Addressing Gender Issues Research Articles

Examining the Utilisation of Pascal’s Triangle for Community Development and Allocation of Resources in Eastern Uganda

Challenges ranging from resource scarcity to social deprivation and environmental concerns confront the East Region of Uganda. Let’s focus on Pascal’s Triangle as a conceptual model to deal with the problems of unjust resource distribution among communities. This model, which is a triangular arrangement of numbers, affords an opportunity to gain useful insights into community interactions and the process of resource distribution. Understanding Pascal’s triangle’s mathematical nature is a key driving force behind realistic and feasible resource allocation methods and community development approaches. Equal resource distribution methods, clear resource allocation mechanisms, community involvement, and multi-level cooperation are essential for promoting fairness and resilience. East Ugandan communities celebrate diversity as a resource for social cohesion, creativity, and resilience. Collaboration and unity are keys to getting over the difficulties and achieving great heights. It creates resilience and sustainability through community-based organisations, cooperative ventures, and participatory decision-making processes. When involved in solving complex problems, education serves as a key tool for empowering individuals and communities. Participatory decision-making creates a degree of transparency and representativeness in resource allocation. Merging community building and resource deployment with SDGs ensures sustainability and durability. Policies and programmes that address gender issues and encourage community participation are the keys to improving inclusivity. This review article examines Community Building and Resource Allocation: Learning from the Pascal Triangle in Eastern Uganda: Insights. We used data from the last decade (2014–2024) available from many reliable data sources. The findings advocate for community participation in decision-making, the implementation of policies that promote gender equality and social inclusion, collaboration among stakeholders, and the prioritization of education and capacity building, in addition to the integration of Sustainable Development Goals into community development plans and the strengthening of local governance institutions for equitable resource distribution. To solve complicated issues in the east of Uganda, it’s imperative to put more emphasis on equal resource allocation, community mobilisation, and social integration. Apply the insights from Pascal’s Triangle to foster communities that are adaptable, inclusive, and stable. Keywords: Community Building, Resource Allocation, Pascal’s Triangle, East Uganda, Resilience, Sustainable Development Goals

Investigating Gender-Based Stereotypes in Advertisement Landscape: A Multimodal Analysis of an Indian Town

Abstract This study examines the prevalence of gender stereotypes in outdoor advertising within an Indian satellite town, focusing on the portrayal of women and men in stereotypical gender roles. Images of outdoor advertisements were collected from the busy streets and subjected to purposive sampling for analysis. The analysis was done with critical discourse analysis and multimodal discourse analysis. The results reveal a clear endorsement of men in powerful and high-status positions, while women are consistently depicted as objects and confined to traditional roles as homemakers. The purpose of this study is to emphasize the importance of addressing gender issues, not only for cultural understanding but also for recognizing the pervasive influence of gender-based social conditioning, which undermines the foundation of an equitable society.

Are we preparing healthy & responsible adolescents? Exploratory qualitative study to understand the health and social issues of adolescent living in Karachi, Pakistan.

This study aimed to understand the lives of adolescents living in squatter settlements of Karachi, Pakistan regarding their assigned roles and responsibilities, health and social issues, their decision-making process, and mechanism and channels of information. An exploratory descriptive qualitative study design was employed. Purposive sampling techniques were used to carry out Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with adolescents (n = 10, Participants = 190), adolescents' parents (n = 10, Participants = 180), and In-Depth Interviews of with key adolescent stakeholders (n = 20). Adolescent stakeholder mapping was conducted for enrolling participants. The data were analysed thematically using deductive and inductive approaches. Based on gender norms parents assign specific roles and responsibilities to adolescent girls and boys. Due to societal norms, communication gap exists between adolescents and their parents. The most popular information channels are social media platforms and friends. Adolescents reported being subjected to a variety of physical, sexual, mental, social, and environmental pressures. Lack of guidance from parents, inadequate knowledge and skills to deal with physical, sexual, mental, social and environmental hazards, and misuse of social media lead to risky decisions, injuries, and social instability. This study underlines the urgent need for targeted interventions for addressing gender issues and improving adolescents' decision-making and life skills. We recommend Behavior Change Communication interventions to dismantle gender stereotypes and support a balanced domestic environment for children's education and well-being, awareness raising among parents, teachers, and healthcare providers about adolescent risks emphasizing their role in youth guidance, and advocacy for youth-led forums to co-create educational content engaging parents, educators, and health professionals focusing on life skills. These strategies would turn demographic transitions into productive dividends.

Gender (in)equity in the Paralympic Movement? Analyzing the institutional policies of the International Paralympic Committee

ABSTRACT Purpose The goal of this study was to investigate if – and how – the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) addressed gender issues over the past two completed Paralympic cycles (Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020). Methodology It involved documentary research, including a content analysis of the institution’s Handbook, statutes, strategic plans, and reports valid between 2013 and 2021. Findings There is a progressive effort by the IPC to address gender equality in sports participation and leadership. However, besides the establishment of policies towards this end, there is a lack of alignment between these policies and their implementation. Gender inequity persists within the Paralympic Games program and in women’s participation in the Paralympic Games as well as in decision-making roles. Practical Implications Considering that men and women depart from unequal conditions, advocacy for gender equality is not enough. There is a need for equity, which involves affirmative policies and actions to foster women’s participation. Research Contribution This research fills a gap in the literature by delving into the IPC’s documents to analyze gender issues. It also provides practical insights on what needs to be done for gender equity within the Paralympic Movement. Originality/Value Some of our findings are of application not only to Paralympic institutions, but also to other sport institutions outside the Paralympic Movement.

Comparison of American and Indonesian Women's Notion in Cather's O'pioneer! and Hamka's Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijk

This scientific paper is a literary study that addresses gender issues in the form of a comparison of American women's notions narrated by Alexandra in Cather’s novel O'Pioneer! with Indonesian women narrated by Hayati in Hamka's novel Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijk. Literary comparative studies are carried out in the form of an analysis of the similarities and differences of American and Indonesian women's notions in the early 20th century as narrated in the two literary works. This research is a structural analysis of literature that emphasizes the study of the intrinsic elements of literature, especially the characterizations originating from Cather’s novel O'Pioneer! in 1913 and Hamka's novel Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijk in 1938. The data from the two novels were analyzed based on the scientific method of comparative literature which is reconstructed from the concept of de Zepetnek and Endraswara. The results of this study indicate that the similarities between American and Indonesian women in the early 20th century were based on a traditional society that adhered to religion, accepted marriage and homemaking as natural in the process of women's lives, loyalty to true love as a symbol of belief in life, accepting differences, and forgiving. Their differences are moderate traditional versus traditional conservative, new women versus traditional women, heterogeneous versus homogeneous, repositioning tradition versus strengthening tradition, partial domestication of women versus full domestication of women, living with renewal ideas versus dying with conservative ideas, and so on.

Enhancing equity, diversity and inclusion in the European Union military schools and academies through collaborative initiatives and gender policy reform

AbstractThe European Union Military Schools and Academies (EUMSAs) have long grappled with persistent gender imbalances among their student body, indicative of an entrenched male‐centric culture within these institutions. In recognition of this issue, the collaborative Military Gender Studies initiative was launched under the auspices of the Erasmus+ program. This project involved partners from Bulgaria, Italy, Portugal and Romania, each offering unique insights shaped by their diverse socio‐political contexts. This research aims to go beyond mere acknowledgment of disparities and instead seeks to identify actionable strategies that can foster genuine equity, diversity and inclusivity within the EUMSAs. To this end, a comprehensive data‐gathering approach was employed, incorporating various qualitative methods including face‐to‐face interviews, face‐to‐face focus groups, direct observations and analysis of official documentation sourced from the referred EUMSAs. The resulting insights highlight the need for substantial improvements in institutional gender policies. Particularly, while efforts have been made to instill gender sensitivity within fitness assessments, their impact has been disappointingly limited. Furthermore, the practice of assigning military roles based solely on gender has been found to undermine both effectiveness and fairness within the schools/academies. Conversely, an encouraging sentiment pervades among the student body, advocating for a curriculum that incorporates gender‐related subjects into the EUMSA educational framework (curriculum). This suggests a growing recognition of the importance of addressing gender issues not only in policy but also in practice, signalling a promising shift towards a more inclusive and equitable environment within the EUMSAs.

THE PERCEPTIONS OF STUDENTS REGARDING GENDER EQUALITY POLICIES IN UNIVERSITIES

The study is about the perceptions of students of the University of Korca regarding the university's commitment to gender equality. Albanian universities have made significant efforts in gender mainstreaming. As part of a higher education institution, we must offer new generations a different path, free from prejudice and stereotypes, embracing people’s freedom and appreciating their individuality and originality. There is a significant commitment from the University of Korca (UNIKO) toward gender equality policies. The paper aims to point out the perceptions of students on gender equality policies followed by UNIKO and the commitment of the university to build an honest and communicative learning and work environment where people are treated equally and there is no discrimination, as well as a community which conveys trust, a sense of belonging and shared goals. A quantitative approach was used for this study. A questionnaire was conducted to measure the perception of students on gender equality policies in the university. The students were recruited in the four faculties of UNIKO. The study focused on students' knowledge of gender mainstreaming; their participation in trainings and activities focused on gender issues; equal representation in the decision-making units and awareness of gender equality and unconscious gender biases. The study showed a high interest of students in the gender policies of the institution, but a more visible involvement of students in informative activities and greater awareness to address gender issues is suggested.

Reframing Women’s Rights Activism in Contemporary Russia and Vladimir Putin’s Regime

In 2012, Pussy Riots movement came to the surface of Putin’s authoritarian regime. A long with its colorful balaclavas and provocative sudden performance song ‘Mother of God Drive Putin Away’ has successfully challenged the feminist political engagement in Putin’s regime along with their potential impact in improving human rights practice in Russia. This case shows a symbiotic relationship between the feminist agenda and the opposition movement where they could strengthen each other while feminism is the foundation for addressing gender issues. The paper will be analyzed by scrutinizing the actors of the Pussy Riot movement along with the promotion of gender equality as their main agenda. Then, it will be continued by analyzing the link of the Pussy Riot case with human rights and gender politics in the current political process of Russia and Putin’s regime. The two ways the connection between the feminist agenda and the way of opposition movement posed by Pussy Riot will also be drawn. Ultimately, we will see how the case could contribute to gender and human rights advocacy, particularly women’s rights, improvement in Russia. Relying upon the feminist movement, it can be concluded that the feminist agenda of gender equality can expand women’s role in Russia and advance Human Rights advocacy in Putin’s regime. Keywords:, Gender, Pussy Riot, Russia, Women’s Right

KADVI HAWA TO JAWAAN: HOW INDIAN CINEMA PORTRAYED THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

With its visual storyline, dramatic message design, and plenty of cognitive aspects, cinema is a powerful tool that can sway and inspire viewers. One of the key elements of development communication, such as programmes addressing gender issues, environmental challenges, or public health and hygiene awareness, is persuasive communication. In this regard, the present research has tried to evaluate the role of films as persuasive medium of communication for spreading awareness on climate change. Two films, namely, Kadvi Hawa and Jawan have been selected for this study to identify the portrayal of draught affected farmers and the aftermath of climate change. With the help of narrative analysis, analysing the dialogues and framing analysis the results of the research have been derived. This research has been based on an interpretivism philosophy and a deductive research approach.

PACWIMA and the Transformation of Fijian Women in the Maritime Sector

The Pacific Women in Maritime Organization (PACWIMA) is a regional organization in the Pacific focused on empowering women to enhance their participation in the maritime sector. This regional organization serves as an international response to crucial issues such as gender inequality and sexual harassment, which contribute to the limited involvement of women in the maritime sector. Island nations like Fiji, heavily reliant on the maritime sector as a primary driver of national progress, also face these challenges. Through this research, we can gain insights into PACWIMA's role in addressing gender issues in Fiji's maritime sector and its contribution to promoting increased female participation. The study employs a qualitative research method with a case study framework and utilizes a feminist perspective, particularly liberal feminism, to analyze gender issues in this context. The findings indicate that PACWIMA can enhance women's roles in Fiji's maritime sector and mitigate gender-related problems within the industry. Beyond promoting gender equality in the maritime sector, PACWIMA also contributes to national economic stability by actively involving women as economic actors in the maritime sector.

Perspectives of rural farmer households on food security through a qualitative study in Indonesia

In developing countries, rural farmers contribute significantly to food production, but their households are still vulnerable to poverty, food insecurity, malnutrition, and stunting. Although quantitative studies have explored the factors that influence farmers' dietary diversity, the data can be improved by integrating farmers' experiences and perspectives on whether and how these factors affect their dietary diversity. Malnutrition and food insecurity are more prevalent in developing and underdeveloped nations like Africa and Southeast Asia. Due to increased work, this country usually sees a rise in stunting, malnutrition, and increased physical activity. Stunting has a higher prevalence than other nutritional disorders, such as malnutrition, according to Nutrition Status Monitoring (NSM) data over the last three years. The frequency of stunting in children under five has risen from 27% in 2016 to 29% in 2017. This will assist in designing and implementing interventions. Forty rural farmers in Bone Regency, Indonesia, became informants in targeted interviews as part of the qualitative study (20 male and 20 female farmers). According to the research results, both male and female informants were concerned about the availability and variety of food. They feel that household food production is essential to achieve food security. Food sales are affected by prices, household income, distance to markets, and the range of food available. Household food production, knowledge, nutrition, availability, use of information, time, and household income are significant determinants of the variety of food consumed. In farming households, gender influences and variations on the distribution and use of food collected and income are explored. Men have more time to engage in agricultural endeavors that promote dietary diversity. Based on these findings, efforts to increase dietary diversity should address current food security and production challenges, support increased farm incomes and market access, utilize designs that address gender issues, and include nutrition capacity building, diverse practices, and social behavior change strategies. Key words: rural farmers, food security, food diversity, nutrition, market access, Indonesia

Factors Influencing the Relationship Between Gender and Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders that affect both mental and physical well-being. Like other mental health conditions, various factors influence the prevalence of depression. One such factor is gender. Based on a review of academic articles discussing gender roles in mental health disorders like depression, this research paper addresses the various factors contributing to depression in men and women concerning the influence of gender roles. When it comes to depression, women tend to suffer higher depressive symptoms than men because of temperament, cognitive vulnerability, puberty, national wealth, gender equity, education, masculinity norms, and socioeconomic factors. However, men and women tend to be affected by different specific factors. Men are more susceptible to job-related activities while women tend to be affected by societal pressure. Some suggestions to address depression among men and women include implementing youth groups in schools specifically to address gender issues, promoting healthier masculine roles that include emotional sharing, coping strategies, and cooperation, and encouraging a more balanced work life.

An Attempt to Gain Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment In Social Media

Social media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and crafting narratives around gender issues. The active participation of the community on various social media platforms enriches discussions about gender with diverse perspectives and experiences. Through campaigns, hashtags, and visual content, social media not only provides a space for narratives but also shapes paradigm shifts and social norms related to gender issues. This research aims to identify how the Instagram account @unwomen represents gender equality and women's empowerment issues and explores how @unwomen can influence individuals' perceptions of these issues. The method used is qualitative descriptive with a critical paradigm. Data were collected using a random selection method on posts from the Instagram account @unwomen to provide a fair and representative overview. The posts contain content related to women's rights, employment, closing gender gaps, and the role of women in development. The analysis process involves using critical discourse analysis by Sara Mills, incorporating two concepts: subject-object position and writer-reader position. The analysis includes the identification of text, narratives, and images reflecting gender equality and women's empowerment issues, followed by noting keywords or phrases used in the discourse. Research findings reveal that social media, particularly through the @unwomen account, significantly influences public opinion on gender issues. The subject-object position in gender discourse is reflected in the active role of UN Women as the subject designing messages to influence public opinion as the object. The writer-reader position is reflected in the active role of UN Women as writers responsible for creating messages and content shared using language, images, and specific formats to convey messages and influence the audience. Readers (audience) are individuals or groups consuming and responding to content shared by the @unwomen account. They shape perceptions, interpret messages, and provide feedback. This research integrates Mills' concepts of subject-object and writer-reader positions in the context of social media, highlighting the importance of understanding power dynamics in shaping gender narratives. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of how social media can be used to advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment. Globally, the implications can guide further strategies in addressing gender issues and women's empowerment through social media platforms.

Women's Political Empowerment in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: A Comparison Between the Kurdistan Region in Iraq and the Kurdish Autonomous Administration in Syria

This study examines the role of women’s political participation in empowering women and promoting gender equality in Kurdish society, comparing the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the Kurdish Autonomous Administration in Syria. The research aims to understand how political parties and women’s organizations influence women's empowerment and address gender issues in these regions. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study draws on 15 interviews and 474 surveys from political party members, women’s organizations, government officials, and local residents in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Dhok, Kerkuk, Halabja, and parts of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration in Syria. The findings show that women’s organizations, particularly in Rojava, have been pivotal in advancing gender equality through initiatives such as Jineology and self-protection strategies. However, women in both regions continue to face significant socio-economic and familial barriers, limiting their political and societal participation. While the regional focus presents a limitation in generalizing the findings, the research provides practical implications for improving women’s political involvement and rights. The study offers original insights by comparing the political empowerment of women across two distinct Kurdish regions, highlighting the critical role of women’s organizations and the need for collaborative efforts to dismantle barriers and promote gender equality in Kurdish society.

Modern high school handbook: analysis of sexism and gender stereotype

The article is focusing on one of the most important problems of gender studies — the creation of modern methodological and curricular support for the educational process in higher education. The author analyses the experience of teaching the elective course ‘Gender Studies’ for Bachelor’s students majoring in Primary Education at the Faculty of Pedagogical Education of Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University. This course is practice-based and aims to prepare pre-service teachers to address gender issues in the educational process. Teaching this course raised questions about the content of higher education textbooks and their analysis concerning sexism and gender stereotypes. The author recognizes that textbooks on gender issues are currently linked to certain courses: gender psychology, gender sociology, gender pedagogy, gender journalism, etc. However, according to the author, a modern textbook should be comprehensive and based on the latest scientific research, deep interdisciplinary connections, and contemporary practice. The article defines the main characteristics of a modern textbook in general and gender studies, in particular: it should be comprehensive in terms of analysis when it comes to sexism and gender stereotypes, regardless of the specialty; the content of any textbook should be based on scholarly research in the field of gender studies; the textbook should show deep interdisciplinary connections; the formation of critical thinking of students is the main goal of any modern textbook, regardless of the specialty it is written for; without the use of interactive teaching methods, it is impossible to create a modern textbook. The article also discusses approaches and methods for analyzing textbooks for sexism and gender stereotypes. The author pays special attention to hidden discrimination in the curricula on gender equality of students and schoolchildren

RECRUITMENT LESSONS LEARNED FROM A RANDOMIZED PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL TRIAL FOR DEMENTIA FAMILY CAREGIVERS

Abstract Family caregivers/care partners are the backbone of long-term services and support on behalf of persons living with memory loss such as Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Although there has been increased attention on family caregivers overall, documented recruitment strategies to participate in research—and clinical trials in particular—are lacking. This paper addresses the individual and system-level factors addressed in order to reach target recruitment goals in a community-based dementia caregiver trial conducted online with a racially- and ethnically-diverse cohort of mostly spousal/partner and adult children caregivers. Based on a sample of 231 trial participants and 105 focus group interviewees, we drew from our theoretical model—the Micro-Meso-Macro Framework—to elucidate factors that facilitated or impeded diverse cohort recruitment. We analyzed data from two data sources: a) source of referral and reason for contacting the recruitment team; and b) content analysis from focus group interviews. Based on our multi-level analysis we documented the following factors that facilitated trial participation: 1) MICRO: prior encounters with the research enterprise; educational attainment and occupational status; sense of altruism and beneficence; monetary incentivization; comfort with disclosure of private matters; starting from ground zero; and addressing gender issues; and 2) MESO/MACRO: assembling a proactive scientific team; leveraging logos and reputation; training trial staff and community partners; writing project budgets that incentivize diverse trial recruitment; making inroads with community partners; navigating technological challenges; and tapping into resources to alleviate barriers. In our paper, we will discuss lessons learned, and address future research directions including recruiting underrepresented groups.

Development of Learning Materials for Nonformal Educational Leadership with Gender-Responsive Values

This study aims to present the results of a content analysis of gender-responsive values that have been incorporated into non-formal education leadership courses. These courses play a crucial role in preparing prospective non-formal education leaders who are gender-aware and capable of addressing gender-related challenges in educational contexts. The Non-formal Education Leadership course is a vital component in nurturing high-quality leaders in the field of non-formal education. Integrating gender-responsive values into the curriculum of this course is of paramount importance to achieve inclusive and sustainable leadership. The study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing document analysis to examine the syllabus, teaching materials, and teaching methods of non-formal education leadership course documents. The research focuses on developing gender-responsive content values within non-formal education leadership teaching materials, including understanding gender roles in leadership, promoting gender equality in education, dismantling gender stereotypes, and empowering women within the educational context. The study's findings demonstrate that gender-responsive values are thoughtfully integrated into the non-formal education leadership course, aligning with the course's competency objectives and emphasizing the importance of diversity. The syllabus, structured around teaching materials, addresses gender issues in educational leadership and provides relevant case examples. The teaching methods employed facilitate open discussions and reflections on gender matters, encouraging students to adopt inclusive and gender-sensitive perspectives. Moreover, the study highlights efforts made to promote women's participation and empowerment within the context of educational leadership. The non-formal education leadership courses effectively incorporate gender-responsive values that are relevant and significant. Successful implementation of these values will contribute to fostering more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable educational leadership. Keywords: Leadership, Non-formal Education, Gender Responsive.

Uprooting Entrenched Gender Biases in Climate-Smart Agriculture

This paper discusses the barriers to and enabling conditions for designing and implementing gender-responsive climate-smart agriculture (CSA) initiatives. Through examples, the paper identifies lessons and promising practices for addressing gender issues across the range of CSA interventions from farm level practices and systems approaches to the enabling environment. Through two deep dive case studies, the paper showcases the potential for CSA to contribute to gender-transformative results and offers recommendations for doing so.

Implication of gender mainstreaming on policy-making for sustainable fisheries development in China

Currently, gender mainstreaming is widely recognized by the international community as an essential component of social development. Increasing attention is also being directed toward its significant role in the field of marine and fisheries, especially because gender equality-responsive fisheries development is believed to be a significant impulse for the continued advancement of this field. An analysis of the role of gender mainstreaming in fisheries development reveals that the long-term challenges faced by Chinese women in fisheries are closely tied to the absence of the gender perspective in existing fishery policies. In recent years, international organizations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, along with various regions and countries, have accumulated extensive experience and achieved notable progress in promoting gender mainstreaming in fisheries. Furthermore, they have established successful models for the scientific implementation of gender mainstreaming from the top down and with diverse perspectives, thus providing valuable insights for China to incorporate gender mainstreaming in policymaking. As China endeavors to foster high-quality marine and fisheries development while positioning itself as a responsible fishery power, it is imperative for the country to proactively address gender issues within the fisheries sector. Drawing on international best practices and considering China’s national conditions, this paper proposes the integration of a gender perspective into China’s fisheries policy by raising policymakers’ gender awareness, conducting dynamic monitoring and evaluation of the status of women in the fisheries sector, encouraging the active involvement of women and fisheries organizations in policymaking, and promoting research on gender issues in fisheries, all of which can bridge the gap in gender responsiveness within China’s fisheries policy system.

Ifra Hormiz and the Use of Mini-Corpora in the Study of the Babylonian Talmud

Abstract: Ifra Hormiz is mentioned in five short stories in the Babylonian Talmud, each time accompanied by a description: "the mother of Shapur Malka," Shapur the king. This essay examines the stories about Ifra Hormiz from a literary angle. It suggests that an intratalmudic, comparative, literary analysis of these stories can offer a new perspective on their creation, and that we can better reveal and highlight the differing agendas and motifs of stories that have similar literary nuclei when we examine them as part of a broader corpus of similar stories. This analysis will shed light on the stories' anonymous authors, their intended audiences, and the ways they chose to address gender issues and their attitude toward the Persian rulers of their times.