Gender Inequality Research Articles

Trade, gender equality and institutional quality: Evidence from the gravitational approach

Purpose The contributions of gender equality to trade and the moderating impact of institutional quality on the trade-gender link have been understudied in contemporary literature. Therefore, this paper aims to use the augmented gravity model to investigate the impacts of gender equality and institutional quality on trade, and the moderating impact of institutional quality on the trade-gender link. Design/methodology/approach The panel data is comprised of bilateral trade flows of Vietnam and 40 major trading partners in the 2002–2021 period. Estimation methods include combined fixed effect, random effect, system generalized method of moments two-step (SGMM-II) and Poisson-pseudo maximum likelihood (PPML) which allow the treatment of heterogeneity, endogeneity and heteroskedasticity in the research models. Findings The exporting country’s gender equality has an inconclusive impact on trade in SGMM-II and PPML estimations. However, female labor force participation in the exporting country increases trade. Importing country’s gender equality and female labor force participation increase trade. The direct impact of institutional quality on trade is inconclusive, which is dependent on estimation methods. Most noticeably, the institutional quality of exporting and importing countries facilitates the hampering effects of gender equality and female labor force participation on trade. Research limitations/implications Future research should apply the framework of this paper to sectoral trade, which allows more sector-specific policy implications to be delivered. Moreover, gender development, gender inequality and institutional quality should be included in the SGMM estimations as endogenous variables for robustness checking purposes in future research. Practical implications The paper has justified the integration of gender-specific issues in trade policies, which aligns trade with sustainable development agenda. The explored moderating impact of institutional quality of the exporting country has implied the trade-off relationship between gender equality and export growth in the effort to improve institutional quality. Reversely, in the case of importing countries with higher institutional quality, improved gender equality may mitigate the trade deficit by hampering import growth. Originality/value Investigating the impact of gender equality on trade is the prominent contribution of this paper. Gender equality is considered by three component indicators which include gender development, gender inequality and female labor force participation. New measurement approach to the institutional quality level is also introduced. Furthermore, the explored moderating impacts of institutional quality on the trade-gender link are novel in the literature on sustainable development.

Sociodemographic, Clinical, and Behavioral Factors Associated with Sexual Transmitted Infection among HIV-1 Positive Migrants in Portugal: Are There Differences between Sexes?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to occur at high levels. According to the WHO, each year there are an estimated 374 million new infections with syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. STIs are associated with an increased risk of acquiring HIV infection. Migrants are reportedly highly affected by STIs. This study aims to characterize factors associated with STIs in a population of HIV-positive migrants living in Portugal. This is a cross-sectional observational study of 265 newly diagnosed HIV-1 positive migrants, who were defined as individuals born outside Portugal. This group of people were part of the BESTHOPE study that was developed in 17 Portuguese hospitals between September 2014 and December 2019, and included information collected through sociodemographic and behavioral questionnaires filled in by the migrant patients, clinical questionnaires filled in by the clinicians and HIV-1 genomic sequences generated through resistance testing (Sanger sequencing). A multivariable statistical analysis was used to analyze the association between sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, HIV testing and sexual infections. Most HIV-1 positive individuals included in the study were men (66.8%) and aged between 25 and 44 years old (59.9%). Men had a higher proportion of STIs when compared to women (40.4% vs. 14.0%) and the majority of men reported homosexual contacts (52.0%). Most men reported having had two or more occasional sexual partners in the previous year (88.8%) and 50.9% reported always using condoms with occasional partners, while 13.2% never used it. For regular partners, only 29.5% of the women reported using condoms, compared to 47.3% of men. Other risk behaviors for acquiring HIV, such as tattooing and performing invasive medical procedures, were more prevalent in men (38.0% and 46.2%, respectively), when compared to women (30.4% and 45.1% respectively) and 4.7% of men reported having already shared injectable materials, with no data for comparison in the case for women. Additionally, 23.9% of women reported having had a blood transfusion while only 10.3% of men reported having had this medical procedure. Meanwhile, 30.9% of the individuals reported having been diagnosed with some type of STI in the last 12 months. In addition, 43.3% of individuals that answered a question about hepatitis reported to be infected with hepatitis B, while 13.0% reported having hepatitis C infection. According to the multivariable analysis, the only transmission route was significantly associated with reports of previous STI infection: men who have sex with men (MSM) were 70% more likely to have been diagnosed with an STI in the past 12 months compared to the heterosexual route. HIV-1 infected men were more likely to report previous STIs than women. On the other hand, most migrant women had a regular sexual partner and never or only sometimes used condoms. This somewhat discrepant findings suggest that gender inequalities may make women unable to negotiate safe sexual practices, resulting in increased susceptibility to infection. However, since migrant women report less STIs, we cannot exclude that these STIs may remain undiagnosed. The implementation of safer sex awareness campaigns for condom use and screening for STIs in women is crucial. On the other hand, health education campaigns for STI knowledge need to be implemented for both MSM and women and their partners.

Safety of TNF-α inhibitors: A real-world study based on the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System Database.

As a common treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the adverse reactions of TNF-α inhibitors (TNFis) in practical application have garnered attention. This study aims to investigate the adverse drug events (ADEs) associated with TNFi in RA patients as reported in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System, to offer insights for clinical use. Cases related to RA and primarily involving TNFi were extracted from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database and compared by gender stratification. Screening was conducted based on reporting odds ratio and information component to identify positive ADEs for different TNFis and evaluate common and unique ADEs among various TNFis. There are 4 common ADEs among TNFis, including pulmonary tuberculosis, infection, hypersensitivity, and herpes zoster, as described in the package inserts. However, each TNFi has unique positive ADEs. Adalimumab has 63 unique positive ADEs, including lower respiratory tract inflammation, systemic lupus erythematosus rash, vascular dementia, ovarian neoplasm, adhesion, sarcoma, coccidioidomycosis, etc. Golimumab has 6 unique positive ADEs, including pneumonia cryptococcal, device deployment issue, pneumonia bacterial, polyneuropathy, device malfunction, device issue, etc; certolizumab has 24 unique positive ADEs, including maternal exposure before pregnancy, premature rupture of membranes, exposure via breast milk, staphylococcal sepsis, erysipelas, low birth weight baby, herpes virus infection, premature delivery, etc; etanercept has 180 unique positive ADEs, including joint destruction, chondrolysis, finger deformity, ankle deformity, joint warmth, etc; infliximab has 60 unique positive ADEs, including Hodgkin's disease, metastatic neoplasm, non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, etc. Although the aforementioned 5 TNFis share common ADEs such as herpes zoster, clinicians must exercise caution when selecting specific medications, especially for RA patients concurrently suffering from malignancies. The analysis indicates that infliximab is associated with 60 unique positive ADEs, including Hodgkin's disease, metastatic neoplasm, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; therefore, these patients should use infliximab with greater caution. Similarly, certolizumab should be used with increased caution in pregnant and postpartum women.

Gender Equality in Vietnam Labour Law: A Critique Toward Sustainable Development

Labor law is traditionally viewed as a crucial mechanism for advancing gender equality in the workplace by providing a framework to eliminate sex-based discrimination and enhance women’s participation in the workforce. As nations strive to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the significance of such laws is amplified, with gender equality not only a key indicator but also an enabler for other SDGs. This study demonstrates that, despite recent reforms in Vietnam's labour law reducing barriers to female employment, pervasive gender inequality persists, fuelled by enduring employment stereotypes that often depict women as victims. To develop a sustainable workforce, Vietnam's labor laws and policies should implement strategies to dismantle these stereotypes. This research suggests transitioning from the traditional approach of female protection to involving men in domestic roles. A strategy targeting men is expected to promote gender equality in the Vietnamese workforce by altering employer perceptions of female employees' maternal roles. From the perspective of masculinity theory, the potential of paternity bonuses is significant; they can enhance women’s career opportunities by alleviating domestic burdens and broadening acceptable roles for men.

Trends in the Transformation of Gender Stereotypes: Representation of Women’s Image in the Modern Media Space of Kazakhstan

The purpose of the study is to assess the transformation of women’s image in the modern media space of Kazakhstan. Using a mixed research approach, including a literature review, analysis of advertising materials, and expert surveys, the authors determine the role of the media in shaping the image of women. The results demonstrate that despite the growing trend towards diversity in women’s roles, traditional stereotypes persist, especially in the context of traditional gender roles. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing gender inequalities in different sectors, including politics, business, and public participation. The gradual transformation of women’s roles reflects social shifts influenced by globalization, feminism, and technological advances. The study underscores the need for further efforts to combat gender stereotypes and promote diverse portrayals of women in mass media. Despite the progress achieved, continued research, political measures, and initiatives to promote media literacy are needed to create a media landscape that would foster gender equality and expand the rights and opportunities of women in all spheres of social life.

Employment outcomes of refugee women and men: multiple gender gaps and the importance of high-skill jobs

ABSTRACT Refugee women face significant challenges when seeking employment in Western host countries. To advance gender-sensitive perspectives within migration and refugee research, this study examines differences in employment outcomes between refugee women and men. Specifically, this study provides a nuanced picture of six indicators of employment outcomes, including pay, fixed-term versus permanent employment contract, overqualification, career prospects, an at-home feeling in the workplace and the ability to talk to colleagues about personal problems. The study also shows that individuals’ occupational status plays a role in gender disparities. Our findings, based on a recent survey of refugees working in Austria, reveal several gender gaps, with an especially significant gap regarding fixed-term employment contracts. Refugee women, who are more likely to be disadvantaged in employment outcomes, benefit disproportionately from working in high-skill jobs. The findings underscore the complex nature of gendered patterns in labour market integration of refugees and imply specific policies addressing gender inequality in this setting.

Lessons from the pandemic: Gender inequality in childcare and the emergence of a gender mental health gap among parents in Germany

Lessons from the pandemic: Gender inequality in childcare and the emergence of a gender mental health gap among parents in Germany

Health literacy and falls among community-dwelling older people in China: is there a sex difference?

BackgroundHealth literacy is one of the important determinants of healthy aging, yet few studies have focused on the association between health literacy and falls.AimsThis study aims to explore the relationship between health literacy and falls, with a focus on sex differences among older people in China.MethodsThis cross-sectional study enrolled 2,144 older people aged ≥ 60 years from Shandong Province, China in 2021. We used general health literacy screening scale to assess health literacy, and collected the incidence of falls in the past year. Logistic regression models were employed to analyze the relationship between health literacy and falls. We investigated the sex differences by subgroup analyses.ResultsThe prevalence of adequate health literacy and falls was 21.7% (95% CI: 20.0–23.5%) and 25.4% (95% CI: 23.6–27.3%), respectively. In a fully-adjusted model, adequate health literacy was associated with a lower prevalence of falls in older adults (OR = 0.71, 95%CI: 0.52–0.96). Subgroup analysis revealed sex differences in this relationship (Pfor interaction <0.05). Specifically, the female group showed no significant relationship between health literacy and falls (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.59–1.44); however, the male group demonstrated a robust and significant relationship (OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.37–0.90).ConclusionsOlder people with adequate health literacy have lower prevalence of falls, which appears to differ by sex. This relationship was significant among men but not among women. These findings emphasize the need for policymakers and healthcare providers to consider sex differences when designing and implementing programs aimed at improving health literacy and preventing falls in the older population. Improving health literacy among older women could be a strategic component in bridging sex inequality in falls.

Unveiling gender inequality in the US: Testing validity of a state-level measure of gender inequality and its relationship with feminist online collective action on Twitter.

The Gender Inequality Index is a country-level measure of gender inequality based on women's levels of reproductive health, social and political empowerment, and labor-market representation. In two studies, we tested the validity of the GII-S, a state-level measure of gender inequality in the USA. In Study 1, the GII-S was associated with objective and subjective measures of wellness among women, including life satisfaction, financial well-being, and perceptions of safety. GII-S was not associated with the Gini coefficient, a well-established measure of economic inequality, suggesting that gender and economic disparities represent distinct aspects of social inequality. Study 2 tested the link between GII-S scores and collective action-specifically, participation in the #MeToo movement promoting awareness of sexual harassment and violence against women. Analysis of geo-localized messages on the Twitter social media platform reveals that higher GII-S scores were associated with fewer tweets containing the #MeToo hashtag. Moreover, GII-S was associated with state-level political orientation: the more conservative a state, the higher its level of gender inequality. Results are discussed in terms of possible socio-cognitive processes underpinning the association between gender inequality and sensitivity to violence against women.

Unequal geographies of gender-affirming care: A comparative typology of trans-specific healthcare systems across Europe

RationaleGender-affirming healthcare can carry significant benefits for trans people. However, there are substantial geographical inequalities in the provision of and access to trans-specific healthcare across Europe. Comparative healthcare systems research has typically focused on universal services, neglecting provision which serves specific groups within populations (e.g., trans people). ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop a comparative typology of trans-specific healthcare systems across 28 European countries (the EU 27 plus the UK), and to examine country-level correlates which may influence or be influenced by these systems. MethodsUsing hierarchical and k-means cluster analysis, countries were classified into four types based on measures of trans-specific healthcare provision, regulation and access. Possible country-level correlates (including socio-political climate, medical outcomes, and the general healthcare system) were investigated. Results and discussionThe cluster analysis identified four clusters of trans-specific healthcare systems in Europe, characterized as: 1) Centralized conservative (highly centralized, extensive range of treatments, few trans-specific government policies); 2) Centralized reformist (highly centralized, extensive range of treatments, multiple trans-specific government policies); 3) Decentralized marketized (highly decentralized, moderate range of treatments, few trans-specific government policies); 4) Underdeveloped (highly decentralized, limited range of treatments, few or no trans-specific government policies). We found statistically significant differences between the clusters in rates of: public support for trans people; gender identity concealment; treatment access; overall health expenditure; gender inequality. ConclusionsThe study develops a novel typology of trans-specific healthcare systems in Europe. It also identifies a range of potential drivers and outcomes of geographical divergences and inequalities in trans-specific healthcare provision. Building on this typology, future comparative research should aim to link the structure of healthcare systems to outcomes for trans people. Comparative healthcare systems research must account for the distinctive forms taken by services and systems that provide healthcare to specific groups within populations.

Climate-resilient aquatic food systems require transformative change to address gender and intersectional inequalities

The adverse impacts of climate change on aquatic food systems (AFS) and the people who depend on AFS for livelihood security are inequitably distributed between and within countries. People facing the highest risks and experiencing the severest impacts of climate change are those who already experience multidimensional inequalities in their lives, particularly because of their gender, class, age, indigeneity, ethnicity, caste, religion, and the physical and political conditions that can create additional vulnerabilities. In this paper, we conducted a scoping review of the literature that explores the links between climate change, gender, and other social identities, and AFS. The review was complemented by an analysis of representative data on women and men aquaculture farmers in Bangladesh from 2018 to 2019. We also analysed data from the 2019 Illuminating Hidden Harvest project. The study relied on the gendered agrifood system and aquatic food climate risk frameworks to guide on literature search, review, and data analyses. Our findings show that intersecting identities disadvantage certain AFS actors, particularly young women from minority ethnic groups, and create challenge for them to manage and adapt to climate shocks and stresses. Examples of gender-responsive and transformative interventions are highlighted from our review to showcase how such intersectional disadvantages can be addressed to increase women’s empowerment and social and gender equality.

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.

Influence of gender on clinical presentation, management practices and outcomes of ocular syphilis

Ocular syphilis is a re-emerging inflammatory eye disease with a clear gender imbalance, disproportionately affecting men. We investigated the impact of gender on the presentation, management practices and clinical outcomes of this condition. Data generated from a study of patients consecutively diagnosed with ocular syphilis who attended a subspecialist uveitis service at one of four hospitals in Brazil over a 30-month period were disaggregated for analysis by gender. Two-hundred and fourteen eyes (161 men and 53 women) of 127 patients (96 men and 31 women) were included. Posterior uveitis was the most common presentation in both men and women (80.1% vs. 66.7%, p > 0.05), but men were significantly more likely to have vitritis as a feature of their disease (49.4% versus 28.8%, p = 0.019). Three eyes of women had nodular anterior scleritis (p = 0.015). Men were more likely to undergo a lumbar puncture to assess for neurosyphilis (71.9% vs. 51.6%, p = 0.048), but men and women undergoing a lumbar puncture were equally likely to have a cerebrospinal fluid abnormality (36.2% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.393). All patients were treated with aqueous penicillin G or ceftriaxone, and there was a trend towards more men receiving adjunctive systemic corticosteroid treatment as part of their management (65.2% vs. 46.7%, p = 0.071). There were no significant differences in the age of presentation, bilaterality of disease, anatomical classification of uveitis, initial or final visual acuity, and rates of ocular complications between men and women. Our findings indicate that ocular syphilis has comparable outcomes in men and women, but that there are differences in the type of ocular inflammation and management practices between the genders.

FINANCIAL LITERACY AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Financial inclusion is the expanding outreach of banking or financial services at an affordable cost to a vast section of disadvantaged groups of society which may provide them a financial cushion for their sustenance as well as social empowerment. In India where women constitute 46% of total population majority of them are denied to opportunities and rights due to their financial dependence. Financial inclusion is much needed for women as it helps in increasing amount of regular savings along with enabling women to pay for micro insurance and obtain credit. It also helps in increasing income from employment and micro enterprise, usage of mainstream banking services that offer appropriate designed products and service. In other words, financial inclusion makes women informed about their role and right in economic development to improve access to markets and other information for overall empowerment. By helping women to meet their practical needs, micro finance may help women to gain respect and achieve more in their socially defined roles along with wellbeing. This paper mainly deals with-Importance of women’s financial inclusion, Women’s specific financial needs in respect to men’s, Functions of finance and role of women, Growth, development and financial inclusion, financial literacy as a tool for women empowerment, Institutional framework in India for financial education, Economic and socia development of women and financial inclusion, Gender inequality and lack of access to financial services, Certain issues and aspects related with financial inclusion and women empowerment. The paper calls for women empowerment by means of effective financial inclusion and financial literacy by studying the relationship between women empowerment and financial inclusion.

Gender inequality in legislative representation: the case of women representation in Ghana’s Parliament

Gender inequality in legislative representation: the case of women representation in Ghana’s Parliament

From Constrain to Capability: Factors Driving Tribal Women Empowerment through SHGs

In the current scenario, the empowerment of tribal women holds significant importance in confronting enduring inequalities and propelling the attainment of sustainable development objectives. Indigenous communities frequently encounter socio-economic marginalisation, with tribal women disproportionately affected by this disparity. Empowering tribal women is fundamental in fostering gender parity, given their pivotal contributions to their families, communities, and customary livelihoods. Moreover, amidst escalating globalisation and environmental crises, the imperative to empower tribal women intensifies, ensuring their inclusion in decision-making concerning land rights, natural resource management, and adaptation to climate change. Self-help groups are instrumental in empowering tribal women as they provide a platform for collective action, economic self-reliance, and community support. By participating in SHGs, tribal women gain access to financial resources, skill development initiatives, and valuable networks, enabling them to improve their socio-economic standing and advocate for their rights within their communities. Moreover, SHGs nurture leadership abilities and decision-making skills among tribal women, empowering them to confront challenges such as gender inequality and social exclusion. The paper aims to explore the perceptions of SHG members from five scheduled areas in Himachal Pradesh regarding 49 statements related to various aspects of tribal women's empowerment. It seeks to consolidate these numerous statements into groups based on their intercorrelation using the PCA method of factor analysis, to gain meaningful insights into the role of SHGs in the lives of these tribal women. The results of the systematic factor analysis using Principal Component Analysis and Varimax Rotation with Kaiser Normalization identify ten key factors. The most significant factor in empowering tribal women works out to be the improvement in skills, awareness, and knowledge. Other major factors include enhanced family conditions through better access to facilities, financial independence, and greater involvement in financial decisions. Additionally, community engagement, economic advancement, self-awareness, political awareness, knowledge of rights, and education and training are crucial components for analysing the impact of Self-Help Groups on tribal women's empowerment. By further analysing the ten driving factors identified in this study, a more systematic approach can be developed to assess the capability of these social groups to impact the lives of tribal women. This will allow for a precise evaluation of their overall empowerment through participation in SHGs.

Gendered Uptake of Sustainable Intensification Practices among Maize Commercializing Smallholder Farmers in Eastern Districts of Uganda

Commercialization of food crops, such as maize can dynamically shift control over productive resources or accrued income from women to men. This can restrict women&amp;rsquo;s ability to access or buy productive inputs. However, scanty information is available on how changing gender roles and relations can affect smallholder farmers&amp;rsquo; use of sustainable intensification practices. This study described how gender inequalities in access to resources and appropriation of gains affect the uptake of sustainable intensification (SI) practices among maize commercializing farmers in eastern Uganda. Qualitative Survey data collected from a random sub-sample of 72 (36 women and 36 men) maize farmers from 584 maize commercializing smallholder farmers survey participants, was subjected to thematic content analysis. It was intended to follow up four unique profiles of farmers; those who did not use SI practices, the ones who used only intensification (improve maize varieties and fertilizers) or sustainable practices (organic manure and maize-legume intercrop), and those who used joint, one or more sustainable intensification practices. Findings revealed all four profiles to be highly gendered. Only women did not use any SI practice, and only men used intensification practices due to gender roles, responsibilities, and tasks shaped by traditions that give men terminal control over productive assets and gained resources. Both men and women used sustainable and sustainable intensification practices because of the negotiation process and opportunities that gave women more rights over resources. Thus, social-cultural histories and values constrain married women from implementing innovations such as SI practices because these values restrict women&amp;rsquo;s authority over productive resources. It is recommended that for inclusive transformative interventions to be introduced successfully in rigid patriarchal contexts, it is vital to enhance the negotiation skills of women.

Educational Strategy of The Primary Prevention of Domestic Violence: Contributions of Curricular Practices to the Strengthening of Citizenship

At a global level, quality education is fundamental to achieve social and gender justice, stability, and sustainable development worldwide. Therefore, the current school is faced with the need to find answers to these challenges, which can manifest themselves in multiple social violences. The investment in Portugal in an education for citizenship is based on the implementation of an educational policy that introduces, in an intentional and strategical manner, into the curriculum, fracturing themes in societies with the aim of its transformation. In this regard, the construction of the curriculum, as proposed by the Critical Theory, as a social practice, can constitute an educational strategy for the study and action on the problematic issue of primary prevention of domestic violence. The aim of this research is to understand to what extent the inclusion of the issue of domestic violence in curricular practices, in the context of citizenship education, contributes to the primary prevention of this social scourge. The methodological course of the research is based on a qualitative approach of exploratory nature, using a questionnaire with four open-ended questions. The study took place in two public schools, Primary and Secondary: one in the Oporto area and the other in the Lisbon area. The former has a Prevention Project against Domestic Violence in place; the second has no similar project. The data was obtained through the Google Forms tool. Eight participants were selected, four from each school, all teachers at the end of a schooling cycle, specifically: 4th year, 6th year, 9th year and 12th year. The study revealed that, in the school in the Oporto area, because it had a Violence Prevention Plan, there were curricular practices focused on this issue. The school in the Lisbon area, on the other hand, that does not have a Plan for the Prevention of Violence, has an absence of this issue in curricular practices, there being only awareness-raising on the subject.

Female-specific perspectives in social work research in sub-Saharan Africa: literature review

ABSTRACT In this article, the focus is on social work in sub-Saharan Africa from a female-specific perspective. The article answers the following two questions: what are the most central questions around female-specific perspectives in social work research in sub-Saharan Africa and what kind of emphasis does social work have or recommend for working with women? The aim is to provide international dialogue and new openings for Nordic social work research and practice. The analysis is based on data collected by conducting an integrative literature review. The results show that the importance of women´s perspectives in sub-Saharan Africa is an issue linked to gendered poverty, inequality and gender-based violence. The included studies deal with health issues, including maternal health, sexual health and reproductive health. Social work emphasizes measures based on spirituality and communities, where a female-specific perspective is understood as part of communal structures. An analytical examination of social work in African countries can develop Nordic social work practice and the discipline so that it considers the meaning of female-specific issues as part of communal resources, spiritual practices and global inequality.

The Effect of Parenthood on Care Workers’ Earnings: Exploring Identity Mobilization’s Applicability

ABSTRACT The parenthood wage gap is well-documented in professional work, but we know little about parenthood’s effects on earnings among care workers. As employers may use stereotypes linked to parental identity to determine rewards, care workers may leverage their parental identity to signal appropriateness for work, possibly leading to higher, rather than lower, earnings. At the same time, gender and racial identity may signal different levels of appropriateness to employers according to how they fulfill employer-held gender and racial stereotypes. Using data from the American Community Survey (ACS), we test the applicability of identity mobilization to show that mothers experience wage penalties compared to fathers and non-mothers, while fathers experience wage premiums. Additionally, mothers of color experience smaller penalties than White women, while fathers of color experience smaller premiums compared to White fathers. We also show differences across occupations. Overall, this study showcases the ways in which gender and racial inequality remain entrenched in society, rejecting identity mobilization’s applicability to care work wage gaps.