Gender inequality and associated factors from the perspective of the Palestinian youth: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundWomen face gender inequality and marginalisation in many aspects of their lives that affect their wellbeing and role in life as important members of society. This study aimed to investigate attitudes towards gender equality in Palestinian youth, and the associated factors. MethodsWe used the Power2Youth 2015 dataset, which consists of a sample of 1353 young people aged 18–29 years (46% males and 54% females) living in the West Bank and Gaza. Households with youths were randomly selected. In the households with more than one youth, a kish grid was used to select the youth participant. Our Prowomen scale was developed to measure participants' attitudes towards gender equality by scoring their responses to 15 questions related to gender equality issues such as the ability and right to work, divorce laws, inheritance rights, leadership, and the right to education. Positive responses to statements favourable to gender equality or biased towards women were given a score of 1, and disagreement was given a score of 0. For statements that were unfavourable to gender equality, disagreement was given a score of 1, and agreement a score of 0. Scores were then summed into one composite score, ranging from 0 to 15. Multivariate linear regression was used to examine the association between individuals' scores on the Prowomen scale (the outcome variable) and gender, age, wealth index, place of residence, education, mother's education and employment, and their score on a scale measuring the perceived influence of women in society (developed using questions relating to women's influence in choosing their spouse, education, and work). Ethics approval for the project was attained from Birzeit University and informed verbal consent was obtained from all participants. FindingsOf the factors assessed, the main predictors of attitudes towards gender equality were gender, age, place of residence, education, mother's education and employment, and the perceived influence of women in society. The scores ranged between 0 and 15 on the Prowomen scale. On average, men agreed with 2.3 fewer items than women (β=–2·334, p<0·0001). Residents in the West Bank had significantly higher scores than residents in the Gaza Strip (β=0·843, p<0·0001). Residents of camps had significantly higher scores than residents of urban areas (β=0·783, p<0.0001). Respondents educated to beyond secondary level supported approximately one additional item (β=0·979, p<0·0001) compared with those educated to below secondary level. Mother's education and employment were also significantly and positively associated with scores on the Prowomen scale. Youths whose mothers had completed secondary education or higher supported approximately one additional item on the scale compared with youths whose mothers were educated to below secondary level (β=0·837, p<0·01). Respondents whose mothers were employed also supported approximately one additional item (β=0·923, p<0·01). Each time respondents reported that they believed women had influence, they supported approximately 0·3 items on the Prowomen scale (β=0·269, p<0·001). InterpretationOur results highlight the need to target men with awareness programmes relating to gender equality. Women's education, and that greater involvement and inclusion of women in society and in the labour market can potentially foster more favourable attitudes towards equality. FundingThe research that produced the Power2Youth dataset received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013) under grant agreement number 612782. Data analysis and production of the Abstract was supported by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development.