Gender Equality Programmes Research Articles

Gender equality in higher music education: Consecrated and peripheral positions

Studies have shown that gender inequality in higher music education is maintained through unreflective actions. Efforts to address the issue have been made and gender-equality programmes have been instigated in several European countries. This study takes a sociological approach to music education, with the goal of revealing constructions of gender inequality in four higher music education institutions in northern, eastern, and central Europe. The aim is to illuminate obstacles to gender-equal education within the field of higher music education. Data was collected through interviews with both students and teachers, with the analysis taking a two-stage structure. The analysis was first performed thematically, and then driven by Connell’s gender theory and Bourdieu’s field theory. The findings are presented as: The objectified body, A natural state of mind, Claming space and Changes in sight. The findings show that gender equality activities seem to increase awareness among both students and staff, but they also show that such awareness does not necessarily lead to changes in practice.

Comparative Analysis of Inclusive Writing in University Discourse: Case Studies from France and Italy

This article examines inclusive writing in the university discourse of France and Italy from a comparative perspective. The research aims to analyze the use of gender-specific and gender-neutral forms in higher education institutions in Paris (Sorbonne University and Paris Catholic Institute) and at the University of the Aosta Valley in Italy (a private university located in a region where French is the second official language). The study is based on a corpus of archival texts and documents, selected through continuous sampling from electronic versions on archive.org between 2020 and 2023. The authors draw conclusions about the specificity and frequency of inclusive writing in these institutions. The findings indicate that, in France, despite the country’s language policy efforts to ban inclusive spelling at the official level, public universities actively use it, in contrast to private institutions, where gender-specific forms are primarily found in job vacancy sections. The authors conclude that the choice of using gender-specific or gender-neutral forms is often left to the discretion of the individual or institution. The study also explores the most common methods of expressing gender specification, including the duplication of feminine and masculine forms, the use of feminine endings/suffixes in brackets or separated by a hyphen, and the marking of positions/professions with “(M/F)” after the masculine form. The potential implications of these practices are analyzed. In Italy, the study reveals a strong connection between French and Italian university cultures but finds no evidence of inclusive writing within the Italian university discourse. Despite the active development of gender equality programs at the state level, there remains an uneven tendency toward gender specification in Italy. The authors conclude that the methods of expressing gender specification play a significant role in shaping the university discourse in both France and Italy. They also note the complete absence of gender-neutral language or any moves beyond the gender binary in the universities studied.

Industrial Policy: Populist and Progressive

ABSTRACT: In contrast to neoliberal economic policy that favors markets, the United States has seen a revival of explicit industrial policy, with government playing a significant directive role in key industries. Surprisingly, industrial policy has support from both the left and the right, creating debates both within and between America's two major parties. Progressives and authoritarians both support some specifics of industrial policy, especially those aimed against China. But overall industrial policy differs sharply between these opposing political movements. Progressives align industrial policy with pro-union, climate-focused, and race and gender equity programs. In contrast, authoritarian industrial policy is part of a larger anti-union, anti-immigrant, and pronatalist agenda. Hence, agreement among progressives and authoritarians over specifics of industrial policy should not mask very deep disagreements on overall policy frameworks.

Women's empowerment and gender equality programs to support stunting elimination in South Central Timor Regency

Introduction: Stunting remains a significant public health concern in Indonesia, particularly in East Nusa Tenggara Province, where it is the most prevalent among all Indonesian provinces at about 42.6 per cent. Empowerment initiatives represent a crucial approach to addressing this issue. Women's empowerment holds profound significance as it governs and nurtures human resources within the household, especially children, who represent the nation's future generation. This community service aims to implement a women's empowerment program by establishing a group of Women Providing Health Information (Perempuan Pemberi Informasi Kesehatan) and enhancing women's access to national health services. Methods: We conducted an experimental quantitative study involving mothers with children aged 12 to 59 months. Inclusion criteria included mothers with children aged 12 to 59 months residing in Kesetnana Village. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. The mothers' classes aimed to enhance mothers' knowledge regarding the first 1000 days of life and the nutritional requirements during this period. The study included 35 participants, with the questionnaire on stunting knowledge serving as the primary instrument. Results: The findings revealed a notable increase in participant knowledge in the post-test compared to the pre-test, with a mean rank of 88.00 and a p-value of 0.000. Conclusions: The results underscore the continued need for a gender- and culture-based approach to health promotion to mitigate the incidence of stunting. Effective health education on stunting reduction requires collaborative efforts between health workers and local communities, with mutual support being essential.

Challenges to achieve gender equality in South Africa

The article is devoted to achieving gender equality and overcoming gender discrimination in the Republic of South Africa. The analysis of the scientific literature on this issue attests to the variety of problems that negatively affect gender equality in society. The urgency of solving this scientific problem lies in the fact that to improve the situation; it is necessary to accumulate financial and intellectual resources to expand the rights and opportunities of women. For the needs of this study, the methods of conceptual analysis were chosen, which involve a careful study of rational relationships between terms, concepts, variables, definitions, constructions, hypotheses, theories and statements, as well as categorization of their consequences and assumptions. The collection of information for the office study lasted 3 months. The Republic of South Africa was chosen as the case of the study because, starting in 1994, a democratic regime was established in the country, which helped to overcome the problems of racial inequality and discrimination. The normative basis for ensuring gender equality is determined by the second chapter of the International Bill of Human Rights and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The issue of protecting gender inequality in the workplace is also regulated. The study empirically confirms and theoretically proves that despite the legislative regulation of the problem of gender equality and the strengthening of the international community to this issue, women still cannot take on strategic roles and leadership in management decision-making due to gender disparity in both political and administrative positions. To ensure equal rights and opportunities for women and men, which are defined at the legislative level, it is necessary that the top management of companies is aware of the gender equality programs that can be implemented in their respective divisions and that gender awareness is integrated into the organizational culture and processes monitoring. The work emphasizes the need to change the paradigm from a gender-biased to a gender-oriented society. The study results can be helpful for policy makers to implement a gender mainstreaming strategy to promote gender equality.

Implementation of Gender Equality in the Workplace in Companies Dominated by Men

This study aims to be able to deepen and analyze related to gender equality and its impact on sustainability in companies dominated by male workers. Gender equality faces challenges in its implementation. In 2023, Indonesia is recorded to rise to rank 87 in the world ranking of gender equality. The acquisition of this ranking was not very good because behind the ranking, the value of Indonesia's gender implementation turned out to be stagnant at 0.697 points. Indonesia is fortunate because of the decline in the value of gender equality implementation around the world. One of the challenges in implementing gender equality is the opportunity for women to be able to get the opportunity to work and at the same time develop careers. In the world of work, there are two industry groups based on data donated by men. The two industries are mining and manufacturing. Realizing this, several companies in both industries began to implement their gender equality programs. As for being able to achieve the objectives of the research, the research method used is qualitative. Data collection techniques include in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation studies. The results of this study state that gender equality in the company can be reviewed in several parts such as policies, governance, challenges in implementation, employee perceptions, and of course employee commitment to attitudes to implement gender equality. This research also includes suggestions for seeking program development in the company and opens up further research related to gender equality in the future.

Achieving gender equality through challenging social norms: BRAC’s Polli Shomaj program

ABSTRACT Can NGOs implement rights-based gender equality programs when donor focus on the area is shrinking? This paper explores how one development program has made strategic choices incorporating the interests of multiple stakeholders, addressing donor interests while simultaneously addressing the needs of local communities. It examines the evolution of BRAC’s Polli Shomaj, a rural women’s civil society organisation designed to challenge power structures through collective action in rural Bangladesh. It draws on interviews with program staff and existing program literature to find that over time, BRAC leadership has narrowed its program focus to shed its broad transformative agenda to focus solely on gender equality through a combination of service delivery and rights-based approaches. The paper suggests that while it is possible for NGOs to promote gender equality through a combination of rights-based and service-delivery approaches, greater focus is needed on challenging power structures to bring about lasting structural change.

Ea$ing into the USA: study protocol for adapting the Economic and Social Empowerment (EA$E) intervention for US-based, forcibly based populations

IntroductionImmigrant and forcibly displaced women and girls are disproportionately impacted by the harmful health consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV) in the USA. Economic and Social Empowerment (EA$E), a women’s...

Examining the Ability of Title IX to Provide Equitable Participation Opportunities for Black Women College Athletes

The purpose of this study was to reveal Title IX fueled obstacles which prevent Black women from achieving equity in college sports. The researchers sought to provide a critical analysis of the synchronous burden of race and gender discrimination experienced by Black women in college sports. The study found this form of discrimination is unique to Black women as they experience sex discrimination similar to white women and race discrimination similar to Black men, but neither white women or Black men experience simultaneous forms of race and gender discrimination as Black women do (Crenshaw 1988; Mathewson; 1996). Title IX is a single-axis equity law which uses sex to factor discrimination, yet as Black women experience both race and gender discrimination synchronously this law does not protect Black women from discrimination in the way they experience it. Yet, examining the effectiveness of Title IX to prevent race and sex discrimination is problematic because even with the law, schools have not achieved gender equity in college sports since its enactment in 1972 (Butler & Lopiano, 2003; Cooper & Newton, 2021;Kaplan, Hecker, & Fink, 2021; NWLC, 2022; Staurowsky, 2011; 2020; 2022). Another challenge is the NCAA Emerging Sports Program for Women uses a single axis lens to increase athletic opportunities for women. Therefore Black women are barred from benefiting from the increased access and athletic opportunities produced through the Emerging Sports program as it uses sex as a solo determinant to increase athletic opportunities. It is worth noting the extreme lack of research on Black women in sports has rendered Black women college athletes invisible in data on women’s sports (Butler & Lopiano, 2003; Carter-Francique & Flowers, 2013; Cooper & Newton, 2021; McDowell & Carter-Francique, 2017; Pickett et al, 2012; Staurowsky et al., 2021; 2022). This adds to the complexity of examining forms of discrimination experienced by Black women in college sports. The study found racial clustering, the single-axis lens of Title IX, and NCAA gender equity programs collectively provide harm to Black women in college sports and uniquely attack their ability to achieve equity in college sports.

Gender discrimination among women healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from a mixed methods study.

Gender discrimination among women healthcare workers (HCWs) negatively impacts job satisfaction, mental health, and career development; however, few studies have explored how experiences of gender discrimination change during times of health system strain. Thus, we conducted a survey study to characterize gender discrimination during a time of significant health system strain, i.e., the COVID-19 pandemic. We used a convenience sampling approach by inviting department chairs of academic medical centers in the United States to forward our online survey to their staff in January 2021. The survey included one item assessing frequency of gender discrimination, and an open-ended question asking respondents to detail experiences of discrimination. The survey also included questions about social and work stressors, such as needing additional childcare support. We used ordinal logistic regression models to identify predictors of gender discrimination, and grounded theory to characterize themes that emerged from open-ended responses. Among our sample of 716 women (mean age = 37.63 years, SD = 10.97), 521 (72.80%) were White, 102 (14.20%) Asian, 69 (9.60%) Black, 53 (7.4%) Latina, and 11 (1.50%) identified as another race. In an adjusted model that included demographic characteristics and social and work stressors as covariates, significant predictors of higher gender discrimination included younger age (OR = 0.98, 95%CI = 0.96, 0.99); greater support needs (OR = 1.26, 95%CI = 1.09,1.47); lower team cohesion (OR = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.91, 0.97); greater racial discrimination (OR = 1.07, 95%CI = 1.05,1.09); identifying as a physician (OR = 6.59, 95%CI = 3.95, 11.01), physician-in-training (i.e., residents and fellows; OR = 3.85, 95%CI = 2.27,6.52), or non-clinical worker (e.g., administrative assistants; OR = 3.08, 95%CI = 1.60,5.90), compared with nurses; and reporting the need for a lot more childcare support (OR = 1.84, 95%CI = 1.15, 2.97), compared with reporting no childcare support need. In their open-ended responses, women HCWs described seven themes: 1) belittlement by colleagues, 2) gendered workload distributions, 3) unequal opportunities for professional advancement, 4) expectations for communication, 5) objectification, 6) expectations of motherhood, and 7) mistreatment by patients. Our study underscores the severity of gender discrimination among women HCWs. Hospital systems should prioritize gender equity programs that improve workplace climate during and outside of times of health system strain.

Розвиток гендерного бюджетування в Україні: інструмент фінансової безпеки в умовах збройного конфлікту

The article is devoted to substantiating the need to apply gender budgeting as a promising tool for the country’s financial security. Attention is also focused on the matter that the movement towards smoothing out gender inequality at all stages and in all components of public policy brings Ukraine to the level of the European model, which shows that in countries where, for instance, there is a high percentage of women’s representation in political life, a high level of ensuring civil rights and freedoms is observed. The Global Gender Gap Index of Ukraine showed that our country has not significantly lost its positions both in terms of the overall indicator and its key parameters, given the situation with the armed conflict on its territory, but gender policy is not yet effective enough. The inclusion of budget legislation with elements of genderness is based on the requirements of international law, the country’s participation in international projects related to gender budgeting. It is emphasized that the application of the gender approach in planning the directions of economic development and budgeting taking into account gender characteristics makes it transparent, money is spent efficiently, all social and gender groups receive services. The already existing partnership and participation of local self-government bodies in gender equality programs demonstrates the readiness of communities to adhere to the principles of ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men and to implement obligations in the field of gender equality. These priorities are laid down in the strategic programs for the development of the State in general and in individual territorial communities in particular. It is noted that women contribute to the creation of more equitable local communities, in which, against the background of women’s solidarity, women’s employment and women’s entrepreneurship are supported, women’s economic activity increases, which becomes one of the foundations for strengthening the financial security of an individual community, region and country as a whole. Further research will be aimed at developing promising areas for the use of gender identity in the planning of the national and local budgets.

Policy-making and evaluation of gender equality programmes: Context, power, and resistance in the transformation process

AbstractThrough exploring the links between policy, evaluation, and gender, using a gender-transformative lens, this article sheds light on policy and evaluation processes of gender equality programmes, such as the political nature of evaluation and power configurations, involving resistance in the change process. Two case studies of gender equality programmes are visited to explore the links between gender policy implementation in specific contexts, and power configurations and resistance as key factors in both implementation and evaluation. We benefitted from the theoretical insights of both the feminist and the theory of change approaches, which helped us to bridge the boundaries between policy, gender scholarship, and evaluation and allowed us to reflect upon systemic factors and underlying mechanisms that are either facilitating or hindering transformation. This article highlights the benefits of applying such an evaluation framework and demonstrates why factoring in power and resistance to evaluations of gender equality programmes is necessary to explain successes or failures.

SDG5 Gender Equality during the COVID-19 pandemic: an international comparative policy assessment

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic caused severe disruptions in healthcare systems and societies and exacerbated existing inequalities for women and girls across every sphere. Our study explores health systems responses to gender equality goals during the COVID-19 pandemic and which role these goals play in pandemic recovery policies. Methods We apply a qualitative comparative approach. Country case studies (expert information, secondary sources) were collected in March/April 2022. The sample comprised Australia, Brazil, Germany, United Kingdom and USA, reflecting conditions of high to upper-middle income countries with established public health systems, democratic political institutions and gender equality policies. Selected topics: maternity care/reproductive services, violence against women, and gender equality/female leadership. Results All countries tried to keep essential maternity and reproductive services open, but strong limitations applied especially for prevention and counselling services; at the same time, digitalisation/telemedicine supported service expansion. Violence against women and children strongly increased during the pandemic. Routine services were partly kept open and new helplines occasionally established, but no action was taken to scale-up mental health support and respond to new demand. A push-back of gender equality was observed across countries in all areas of health and social care, often coupled with strong increase in intersecting social inequalities; participation of women in decision-making bodies was generally weak and not monitored. Conclusions Across countries, gender equality policies cracked under the pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic; this is true for countries with male and female political leaders, and for different areas of SDG5 and health. There is an urgent need for more effective intersectional gender equality policies and improved participation of women in global health and in health system recovery plans. Key messages • Health systems failed to take action to protect SDG5 goals; gender and intersecting inequalities strongly increased during the pandemic. • Building back better after COVID-19 will only be possible with an intersectional gender equality programme and feminist policy approaches.

The Impact of Personal Security Dispositions on Citizen Support for the Pursuit of Gender Equality in US Foreign Policy

Since 1995, presidents from both parties have increased US government initiatives in pursuit of global gender equality, but there has been little scholarly work that explores public support for these initiatives. We analyze the level of citizen support for several types of global gender equality programs. In addition, we explore support for one specific rationale for the policy –the argument that the participation of women in decision-making will make the world a more peaceful place. Our central hypothesis is that personal security dispositions are an important correlate of support for global gender initiatives, and our analysis yields support for the hypothesis. Citizens who place a high value on personal security display stronger support for gender equality in foreign policy. We close with suggestions for further research and discuss the policy implications of our findings, in particular with respect to public opinion on the use of military force.

Outstanding women psychologists mainly from Europe - What helped and what limited them in their scientific careers? Guidelines for gender equity programs in academia.

The manuscript is based on a series of structured interviews with female scientists from around the world who have made significant contributions to psychology and have an impact on their cultural areas. The authors interviewed female scientists and researchers from a similar age group, but from different regions of the world, to capture the factors influencing careers of interlocutors from a similar period and enabling cultural inference. Both the universal and the cultural barriers faced by female scientists/researchers in career development and the factors that have contributed to success in psychology are discussed. Universal and cultural factors served in this manuscript as a guideline for gender equality programs in academia to overcome gender stereotypes, support early career development, support women in reaching leadership positions, and enhance women’s visibility.

Erasures of gender in/equity in Australian schooling: ‘The program is not about turning boys into girls’

ABSTRACT This paper is a making, a cartography that maps gender equity policy in Australian education. I suggest that entrenched reductive sexist, racist, homo/transphobic and misogynistic practices have not significantly shifted materially since the implementation of inaugural gender equity programs in the 1970s, despite the investment of much money, research and purported policy changes. My cartography intentionally draws attention to how policy material impacts precarious bodies in education; those that remain firmly classified as girls and the intersecting disadvantages of students who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), gender diverse, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Queer, Intersex (LGBTQI+). I propose that gender in/equity that continues to flourish in our schools is a consequence of an ongoing patriarchal heteronormative education policy that has efficiently removed gender from the equity equation. At present gender, inequity is hidden in plain sight and gender and sex-based violence and harassment remain rife in schools, covertly entangled in practices and processes.

Measuring Gender Inequality in Great Britain: Proposal for a Subnational Gender Inequality Index

Abstract Tackling gender inequality is a key focus for both civil society and government policy in Great Britain (GB). Yet, there is currently no consensus on how to conceptualize or operationalize gender inequalities, nor any detailed measurement of gender inequalities at the subnational level, despite high levels of regional inequality. This is a barrier to the development and evaluation of gender equality programs and policies, and to holding the government accountable. To address this gap, we propose a framework for a subnational index of gender inequalities in GB based on a review of relevant indices, theoretical models, and policy. This framework was further developed in a workshop with stakeholders. We also scope the data currently available from survey and administrative sources to capture the proposed framework, highlighting gaps in our ability to comprehensively measure gender inequalities at the subnational level in GB.

Incarcerated women’s lived experience: a study in Dessie and Woldia correctional centers, Ethiopia

PurposeThis study aims to examine the reasons for and the challenges of women’s incarceration coupled with the threats for their reintegration upon release with a focus on the correctional centers at Dessie and Woldia cities.Design/methodology/approachThis study used quantitative and qualitative research methods with cross-sectional and descriptive research design used to collect the quantitative data, and key informant interviews and participant observation were used to collect the qualitative data. A sample of 60 women prisoners was taken from both correctional centers. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, respectivelyFindingsFindings of the study indicate that family backgrounds, gender-based violence, illiteracy and socio-economic problems were the causes for the women’s imprisonment. The women perpetrators were mainly accused of theft, vandalism, murder and moral perversion. Poor detention environment, worry for the family breakup, emotional instability, financial hardships and deprivation of spiritual life were the major sources of distress among the incarcerated women, whereas social stigma, lack of trust and fear of revenge were the threats to reintegrate to their families and communities.Research limitations/implicationsThis study involved incarcerated women at the correctional centers in Dessie and Woldia who committed various types of crimes. Because the informant women were imprisoned for violating certain established rules and regulations, they might have withheld some relevant issues to this research, which they thought were secret and personal. In addition, the women at the correctional centers might not have felt secure to speak more openly about their worst experiences at prison for fear they should face administrative challenges stemming from disclosing their real-life situations as incarcerated persons. The authors thus believe that further research is needed to uncover facts about women’s criminality and the experiences of women inmates at correctional centers.Practical implicationsThe findings of this research do have practical implications as explained below. The local government sectors and non-governmental organizations will benefit from the study so as to develop feasible strategies to mitigate women’s criminality and scale down the increasing number of female perpetrators (prisoners). Local government and non-governmental entities (bodies) can easily identify the violent behaviors of husbands that cause women’s criminality and design comprehensive awareness creation strategies toward reducing hostile gender relations. Governmental and non-governmental stakeholders including the local communities will be able to advocate gender equality programs aiming at eliminating gender discrimination and abuses that exacerbate women’s criminality. Incarceration centers will improve access to education and vocational training to female inmates so that beneficiaries will acquire relevant knowledge and skills to enter into the local labor market to sustain themselves and their families upon release from prison.Originality/valueThis is an original paper with a fresh perspective regarding the lived experiences of women at the prisons of study area guided by popular criminological theories. Thus, the research work would be used as a literature of the study area and help government and non-government bodies to prepare policies and guidelines. Most particularly, the Woldia and Dessie correctional centers would benefit from this paper to develop essential plans and take measures about the adverse situation of incarcerated women.

Department Leaders as Critical Conduits for the Advancement of Gender Equity Programs

Although women have made tremendous strides toward gender equity within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields over the past couple of decades, reaching full equity will require the support of faculty colleagues. Department chairs and heads are crucial as the conduit between administration and faculty, yet they are traditionally an understudied contingent. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 10 STEM department heads at a U.S. university, we uncovered the limiting ideologies that guide department leaders’ sensemaking around achieving gender equity—specifically meritocracy, objectivity, and neoliberalism. We discuss the implications for gender equity programs within higher education in terms of addressing these deeper frames of reference to achieve long-lasting outcomes. On one hand, change agents can leverage these dominant ideologies to create a shift in department leaders’ mind-sets, leading to earlier understanding and buy-in; on the other hand, failing to critically challenge these deep-seated assumptions and beliefs can impede long-term success.

Dispositives of newness and change: academic organisations\u2019 discursive practice at the intersection of excellence and gender

On the basis of a genealogical discourse analysis, Weber distinguishes four dispositives of creation. The ‘new’ is created and organised within systematic rationalities of creation. It emerges in (a) an organic cyclical transcendence, (b) a top-down pattern, (c) an entrepreneurial mode that designates man as creator and (d) a collective cyclical dynamic. The dispositives of man as creator and creation as an act are becoming particularly dominant in today’s academic organisations and these dispositives systematically produce institutional programmatics and organisational strategies. In this paper, we analyse how the new emerges in two academic organisations. The starting points of our analyses are two institutional innovations that emerged in Germany in the 2000s: the Excellence Initiative and the gender equality programme. Although they derive from different fields of discourse, both innovations share common features. The Excellence Initiative required universities to relate discourses of excellence and gender equality to each other, and this article investigates how the new emerges in academic organisations to understand whether these innovations produce equality or perpetuate traditional inequalities. Based on Foucault’s dispositive methodology, we use website analyses and interviews with gender equality officers and heads of early-career researchers’ departments. We highlight the discursive connections between gender and excellence for early-career researchers and outline various discursive organisational strategies.