Gender Equality Policies Research Articles

Policy and implementation of gender equality in Indonesian mining companies as an approach to achieve the goals of Indonesian SDGS

Policy and implementation of gender equality in Indonesian mining companies as an approach to achieve the goals of Indonesian SDGS

Gender Affirmative Actions and Greater Participation Female in Politics: Overcoming “Inaptitudes” With Amartya Sen

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate affirmative actions within the framework of John Rawls' and Amartya Sen's theories, with the aim of analyzing how these theories have influenced the strengthening of the idea of human dignity in contemporary times and the promotion of female political participation. Theoretical Framework: This section presents the main concepts and theories that underpin the research. The focus is on John Rawls' theories of justice and Amartya Sen's capabilities approach, providing a solid foundation for understanding the context of the investigation. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a jurisprudential review and an analysis grounded in a dialectical perspective. Data collection was conducted through the analysis of judicial cases and legal documents, particularly within the Brazilian context of fictitious candidacies and the demand for the implementation of gender equality policies. Results and Discussion: The results revealed the necessity for decisions by national courts in cases of gender quota fraud to also be based on a gender perspective. In the discussion section, these results are contextualized in light of the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications and relationships identified. Possible discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered in this section. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights on how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of gender equality in politics. These implications may encompass the formulation of public policies and judicial actions in cases of electoral fraud. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by proposing the maintenance of legitimately elected female candidates who did not participate in electoral fraud, and, from this number, the recalculation of the legal quota proportionality, as a means of strengthening the fundamental right to gender equality. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by the potential application of its results in improving the effectiveness of affirmative actions in the political context.

Gender Equality in Cambodian Higher Education Institutions: A Case Study of the National University of Battambang

This study examines the gender distribution among students, faculty, and administrative staff at the National University of Battambang (NUBB). The research investigates the sociocultural, economic, and institutional barriers to gender equality at the university, assesses the effectiveness of existing gender equality policies and initiatives, and considers the role of university leadership in advancing gender equality and fostering an inclusive culture. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews. The findings reveal that the number of female students significantly exceeds that of male students, yet women constitute less than 25% of the faculty and administrative staff. Despite this disparity, NUBB's commitment to implementing gender equality policies and initiatives is commendable. The university's leadership is dedicated to these efforts and actively supports advancing gender equality, which bodes well for the future. The researchers offer practical recommendations to enhance gender equality at NUBB, contributing to broader efforts to promote gender equity in Cambodian higher education institutions. The results underscore the ongoing need for policy revisions and sustained efforts to address gender imbalances and create a more equitable academic environment.

Maternity leave reform and women's labor supply: Evidence from China

China has extended maternity leave to encourage childbirth. This study specifically investigates the effects of China's maternity leave reform (MLR) on women's labor supply, utilizing a difference-in-difference analysis with data from the China Family Panel Studies. Our findings show that MLR leads to a notable decrease in women's working hours, with an average reduction of 2.6 h per week. However, no corresponding impacts are observed in men's labor supply. Mechanism analysis suggests that these effects may stem from women facing more disadvantaged positions in the labor market, having increased intentions for fertility, and experiencing heightened household responsibilities. These findings hold significant implications for the future design and implementation of childbirth promotion and gender equality policies.

Selling soldiering: Marketisation, gender complementarity and the promise of military femininity in 1990s Sweden

AbstractThis article examines the first large‐scale attempts to recruit women as soldiers and officers in 1990s Sweden, focusing on the techniques and promises employed by the Swedish Armed Forces (SAF). Building on a wide range of documents and audiovisual sources, we demonstrate how the SAF utilised various marketing techniques, including advertisements and sponsorships, to attract and ‘sell’ soldiering to young women. Analysing these efforts through scholarship on neoliberal governmentality and gendered military identity, we argue that these strategies marked the onset of military marketisation, reflecting broader neoliberal trends in 1990s Sweden. Moreover, we show how the SAF's marketing techniques promised women a narrowly defined, complementary, feminine military identity that reinforced existing gender stereotypes in the name of gender equality. Our findings shed new light on the instability of gender equality policies deemed progressive and pioneering and, in contrast, the stability of the global racialised hierarchies that inscribe some nations as gender equality forerunners.

Gender quotas are not enough: the need for multiple strategies to address gender equity in Australian universities

ABSTRACT The paper examines a ‘circulatory’ system of gender inequity in Australian universities where gender bias prevents women from accessing senior decision-making roles and stultifies their capacity to act as gender change agents. It has been mooted that equity quotas for senior roles can derail this circuit of male privilege in academia. Yet a plastic reading of the shape of gender equity policy and practice in Australian universities over the last 40 years reveals an increasing acceptance of individualism, which positions women’s liberation as being achievable through self-responsibilisation. If these discourses remain unchallenged, gender quotas for senior roles alone will likely only benefit those entrepreneurial women admitted to senior positions, rendering the causes of gender inequity hidden and exonerated. Using a novel methodology that combines a ‘plastic’ with a complex systems lens of policy manoeuvres, we suggest gender quotas, accompanied by strategy designed to develop leaders’ gender competency and change agency, are required to support more sustainably equitable work structure within the academy.

European Union gender equality and work–life balance policies: managing tensions between the demands of production and reproduction

European Union (EU) gender equality policies increasingly acknowledge the existence of tensions between the demands of productive and reproductive labour, with the former defined as waged work and the latter as the (unpaid) activities reproducing the labour force and provisioning for caring needs. As women increasingly enter the labour market, the EU addresses the growing tensions through new gender equality policy initiatives, prompting the question of whether these recognise the value of reproductive labour to the economy. This article analyses the discourses of three EU institutions (the European Commission, Council of the EU and European Parliament) and finds that EU policy as a whole continues to prioritise the interests of the productive economy. This results in a loss of the emancipatory potential of its gender equality goals, in particular, for women from working-class, minority ethnic or migration backgrounds.

Personality and political representation—How personality traits shape MPs' attitudes toward gender equality

AbstractThis study analyzes whether the personality traits of Members of Parliament (MPs) affect their attitudes toward the representation of gender equality issues. Based on the Big Five personality traits, we argue that Openness to Experience and Conscientiousness shape MPs' positions toward gender equality policies through two different pathways. The first pathway proposes a direct connection. While Openness is expected to positively affect MPs' support for gender equality, Conscientiousness is assumed to have a negative impact. The second pathway runs indirectly, linking Openness and Conscientiousness to preferences toward gender equality through the effect of these personality traits on MPs' general ideological positions. Using data from a survey of elite politicians in Germany and Switzerland, the results of a causal mediation analysis show a positive direct effect of Openness that holds independent of a mediating influence of political ideology. The analysis deepens our understanding of gender equality legislation and the MPs engaging in it.

Balinese Women and Gender Equality in Tourism Industry

Purpose: This research aims to raise awareness among industry players and the wider community, especially those working in the tourism industry, regarding gender equality in the Bali tourism industry. Research methods: The research methodology employed is a literature review. Analysis of textual descriptions was carried out using the Gender Equality Continuum Assessment concept. Results and discussion: The findings reveal injustices faced by Balinese women working in the tourism sector, including the perpetuation of stereotypes implying limitations in managing the tourism sector and inadequate legal protections. These findings underscore the necessity of raising public awareness about gender inequality and enforcing legal protections for women in the tourism sector. Implications: By implementing gender equality policies and raising awareness of gender roles, the tourism industry is expected to create a more inclusive and fair environment thereby promoting social justice and fostering economic development.

Impact of Gender Equality Policies on Women’s Career Mental Health and Well-Being

This paper examines the impact of gender equality policies on women’s career mental health and well-being in Canada. Over the past few decades, Canada has implemented a variety of legislative measures aimed at promoting gender equality, including pay equity, parental leave, and anti-discrimination laws. These policies have been instrumental in creating more inclusive and supportive workplace environments, improving job satisfaction, and enhancing overall mental health for women. However, despite significant progress, challenges such as persistent wage gaps, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and workplace harassment continue to hinder the full realization of gender equality. Using a qualitative research approach, this study explores the experiences of women across different industries and backgrounds to understand how these policies impact their mental health and career progression. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening policy implementation, promoting cultural change within organizations, and addressing intersectional inequalities to further improve the mental health and well-being of women in the workforce. Recommendations for policymakers and organizations are provided to enhance the effectiveness of gender equality policies and create more equitable workplaces.

Gender equality policy of the Olympic Movement in Chinese sport governing bodies: the case of elite volleyball

Abstract Objectives This research based on the theoretical framework of globalisation focuses on the development of gender equality policy in the Olympic Movement and the implementation of IOC’s gender equality policy in the context of Chinese elite volleyball. Methods In addition to documentary analysis, 17 semi-structured interviews were conducted with key insiders within Chinese elite volleyball system to provide a comprehensive understanding of the IOC’s gender equality policy implementation. The analysis involved perspectives of athletes’ participation, coaching positions, and leadership roles according to three main elements of the IOC’s gender equality policy. Results The findings demonstrated that the responses of Chinese elite volleyball to IOC’s gender equality policy are participative, conflictual, and passive in terms of the gender balance of athletes’ participation, coaches’ positions, and the representation of leadership roles respectively. Conclusions IOC recommended subordinated stakeholders including NOCs to implement gender equality policy. The attitude of Chinese elite volleyball governing body towards gender equality is generally positive. However, IOC’s gender equality policy is not consistently transferred at national level. Policy might be implemented with symbolic measure in China without monitoring system. Referees should be included in policy contents in addition to athletes, coaches and leaders. In addition, since IOC’s gender equality policy and statistics have been keeping updated, further results with respect to the case of volleyball should be demonstrated in future research.

THE PERCEPTIONS OF STUDENTS REGARDING GENDER EQUALITY POLICIES IN UNIVERSITIES

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

Gender barriers to career growth and support programs for women managers

In the modern world, where equality and justice are the key principles of social development, the issue of gender equality in the workplace is becoming particularly relevant. This article analyzes the gender barriers that women face in the process of career growth and examines effective support programs aimed at strengthening their positions in leadership roles. Purpose of the research – analyze gender barriers to leadership positions and evaluate the eff ectiveness of support programs for women leaders. Methodology – use of such methods of analysis as comparison, collation, systematization and statistical analysis. Originality / value – manifested in an integrated approach to the problem of gender inequality in career growth, which takes into account both structural and institutional, as well as individual and socio-cultural aspects. Findings – consist in the formulation of specifi c strategies and recommendations for organizations and government agencies to eliminate gender barriers in career growth. This includes the development of effective mentoring and sponsorship programs, the creation of educational and training programs, as well as the introduction of changes in corporate culture to reduce gender bias and stereotypes. The recommendations presented in the article can be used to shape gender equality policies and create a more equitable and inclusive work environment in various organizations and industries.

Reasons for university dropout in Chile: does student gender play a role?

ABSTRACT Students who drop out of university cite various reasons for their decision. Female enrolment has significantly increased over the past few decades and is now higher than male enrolment. In terms of performance, it is recognised that women perform better than males do, and fewer women drop out of university than men do. However, the relationship between specific reasons for dropping out and students' gender is unknown. This study explores a variety of dropout factors and how they relate to student gender in Chilean universities. The investigation uses information from a survey conducted in 2021 among former students from 11 universities. The survey was applied to 707 students who left their university studies and belonging to the entry cohorts of 2010, 2016 and 2017. Different entry cohorts were considered in order to make a comparative analysis based on the existent data. To ascertain the degree of associativity between reasons for dropouts and the gender of the students, statistical significance tests were utilised in the second step. Subsequently, ten logistic regression models were fitted, the results of which are presented using the odds ratio. The results show that gender has a statistically significant link, mostly with dropouts due to vocational reasons. The findings of this research allow us to reflect on the effectiveness of gender equity actions and policies that favour women.

“You should care by prohibiting all this obscenity”: a public policy analysis of the Russian law banning medical and legal transition for transgender people

ABSTRACT Gender-affirming care and legal gender recognition (LGR) have been relatively well developed in Russia since Soviet times. During the past decade, in line with the general authoritarian and conservative turn, transgender (trans) rights have increasingly come under attack. In 2023, anti-trans forces succeeded in bringing about the adoption of a law that prohibited gender-affirming care and LGR, preventing marriage and adoption of children for trans people. This article uses the Authoritarian Gender Equality Policy Making framework to understand the structural opportunities, actors, framings, and the autocrat’s signaling that led to this result. The policy reversal resulted from increased visibility of trans issues in Russia and worldwide coupled with their reframing from a medical problem to a geopolitical threat in the context of a military and cultural confrontation with the West following Russia’s “special military operation” against Ukraine in February 2022.

Feminist institutional responses to anti-gender politics in parliamentary contexts

ABSTRACT In the context of the prevalence of anti-gender politics in Europe, political institutions such as parliaments have become arenas of political struggles around gender and gender equality. While feminist scholarship has studied anti-gender politics, less attention has been paid to feminist responses to such opposition. The contribution of this article is to conceptualize feminist responses to anti-gender politics within political institutions, which we name feminist institutional responses. This conceptualization entails proposing a set of analytical categories for capturing forms of feminist institutional responses – namely, knowledge, coalition building, rule making, and everyday pragmatic engagement. We analyze 50 plenary debates on gender equality and two plenary debates on the State of the Union, as well as 135 interviews with members of the European Parliament and political staff during two terms that witnessed a rise in anti-gender politics, 2014–2019 and 2019–2024. The conceptualization of feminist institutional responses to anti-gender politics in parliaments is important for identifying how institutional actors are countering the destructive potential of anti-gender politics and safeguarding parliaments as democratic sites for the advancement of gender equality policies.

Activism and gender equality policy in the Swedish film sector from the second wave to #metoo

This article seeks to unpack variations in feminist film sector activists' articulations of collective grievances and demands for change since the mid-1970s and compare them to how gender equality is articulated as a problem in public policy. Based on an analysis of problem representations found in three instances of women's mobilization – from the second wave to #metoo – the article argues that there seems to be a consensus about the appropriate boundaries of what problems can be targeted by policy. Problem representations found in gender equality policies in the film sector do not verbalize structural inequalities. However, feminist activists interpreted them to support their ariculations of structural problems. Feminist activists problem represntations include testimonies of sexual harassment and violence, articulations of structural inequalities, and the promotion of women's separatism. The article also identifies a discursive dislocation produced by critics to gender equality reforms in conjunction to #metoo. The dislocation is produced by successfully opposing gender equality to artistic freedom and denying the existence of structural gender inequalities.

Unleashing Equality and Women Empowerment: Analyzing Pakistan's Path to SDG-5

The paper provides an overview of Pakistan's achievements with regard to SDG-5, taking into account the marginal advances made in women joining the workforce and engaging politically, as well as facing remaining structural blocks. We used a mixed-method approach to embed the examined context in round data of 2019–2023 concerning three main indicators: workforce participation, political representation, and educational enrollment. Quantitative data were married with qualitative interviews and focus groups to provide a fuller view of the intricate landscape of gender in Pakistan. By contrast to the data for girls' education enrollment, and despite an incremental improvement in women's political representation within parliament, results pointed towards a marginal growth of workforce participation by women. While some important gaps remain (including in the most rigorous statistical measure available for regional comparability, creating a persistent differential in gender parity across regions), stakeholders identified sociocultural, political, and economic factors as the key barriers to empowerment, but rated current gender equality policies as only moderately effective. Pakistan is still a long way toward achieving SDG-5 and needs more focused, hard interventions. The following must be done to accelerate progress: increase the effectiveness of gender equality policies and tackle multiple barriers to women's empowerment. This study highlights the importance of concerted action from government, civil society, and international organizations in promoting both gender equality and women's empowerment across all levels of Pakistani societies.

Söndrade kroppar, invasiv bemanning och prekära anställningar. Intersektionella perspektiv på försörjning, lönearbete och social reproduktion

While wage labor has been celebrated as a means of women’s emancipation within Swedish gender equality policy, unequal workplaces, the prevalence of sexual harassment, precarious working conditions, and work-related health issues indicate that wage labor also entails serious problems for many women. This article examines how unstable working conditions and work organizations built on precarious labor and flexible staffing strategies impact women’s well-being. Through feminist intersectional perspectives on social reproduction, the analysis sheds light on the risks posed by current work models to workers’ health, work capacity and liveability. The article is based on survey responses among retail workers. Their responses show that working life in retail is characterized not only by precarious employment conditions but also by invasive staffing strategies. The consequences are precarious livelihoods, stress, and limited possibilities to leisure time and social relationships. The lack of opportunities to recover highlights how workers’ bodies bear the brunt of companies’ pursuit of precarization. Building on theories of social reproduction and an analysis of working conditions in retail, we call for a deeper examination of the role of wage labor in feminist strategies.

Policy Challenges and Opportunities: Migrant Female Entrepreneurs in Northern Europe

The article examines the profound influence of public policies on female migrant entrepreneurship, emphasizing their impact at both local and global levels. Highlighting diverse obstacles faced by female entrepreneurs, including financial constraints, limited knowledge, gender bias, and sociocultural factors, it underscores the pivotal role of governmental support. Specifically, in Northern Europe, gender equality, integration, and entrepreneurship policies are identified as crucial facilitators. Thus, migrant women, facing compounded challenges of gender, ethnicity, and immigration status, encounter barriers to accessing local opportunities. Motivations for entrepreneurship span economic survival, flexibility, and escape from domestic challenges. However, low-tech migrant enterprises often remain overlooked. Women’s business groups and governmental initiatives emerge as vital sources of support, emphasizing the need for tailored policies benefiting female entrepreneurs, especially migrants. The integration of such policies within broader entrepreneurial ecosystems ensures alignment and mutual reinforcement, thus policymakers are urged to recognize and address the distinct needs of female migrant entrepreneurs.