Economic Empowerment Of Women Research Articles

Effect of Table Banking on Economic Empowerment of Women in Small Medium Enterprises. A Case Study of Kirinyaga County Kenya

Effect of Table Banking on Economic Empowerment of Women in Small Medium Enterprises. A Case Study of Kirinyaga County Kenya

Gender Role Dynamics in Economic Development: Challenges and Opportunities for Women's Empowerment

The role of gender in economic development has become a major concern in the context of women's empowerment. This article investigates those dynamics with a focus on the challenges and opportunities faced in women's economic empowerment efforts. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, we explore the role of gender in economic development, explain the various challenges women face in access and control of economic resources, and identify opportunities to increase their empowerment. We also discuss the impact of gender roles in the context of global and regional economic development.

Can men unburden women from unpaid care work? Evidence from Burundi.

Abstract Background: Understanding gender inequalities in agriculture is essential for women's economic empowerment, especially in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa where agriculture is the mainstay of countries' economies. Despite women's significant contributions to agricultural production, gender disparities persist, particularly when it comes to access to resources. Women also undertake unpaid care work, which remains unrecognized in public policies. This paper explores the factors that encourage men to participate in unpaid care work, thereby supporting women and reducing the opportunity cost of their engagement in economic activities. Methods: Data collected from a random sample of 946 farm families across eight provinces in Burundi is analyzed. Additionally, insights from a Rapid Care Analysis are integrated with this dataset. Using a logit model, we analyze the factors that influence the likelihood of men engaging in unpaid care work. Results: Our findings reveal that, on average, women in Burundi work 13 hours per day, with 7 hours allocated to productive/market work and 6 hours to unpaid care work. In contrast, men spend 7 hours on productive/market work without dedicating any time to care work. The results of the logit regression underscore factors such as education level, participation in plant clinics, income level, and household size positively influence the likelihood of men engaging in unpaid care work. Conclusions: Based on these findings, we advocate for improved access to education and the expansion of programs that integrate components aimed at addressing gender disparities. These initiatives hold the potential to foster greater male involvement in unpaid care work, thereby alleviating the burden on women and facilitating their increased participation in economic activities.

Evaluating Women's Economic Empowerment During COVID-19 Pandemic in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

The factual condition resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has changed and impacted various aspects of Indonesian society. It also made women one of the vulnerable and affected groups, requiring them to face various challenges, including loss of livelihoods as family breadwinners, and gender-based violence. Outside of Java, the region with the highest number of COVID-19 cases is South Sulawesi Province, with a total of 62,672 cases. This had an economic impact on communities and families, particularly affecting women, especially domestic workers, and female heads of households. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of government policies and programs in South Sulawesi Province regarding domestic workers and female heads of households. It directly conducted interviews with stakeholders from the government, women's organizations, and domestic workers and female heads of households. It found that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted women who are heads of households and female domestic workers. The situation for women leading households worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic as they had to navigate the crisis on their own. The situation and conditions of female domestic workers during the COVID-19 pandemic were also dire. Some of them were unilaterally terminated, while others were forced to work daily at their employers' homes, risking virus transmission during their commute due to inadequate personal protective equipment. Those who were laid off by their employers faced a crisis, as they had no income, especially when their spouses, who also worked in the informal sector, stopped working simultaneously. It revealed that both the government of South Sulawesi empowered female heads of households by distributing productive business capital assistance and providing support for female SMEs to access people's business credit. However, in contrast to the reality faced by female domestic workers, this group of women did not receive any social and economic assistance from the government during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Exploring Financial Inclusion among Women Entrepreneurs: A Survey in Hazaribagh District, Jharkhand

Financial inclusion is a critical aspect of economic empowerment, particularly for marginalized segments such as women entrepreneurs. This research investigates the landscape of financial inclusion among women entrepreneurs in Hazaribagh District, Jharkhand, aiming to identify challenges and opportunities for enhancing their financial participation. Through a comprehensive survey-based approach, this study explores various dimensions of financial inclusion, including access to financial services, utilization patterns, and perceptions among women entrepreneurs in the region. In Hazaribagh District, Jharkhand, where entrenched gender norms often limit women's economic opportunities, understanding the status of financial inclusion among women entrepreneurs becomes imperative. Previous studies suggest significant disparities in access to finance, hindering the growth of women-led businesses. This study seeks to address this gap by conducting a survey to assess the extent of financial inclusion among women entrepreneurs in Hazaribagh District. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect data from a sample of women entrepreneurs operating across various sectors in Hazaribagh District. The questionnaire encompassed sections on demographic details, access to financial services, borrowing and saving behaviors, financial literacy, and perceptions of financial institutions. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select respondents, ensuring representation from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Data collection occurred over a specific timeframe, and responses underwent analysis using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Analysis of the survey data revealed significant insights into the status of financial inclusion among women entrepreneurs in Hazaribagh District. Specifically, 72% of respondents reported limited access to formal financial services, citing factors such as distance to banking institutions and lack of awareness as primary barriers. Moreover, 58% of women entrepreneurs relied on informal sources of credit, indicating a substantial gap in formal financial engagement. Despite these challenges, 85% of respondents expressed a willingness to engage with formal financial institutions if provided with suitable products and services tailored to their needs. The discussion underscores the importance of targeted interventions to enhance financial inclusion among women entrepreneurs in Hazaribagh District. Strategies such as mobile banking initiatives, financial literacy workshops, and microfinance programs emerge as potential avenues for addressing existing gaps and empowering women economically. Furthermore, collaborative efforts involving government agencies, financial institutions, and non-profit organizations are essential for creating an enabling environment conducive to women's entrepreneurship development. This research delivers valuable insights into the state of financial inclusion among women entrepreneurs in Hazaribagh District, Jharkhand. By pinpointing barriers and opportunities, it provides a foundation for evidence-based policy interventions aimed at advancing women's economic empowerment. The findings underscore the significance of holistic approaches that tackle not only access to finance but also socio-cultural factors shaping women's entrepreneurial endeavors. Moving forward, sustained efforts are warranted to foster an inclusive financial ecosystem that empowers women entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute to the socio-economic fabric of the region. In conclusion, this study underscores the urgency of addressing the financial inclusion gap among women entrepreneurs in Hazaribagh District and offers actionable recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders committed to promoting gender equality and inclusive economic growth.

Digital Money Services, Regulatory Framework and Performance of Women Owned Table Banking Schemes in Kenya

The global imperative to strengthen gender equity, equality, and foster a social-solidarity-based economy serves as a driving force for achieving sustainable development that caters to the needs of all individuals. The identified barriers of insufficient capital and limited decision-making capacities emerge as primary obstacles, hindering the swift progress towards crucial development milestones. Addressing these challenges becomes essential for empowering women in financial endeavors, allowing them to leverage the benefits of digital money within table banking frameworks, thereby contributing to the broader goals of sustainable and inclusive development. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of digital money services, regulatory frameworks on the Performance of Table Banking among Women in Kenya. This study was anchored on Innovation Diffusion Theory and the Modern economics theory. This study primarily employed a qualitative methodology, specifically opting for a systematic literature review, commonly referred to as desktop research. The findings revealed that the adoption of digital financial services, particularly mobile money, significantly contributes to women's economic empowerment through table banking initiatives. Notably, mobile money facilitates faster transfers, broad risk-sharing, improved privacy, enhanced decision-making, and improved savings balances. The evidence consistently highlighted enhanced financial control, improved savings, improved credit and access to entrepreneurial opportunities. This collective insight underscores the pivotal role of digital payments in positively shaping the landscape of women's financial inclusion and empowerment within the context of table banking initiatives. To harness these benefits, stakeholders in table banking initiatives should prioritize the adoption and integration of digital money platforms, ensuring that rural women have the necessary resources and knowledge to leverage these technologies for their financial advancement. The stakeholders, including financial institutions and policymakers, should actively promote digital literacy programs tailored for women owned table banking schemes in Kenya.

Harmonizing Progress: The Resounding Impact of Education on Women's Economic Empowerment

This study explores the transformative role of education in economically empowering women in District Dir Lower, Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The research delves into the correlation between women's education and economic well-being, emphasizing education as a gateway for women to compete in the labor market, strengthen earning possibilities, and gain control over resources. The methodology employs purposive sampling to engage with 20 educated and employed women, using open-ended questions in interviews to capture authentic narratives. Thematic analysis is applied to unravel insights, and ethical considerations ensure confidentiality and cultural sensitivity. The qualitative data analysis unveils a rich tapestry of themes, emphasizing education's impact on women's employment and productivity. Educated women emerge as pivotal contributors to family and national income, participating actively in legislation and policy-making. The study underlines the importance of women's education as a gateway to economic growth, with higher literacy rates correlating to stronger GDP and GNP. The symphony of women's education is portrayed as a transformative force, empowering nations and fostering a brighter, more inclusive future. The study calls for government prioritization of girls' education, implementation of skill development programs, and gender-responsive labor policies to foster gender equality and women's economic empowerment.

Empowering Women: E-Shakti's Impact on Self-Help Groups Digitization and Financial Inclusion in India

The study assesses the influence of the National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development’s (NABARD) Project E-Shakti on the digitization of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and the economic position of women in India. The study evaluates the project's outcomes using data from NABARD's Status of Microfinance in India reports from 2007-08 to 2022-23. The number of SHGs credit linked, savings of SHGs, loans disbursed to them, loans outstanding against them, and non-performing assets (NPA) were the variables considered for the study. Trend analysis and correlation were applied to the available data. For the analysis of the data, the Python algorithm was used. The study's findings indicate that Project E-Shakti intensely boosted the number of districts served and SHGs linked to formal finance, reducing their dependency on informal sources. The project also resulted in a significant increase in loan disbursement to SHGs, indicating enhanced financial sustainability and accessibility. The digitization of SHGs improved women's economic conditions by allowing them to engage in income-generating activities. The programme helped to reduce non-performing assets, signifying its beneficial impact on the financial health of SHGs. Refinance to Non-Banking Financial Companies- Microfinance Institutions (NBFC-MFIs) showed a boost after E-Shakti but then a volatile pattern was observed in the subsequent years. Project E-Shakti was a success in terms of promoting digitization, increasing financial inclusion, and improving women's economic empowerment in SHGs. To maximize the long-term benefit of digitization programmes, the study proposes increasing their scope, investing in digital literacy training, and enhancing monitoring and evaluation procedures.

SHARIA CREDIT RISKS

Alleviation poverty, especially among women, is a serious challenge in Indonesia. Finance microsharia emerged as a potential solution. For empowerment, women should approach sharia credit. This article discusses necessary risks noticed, like credit traffic jams, fraud, and risk reputation, in development finance microsharia. Management good risk has become a key continuity business. Apart from that, the importance of education and literacy finance, supporting the government, and partnerships with various parties in increasing the contribution of women to overcome poverty through Sharia credit is highlighted. Utilisation of the potential for zakat, waqf, and Islamic values is also a crucial aspect. Inclusionary and sustainable microfinance models are expected to positively impact women's economic empowerment. With a holistic, inclusive, and sustainable approach, it is hoped that women can play a significant role in alleviating poverty and positively impacting various layers of society in Indonesia.

The Impact of Financial Inclusion on the Association between Government Cash Transfers and Violence Against Women

This study employs a comprehensive and evidence-oriented analysis of public initiatives of financial benefits and economic empowerment of women with reference to their impact on violence against women (VAW) in the context of Pakistan. Microdata of survey on Economic and Social Wellbeing of Women in Punjab has been analyzed to underscore the aforementioned impact on women aged 15 to 64 years, both married and unmarried. Logit Probit models have been applied for arriving at empirical findings regarding impact of government financial benefits, marital status, household economic wealth status, education, gender of the household head, family size (number of children), area of residence, age, age square and female empowerment through providing them with employment on violence against women. Findings suggest that public initiatives of providing financial benefits to women for the purpose of enhancing their empowerment have empirical evidence with regard to mitigating violence against women in Pakistan. Public policy interventions for initiation of more research for provision of target based financial benefits to the women who are actually trapped in abusive relationships and social milieus are required to be prioritized in Pakistan. In addition to these research support initiatives, the government should link its budgetary allocations to the female entrepreneurship development and stipulate the departments with achievement of given targets for receiving further allocations. The results further suggest that effective planning and meticulous execution of government financial benefits programs designed especially for women play an established role in aggregation of uplifting their financially empowered status as well as decreasing their physical, emotional and sexual exploitation.

Gender-Responsive Public Procurement in Africa: Barriers and Challenges

Abstract Public procurement is often used to achieve policy goals beyond the purchase of the required goods and services. These goals include the economic advancement of minorities, the promotion of fair labour practices and climate action. In the last two decades, many countries have used public procurement to advance gender equality. This is referred to as gender-responsive procurement and is often implemented through the award of public contracts to women-owned businesses. While many countries have legal provisions designed to increase the award of public contracts to women, gender-responsive procurement is extremely limited and women-owned businesses are not fully integrated into public sector supply chains. This is unfortunate, given that gender-responsive procurement can improve women's economic empowerment, with implications for sustainable development. This article adopts a gender equality and women's economic empowerment lens to examine the legal, policy and cultural barriers to gender-responsive procurement and recommends measures to improve the award of public contracts to women-owned businesses.

DINAMIKA DALAM PRAKTIK PERNIKAHAN: TAWARAN UNTUK MENGURANGI PREVALENSI POLIGAMI DI ERA KONTEMPORER

This research addresses the complex debate regarding the practice of polygamy, which is a hot and controversial topic in various social, religious, legal, and personal contexts around the world. This research focuses on the history, relevance, and solutions of polygamy practices in the contemporary era. This study, conducted through qualitative research, details the history of polygamous practices from historical, cultural, and religious perspectives. The research questions raised include aspects of how the practice of polygamy developed, whether it is considered a necessity or a lifestyle in the contemporary era, and how solutions can be applied to overcome the negative impacts of the practice. The results show that the practice of polygamy has a long and complex history relating to historical, cultural, and religious factors. In the contemporary era, polygamy is still debated with a multifaceted approach. The research proposes solutions involving public education on gender equality and human rights, strengthening laws and policies that support monogamy, promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue, women's economic empowerment, and developing socialisation programmes. Psychological support, public policies in favour of monogamous families, and the building of community support networks are also considered important in curbing the practice of polygamy. This research contributes to a better understanding of the dynamics of polygamous practices by combining historical analyses, contemporary studies, and relevant solutions. The results reflect the complexity of interactions between religion, culture, law, and individual choice in the contexts where polygamy is practised. Efforts to reduce the prevalence of polygamy not only rely on enforcing social norms but also involve building solid foundations for healthy and egalitarian relationships and families in the contemporary era.

Women's economic empowerment in Africa: Is economic globalization friend or foe?

AbstractThe proponents of globalization claim that economic globalization (EGLO) is a catalyst for women's economic empowerment (WEE), whereas the opponents of EGLO are of the view that it is detrimental to WEE, especially in developing countries, as it can exacerbate preexisting inequality. This study has examined the impact of EGLO on WEE from 2005 to 2020 for 45 African countries. The analysis disaggregated the EGLO variable into trade and financial globalizations to examine their individual impact on WEE. The system generalized method of moments is used as the estimation technique. The results show that overall EGLO, trade globalization and financial globalizations significantly promote WEE. Furthermore, the paper reveals that female labour force participation and human development expedite WEE. The results obtained from the analyses of the segregated data – official English and non‐English speaking countries – are consistent with the aggregated data. Given these findings, this paper sheds light on how WEE could be enhanced on the African continent. Promoting WEE has the potential to expedite the achievement of some of the sustainable development goals.

The Influences of Cultural Collectivism and Participation in Decision-Making on Women's Economic Empowerment in Zanzibar Tourism Industry

The Influences of Cultural Collectivism and Participation in Decision-Making on Women's Economic Empowerment in Zanzibar Tourism Industry

Economic Security and Gender Budgeting in Nigeria

Gender budgeting has emerged as a crucial tool in addressing gender disparities and invariably promoting economic security. This article examines the intersection of economic security and gender budgeting in the Nigerian context. The study highlights the significant impact of gender- responsive budgeting on narrowing gender gaps in economic security. The article explores the concept of economic security within the framework of gender equality and sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of addressing gender-based discrimination as barriers to women's economic empowerment. Furthermore, the research examines the potential benefits of gender budgeting in achieving broader national development goals, including poverty reduction, increased productivity, and social cohesion. It underscores the need for a holistic approach that integrates gender considerations into all aspects of budget formulation, implementation, and monitoring. Ultimately, the work underscores that gender budgeting is not merely a fiscal exercise but a transformative strategy for building a more equitable and prosperous society in Nigeria.

ECONOMIC AND LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE SELECTED SCHEDULED CASTE SHG’s WOMEN BENEFICIARY HOUSEHOLDS IN KURNOOL DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

The economic empowerment of Women is very essential for the development of vulnerable section of the society particularly Scheduled Caste women. Present study analyzed the economic and living condition of SC women members of SHGs participated and expressed their views from three selected revenue divisions of the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The study found that, majority of the around 90 percent of SC women occupation is agriculture in nature, while 30 percent of SC women are landless, and 55 percent are only marginal landholder. Similarly, majority of women are acquiring skills such as leadership skills, occupation skills and group management skills. The low income, poor health and inadequate marketing skills are major problems exposed by the SC women in the selection region. KEY WORDS: Economic Conditions, Living conditions, SC women, SHGs and Kurnool district.

Women-Led Climate Change Solution Satellites: A Key Contributor to Social and Economic Empowerment of Women in Uganda

Women-Led Climate Change Solution Satellites: A Key Contributor to Social and Economic Empowerment of Women in Uganda

Influential Factors on Women's Participation in Agricultural Cooperative in the Digital Era

Digitalization has brought ease in managing the operations of organizations in the world. However, education and digital literacy become hurdles for involving marginalized people. The participation of women is crucial for the overall development of humankind. "Gender equality and women's empowerment are essential for achieving sustainable development and creating a more just and equitable world"[1]. Indeed, greater women's participation can significantly boost qualitative and quantitative output in all fields. Promoting women's participation in rural areas can significantly impact agricultural economies, including increasing food production and dairy output. However, the participation of women in decision-making, particularly in rural areas, is often limited. This paper focuses on Identifying and analyzing the factors that prevent women from playing a more significant role in rural economies, which is an essential step towards promoting women's economic empowerment and achieving more equitable and sustainable development outcomes in the digital era. The study's finding suggests that education levels, lack of adequate training, and household work are key factors that limit the participation of women.

Challenging the myth of women's empowerment: Mining development and commercial sex in a Zambian town

Commercial sex and mining have long been interwoven. With the spread of neoliberal capitalism, social relations around the mine site have become increasingly commodified. This ethnographic study examines the experiences of female sex workers in the mining town of Solwezi, Zambia. Women's stories offer insight into the lives of those excluded from the conventional women's economic empowerment narrative that has been widely adopted by the mining industry and what this means for their wellbeing and health. Despite the rhetoric, economic empowerment is not easily attained and women often remain heavily reliant on mine workers given limited and unequal opportunities within the labour market. In Solwezi, women who have been abandoned by a mine-working husband may find that sex work is the one opportunity available to them. Alternatively, women have migrated from across the country to participate in commercial sex work in Solwezi. Men, especially mine workers with twice-monthly pay cheques, have become a sought-after commodity, by both sex workers and wives. This has increased their power in their relationships, entrenches inequality, and increases the potential for abuse in these relationships. Despite these dynamics, sex working women continue to be neglected in Solwezi and by the broader development community. When they are considered, generally attention is directed towards HIV prevention. These interventions fail to consider the complex social, political, and economic context that can affect women's living and working conditions.

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