential in digital marketing sector conditions through counseling and training programs of the local Batik home industry from 12 villages in Malang Regency, East Java province. These participants were chosen purposively from 100 members of PKK (Empowerment of Family Welfare) who participated in workshops and training local batik and have unique characteristics since their houses are located on the border of Malang city and Malang regency and their lifestyle is moderate enough by means they are using a cellphone in daily life but not maximizing information from it, having social communities, but not maximizing their potencies in economics opportunities. This study uses a quantitative approach. Data was collected through the questionnaire which was distrubuted to participants in training activities. Data analysis techniques in this study were carried out using SWOT analysis. The results showed that women's perception and understanding of digital marketing in the research area were classified as low (80%) and this is also representing as the weakness and thread (80%). In order to solve this problem, the local community such as micro small and medium enterprise (MSME) are suggested to collaborate with stake holders in developing a sustainable program for digital marketing improvement, having supporting and access to markets from the governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative research study explored the impact of early marriages on women in Malang Regency and examined strategies for preventing such marriages by empowering women. Utilizing data collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGD), the research investigated the complex web of social, economic, and generational consequences resulting from child marriages in rural areas. The study highlights the significant role played by Women's Leadership Houses (RKP) in the Singosari and Karangploso regions, where community mobilization is employed to foster gender equality and empower women. RKP's community engagement approach allows members to dissect the underlying factors driving early marriages and adolescent interactions within their communities. The research uncovered a diverse range of issues associated with early unions, each uniquely shaped by the local environment. RKP's methodology places a strong emphasis on problem identification and potential recognition, encompassing human and natural resources while challenging prevailing social norms that perpetuate early marriages. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of empowering women and promoting gender equality as key strategies in preventing early marriages. Through qualitative research methods and community engagement via FGDs, we can aspire to create a future where early marriages become a historical relic and women attain the agency and opportunities they rightfully deserve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women empowerment is an underlying factor of child feeding and nutrition. However, the lack of standardized measurements has made it difficult to design interventions that embed women empowerment and measure their impacts. This study aimed to assess temporal trends in women empowerment in Ethiopia and evaluate their contribution towards improving dietary diversity in infants and young children. We used women and child data from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2005, 2011, and 2016, yielding a total sample of 6113 mother–child pairs. The survey‐based women's empowerment index (SWPER) developed and validated for use in Africa was used to assess three dimensions of women empowerment: (i) social autonomy, (ii) decision making; and (iii) attitude to violence. We used multiple‐linear and multivariable logistic regression to assess the associations between SWPER and the number of food groups consumed/and the minimum dietary diversity (MDD). To determine drivers of changes over time, a regression decomposition analysis was run. Women empowerment indices have improved over the 2005–2016 period, but a significant proportion of women had low standardized SWPER scores for autonomy/social independence (47%) and attitude to violence (49%) domains in 2016. SWPER autonomy and SWPER decision‐making scores were strongly associated with the odds of meeting MDD. Changes in women empowerment accounted for 17% of the improvements in MDD between 2005 and 2016. SWPER was a stronger predictor of the change in MDD, than known predictors like wealth, child age, and urban residence. As a critical underlying driver of child nutrition, women empowerment should be boldly addressed and integrated in nutrition interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article shows the result of the research developed at the CCS Ángel Bouza, Manuel Tames municipality, related to the use of agroecological practices to conserve and improve productive systems, especially mango cultivation, for which the objective is to assess the effect of the implementation of agroecological practices by women from the Palmar community to promote mango cultivation in the CCS Ángel Bouza. With a predominance of a qualitative approach, various methods and techniques such as document review, participant observation, interviews, questionnaire and focus group discussion were used to collect and process information. The proposed action plan contributes to community participation, to the knowledge and increase of various practices used by women producers, to the socialization of the results achieved, as well as the awareness of the rest of the associates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research article aims to analyze the effect of female empowerment on gender-based intimate partner violence against women in Ecuador, a country where levels of violence stand out in the region. We apply an instrumental variable regression model using official data from the 2019 National Survey on Family Relations and Gender Violence against Women. We found a negative association between women empowerment and intimate partner violence, that is, greater empowerment of women is associated with lower manifestations of intimate partner violence. We also find a positive reverse association between manifestations of intimate partner violence against women and empowerment. This means that a woman who has been a victim of intimate partner violence will be more willing to embrace ideals that empower women. From a public policy perspective, government engagement with promotion of female empowerment will reduce intimate partner violence against women and the costs associated with it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academia and Industries are facing a problem of lack of diversity, precisely gender diversity. We investigated a review of extant literature and macro data on gender equality in both Academia and Industry. To reduce the gender gap an initiative must have been taken to encourage women in the involvement in the education field. The primary purpose of this bibliometric survey is to determine the scope of the literature available for women's empowerment through engineering education. The commemorative analysis is based on Scopus because it provides research databases from various fields and tools such as Sciencescape and Gephi. In the theoretical survey, we analyze the prominent publications of journals, conferences, and the majority from the United States. The set of data from the time series has begun since 2004 until today. Most research publications are in the field of social science scope, followed by engineering and computer science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community Based Organization (CBO) refers to organizations working for the upliftment of marginalised sections of society through various projects and programmes. Kudumbashree is a Community Based Organization consisting of women Self-Help Groups, successfully functioning in Kerala over the last two and a half decades. Keeping development of entrepreneurship and women's empowerment as the main functional areas, Kudumbashree has introduced several entrepreneurial initiatives, which in turn provides employment and livelihood opportunities to hundreds of women and leads to the socio-economic development of local communities. This paper examines the significance of tourism-related entrepreneurial activities of Kudumbashree, in the promotion of sustainable tourism in Kerala. It is a case study based on secondary data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are public health problems in Ethiopia. Women have a higher chance of acquiring STI. STI complications are more severe in women compared to men. Despite that, treatment seeking for STI among women is poor. Woman empowerment and gender related factors may be playing a role for treatment seeking practice for STI. However, there are no studies that assess the association between these factors and treatment seeking practice for STI among married reproductive age women in Ethiopia. Therefore, this analysis was designed to explore this association in Ethiopia. Methods: This analysis used the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey (EDHS) data. The 2016 EDHS collected data about STI treatment seeking practice for STI among other variables. Data was analyzed using STATA 17.0. Sampling weights were applied to improve the representativeness of the samples. Descriptive statistics were computed to describe the characteristics of the women. Binary and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to identify the association between treatment seeking practice for STI and predictor variables. Multicollinearity was checked using variance inflation factors before running the multivariable logistic regression. Results: In this study, about 28% (95%CI: 20.87, 36.77) married reproductive age women with STI or STI symptoms sought treatment from the formal sector. Women whose husband attended secondary and higher education (AOR, 8.52; 95%CI 1.42, 51.21), and women with higher women empowerment scores (AOR 1.38, 95%CI 1.06, 1.81) had higher odds of treatment seeking for STI or STI symptoms. On the other hand, women who believe wife beating is justified had lower odds (AOR 0.32; 95%CI 0.15, 0.68) of treatment seeking for STI or STI symptoms. Conclusions: Treatment seeking practice for STI among married reproductive age women in Ethiopia is low. The Ministry of Health and development partners shall conduct further research to identify barriers for treatment seeking practice. Gender variables (women empowerment and belief that wife beating is justified) were significantly associated with STI treatment seeking practice among married reproductive age women. STI prevention and control strategies shall include women empowerment and gender issues as essential component in STI prevention, treatment, and control activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies such as anemia are considered significant public health challenges in Bangladesh, which enhancing fish consumption is a well-established food-based intervention to address these. This paper documents the establishment of community-based fish chutney production and reports the impact of its consumption on mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels among targeted 150 pregnant and lactating women (PLW) in rural Bangladesh. A fish chutney was developed using locally available ingredients followed by a series of laboratory tests, including nutrient composition, shelf-life and food safety. A community-based fish chutney production process was designed to: (1) supply locally available ingredients for processing; (2) establish two fish drying sites; (3) initiate a community-based production site; and (4) distribute fish chutney to PLW for one year by six women nutrition field facilitators. Then a pre- and post-intervention study was designed for a selected 150 PLW to receive 30 g of fish chutney daily for 12 months. Differences in mean MUAC and Hb levels pre- and post-consumption were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. Consumption of 30 g of fish-chutney resulted in significant increases of the mean values of Hb levels and MUAC among the targeted PLW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]