Gender Inequality Research Articles

Pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities is not a choice: the interplay between gender norms, contextual embeddedness, and (in)equality mechanisms in entrepreneurial contexts

PurposeAll entrepreneurs interact simultaneously with multiple entrepreneurial contexts throughout their entrepreneurial journey. This conceptual paper has two central aims: (1) it synthesises the current literature on gender and entrepreneurship, and (2) it increases our understanding of how gender norms, contextual embeddedness and (in)equality mechanisms interact within contexts. Illustrative contexts that are discussed include entrepreneurship education, business networks and finance.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual paper draws upon extant literature to develop its proposed conceptual framework. It provides suggestions for systemic policy interventions as well as pointing to promising paths for future research.FindingsA literature-generated conceptual framework is developed to explain and address the systemic barriers faced by opportunity-driven women as they engage in entrepreneurial contexts. This conceptual framework visualises the interplay between gender norms, contextual embeddedness and inequality mechanisms to explain systemic disparities. An extra dimension is integrated in the framework to account for the power of agency within women and with others, whereby agency, either individually or collectively, may disrupt and subvert the current interplay with inequality mechanisms.Originality/valueThis work advances understanding of the underrepresentation of women entrepreneurs. The paper offers a conceptual framework that provides policymakers with a useful tool to understand how to intervene and increase contextual embeddedness for all entrepreneurs. Additionally, this paper suggests moving beyond “fixing” women entrepreneurs and points towards disrupting systemic disparities to accomplish this contextual embeddedness for all entrepreneurs. By doing so, this research adds to academic knowledge on the construction and reconstruction of gender in the field of entrepreneurship.

Exploring gender differences in Gen Z students’ attribution of obstacles influencing their academic and professional success

Universities are often criticised for perpetuating gender inequalities in the preparation of students for the workforce. Employing a mixed methods approach, we explore whether perceived obstacles to academic and professional success are gender-based. We analyse responses from generation Z management students (n = 405) using attribution theory. We find that students predominantly perceive ‘effort’ as an enabler to their future success with gender disparities emerging when examining the multifaceted obstacles to their future success. Out of all demographic characteristics analysed, gender, and particularly a perceived lack of confidence by female students, is the most predominant and statistically significant factor. Through in-depth qualitative research we develop our understanding of these gendered student attributions, highlighting their potential impact on long-term professional success and their contribution to future earning inequalities. We examine the implications of our findings for educators and propose proactive strategies to tackle gendered disparities in the student experience.

Income inequality between local-born Chinese and mainland migrant adults in Hong Kong: a comparison of baby boom and millennial generations

We explored how the three major trends evident in the labor market since the 1970s (narrowing gender inequality, increased enrollment in higher education, occupational inequality) are related to income differences between the baby boom and millennial generations in Hong Kong, a major city in East Asia. We have incorporated analysis that examines the differences between local-born individuals and migrants in order to highlight a significant feature of Hong Kong society. Using the Hong Kong census for 1991 and 2016, we showed that from 1991 to 2016, the income gap between local-born Chinese and migrants widened substantially between millennials and baby boomers. RIF regression analysis and the decomposition based on the RIF regression results show that the three major social trends are related to the incomes of young adult baby boomers and millennials in Hong Kong in different ways. These patterns also vary by high and lower-income groups.

Differences in income, farm size and nutritional status between female and male farmers in a region of Haiti

IntroductionHaiti is the poorest country in the Americas and has the highest levels of gender inequality. It has high burdens of malnutrition and food insecurity. Our aim in this study was to investigate differences between female and male heads of farms in their farm's size and income and in their nutritional status.MethodsWe conducted a mixed-method study with a quantitative survey with 28 female and 80 male farmers and qualitative semi-structured interviews with seven women and 11 men, in nine rural communities, Plateau de Rochelois, Nippes, Haïti.ResultsWe found that significant inequalities existed between female and male heads of farms in this region of Haiti. Farm income was associated with farm size, with female farmers having on average smaller farms, and markedly lower farm incomes compared to male farmers, even after adjusting for the fact that their farms were smaller. Male farmers also had more access to seeds, financing and transportation to market. In addition, female farmers had markedly higher levels of overweight and obesity. In both male and female heads of farms around 1 in 20 were underweight.DiscussionThese findings complement those from other settings, showing that female farmers in low- and middle- income countries typically face severe challenges in accessing resources such as land, credit, and inputs, which can limit their productivity and income-generating potential. Gender sensitive interventions to promote farmer health, well-being and productivity are required.

Reliability and validity evaluation of the Chinese version of the gender misconceptions of men in nursing (GEMINI) scale among nursing students

BackgroundMisconceptions about male nurses not only exacerbate the gender imbalance in the nursing profession but also negatively impact male nurses embarking on their careers. Currently, no tool exists to measure the gender biases toward males in nursing among nursing students in China. Consequently, the primary objective of this study is to assess the validity and reliability of the Chinese translation of the Gender Misconceptions of Men in Nursing (GEMINI) scale among nursing students.MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 1,102 nursing students from China who participated online. We utilized the Brislin translation technique with a forward-backward approach. To determine the factor structure within the Men in Nursing Gender Misconceptions Scale’s Chinese version, both exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were applied. The scale’s internal consistency was measured through the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, corrected item-total correlation, and a retest reliability assessment.ResultsThe scale showed a content validity index of 0.938 and a retest reliability of 0.844. EFA indicated a two-factor structure for the translated instrument. CFA revealed a chi-square/degree of freedom of 3.837, an incremental fit index (IFI) of 0.952, a goodness-of-fit index (GFI) of 0.910, a comparative fit index (CFI) of 0.952, and an RMSEA of 0.073, all of which were within acceptable limits. The scale’s Cronbach’s α was 0.953, and the corrected item-total correlations ranged between 0.539 and 0.838. Gender-based misconceptions about men in nursing among students appeared to be influenced by their gender and whether they considered a nursing program as their first choice when applying for a major. Misconceptions about male nurses are greater among men and those who do not consider nursing programs as their first choice when applying for a major.ConclusionsThe Chinese adaptation of the GEMINI scale showcased high reliability and validity. It stands as a potential instrument to gauge gender misconceptions concerning male nurses among Chinese nursing students.

Work in IT for women: The realities of Ukraine


 
 
 The article presents a study conducted on gender equality in Ukraine in the field of information technology. The problem of gender inequality still exists throughout the world. The purpose of the article is to study the working conditions of women in IT, to discuss the possible use of stereotypes, and to identify the reasons for women’s lack of interest in working in this field. Formally, there is no prohibition for women to work in the IT industry. However, there are a number of reasons in Ukraine that affect the possibilities of pursuing a career in this direction. The article analyzes the available statistical data and the results of a survey among representatives of the IT sector. It is worth noting the problem of data collection during the war in Ukraine. The importance of the sphere for the country’s economy as a whole and the relevance, demand for specialists, as well as the ratio of women and men employed in this area are considered. Global trends in gender distribution in the field of IT were analyzed. The main stereotypes and situations that constitute obstacles for women in this area are considered and the features inherent in Ukrainian society are also highlighted. Based on the statistical data of Ukraine the number and structure of female students, including foreigners, in recent years were analyzed. It was revealed that the structure of the gender ratio of men and women in education is changing with the formation of the labor market of Ukraine and the distribution by employment status. The ratio of working women and men is approximately the same, but the structure by employment status is different. In Ukraine the IT sector is largely based on individual entrepreneurs. Despite the martial law, the IT community is actively developing and new companies are being created. Training is actively carried out in paid and free courses. Surveys were conducted among students, and it was found that the beginning of a career in the field of information technology is already determined by certain stereotypes of society. Based on the conducted research, the structural gender relations in the field of IT and the main stereotypes that hinder the development of women in this area are analyzed. Recommendations for overcoming gender inequality in the field of IT in Ukraine are presented. Based on the information received, conclusions were drawn: the number of women and men studying technical and mathematical sciences in Ukraine is approximately the same. But in the future, in professional activities, women in many cases prefer to occupy weaker positions, leaving leading positions to men. The main reason for this dynamic is the generally accepted stereotypes and the actualization of the role of women in other areas.
 
 

Specialties preference by gender among medical students at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, South Africa.

To determine the speciality preferences and the gender differences in the choice of speciality among medical students at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, South Africa. This cross-sectional study was conducted among fourth- to sixth-year medical students. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data analysis was performed using STATA version 16 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, United States). A total of 174 students participated (response rate of 74%). Their median age was 23 years with interquartile range of 2 years. More than half (57%) were females. About 83% had no previous qualifications. Most (89%) have shown interest in pursuing specialist training. Surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology and internal medicine were the most selected specialities, while family medicine, ophthalmology, forensic medicine, public health medicine, ear, nose and throat, and accident and emergency medicine were the least preferred. Males were more likely interested in surgery and internal medicine, while females preferred obstetrics and gynaecology. The majority of the medical students intends to pursue their postgraduate medical training. Even though the results were not statistically significant, there are gender differences in speciality preferences. There is a need to develop and implement career guidance and recruitment plans to deal with specialities with poor recruitment and gender imbalance.Contribution:To deal with specialties with poor and gender imbalance, career guidance and recruitment plans must be developed and implemented.

FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION: A THREAT TO FEMALE SPORTS PARTICIPATION IN EKITI STATE

Female Genital Mutilation is widespread among the various ethnic groups and socio-economic groups and classes and it is usually practice for cultural, religious, and ritual purposes, often as part of initiation rite into womanhood. Noting that the health of a girl-child is paramount to effective sport participation among elites. Without an optimal healthy living among female or girl-child, sports participation will be male gender focused, leading to gender inequality in sports. Hence, the researcher seek to examine female genital mutilation as impediment to sports participation amongst girl-child in Ekiti State. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study and two hundred (200) respondents were selected using multi-staged sampling techniques. A self-constructed questionnaire was developed by the researcher to collect data for the study. The instrument was validated by experts and a reliability coefficient of 0.86 was obtained using split half method of reliability. All data collected was analysed using inferential statistics of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Regression to test the hypotheses set for the study at 0.05 level of significance. From the results of the study, that female Genital Mutilation had significant impact on health of a girl-child/women in the society and thereby affecting female sport participation in Ekiti State. Majorly, psychological trauma and health implications of FGM tends to have significant impact on sport participation of females in sport. The researcher therefore recommended that planned health education campaigns are mandatory to elude the drawbacks of female genital mutilation and hazards of continuation of the practice so as to promote the healthy living of female in order to facilitate their participation in sport as well as maintain a balance of gender equality in sport.

Restoration of gender inequalities through anti-abortion reforms: Can Teubner’s “anonymous matrix of communications” help feminists?

Abstract This article is a response to the new wave of legal changes restricting access to abortion in several countries across the world, which have substantially undermined the global advances in the field of reproductive rights observed in recent years. To address this problem, the article derives insights from two important bodies of literature that are usually perceived as theoretically and ideologically counterposed, namely feminist legal studies and systems theory. In juxtaposing two important academic literatures, the article exposes gaps in both, and it demonstrates the conceptual potentials inherent in this juxtaposition. The article engages with the work of Drucilla Cornell and Gunther Teubner, who – despite their very different intellectual backgrounds – provided progressive interpretations of systems theory. It further critically examines whether societal constitutionalism can help feminists explain the recent developments in abortion law across the world. It engages critically with Teubner’s arguments concerning the role that human rights play in constraining the expansive tendencies of social systems, such as politics and religion, revealing the limitations of Teubner’s arguments in relation to reproductive rights and justice. At the same time, the article helps restate the contemporary relevance of systems-theoretical approaches in atypical fields like reproductive justice and gender studies.

The semantics of gender, politics, and religion in Tsitsi Dangarembga’s This Mournable Body

Zimbabwean literature produced after the attainment of independence has been predominantly engrossed with thematisation of the postcolonial subaltern subjects’ existential conditions, enunciated together with gender politics, religion and socio-economic environment that frame politics of difference, and sites of suffering or resistance. These tropes remain absorbing and critical even in contemporary female-authored novels that also engage with a deeply fractured modern-day Zimbabwe. Tsitsi Dangarembga’s novel, This Mournable Body, offers important site to debate the enduring concerns of gender inequalities, politics, and religion. A stylistic approach is adopted to identify the semiotic construction of the text and discuss the different styles that are deployed to foreground central tropes in the novel. The adoption of stylistics as an underlying conceptual model locates this current study in the interdisciplinary research which brings together gender, applied linguistics, poetics, politics, and religion, in order to provoke new ways of reading the dialogic and polyphonic elements of the text. The study contends that the politics of difference is an unsettling subject that profoundly impacts on gender relations and religio-political practices in a milieu where precarity is a major defining feature of the subaltern sections comprising women and the marginalised poor. Thus, the novel’s title figuratively foregrounds the (un)mournable bodies of the people, who are both dehumanised and heavily burdened by surviving at the margin.Contribution: Tsitsi Dangarembga’s novel, This Mournable Body demonstrates a deep concern with the plight of the subaltern people in a gendered society and how their conditions of the Othered bodies are further amplified by both religion and politics in present-day Zimbabwe. Thus the study contributes to the mounting discourses about politics of fragmentation and binary practices, and the ensuing agony suffered by the sidelined persons. The adopted stylistic reading of the focus novel underscores the interdisciplinary urgency to literary interpretative process.

Influence of resource planning practices in faecal sludge management system in Embu County

The study aimed to assess the influence resource planning influences the implementation of a faecal sludge management system in Embu County between March and December 2022, adopting a descriptive research design. The population included 655 individuals, with a sample size determined using Taro Yamane's formula for landlords and a census method for top managers, technical officers, contractors, and individuals involved in exhausting. Research instruments comprised scheduled questionnaires and interviews, with ethical considerations obtained from relevant authorities. Data analysis utilized SPSS Version 26 for both qualitative and quantitative data, employing thematic analysis for qualitative data and descriptive and inferential analyses for quantitative data. Findings revealed a notable gender imbalance and age-related impacts on perceptions in fecal sludge management. Resource planning effectiveness indicated strengths in objective setting, communication, and risk management, significantly influencing system implementation. Recommendations include strengthening the strategic framework, enhancing vision and mission statements, refining financial planning, addressing role comprehension gaps, aligning resource planning with project timelines, and implementing regular monitoring and evaluation for ongoing improvements. Overall, the study emphasizes the pivotal role of resource planning in the success of fecal sludge management projects and highlights areas for improvement to enhance effectiveness.

Population And Development: Employing The Capability Approach in Family Planning Policy for Women In Indonesia

Indonesia currently holds the position of the fourth most populous country globally, facing persistent challenges such as poverty, hunger, gender inequality, and disparity. In response, a family planning program was initiated in the 1980s to regulate population growth. Using the capability approach, this research investigates the impact of Indonesia's family planning policy on women, emphasizing gender disparity resulting from inadequate support for human rights in population and family development. Conversion factors play a significant role in shaping women's freedom and capabilities. The study critically examines the strengths and weaknesses of the family planning policy, revealing obstacles for women related to governance shifts, conflicting policies, government inefficiencies, and BKKBN's limitations. The study underscores the importance of effective implementation across all sectors and agencies to address gender inequality in women's health

Is the Inequality of Education the Main Factor That Causes the Gender Inequality in Different Industries?

Is the Inequality of Education the Main Factor That Causes the Gender Inequality in Different Industries?

South Africa: Wealth Gap, Employment Imbalance, and Education Inequality in South Africa

This study uses changes in education and work between men and women to estimate the impact of gender inequality on the wealth gap in South Africa. Although the low enrollment rate of males in primary education continues to occur, social factors of gender inequality led to higher graduation rates and unemployment rates for females than for males, even though they have higher enrollment rates. These findings prove that gender inequality in society leads to job and income imbalances. for this paper, the innovation lies in the logical analysis of the three factors together, rather than the research on the influence of one element. Interestingly, even with the promotion of women's rights in South African society, gender bias has been affecting people's behaviour and subconsciousness at work, making people ignore that South African women have higher learning and skilled workability, which can improve the social economy more than men.

Understanding symptom contribution to sex inequality in bladder and renal cancer stage at diagnosis

Understanding symptom contribution to sex inequality in bladder and renal cancer stage at diagnosis

Gender inequality, water rights and policy implications: learning from the experience of experts working in water sector

Gender inequality, water rights and policy implications: learning from the experience of experts working in water sector

Resilience Amidst Adversity: Exploring Gender Disparities and Psychosocial Factors in Kerala

Despite notable progress in human development and gender equality indicators, mental health issues and gender disparities persist due to various socio-ecological factors in the southern state of Kerala, India. This study aims to identify the psychosocial factors of resilience that enabled rural and urban women to cope with during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, while also comparing the experiences of resilience among women in rural and urban areas of Malappuram district. A demographic profiler and semi-structured interview questions were employed to assess resilience in a cohort of 44 women in rural and urban settings and within the age range of 21-60 years. Interview questions were specifically based on the definition of resilience, resilience factors specific to women, resilience-boosting elements, and obstacles during COVID-19. Qualitative analysis of the participants’ responses revealed five key psychosocial factors (psychological factors, support, life experience, external factors, and gender) influencing women's resilience. Similar factors (support, psychological, and external factors) are critical in strengthening women's resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research also sheds light on subtle gender inequalities, underscoring the need for comprehensive initiatives to promote gender equity and improve men's attitudes towards women. The limitation of the study lies in the regional specificity, which affects its generalizability. The study highlights the importance of designing psychosocial interventions to promote resilience in women across diverse geographical contexts, presenting opportunities for empowering women through comprehensive strategies. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, enabling the development of effective measures to uplift women and create a more equitable and resilient society. Further research is recommended to bridge knowledge gaps and formulate comprehensive strategies to enhance women's empowerment.

How to Measure the Impact Generated by the Gender Equality Plan?

Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) are the primary policy tool to advance gender equality in research and innovation in Europe. The European Commission has mandated an institutional requirement for all public and research performing organisations applying for Horizon Europe 2021-2027 grants. These entities must develop GEPs addressing organisational culture, work-life balance, gender balance in leadership, recruitment and career progression, gender mainstreaming in research and teaching, and measures against gender-based violence. The Commission has outlined four mandatory elements for GEPs: they must be public documents, allocate resources for implementation, be based on sex/gender-disaggregated data collection and monitoring, and include training and capacity building. This new requirement is expected to stimulate significant activity at institutional and state levels across EU countries. From the research presented here, we expect an ongoing self-assessment of the progress of the actions implementation to reduce gender inequality and valuable suggestions for the future GEP UniBs 2025-2027 design and planning.

Attitudes Toward Gender Quota Legislation on TMT-level Positions

In 2010, Iceland became the second country in the world after Norway to enact a minimum 40% gender quota for corporate boards. The legislation did not pass without resistance, and concerns were voiced that gender quotas undermined competitiveness and merit-based selection. The legislation had the effect of improving the gender imbalance on corporate boards. Nevertheless, the expected trickle-down effect on the top management team (TMT) level has not materialized; women face apparent exclusion from senior executive positions, and men hold 22 out of 26 CEO positions at listed companies. Women hold 31.6% of TMT-level positions in listed companies, and women business leaders in Iceland have started calling for a gender quota on TMT-level positions. This study aims to measure public attitudes toward interventions to close the gender gap and ensure equal opportunities for men and women to reach top management positions. The study focuses on attitudes toward gender quota legislation on TMT-level positions, with a requirement of at least 40/60% gender balance, identified in qualitative interview studies with board members representing all listed companies in Iceland. We find gender differences in the attitudes toward the TMT-level quota in conjunction with beliefs about equal opportunities for men and women to be hired as CEOs, beliefs about the effect of gender quota legislation on merit-based hiring, and beliefs about the rate of progress toward gender balance. The study contributes to the literature on closing the gender gap by exploring public attitudes toward a legislative intervention that has not been the focus of research so far.

Dismantling Gender Blindness in Online Discussion of a Crime/Gender Dichotomy

Contemporary feminists utilize social media for activism, while backlashes come along. The gender-related discourses are often diminished when addressing public events regarding sexism and gender inequality on social media platforms. The dichotomous debate around the Tangshan beating incident in China epitomized how criminal interpretations of gender-related violence became a backlash against feminist expressions. By analyzing posts on Weibo using mixed methods, we describe the emerging discursive patterns around crime and gender, uncovering the gender-blind sexism that refutes feminist discourses on the social platform. We also highlight the critical hurdles facing grassroots feminist activism in Chinese cyberspace and propose implications for the design and research related to digital feminist activism.