Gender Inequality Index Research Articles

The Effect of Structural Gender Inequality Revealed in Small for Gestational Age.

BackgroundThis study proposes that being small for gestational age (SGA) is not only an important indicator for neonatal health but also could be a consequence of gender inequality. Low birth weight (LBW) has been widely used as a measurement for adverse birth outcomes, whereas much less attention has been given to the use of small for gestational age (SGA). Despite the importance and worldwide acknowledgement of promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment to improve maternal and infant health, previous studies on SGA have focused on nutritional status, social and medical infrastructures, and socioeconomic status. The impact of structural violence against women on SGA has not been explored sufficiently. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of gender inequality on SGA, using the Gender Inequality Index (GII).MethodsA total of 106 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from the most recent three global datasets—Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and World Bank—were assessed.ResultsFindings from generalized linear model analysis suggest that significant links exist between years of potential life lost (YLL) from SGA and gender inequality, maternal health status, and country level of income.ConclusionsOur findings advance the understanding of the role of gender inequality on SGA and reiterate the importance of considering structural violence in maternal and infant health research. These associations can support the message of designing public health and socioeconomic development as well as creating campaigns to promote gender equality in efforts to advance maternal and infant health and to prevent adverse birth outcomes across the globe. Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40609-022-00245-8.

Structural gender inequality and gender differences in adolescent substance use: A multilevel study from 45 countries

PurposeAlthough adolescent substance use has declined, young people’s tobacco and alcohol use levels are still among the highest in Europe and North America. Historically, boys reported higher levels of substance use than girls; however, in recent decades gender convergence in adolescent substance use was observed in some, mostly Western, countries. Previous research has shown associations between societal gender inequality and gender differences in some externalizing behaviors in adolescents. Therefore, there is a need to go beyond individual-level associations and apply a socio-ecological perspective when examining gender differences in adolescent substance use. This study examines whether gender differences in adolescent substance use relate to societal gender inequality. MethodsCurrent and lifetime substance use (i.e., alcohol drinking, drunkenness, cigarette smoking) were measured in 11-, 13 and 15-year-olds in the 2017/18 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (n=224,876). Individual data were linked to national gender inequality (Gender Inequality Index, 2018) in 45 countries and regions, and their association was tested using mixed effects (multilevel) logistic regression models ResultsLarge cross-national variations were observed in gender differences in substance use. Greater gender inequality at country level was associated with heightened gender differences in substance use, however with different effects depending on the substance type. For most substances, few gender differences emerge in countries characterized by low levels gender inequality. The largest gender differences were observed in countries characterized by high gender inequality ConclusionsSocietal gender inequality reflects social and cultural norms that relate to adolescents’ engagement with substance use. Public health policy should target societal factors that impact on young people’s behavior.

Ülkelerin Covid-19 Hastalığı Fatalite Hızlarıyla İlişkili Faktörlerin Araştırılması

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the factors associated with the Covid-19 disease fatality rate of countries.
 Methods: The research is of ecological type. In the study, the relationship between Covid-19 disease fatality rates and variables like socioeconomic state, healthy life expectancy at birth, population ages 65 and above, cardiovascular disease frequency, tobacco use frequency, vaccination rates, Human Development Index, Gender Inequality Index and Global Gender Gap Index were investigated. Mean, standard deviation, median, minimum and maximum values were used to summarize data. Pearson/Spearman correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationships and a linear regression model was established. P

Коммуникативный инструментарий современного феминистского киберактивизма: к постановке проблемы

Modern Russian feminist discourse, being a poorly described area of communicative interaction, turns out to be one of the most important factors in the formation of the axiological determinants of Russian society today. In this regard, the article presents an analysis of new forms of social and linguocultural interactions - feminist cyberactivism, broadcast in the network environment for political activities and representing a significant part of today's online content. The authors focus on the description of specific linguistic features of different semiotic text units (online flashmob, information cards and communities/blogs of Russian fem-activists), demonstrating the ideological views of the feminist movement. Particular attention is paid to the methods of verbal explication of the problematic field of feminist cyberctivism (primarily, the definition of gender inequality index in Russia) and identification of the basic semasiological mechanisms for the "modification" of pragmatic parameters of the Russian-speaking feminist blogosphere. By developing the sense-forming component of feminist discourse, which is a critical reflection of female subjectivity, "from a certain angle", feminist cyberactivism demonstrates a high degree of involvement of the civil society in political processes, since it is essentially aimed at implementing not an informational, but rather an influence function (to evoke the desired emotional response in the recipient and to urge the need to share an updated position). The authors assume that a (subsequently) detailed consideration of the phenomenon of feminist cyberactivism, which is both the main means for the expansion of the fem-community in Russia and its constitutive feature, can answer many questions of the social and, more broadly, civilizational structure of Russian society.

Does global health governance walk the talk? Gender representation in World Health Assemblies, 1948–2021

BackgroundWhile an estimated 70%–75% of the health workforce are women, this is not reflected in the leadership roles of most health organisations—including global decision-making bodies such as the World Health...

Reducing Family Poverty through an Islamic Women’s Empowerment Strategy in Indonesia: An Analytical Network Process Approach

This study is intended to develop a strategy for the socio-economic empowerment of women from low-income families based on an Islamic perspective. The research was motivated by Indonesia’s low score on the Gender Inequality Index (GII) compared to other countries, indicating the gap between men’s and women’s empowerment in Indonesia. The percentage of women who become the heads of poor households increases yearly. This qualitative study uses the Analytical Network Process (ANP) to test the social welfare measures for low-income families carried out by governments, Islamic philanthropic institutions, and Islamic microfinance institutions. As many as fifteen respondents involved in the ANP method were experts on the studied problems, namely regulators, practitioners, and academics. The research results indicate that the main priority issue developing women’s empowerment is the development of partnership networks. In the next stage, the experts concluded that business assistance and mental-spiritual development were the main priorities for empowering women and reducing family poverty. The provision of financial access is the last priority. One implication of this study is that the empowerment program for women from low-income families must be holistic, e.g., by forming a Group Lending Model (GLM) with a modification of the majlis ta'lim (Islamic community discussion group).

Reducing family poverty through an Islamic women’s empowerment strategy in Indonesia: An analytical network process approach

This study is intended to develop a strategy for the socio-economic empowerment of women from low-income families based on an Islamic perspective. The research was motivated by Indonesia’s low score on the Gender Inequality Index (GII) compared to other countries, indicating the gap between men’s and women’s empowerment in Indonesia. The percentage of women who become the heads of poor households increases yearly. This qualitative study uses the Analytical Network Process (ANP) to test the social welfare measures for low-income families carried out by governments, Islamic philanthropic institutions, and Islamic microfinance institutions. As many as fifteen respondents involved in the ANP method were experts on the studied problems, namely regulators, practitioners, and academics. The research results indicate that the main priority issue developing women’s empowerment is the development of partnership networks. In the next stage, the experts concluded that business assistance and mental-spiritual development were the main priorities for empowering women and reducing family poverty. The provision of financial access is the last priority. One implication of this study is that the empowerment program for women from low-income families must be holistic, e.g., by forming a Group Lending Model (GLM) with a modification of the majlis ta'lim (Islamic community discussion group).

Gender Differences in Bullying Reflect Societal Gender Inequality: A Multilevel Study With Adolescents in 46 Countries

PurposeSocial patterns in bullying show consistent gender differences in adolescent perpetration and victimization with large cross-national variations. Previous research shows associations between societal gender inequality and gender differences in some violent behaviors in adolescents. Therefore, there is a need to go beyond individual associations and use a more social ecological perspective when examining gender differences in bullying behaviors. The aim of the present study was twofold: (1) to explore cross-national gender differences in bullying behaviors and (2) to examine whether national-level gender inequality relates to gender differences in adolescent bullying behaviors. MethodsTraditional bullying and cyberbullying were measured in 11-year-olds to 15-year-olds in the 2017/18 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (n = 200,423). We linked individual data to national gender inequality (Gender Inequality Index, 2018) in 46 countries and tested their association using mixed-effects (multilevel) logistic regression models. ResultsLarge cross-national variations were observed in gender differences in bullying. Boys had higher odds of perpetrating both traditional and cyberbullying and victimization by traditional bullying than girls. Greater gender inequality at country level was associated with heightened gender differences in traditional bullying. In contrast, lower gender inequality was associated with larger gender differences for cyber victimization. DiscussionSocietal gender inequality relates to adolescents' involvement in bullying and gendered patterns in bullying. Public health policy should target societal factors that have an impact on young people's behavior.

Gender equality in Latin America

The article concerns measuring gender equality in Latin American countries based on statistics from international (WEF, OECD, ILO, UNESCO) and regional (UNECLAC) organizations and national statistical services, as well as various gender inequality indices (GGI, SIGI). Gender equality is seen as one of the goals of sustainable development, and gender inequality – as a brake on its path. The study is conducted within institutional approach, since institutions are formal and informal restrictions accepted in society and determine the scale and factors of gender inequality. Particular attention is paid to axial institutions that play a primary role in creation, formation and implementation of human capital, namely the institutions of the family and the labor market, education and science, state and corporate governance. The study shows that, among emerging economies, Latin America has very high levels of gender equality as a result of a high degree of feminization of labor markets among other factors. However, the predominance of traditional division of labor in institution of the family levels out the bonuses from participation of women in paid work and exacerbates the problem of a double burden: women are caught in a vise, where, on the one hand, there is a paid work, and, on the other, an unpaid domestic work, which falls mainly on women. The most significant factor that positively affects the increase in gender equality is the share of women in government, while the level of socio-economic development of the country without a specialized policy aimed at stimulating gender equality does not lead to an increase in the latter.

Women’s Literacy Rate and Women’s Labor Participation in ASEAN

Women have an essential contribution to economic growth and development. However, according to data, the Gender Inequality Index (GII) is still relatively high in developing countries, so special attention should be paid to aspects of women’s empowerment, health, and participation in the labor market as an indicator in measuring GII. In women’s empowerment, women’s education and women’s literacy are thought to affect women’s labor force participation. This study aims to examine and analyze the effect of women’s literacy rates on female labor force participation in ASEAN countries from 2010- 2017. The method used to analyze the effect on the model is the static panel data method. The results show that countries with high female literacy rates also have high female labor participation rates. The results help economists and policymakers evaluate measures to optimize women’s labor market decisions and empower women by improving women’s literacy rates.

The Association between Childhood Immunization and Gender Inequality: A Multi-Country Ecological Analysis of Zero-Dose DTP Prevalence and DTP3 Immunization Coverage.

This study explores the association between childhood immunization and gender inequality at the national level. Data for the study include annual country-level estimates of immunization among children aged 12–23 months, indicators of gender inequality, and associated factors for up to 165 countries from 2010–2019. The study examined the association between gender inequality, as measured by the gender development index and the gender inequality index, and two key outcomes: prevalence of children who received no doses of the DTP vaccine (zero-dose children) and children who received the third dose of the DTP vaccine (DTP3 coverage). Unadjusted and adjusted fractional logit regression models were used to identify the association between immunization and gender inequality. Gender inequality, as measured by the Gender Development Index, was positively and significantly associated with the proportion of zero-dose children (high inequality AOR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.13–2.30). Consistently, full DTP3 immunization was negatively and significantly associated with gender inequality (high inequality AOR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.46–0.86). These associations were robust to the use of an alternative gender inequality measure (the Gender Inequality Index) and were consistent across a range of model specifications controlling for demographic, economic, education, and health-related factors. Gender inequality at the national level is predictive of childhood immunization coverage, highlighting that addressing gender barriers is imperative to achieve universal coverage in immunization and to ensure that no child is left behind in routine vaccination.

Loneliness and Emancipation: A Multilevel Analysis of the Connection between Gender Inequality, Loneliness, and Social Isolation in the ISSP 2017.

The present article analyzes the connection between, on the one hand, gender equality and, on the other hand, loneliness and social isolation. It hypothesizes that modern relational institutions that support gender equality, such as no-fault divorce laws, reduce loneliness in close relationships. This hypothesis is put to the test through a multilevel analysis of the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) 2017. The analysis reveals that the data agree, to a large extent, with the theoretical arguments. The prevalence of loneliness is higher in countries with higher levels of gender inequality (as measured by the Gender Inequality Index (GII)). This can be attributed to a moderation effect; at lower levels of gender inequality, partnerships provide better protection from loneliness. These results are robust to controls for demographic composition, level of health, educational attainment, income poverty, and interview mode. Last, the analyses show that the threat of emotional isolation is more widespread in countries with low gender inequality. These findings, however, are only significant before controlling for demographic composition, level of health, educational attainment, income poverty, and interview mode, and they require further analysis. The concluding section relates these findings to the popular tendency to argue that modern society has created a “loneliness epidemic” and discusses policy implications.

Uncertainty and gender inequality: A global investigation

There is increasing interest in the consequences of uncertainty, yet research on its effects on gender equality is scarce. This study investigates the impact of uncertainty on gender inequality using a sample of 100 countries over the period 1991–2017. The analysis is carried out for 22 indicators of gender inequality in four dimensions (employment, health, education, rights) and five uncertainties (domestic uncertainty, world uncertainty, world trade uncertainty, global economic policy uncertainty, geopolitical risk). First, uncertainty appears to increase gender inequality in employment by affecting vulnerable employment, unemployment, and self-employment; and by reducing waged and salaried employment, numbers of contributing family workers, labour force participation, and employment in industry and services. Second, uncertainty is found to be very harmful in its effect on gender equality in health, as it decreases life expectancy and survival to age 65, and increases the mortality of women. Third, uncertainty improves gender equality in education, as it increases school enrolment at primary and tertiary levels. Fourth, uncertainty improves the Women, Business and the Law Index, but has mixed effects on women’s economic, political, and social rights.

Formation of a new sociogender order in the context of globalization: let’s look at the world in a new way

Globalization, continuing its development, brings new forms of its manifestation, changing many things in the political, economic, social and spiritual universe, increasingly introducing absurd (as it may seem) phenomena and deformations into everyday life. The article examines the little-studied issue of the development in the world of a complex and contradictory social process associated with the formation of a new gender order. The author builds a coherent conceptual basis for the analysis of a new social phenom- enon from the standpoint of a sociological approach developed under the guidance of professor G.Sillaste by the scientific school “Gender and Economic Sociology” on the conceptual interaction of paradigms of modes of social time, social change and social space. The essence, content, specifics, subject and objects of the new gender order emerging in the world are revealed; the features of its integration into various spheres of life of Russian society and the social risks that arise at the same time. The factors that determine the development of the global gender order and the forms of its country consolidation in the context of globalization, including its implementation in Russian society, are analyzed. The article opens a scientific discussion on understanding a new global social phenomenon, its spread in the country space, risks and threats to national interests, socio-cultural and spiritual values of the institution of the family. In the trajectory of the future, it is necessary to critically assess social risks and threats to the socio-political and cultural- ideological potential of gender norms, incl. gender neutrality imposed by the EU countries, addressed to the institutions of the family, marriage, parenthood, motherhood and fatherhood. Key words: gender (sociogender) order, country space, social changes, gender equality, gender inequality index, gender gap.

Barışın Toplumsal Cinsiyet Eşitliği Üzerindeki Etkisi: Avrupa Birliği Üye Devletleri Örneği

This study investigates the impact of peacefulness on gender equality by employing panel data analysis. The study uses the Gender Inequality Index (GII) as a dependent variable and Global Peace Index (GPI) as an independent variable. The sample of the study covers the 25 European Union Member States for the period of 2010-2019. The study found that increasing levels of peace have an impact on decreasing levels of gender inequality. The result suggests that peace is a determining variable in gender equality and complements the literature that reveals the positive impact of gender equality on peace levels of countries. This result points out the transformative relationship between peace and gender equality.

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.

A research on the role of women in economic development in the BRICS countries

Women account for almost half of the world population, however, their contribution to the economic development is rather limited due to significant gender imparity manifested in different aspects: from participation in decision-making and employment to incomes and property. The paper aims to explore and assess the potential of women empowerment to the benefits of economic growth in the BRICS countries. Methodologically, the paper relies on the theory of gender order and the interdisciplinary approach to the research of gender inequality. The study applies methods of systematisation, content analysis, and comparison of time series. By analysing a range of international organisations’ reports, the paper provides insight in the state of affairs with gender inequality in the BRICS countries looking at its key characteristics in the economic, educational, social, and political spheres. Using the World Bank data for 2000–2021, the paper examines women’s empowerment according to the dimensions accounted for in the UN Gender Inequality Index: empowerment, health, and labour market. The findings indicate that the BRICS countries are far behind in terms of delivering real justice to women’s empowerment. Among the five countries China and Russia seem to be putting the strongest efforts to reduce gender gap, Brazil demonstrates good dynamics, but has a long way to go, while South Africa and India confront many deep-rooted problems that strongly thwart their progress. The theoretical and practical significance of the study lies in the consolidation of the data on the problem of gender imparity as well as their interpretation in the context of supporting gender equal societies in the BRICS countries to promote the global spatial economic development.

Achieving SDG 5, gender equality and empower all women and girls, in developing countries: how aid for trade can help?

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate whether aggregate and sectoral disbursement of aid for trade (AfT) facilitates achieving gender equality and women empowerment in aid-recipient developing countries for the period 2005–2019.Design/methodology/approachThe study develops static and dynamic panel data and empirical specifications and employs fixed effects and generalised method of moments (GMM) estimation techniques to estimate the impact of aggregate AfT and different categories of AfT on women empowerment. The study uses the Gender Inequality Index (GII) and Global Gender Gap Index (GGI) as the proxy measures of SDG-5, where the higher (lower) value of GII (GGI) implies higher gender disparities and lower women empowerment, and vice versa.FindingsThe study finds that aggregate AfT and aid disbursement for the development of economic infrastructure, productive capability building and trade policy and regulations contribute significantly to achieve women empowerment by reducing gender inequalities concerning the labour force and political participation, education enrolment and better healthcare and by increasing gender gap index in relation to economic participation, educational attainment, health and survival and political empowerment. The impact of aggregate AfT and its different categories is found significant only in low- and lower-middle-income developing countries. The findings also indicate that the impact of AfT is not noticeably different across different regions of the world as well as the religious belief of the developing countries.Practical implicationsThe study recommends that more allocation of gender-responsive AfT, whether aggregated or disaggregated, significantly helps women empowerment and assists developing economies to achieve SDG-5.Originality/valueThis study is one of the few that investigate the impact of aggregate AfT on gender inequality and women empowerment. This is the foremost study that examines the effects of each individual category of AfT on women empowerment vis-à-vis SDG-5.

Gender inequality and mammography screening: Does living with a partner improve women's mammography uptake?

Macrolevel gender inequality is defined as the unequal distribution of power and resources between men and women shaped by macrolevel social structures and institutions. An emerging line of health research is emphasising its negative consequences on women's health and healthcare access. The present study examines how gender inequality contexts affect women's mammography screening uptake. It adopts a macrosociological and institutionalist approach on preventive healthcare use and compares women who live with a partner with those who do not. This is the first study to test the effect of macrolevel gender inequality on mammography uptake across the 26 Swiss cantons (i.e. regions). The Swiss cantons' autonomy to manage their political and healthcare systems, as provided by the federal system, offers an ideal setting for the comparative analysis of macrolevel factors. Data on 9724 women aged 50–70 from the Swiss Health Interview Survey (waves 2007, 2012 and 2017) is analysed. Multilevel logistic models estimate two canton-level indicators of gender inequality, the gender gaps in time use and full-time employment, and their association with mammography uptake, controlling for women's socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, health status and healthcare use. Cross-level interactions assess how these indicators moderate the mammography uptake of women living with and without a partner. Results show that in cantons with higher gender inequality, women have a lower probability of mammography uptake. Women who live with a partner have a higher mammography uptake than those who do not. However, this advantage is moderated by canton-level gender inequality, namely, women who live with a partner in more gender unequal cantons have a lower mammography uptake than their counterparts who reside in more gender equal cantons. Results support the hypothesis that macrolevel gender inequality moderates women's preventive healthcare uptake, from an institutionalist approach.

Empowerment of Women in India: An Overview of Political Participation

Political participation of women in India is a complex phenomenon being influenced by various factors. Empowerment of women means developing them as more aware individuals, who are politically active, economically productive and independent and are able to make intelligent discussion in matters that affect them. Women turnout during India’s 2014 parliamentary general elections was 65.63%, compared to 67.09% turnout for men. India rank 20th from the bottom in terms of representation of women in parliament. Women have held the posts of president and prime minister in India, as well as chief ministers of various states. Indian voters have elected women to numerous state legislative assemblies and national parliament for many decades. Present article intends to describe and evaluate with the political participation of women in India and discusses about various initiatives taken by the Government of India for empowering women by analyzing position of India in Gender Inequality Index. Keywords: Empowerment, Gender Inequality Participation, Reservation, and Women.