Economic Empowerment Initiatives Research Articles

Social Mobility and Youth Aspirations: An Analysis of the Conditional Convergence of Aspirations in India

This article examines the complex interplay between social mobility and the aspirations of Indian youth within the context of India's modest ranking on the Global Social Mobility Index. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, the study synthesizes empirical data and theoretical insights to explore how socio-economic backgrounds, government policies, societal attitudes, and individual actions shape aspirations. Central to this analysis is the concept of "conditionally convergent aspirations," which describes how socio-economic and cultural barriers lead to a narrowing of aspirations within homogeneous groups, thereby limiting the potential for upward social mobility. The findings suggest that effective policy interventions must address these foundational disparities through comprehensive educational reforms, robust social equity measures, and economic empowerment initiatives. By offering a detailed review of the literature and proposing targeted policy recommendations, the study aims to contribute to the discourse on social justice and economic development, advocating for a strategic approach to foster a more equitable society where the aspirations of all Indian youth can be realised.

Re-envisioning contributory health schemes to achieve equity in the design of financial protection mechanisms in low- and middle-income countries.

Universal health coverage has emerged as a global health priority, requiring that financing strategies that ensure low-income and medically and financially at-risk individuals can access health services without the threat of financial catastrophe. Contributory financing schemes and social health insurance (SHI) schemes, in particular, predominate in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), despite evidence that suggests the most vulnerable remain excluded from such schemes. In this commentary, we discuss the need to re-envision schemes to prioritize equity, offering 3 concrete recommendations: adopt participatory designs for the co-design of schemes with beneficiaries, establish linkages between contributory financial protection schemes with economic empowerment initiatives, and prioritize the needs and preferences of beneficiaries over political expediency. Co-design alone does not necessarily translate into more equitable schemes, underscoring the need for greater monitoring and evaluation of these schemes that consider differential impacts across contexts and subgroups. In doing so, SHI schemes can be both attractive and accessible to populations that have long been excluded from financial protections in LMICs, acting as 1 channel in a broader financing strategy to achieve universal health coverage.

Exploring the Preferences of Female Entrepreneurs for MUDRA Yojana: A Statistical Analysis

The study examines the preferences of female entrepreneurs for the MUDRA Yojana, a government scheme that supports small and micro-businesses owned by women. The analysis uses statistical tools such as Cross Tabulation and the ChiSquare Test to explore the relationship between MUDRA Yojana awareness and the status of women entrepreneurs in their businesses. The results indicate a preference for the MUDRA Yojana among female entrepreneurs, with statistical significance. Although the study has limitations such as reliance on self-reported data and a cross-sectional design, it provides valuable insights into female entrepreneurs' preferences for government schemes. To enhance understanding and implementation of such schemes, it is important to encourage knowledge exchange and stakeholder participation. The findings emphasize the significance of promoting awareness of financial inclusion through the MUDRA Yojana, which can contribute to policy formulation and women's economic empowerment initiatives. Further research could explore sectorspecific preferences and the long-term impact of the MUDRA Yojana on women entrepreneurs' financial inclusion and empowerment, while addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in entrepreneurship

Men’s Perspectives on Gender-Based Violence and the Economic Empowerment Imbalances between Men and Women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

South Africa continues to grapple with one of the world's highest rates of gender-based violence (GBV). The #TotalShutdown marches marked a pivotal moment as women rallied against GBV, echoing the resounding call of "enough is enough" nationwide, and emphasising the urgency for collective action and robust leadership. In response to this call, and with KwaZulu-Natal being the leading province in the country in relation to GBV and other reported sexual offences, the provincial government under the Department of Social Development (DSD) held a men’s colloquium in 2021 to listen to the voices of the men, who are often regarded as “perpetrators” of GBV, through a dialogue session. The DSD held these dialogues in all 11 districts of Kwa-Zulu Natal, with the aim of affording men in the province an opportunity to speak about their perspectives on what they considered as causes of GBV in the province. A total of 548 men from the 11 districts attended the dialogue session. Data from the dialogue was extracted for this paper. The paper adopts an exploratory qualitative approach, utilising data collected from the dialogues to delve into men's perceptions regarding the root causes of GBV in KwaZulu-Natal. The paper examines whether a correlation exists between government gender-specific economic empowerment initiatives and male resentment or anger towards women in the region. The study reveals that the exclusion of men in the execution of women empowerment programmes in the province, leaves men feeling disenfranchised, demonised and demoralised. While the findings are confined to the KwaZulu-Natal province and thus not generalisable, they offer valuable insights that can guide efforts to enhance the inclusivity of gender-related programmes, ultimately aiding in the ongoing battle against GBV.

“Creating a Generation of Equality”: A Stakeholder’s Perspective on Power Dynamics and Gender-Based Violence in Zimbabwe

Background: Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a significant public health concern in Zimbabwe, with 38% of women experiencing intimate partner violence. Rooted in the country's patriarchal structure, power imbalances contribute to this epidemic. This study aimed to investigate the perspectives of key stakeholders on the relationship between power dynamics and GBV in Zimbabwe, and as well as to explore potential interventions to address this issue.
 
 Methodology: A descriptive qualitative research design was used. We collected data from fourteen participants using three focus group discussions. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data.
 
 Results: Three themes that emerged on power dynamics and GBV were economic inequality, gender stereotypes, and lack of access to justice. Two themes that emerged for recommendations were gender-transformative and economic empowerment programming.
 
 Conclusion: Findings from this study underscore the need to include men in designing and implementing gender-transformative programs alongside economic empowerment initiatives to effectively address GBV and dismantle patriarchal structures in Zimbabwe.

ZChicken as a mustahik economic empowerment program by BAZNAS: A qualitative analysis

IntroductionBAZNAS has launched numerous economic empowerment programs for mustahik. One of the programs that has been introduced is ZChicken, which focuses on the sale of crispy fried chicken. However, there is still a limited amount of research available on ZChicken.ObjectivesThis study aims to analyze ZChicken as an economic empowerment program for mustahik from various perspectives, including its development, the need for halal certification, and the achievements obtained.MethodThis study employed a qualitative approach to analyze the ZChicken program as an economic empowerment initiative for the mustahik by BAZNAS. The research methodology employed in this study involved conducting a content analysis of ZChicken-related materials on the BAZNAS website as well as other news websites.ResultsThe result shows that BAZNAS introduced the ZChicken as an empowerment program in the culinary sector that revolves around a fried chicken franchise concept. ZChicken has been received well in the society, has been certified halal, and has its own brand.ImplicationsBAZNAS needs to maintain quality program in ZChicken to ensure trust among muzakki and the society. ZChicken should maintain its halal and brand certification by monitoring and supervision from BAZNAS.Originality/NoveltyThis study provides insights on how ZChicken as an economic empowerment program from BAZNAS has grown to be a successful force for empowering mustahik in many locations.

Empowerment at Work?: Examining Employment-Based Economic Empowerment Initiatives for Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation.

Many organizations serving survivors of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) have begun economic empowerment programs, providing financial literacy education, vocational training, and/or employment opportunities for survivors. Yet, very little research has examined these programs, especially those that employ survivors. This project draws on a qualitative, multi-method study of 15 organizations that serve and employ CSE survivors to examine how economic empowerment is constructed through organizational discourse and practices, what tensions emerge in these processes, and how organizational actors frame and respond to them. The findings outline the components of "economic empowerment" and explicate the key tensions of authority-autonomy and compassion-accountability.

From participation to power – Pacific approaches to women’s economic empowerment

ABSTRACT Pacific women’s unique economic experiences are under-represented in Pacific development initiatives. Economic empowerment initiatives typically focus on economic participation, without consideration for women’s household labour and the unequal social and economic dynamics within their homes and communities. Within the context of COVID-19, these inequalities have become more pronounced and the need to address them more pressing. This article argues that it is critical that development partners consider how existing economic structures and systems have led to women’s disproportionate economic vulnerability while also prioritising an approach to women’s economic empowerment (WEE) that meets women’s immediate economic, priorities, and material needs. Pacific development organisations have found that greater emphasis is needed on the non-financial dynamics of WEE, such as care distribution, leadership, and collective organising. This article critically considers what works to build WEE in the Pacific region, drawing on the experiences of projects supported by the Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development Program. It discusses successful measures used by Pacific NGOs to build WEE and their efforts to change gendered power dynamics within the constraints of donor funding and mainstream development programming that continues to be underlined by the ‘smart economics’ rationale.

An Analysis of Solid Waste Disposal and Water Quality in Ugep Community, Cross River State, Nigeria

The study carried out an analysis of solid waste disposal and its implication for water quality in the Ugep Community, located in Yakurr’s Local Government Council of Cross River State, Nigeria. Findings revealed that there is a significant and adverse relationship between solid waste disposal methods and the quality of drinking water, along with domestic uses in the study area. Data was collected through the administration of 500 questionnaires, with family heads as points of primary contact. It was clear that the poor state of infrastructural development and the challenge of availability and access to requisite amenities, coupled with inefficient management of the few available resources, has further exposed inhabitants to health and welfare issues. Results indicate a significant relationship between the solid waste disposal (sanitation) method and water quality in the study area. Awareness creation on sanitary practices by health and related government agencies, as well as community members themselves, should be encouraged to participate, as it will ensure a sustainable and health-oriented waste disposal system, bearing in mind likely concerns for water quality. Contamination of water is more prevalent in stored water, especially at the point of usage, as compared to where water flows freely, and is used without being stored. If water quantity is massive, the challenge of low quality is easily resolved, as less sanitation problems would occur. Government and private organisations should implement and encourage economic empowerment initiatives, in order to improve the livelihoods of the residents of the community.

Gender and intergenerational challenges to Women’s economic empowerment initiatives in Rwanda

Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) based approaches to social justice have attracted increasing attention among scholars and development-based organisations as a means of improving women’s access to economic resources and increasing women’s empowerment. A growing literature discusses the degree to which women’s economic empowerment initiatives have been successful. Most of these studies have tended to rely on the use of economic proxies that capture the level of income earned by women. Based on qualitative information collected in five rural districts of Rwanda between July 2016 and January 2017, this paper explores how existing gender relations at the household level in rural Rwanda stimulate, promote/impede robust participation in WEE initiatives and explores the strategies used by rural women involved in WEE to challenge power relations at the household level. The research used a social justice and transformative approach, employing an interpretivist methodology and qualitative methods. Overall 126 women and 48 men participated in the research. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the information collected and three main themes were identified: cultural norms, expectations and women’s participation; women’s voice and agency from their engagement in economic activities; and the different generations of women who use different coping mechanisms and strategies to deal with adverse gender power relations. The research shows that if WEE initiatives are to reach their full potential, they must address cultural and structural norms that underpin gender inequality at the household and community levels. Thus WEE initiatives, as well as providing economic opportunities for women (and also men) must also address social justice issues that are harmful and affect women’s participation in such initiatives and should support a transformative environment with respect to gender power relationships in rural households and communities.

IS UNEMPLOYMENT THE ROOT CAUSE OF INSECURITY IN NIGERIA?

This study focuses on the relationship between unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria using historical and descriptive statistic. Unemployment in Nigeria is a major problem and is further worsened by a spike in the loss of jobs brought on by the current recession. Unemployment is the third biggest problem confronting the Nigeria economy with the exception of power and infrastructure. Over the years Nigeria has also experienced plethora of security challenges ranging from abduction, kidnapping, insurgency, etc. Looking at violent crimes and insecurity in general, it could not be unconnected to the extent of unemployment experienced in the country. It is believed that joblessness triggers frustration, anger and provides individuals with more time to commit crime, thereby fueling insecurity. Hence, the Nigerian government’s initiation of various programme to curb unemployment in the country. Some of the most recent youth economic empowerment initiatives such as the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Program (SURE-P) and Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YOUWIN), have not abated the rise in the rate of unemployment. This study found a link between unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria, it also found that the problem is exacerbated in an election year due to the thuggery and violence linked to elections

Facilitating women’s access to an economic empowerment initiative: Evidence from Uganda

Abstract We study the take‐up of an intervention designed to increase women’s economic empowerment among sugarcane farmers in Uganda. We find that lower socioeconomic status and household gender norms both predict a couple’s refusal of the intervention. We also randomly assign couples to a workshop that aims to increase communication and gender balance in the household and find that couples invited to the workshop were less likely to refuse the subsequently offered empowerment intervention. Moreover, the workshop was effective at addressing sources of disadvantage that arise from household gender norms and division of labor, and less effective at addressing refusal rates associated with socioeconomic status.

Financial Provision and Participation as Catalysts for Women Economic Empowerment in Zimbabwe

One of the pillars aims of the liberations struggle in then Rhodesia was equal opportunities for all with restoration of the economic reigns to the native population who had been marginalized for decades. The marginalization and lack of access was between whites and Blacks and at independence everyone was celebrating independence from colonialism and embracing rights of ownership of the economic means, access to education, national identification cards and an opportunity to vote and exercise democratic rights. It was however observed that within the opened democratic space in the independent Zimbabwe there were gross inequalities between men and women perpetuated by cultural practices supported by a partriachical society where women status was lower than that of man. that needed to be addressed deliberately. Since the turning of the new millennium, the Zimbabwean government has been active in implementing affirmative action programs and gender policies aimed at empowering women economically and socially. Despite a plethora of ways to empower women, challenges still remain in so far as the holistic empowerment of women in the economic arena is concerned. Women constitute 52% of the Zimbabwean population with the majority of them living under the poverty datum line. It is generally considered that access to means of production, resources and household decision making has a direct impact on poverty reduction with participation in the financial sector as an entrympoint for individual and household economic activity. Statistics shows that despite the increase in number of Banks in Zimbabwe, there remains marginalization of the poor the majority of whom are women due to rigid account opening requirements and preconditions for one to access a loan. Access to finance offers the poor an opportunity to engage in economic activities that raise income that can offer opportunities for a better life. Mainstream Banks have been known to exclude the low income as they do not meet the minimum know your customer requirements. Microfinance is banking with the poor, an upside down way of banking. It has been embraced and deployed by many governments across the globe as a tool enhancing financial inclusion and access to finance for the poor and for economic empowerment. This study therefore examined the impact of microfinance to the socio- economic empowerment of women in Zimbabwe by selecting the Women’s Microfinance Bank in Zimbabwe as a case analysis. The Bank was set up by the Government through the Ministry of Women affairs supported by the Central Bank as a tool for financial inclusion responding to the needs of the excluded women. The deprivation of women and poverty within the context of Zimbabwe is the locus of enunciation in this study. The mixed method was adopted where questionnaire and interview guide were administered to beneficiaries of the Women’s microfinance Bank and other selected respondents. The findings from the study revealed that provision of enabling financial services with the appropriate products that respond to the cause of exclusion of certain groups encouraged participation and access to finance thereby contributing immensely to the economic empowerment of women although a lot still needs to be done. The study therefore recommends a deliberate extension of financial services to the grassroots as a deliberate game changer to expand the participation of all. It recommends a deliberate financial provision especially for the Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank, to extend more banking services and credit facilities to women who are still largely on the bottom of the heap in terms of access to resources. Finally, for more participation in the economic empowerment initiatives from the Bank and any other players, there is need to provide more training programs to women in order to improve their entrepreneurial skills and as an economic empowerment strategy.

Predictors of Utilisation of Skilled Maternal Healthcare in Lilongwe District, Malawi.

Background: Despite numerous efforts to improve maternal and child health in Malawi, maternal and newborn mortality rates remain very high, with the country having one of the highest maternal mortality ratios globally. The aim of this study was to identify which individual factors best predict utilisation of skilled maternal healthcare in a sample of women residing in Lilongwe district of Malawi. Identifying which of these factors play a significant role in determining utilisation of skilled maternal healthcare is required to inform policies and programming in the interest of achieving increased utilisation of skilled maternal healthcare in Malawi.Methods: This study used secondary data from the Woman’s Questionnaire of the 2010 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS). Data was analysed from 1126 women aged between 15 and 49 living in Lilongwe. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to determine significant predictors of maternal healthcare utilisation.Results: Women’s residence (P=.006), education (P=.004), and wealth (P=.018) were significant predictors of utilisation of maternal healthcare provided by a skilled attendant. Urban women were less likely (odds ratio [OR] = 0.47, P=.006, 95% CI = 0.28–0.81) to utilise a continuum of maternal healthcare from a skilled health attendant compared to rural women. Similarly, women with less education (OR = 0.32, P=.001, 95% CI = 0.16–0.64), and poor women (OR = 0.50, P=.04, 95% CI = 0.26–0.97) were less likely to use a continuum of maternal healthcare from a skilled health attendant.Conclusion: Policies and programmes should aim to increase utilisation of skilled maternal healthcare for women with less education and low-income status. Specifically, emphasis should be placed on promoting education and economic empowerment initiatives, and creating awareness about use of maternal healthcare services among girls, women and their respective communities.

Analysis of child labour dimensions and causes in rural farm households of Ogun State, Nigeria

The prevalence of child labour use in the agricultural sector has been widely reported however, the intensity of its use is most times masked and marred by the informal and culturally ingrained nature of peasant agriculture. The study aims at understanding the dimensions and causes of child labour among rural farm households in Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 128 rural households for the survey; a total of 352 children (5-17years) were interviewed to elicit first hand data for the study. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on child farm work hours, household size, income, farm size, distance of home to school and other relevant socioeconomic characteristics. Analytical techniques used were measures of central tendency and dispersion, and censored Tobit regression model. Results show that the average age of children is 10 years and many of these children (67.3%) are reported to be living with their biological parents. While less than a third (26%) of the children work in paid and non-family farms, the average weekly work hours per child was found to be 31.31 which increases with the age of the child. With reference to loss in school time due to farm work, it was found that rural children in farm households sacrificed an average of 12.9 hours per week (42.9%) of school time to work on the farm; this varies from season to season. Age and education level of the household head, farm and household size, lack of child-level schools in the community, distance of home to school, sex of child, absence of tarmac roads to community and proximity of households to major roads were identified as factors that influence the prevalence and intensity of child farm labour use. The study concluded that rural infrastructure development and households’ economic empowerment initiatives are central to child labour reduction strategies. Key words : Child farm labour, rural households, determinants, Tobit regression

Retailers’ extent of involvement in sustainability and role in creating sustainable apparel and textiles from South Africa

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this comparative case study research was to identify the sustainability-focused influencing power and involvement of retailers in the buyer-driven apparel and textiles industry in South Africa. Four textile and apparel retailers’ businesses were studied through desktop review of documents and field research. The Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s Higg 2.0 Brand Modules (environment and social/labour) and a beta Retail Environmental Module were used as a theoretical framework. The retailers varied in their pursuit of various environmental and social/labour sustainability practices. The qualitative analysis identified that all three retailers based in South Africa sourced at least some of their apparel and textile products locally, whereas the international retailer used a global sourcing strategy that did not include South Africa. The three local retailers were also all committed to job creation under the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment initiative. South Africa-based retailers are, therefore, potentially strong contributors to creating demand for sustainable apparel and textiles from their country.

P18.09 Community-based support groups engagement in hiv prevention and economic empowerment in rural kenya

Background Support groups’ important role in destigmatizing HIV/AIDS and addressing social-psychological needs of persons living with HIV (PLWH) is well documented. However, the impact of support groups in economic activities is less studied. Our study compares HIV- and non-HIV- support groups in providing social-psychological and economic empowerment for PLWH or at-risk groups in rural Kenya. Methods We recruited 72 participants in 12 support groups (42 women, 30 men; 6 HIV, 6 non-HIV). Interviews lasted 1.5–4 h. Participants were asked to describe the benefits and challenges of support groups. We used MAXQDA qualitative software. We used thematic analysis informed by Grounded Theory principles to develop themes. Results HIV- and non-HIV groups provided socio-psychological benefits to members. However, HIV groups engaged in community-based HIV testing promotion, and empowered members on fight HIV-stigma and to disclose HIV-status. HIV-groups—mostly donor-financed—had challenges related to financial mismanagement and lack of transparency of disbursements. Non-HIV groups—mostly micro-financing initiatives—offered financial assistance (e.g., school fees, hospital expenses), start-up capital for business projects, and improved the standard of living for members. Non-HIV-groups had challenges related to marital conflict and violence about finances, high rate of loan-default among members; and high direct (e.g., membership financial contribution, transport costs) and indirect (e.g., time commitments) costs of group participation. Conclusion HIV-support groups are underutilised in economic empowerment initiatives for PLWH, and face challenges of sustainability, in part due to poor leadership, financial mismanagement and high financial dependency on external funding. Non-HIV groups are underutilised as venues for community-based HIV prevention efforts. Before engaging in micro-finance activities, support groups should receive leadership and financial training to ensure their long-term sustainability and increase group effectiveness in uplifting the quality and standards of living for persons living with or at-risk for HIV in rural communities. Disclosure of interest statement This study was funded by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing Start-Up funds, U. S. A. No pharmaceutical grants were received in the development of this study.

Employee Turnover in a Regional Commercial Bank

This study explored employee turnover in a commercial bank in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Apparently there is a need to curb dysfunctional mobility of human capital in the banking sector in the region. A cross-sectional mixed method design was used to collect data. A stratified sample of banking employees completed a semi-structured questionnaire. Key informant interviewing and a focus group discussion were employed to gather supplementary data. Archival data was used in the calculation of turnover rates. The results show a relatively low overall employee turnover rate, and differences in turnover rates for different job levels and gender distributions. The turnover rate for older and young employees is relatively similar. Factors that contribute to job dissatisfaction include better job offers elsewhere, poor compensation, a lack of promotional opportunities, and Black Economic Empowerment initiatives. The findings of the study provide evidence of the most pressing turnover problems that a bank in a less affluent geographic region experiences. The impact of job dissatisfaction on the productivity, efficiency and service delivery in the bank is highlighted and a number of human resource practices are recommended to manage employee and to develop much needed human capital in the banking sector in the region. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n27p371

A checklist to avoid pilot failures: lessons from a set of women’s economic empowerment initiatives

Pilot programmes have gained significance in donor-supported development interventions because of the growing emphasis on measuring impact. The Results-based initiatives (RBI) were conceived as pioneering pilots expected to acquire rigorous evidence on effective interventions to foster women’s economic empowerment. However, they fell short of providing clear or generalizable conclusions on women’s economic empowerment due to design and implementation problems. The RBI nevertheless offer important lessons on common traps in pilot design and implementation. This article synthesises 10 lessons from the RBI as a checklist to avoid pilot failure, intended for practitioners in any area of development.

Women HIV education, capacity building and economic empowerment initiative

Background The national sentinel survey, 2005 HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Nigeria is estimated at 4.4%. This shows a reduction from the 2004 prevalence rate of 5.0%. However, the reduction may not be significant in terms of the population of people living with HIV/AIDS. Women have been reported to be the most affected. Women vulnerability to HIV can be attributed to social, economic and cultural factors. HIV prevention initiatives aimed at halting the spread of HIV among women population must integrate an economic empowerment programme if meaningful impact is to be made. It is in this view that Health Matters Incorporated (HMI) implemented a project on Women HIV education, capacity building and economic empowerment initiative in Makoko community in Mainland lga of Lagos state. The goal is to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS through an integrated HIV education, capacity building and economic empowerment programme.