Women Empowerment Research Articles

Migration, Growth, and Poverty Reduction in Rural China: Retrospect and Prospects

Abstract Rural-to-urban migration is a transformative force in economic development and the unprecedented scale of China's experience offers valuable insight for other countries. We draw comparisons with international findings as we review empirical evidence on the impacts of migration on rural migrant-sending communities. We begin by examining how institutional factors, particularly household registration systems and land tenure policies, shape migration decisions. Next, the discussion turns to methodological challenges in studying migration, presents long-term trends, and reviews the impacts of migration on rural household earnings, consumption, and the risk of falling into poverty. We then explore the global phenomenon of “left behind” populations, comparing China's experience with other countries regarding the impact of migration on children's well-being, women's empowerment, and care for older people. Throughout, we highlight the way China's internal migration patterns both align with and diverge from international experiences. We conclude by identifying key research gaps.

Challenges in implementing educational strategies for women’s career advancement towards advancing SDGs in Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to identify the key challenges in implementing educational strategies for women’s career advancement in Malaysia’s corporate sector, and to evaluate their impacts on advancing gender equality (SDG 5) and quality education (SDG 4) in the country. The study employs a qualitative phenomenological approach, utilizing the combination of purposive and snowball sampling to conduct in-depth interviews with senior female executives in Malaysia, exploring their experiences and perceptions of obstacles on the implementation of educational strategies for women empowerment in the corporate sector. The findings uncover four major challenges in implementing effective educational strategies for women’s career advancement which are insufficient organizational support and underrepresentation of women leaders; unconscious gender bias and stereotypes; resistance to change and work-life balance challenges. The study offers practical insights for corporate sectors and human resource management to develop comprehensive policies and practices that is essential to empower women and promote gender equality within the organization. The challenges identified in the findings provide valuable direction for the development of targeted interventions and strategies that address the unique challenges women face in the corporate sector, thereby enhancing their leadership potential and contributing to the achievement of gender equality and quality education as outlined in SDG 5 and SDG 4. This qualitative approach offers a unique, in-depth understanding of the challenges and successes women face in their career advancement. The findings will provide valuable insights for corporate sectors, policymakers, and human resource management on the guidance to develop an effective framework and approach that promotes gender equality and women leadership within Malaysia’s corporate setting and contribute to both academic literature and practical interventions.

Impact of Women Empowerment in the State, Market and Social Domain: Empirical Evidence of Developing Countries

The authority to carry out a job is a matter of delegation of power and jurisdiction. When women are empowered, they can make their own decisions and have access to resources. When a society strives for growth in its social and economic spheres, it is said to be developing socially and economically. Half of the world's population comprises women, who comprise a significant percentage of society via their reproductive and productive labor. This article examines the significance of women's empowerment in socio-economic progress, which is crucial for a country's advancement since it recognizes and incorporates women's influence into the economy to enhance their situations. This article falls under the qualitative category since it relied on supplementary methods to gather data. The study examines how empowering women in developing countries may lead to positive socio-economic change in society, the market, and the state. Filling a vacuum in our understanding, this research employs theoretical frameworks and case studies to assess how women's empowerment affects development via the state, the market, and society. The implications, methodology, and linkages are examined using quantitative data and qualitative observations from developing countries. Out of all the population categories, the one for political approval produces the fewest results. Statistics under support the representation of women in political institutions, internet accessibility, and the judicial system. To measure women's empowerment, researchers often use the Women's Empowerment Index. Many studies have used this measure or one of its variants to assess empowerment; examples include the agricultural level, the Women's Empowerment Index (Weeai), and empowerment indices for women in livestock.

Breaking Down the Gender Divide: A Study of Women’s Hiring and Representation in the Workplace

This research article, Breaking Down the Gender Divide: A Study of Women’s Hiring and Representation in the Workplace, investigates the gender disparities in hiring rates and overall representation of women in the workforce. Utilizing secondary data from global corporate diversity reports, including Google's annual diversity reports, the study analyses trends in the participation of women in various industries, particularly in leadership and technical roles. The findings highlight both the progress made and the persistent challenges women face in achieving equal representation across different levels of the workplace. While there has been incremental growth in women’s hiring rates and leadership roles, the data reveals that significant gaps still exist, particularly in male-dominated fields. The article further discusses the implications of these findings, offering recommendations for organizations to improve gender diversity through targeted hiring practices, leadership development programs, and inclusive workplace policies. This research contributes to the ongoing conversation about workplace equity and offers valuable insights for both policymakers and businesses aiming to foster a more inclusive environment. KEYWORDS Women Empowerment, Gender Equality, Workplace Diversity, Gender Gap

Fungsi Dinas Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Perlindungan Anak Kota Kupang Terhadap Eksploitasi Anak Dibawah Umur Sebagai Pekerja Informal

Exploitation according to Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection is divided into physical, social, sexual and economic exploitation. With the existence of children who work, this is a violation of the right to child protection and child growth and development, which should be at that age the child is still in school and gets a proper education. The phenomenon of underage labor almost occurs in all regions of Indonesia. One of the children's problems that must receive special attention is the issue of child labor. This issue has become global because so many children around the world are already working at school age. In fact, the issue of child labor is not just an issue of children carrying out work with wages, but it is very closely related to exploitation, dangerous work, inhibition of access to education and hindering the physical, psychological and social development of children, even in certain cases and forms of child labor have entered as the qualification of children who work in the most intolerable situations (the intolerable form of child labor). This research is an empirical research that uses primary data and secondary data collected using interview, observation and literature study techniques. The informants in this study are 10 people. The data processing techniques in this study use several techniques, namely editing, coding, tabulation and verification after which the data will be analyzed using qualitative descriptive techniques. The results of this study show that (1) the Kupang City Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Office needs to increase socialization, supervision, and cooperation with the community to effectively prevent and protect minors from exploitation. (2) Budget factors, apparatus resources, and socialization of child protection to the community are factors that hinder the implementation of the functions of the Kupang City Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Office in providing prevention, protection, coaching and empowerment of children.

ANALYSIS OF RURAL WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURAL DECISION-MAKING PROCESS AMONG RICE FARMERS IN ZONE A OF KANO STATE, NIGERIA

The study examines the analysis of rural women participation in agricultural decision-making process among rice farmers in Zone A of Kano State, Nigeria. A Multistage sampling technique was used to select 377 rural women farmers for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that morethan half (54.6% and 50.1%) of the rural women agreed and strongly agreed that they sourced household finance through personal savings and government and NGO’s while majority (65.5% and 71.9%) of the respondents were members of cooperatives and had contact with extension agents respectively. The result also revealed that a notable proportion (42.4% and 40.8%) of the respondents had agreed that they received agricultural information through cooperatives/associations and fellow farmers respectively. Furthermore, the result revealed that morethan half (50.1%) of the repondents agreed that they received information on processing and marketing of rice while majority (58.9%) of the respondents strongly agreed that they received information on water and soil management. The result also showed that 44.7% of the respondents revealed that they were fully involved in selection of manure/fertilizer decision-making and 45.9% mentioned they were to large extent involved in sowing seed decision-making. The result also showed that 32.9% of the respondents participated in winnowing while 20.0% participated in marketing in the study. The regression results, showed that education level was found to be significant (P<0.05) respectively, while, farm size, farming experience, membership in cooperative society, extension visit and level of income were also found to be significant (P<0.01) respectively, with R2 0.723. The study concluded that rural women farmers are generally involved in decision-making processes and participation on rice production, processing and marketing such as selection of manure and fertilizer, sowing, threshing, winnowing and packaging among others. The major constraints associated with rice production, processing and processing includes inadequate financial support, less availability of time, traditional beliefs and cultural values among others. The study recommends women participation in agricultural decision-making process will enhance investment in girl child education should be prioritized by the government in other to increase female literacy rate and women empowerment in agriculture.

Impact of Technological Interventions on the Yield and Income of Tribal Farm Women’s in Arunachal Pradesh under Eastern Himalayan Region

The study was conducted to determine the extent of Impact, adoption of improved technologies, economics and yield gap analysis in the empowerment of tribal farm women’s cluster having 50 nos. of respondents selected among a pool of 105 farm families in the Chug village of West Kameng District Arunachal Pradesh. Various technological interventions were made by the K.V.K for the tribal farm women’s empowerment. In this reference the present study was undertaken to have an understanding of the nature and extent of the empowerment of rural women’sthrough involvement in income generational activities under the aegis of Doubling Farmers Income Programme started by Govt. of India. The study revealed that the highest income generating activity was paddy cum Fish farming and nursery raising of temperate fruit crops with >100% increase while the lowest income generating activity was SRI of local rice with 25% increase only. The extension gap recorded was highest 2000Kg/ha in the introduction of HYV of ginger and lowest 30 eggs/year in the introduction of improved poultry breed having same trend in (TG) technology gap i.e. 12000kg and 60 egg/year respectively. The technology index TI was highest 60 in ginger production and 16.66 in SRI of local paddy.

Analysis of the Impact of Family Planning on Chinese Society

In the 1980s, China implemented the one-child policy as a means to manage population growth during its reform and opening-up period. This policy not only contributed to a reduction in crime rates associated with overpopulation but also empowered women to enter the workforce, thereby stimulating economic development. By 2016, the two-child policy was introduced to address gender discrimination and further promote women's rights. The policy underwent another transformation in 2021 with the introduction of the three-child policy, aimed at tackling the growing issue of an aging population in China. This paper examines the impact of family planning policies on Chinese society and women's rights from both economic and sociological perspectives. Through an analysis of specific cases alongside historical context, this study illustrates the intrinsic connection between birth policies and China's economic development as well as women's social status. The discussion highlights how China's family planning initiatives have influenced societal dynamics and enhanced women's rights, demonstrating improvements in their social standing while concurrently reducing crime rates. The evolution of these policiesfrom one-child to two-child, and now three-childreflects China's strategic response to demographic challenges, underscoring the relationship between fertility policies and women's empowerment.

Assessing the Impact of Women’s Empowerment on their Nutritional Status in Bangladesh: A Multilevel Logistic Regression Analysis

Women’s empowerment is one of the ten ‘special initiatives’ of Bangladesh government. According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2022, Bangladesh ranks as the most gender-equal nation in South Asia. Understanding how Bangladeshi women are empowering themselves and its impact on their nutritional status is crucial, as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include both gender equality and women's health. This study aims to investigate women’s empowerment in Bangladesh and its impacts on their nutritional status. A total number of 14,862 samples were extracted from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017-18 for this study. Women’s empowerment was measured using three indicators; (i) women’s participation to make decision on their healthcare, (ii) women’s participation to purchase households goods and (iii) person who usually decides to visit family and friends. The composite index of these three indicators was used as outcome variable for further statistical analysis. The study revealed that 79.0%, 76.1% and 78.4% women participated to make decision on their healthcare, purchasing household goods and visit to relatives and friends respectively, resulting in 63.7% women being classified as empowered in Bangladesh. Predictors of women’s empowerment included: living location (division), type of residence, place of delivery, sex of household head, wealth index, respondents’ age, education, occupation, having bank account, total ever born children and decision in using contraception, and beating by husband. After controlling the effect of other factors, it was shown that empowered women were more likely to become over nourished than unempowered women. The study also found that a strikingly large proportion of women in Bangladesh remained unempowered. Some modifiable factors were found as predictors of women empowerment. Additionally, unempowered women were more likely to be undernourished. International Journal of Statistical Sciences, Vol. 24(2), November, 2024, pp 19-34

Digital Inclusion and Empowerment: Evaluating Key Enablers for Women Entrepreneurs in the Informal Economy through AHP

This study explores the key enablers of digital inclusion and empowerment for women entrepreneurs in the informal economy, with a particular focus on evaluating these factors using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Despite the vast potential of digital tools in enhancing business practices, women in the informal sector face significant barriers in accessing technology, digital literacy, financial support, and social acceptance. This research identifies five critical attributes—Access to Digital Infrastructure, Digital Literacy, Financial Support Systems, Social and Cultural Acceptance, and Government and Policy Support—and assesses their relative importance for enabling digital inclusion. Through AHP, the study aims to prioritize these enablers and provide valuable insights for policy makers and organizations to design targeted interventions that foster digital empowerment. The findings reveal that access to digital infrastructure and digital literacy are the most significant enablers, while social and cultural acceptance also plays a crucial role in overcoming gendered barriers to digital engagement. This research contributes to the understanding of digital inclusion challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the informal economy, offering a pathway toward more inclusive digital entrepreneurship.

The relationship between natural resource rents and gender discrimination laws: evidence from panel data analysis

PurposeThis study investigates the impact of hydrocarbon rents on gender discrimination laws and the extent to which democratic institutions and women’s political participation condition this relationship.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses static and dynamic panel estimation including pooled-ordinary least squares, fixed and random effects and system generalized method of moments.FindingsThe results show that countries with higher hydrocarbon rents have higher levels of gender discrimination laws. Furthermore, there is a significant link between hydrocarbon rents and gender discrimination laws regardless of the quality of democratic institutions or strength of women’s political empowerment.Research limitations/implicationsThe index of gender discrimination laws is limited to laws that impact a woman’s access to employment and entrepreneurial activity once a woman enters the labor force and does not take into account implementation of the laws.Practical implicationsPolicymakers should promote output and export diversification and adopt gender-inclusive policies to counter the adverse consequences of gender discrimination laws associated with hydrocarbon resource wealth.Originality/valueWomen’s empowerment is a major issue on the global development agenda, featuring most notably in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on achieving women equality and empowerment of women and girls. There is scant evidence about how hydrocarbon rents impact gender discrimination laws, a pervasive obstacle to women’s economic and political empowerment. This paper fills this gap in the literature paper by examining the effect of hydrocarbon rents on gender discrimination laws.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-02-2024-0174

Gender Equality: Analysis of the Current Status and Suggestions for Future Development

This study centers on the current situation and future direction of gender equality. In the backdrop of global modernization, although women have extensively participated in social production and awakened to their rights consciousness, structural gender inequality remains deeply entrenched. Men still dominate social resources and decision-making processes. Traditional family concepts restrain women's freedom, and gender discrimination in the workplace remains prevalent. Despite the vigorous emergence feminist movements, improper thoughts and online public opinion have aggravated the confrontation between men and women, impeding the progress of gender equality. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the stances on gender equality at home and abroad, traces the historical roots of gender inequality from prehistoric society to capitalist society, and reveals the underlying social structure and economic foundation. A critical examination of the current gender equality ideology reveals issues such as an excessive emphasis on ideology while neglecting the realistic foundation, the pursuit of equality yet tacitly accepting male “privileges”, women's empowerment confined by the male-dominated framework, blurred boundaries between equality and consumerism, differentiated interests within feminism, and the confrontation between men and women. Based on this, this study proposes future strategies for promoting gender equality, emphasizing the need to transform the realistic foundation, enhance women's social value, increase women's access to social resources and voice, and strengthen social consensus and cooperation to drive the substantive development of the cause of gender equality.

It's a men's world: Influence of media literacy for women's empowerment through social media engagement in Bangladesh

It's a men's world: Influence of media literacy for women's empowerment through social media engagement in Bangladesh

Sustaining women's empowerment for development in resource-limited settings: an exploratory qualitative approach.

Women's empowerment is one of the fundamental issues for attaining sustainable development goals crossing multiple dimensions. In Ethiopia, Women's Development Network (WDN), a network of women, was established in 2010 with development aims. Ensuring women's empowerment critically needs collective efforts of platforms such as WDN. However, there was a paucity of information about the patterns of WDN functionalities, its contribution, and factors affecting its functionality in rural areas of Southern Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to explore WDN status and factors affecting their functionality in Southern Ethiopia. The study employed an exploratory qualitative design. Data were collected from purposively selected zones using focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Audio-taped materials were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a thematic approach. Initially, data were coded (open coding) and after several reviews, themes were developed and interpreted in line with the study objectives. WDN has passed several steps from its establishment up to now. It was seen skeptically at its early inception, very good level of acceptance in the middle, and staggering currently. However, WDN has contributed to improvements in household welfare resulting from increased ability to afford food, clothing, health, and education. Specific to health, WDN has contributed to general awareness creation, maternal and child health utilization, and environmental sanitation. On the other hand, the volunteer nature of the job put pressure on WDN and revealed socioeconomic stresses. Moreover, inconsistent support from stakeholders especially health extension workers, inadequate men's engagement, and sidelining of WDN by some educated women remain challenges for the sustainable functionality. WDN has contributed to multidimensional development goals, especially health services uptake and environmental sanitation. However, over time, it became flaccid and lost adequate emphasis from most of its stakeholders and supportive structures. Therefore, considering such vital inputs from community participation in resource-limited settings, stakeholders should offer adequate attention to WDN in terms of selection, training, orientation, follow-up, and acquainting with the community they serve. Moreover, efforts are needed to retain women voluntarily serving and build positive images across all stakeholders and fellow women receiving the services.

Empowerment and Economic Development of Women in Darrang District and Role of Self-help Groups

Empowerment and Economic Development of Women in Darrang District and Role of Self-help Groups

SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW: DETERMINANTS OF WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT IN STUNTING PREVENTION

Stunting has become a global priority program. In 2024 Indonesia intends to reduce the prevalence of stunting. Studies show that there is a relationship between women's empowerment and children's nutritional status. This study was conducted to identify women's empowerment variables that are used as assessment indicators in several scientific publications that have been carried out. This study uses a systematic literature review from electronic data sources that can be accessed and published from the Scopus database portal, a systematic review is carried out using the Prisma flow technique. The variables used to assess women's empowerment include women's ability to make decisions, including decisions to buy something, access health services, and other productive decisions, education level, economic level, employment, acceptance of violence, age, participation in the community, ability to communicate with partners, and confidence to speak and express opinions. Reducing the prevalence of stunting can start by building a society that is aware of equality from the individual and family level, providing opportunities for women to have the ability to make strategic decisions, and having sufficient knowledge and resources for children's nutritional needs.

Role of Self-Help Groups in Women’s Empowerment and Sustainable Management of Minor Forest Produce in Rural Chhattisgarh

Minor Forest Produce (MFP) is an important source of income for tribal communities living in forests, and self-help groups (SHGs) are involved in procuring and aggregating MFPs. The sustainable management of natural resources relies heavily on women's contributions.This study aims to focus mainly on the role of SHGs in enhancing the empowerment of women and on assessing the impact of the same on MFP management practices that are concerned with adopting the sustainability approach. To assess how SHG empowered women at the grassroots levels of rural Chhattisgarh, a multidimensional index of empowerment was adopted. 200 women were selected through the stratified sampling method for in-depth surveys and interviews. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The result showed that after joining SHG women are becoming more confident, assertive decision-makers, and better natural resource managers. Self-help groups have the potential to improve environmental and economic results in their communities by focusing on the empowerment of women. This study revealed that empowering women through the formation of SHGs is crucial in determining the sustainable management of minor forest products in rural Chhattisgarh. Therefore, there is a continual requirement for assistance and capacity building of self-help groups for them to continue playing an important role in activities that empower women while also supporting sustainable methods in operating microfinance programs (MFP).

Pemberdayaan Perempuan Di Era Digital Melalui Pelayanan Marketing Digital, Service Digital Dan Komunikasi Digital Menuju Desa Wisata Di Kecamatan Pulau Pinang

This research aims to find out strategies for empowering women in developing villages in the digital era through digital marketing, digital services, and digital communication towards tourist villages in Pulau Pinang District, 2. to find out the driving and inhibiting factors for women's empowerment in developing villages in the digital era through digital marketing, digital services and digital communications to tourist villages in Pulau Pinang District. This research uses primary data and secondary data. Primary data in this research was obtained by conducting observations, interviews, and documentation. Data analysis techniques used include data analysis, data reduction, data presentation, verification, drawing conclusions, and testing data validity. This research shows that implementing government support to improve women's communication can help reduce village poverty. Government support for women's empowerment in tourist villages has been carried out. This activity aims to provide understanding and knowledge about how to market creative products in the digital era through digital marketing, digital services, and digital communications so that participants can apply them to increase sales of creative products in Pulau Pinang Village, Pulau Pinang District. Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Pulau Pinang village aims to empower women entrepreneurs in the technology and digital fields. So that they can keep up with current developments where the world is entering industry 4.0, which uses more technology and digital capabilities; apart from that, people can get jobs without having to leave the village or the city, but by partnering with business owners who need their skills in the field of digital marketing.

Decolonising Environmental Justice

Abstract This article explores the practices and discourses of environmental justice in Iranian Kurdistan/Rojhelat. In the face of unprecedented destruction of the natural environment, Kurdish people, including a significant number of women, organise themselves to defend ecosystems, lakes, rivers, and forests, making them part of the global environmental justice movement. Local communities face growing challenges such as water scarcity, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, exploitation of natural resources, and pollution, which directly affect their lives and health. Drawing on decolonial and critical perspectives of environmental justice studies, we ask how Kurdish activists understand the concepts of “justice” and “environment” in the context of discriminatory practices of the capitalist, patriarchal, and authoritarian Iranian state. Based on interviews and fieldwork in the region, this article argues that the global environmental justice movement should pay closer attention to the contextual realities of the subaltern, their aims and ideas related to nature, justice, and women empowerment.

Role of Digital Entrepreneurship in Social Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs in India: An Empirical Study

Digital entrepreneurship has emerged as a transformative force that offers numerous opportunities for the social empowerment of women in India. The study explores the way the digital platforms and technologies allow women entrepreneurs to overcome barriers like “limited access to markets, financial resources, and socio-cultural restrictions.” Women are now creating ground-breaking business models, accessing wider audiences, and achieving financial independence with the help of digital tools. It is seen that digital entrepreneurship enhances economic participation and also fosters confidence, skill development, and societal recognition for women. Government initiatives and policies are there to support female entrepreneurship. There are some challenges also like digital literacy gaps, inadequate infrastructure in rural areas, and gender biases. Previous studies show that training programs, mentorship, and improved internet access amplify the role of digital entrepreneurship in bridging gender disparities. The study suggests for collaborative ecosystem that have full control on full potential of digital platforms that empowers women entrepreneurs in India. A sample of 203 women entrepreneurs from different entrepreneurial sectors were surveyed know the factors that determines different Role of Digital Entrepreneurship in Social Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs and found that Breaking Barriers, Skill Development, Financial Independence and Community Building are the factors that shows different role of Digital Entrepreneurship in Social Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs.