Reduce Gender Inequality Research Articles

Can Telework Adjustment Help Reduce Disaster-Induced Gender Inequality in Job Market Outcomes?

This study investigates the role of telework adjustment in addressing gender inequality in the labor market induced by disasters, taking the COVID-19 disaster as an example. Disasters often disrupt labor markets, disproportionately impacting female workers because of traditionally greater domestic responsibilities, thus increasing gender inequality. In such a case, telework adjustment has emerged as a silver lining, granting enhanced flexibility, particularly benefiting female workers and catering to their needs. Our analysis reveals that (1) comparing workers in the same industry and holding the same occupation, we find that female workers’ telework adjustment rate is more responsive to external constraints and is 7% higher than that of male workers. (2) Telework adjustment helps reduce gender inequality in labor market outcomes via two means: (i) the higher telework adjustment rate among female workers (which reduces gender inequality by 25.48%) and (ii) the stronger marginal effect of telework adjustment on female workers (which reduces gender inequality by 31.94%). (3) Better digital infrastructure can enhance the mitigating effect of telework adjustment. Our findings offer compelling insights for policymakers and business leaders, emphasizing the strategic role of telework adjustment and digital infrastructure investments as crucial levers in promoting gender inequality during and beyond disaster scenarios.

COVID-19 spreading patterns in family clusters reveal gender roles in China.

Understanding different gender roles forms part of the efforts to reduce gender inequality. This paper analyses COVID-19 family clusters outside Hubei Province in mainland China during the 2020 outbreak, revealing significant differences in spreading patterns across gender and family roles. Results show that men are more likely to be the imported cases of a family cluster, and women are more likely to be infected within the family. This finding provides new supportive evidence of the 'men as breadwinner and women as homemaker' (MBWH) gender roles in China. Further analyses reveal that the MBWH pattern is stronger in eastern than in western China, stronger for younger than for elder people. This paper offers not only valuable references for formulating gender-differentiated epidemic prevention policies but also an exemplification for studying group differences in similar scenarios.

Global prevalence and gender inequalities in at least 60 min of self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity 1 or more days per week: An analysis with 707,616 adolescents

BackgroundGuidelines recommend that adolescents should accumulate an average of 60 min per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). However, using only this cut-off could hide important information. For instance, from a population-level point of view, increasing physical activity for those with no or low physical activity could provide more health benefits than increasing physical activity for those with intermediate levels. Also, including a more sensitive cut-point of ≥1 days per week could be an additional strategy for identifying those with low access/opportunities for physical activity practice. Thus, the current study aims to estimate the prevalence of ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 days per week among adolescents globally, and to describe any relevant gender inequalities. MethodsWe used representative datasets from 146 countries/territories collected between 2003 and 2019. MVPA was self-reported. Participants were grouped into younger (≤14 years old) and older (>14 years old) adolescents. Crude Poisson regression models were used to identify the relative differences in ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 days per week between boys and girls, and random-effects meta-analysis models were used to identify the pooled estimates. Analyses were stratified by country and region. ResultsApproximately 80% of both younger and older adolescents reported ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 days per week. This prevalence was ≥94% in Europe and Central Asia and North America, while the estimates for the other regions were <77%. The prevalence of ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 days per week was higher among boys than girls, with the largest differences occurring among the oldest adolescents (Prevalence ratio≤14y = 1.04 (95% confidence interval (95%CI)): 1.03‒1.04) vs. Prevalence ratio>14y = 1.09 (95%CI: 1.08‒1.10)). ConclusionApproximately 8 out of 10 adolescents reported accumulating ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 days per week, with notable differences between regions. Gender differences were observed in several countries, especially among the oldest adolescents. Priorities for physical activity promotion among adolescents should include increasing access/opportunities for physical activity among those who do not achieve ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 days per week and reducing gender inequalities.

Economic Empowerment of Staying Behind Women Whose Husbands have Migrated

Women's empowerment is one of the major topics of debate today. On the one side, we pledge to reduce gender inequality, talk about their fundamental rights, and make efforts to make them empowered and on the other side, several cases of their exploitation and extortion come across in our family and society. The male dominant society and mindset are assumed to be the most notorious cause of gender inequality. In this paper, we try to analyse women's empowerment in the absence of male members. Male out migrat ion is common everywhere and largely prevailed in Indian rural society. Hence, the empowerment of staying behind women ’ whose husbands have migrated is analysed through the NFHS 5 data by using the z test of difference of proportion. The result shows that staying behind women ’ are significantly empowered in many aspects including decisions over their own health, control over using their money, visiting relatives ’ houses, household purchases, and others.

Gender Inequality and Poverty: The Role of Financial Development in Mitigating Poverty in Pakistan

AbstractPoverty and gender inequality are among the major issues in developing countries that can hinder their economic progress and human development. Hence, this research is designed to investigate the impact of financial development on gender imbalance and poverty in the context of Pakistan controlling a number of other variables using the Bayer and Hanck cointegration method and the ARDL bound test on the data from 1985 to 2022. The results of the study indicated cointegration among the variables. The long-run estimates unfolded that financial development decreases the gender imbalance (gender inequality) in the context of Pakistan; however, it boosts poverty levels in the country. In the context of control variables, we found that education is helpful in decreasing gender inequality in Pakistan while economic growth boosts gender inequality. Moreover, economic growth is a reliable tool to decrease the poverty level in Pakistan, and reducing gender inequality can help to alleviate poverty levels in the country. Surprisingly, education is mounting poverty level in Pakistan indicating that the education system in Pakistan is not providing quality education to poor people. Based on these results, the study suggests that government can focus on developing a strategic plan to decrease gender inequality and poverty by introducing suitable policies in the context of the financial sector, education, and economic growth.

Assessing IRS performance in a gender-integrated vector control programme on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, 2010–2021

BackgroundIndoor residual spraying (IRS) is a common vector control strategy in countries with high malaria burden. Historically, social norms have prevented women from working in IRS programmes. The Bioko Island Malaria Elimination Project has actively sought to reduce gender inequality in malaria control operations for many years by promoting women’s participation in IRS.MethodsThis study investigated the progress of female engagement and compared spray productivity by gender from 2010 to 2021, using inferential tests and multivariable regression. Spray productivity was measured by rooms sprayed by spray operator per day (RSOD), houses sprayed by spray operator per day (HSOD), and the daily productivity ratio (DPR), defined as the ratio of RSOD to HSOD, which standardized productivity by house size.ResultsThe percentage of women participating in IRS has increased over time. The difference in DPR comparing male and female spray operators was only statistically significant (p < 0.05) for two rounds, where the value was higher for women compared to men. Regression analyses showed marginal, significant differences in DPR between men and women, but beta coefficients were extremely small and thus not indicative of a measurable effect of gender on operational performance.ConclusionsThe quantitative analyses of spray productivity are counter to stigmatizing beliefs that women are less capable than male counterparts during IRS spray rounds. The findings from this research support the participation of women in IRS campaigns, and a renewed effort to implement equitable policies and practices that intentionally engage women in vector control activities.

Construction and Application of Education Discourse Analysis for Functional Linguistic Influencing Gender Identity: From the Perspective Educational Cultural Values &amp; Social Context

Educational culture is a community or society's values, conventions, and practices that guide educational systems and institutions. It includes schools, universities, informal learning contexts, pedagogical methodologies, curriculum design, and education attitudes. Gender identity based on male and female teachers and its impact at the empowerment of female teachers in education sector have garnered huge interest from researchers and students across numerous fields of examine. This particular study sought to delve into the connection between gender identity and female teacher empowerment in education sector, with a particular recognition on exploring the moderating function of Linguistic Discourse in education and the mediating role of educational cultural values and educational social context . A sample of 500 women spanning numerous areas and socioeconomic backgrounds inside the China become recruited, encompassing an age range of 18 to sixty five years. To acquire information, an online survey was employed, which integrated standardized measures of gender identity, cultural values, educational social context , and empowerment in education sector. Additionally, a comprehensive evaluation of participants' communication patterns and language usage in education sector was conducted to assess Educational linguistic discourse in education sector. Structured equation modeling was used to conduct statistical analysis. Results indicated that gender identity predicts female teacher empowerment in education sector significantly, and that educational cultural values and educational social context partially mediate this relationship. Women who held more progressive educational cultural values and perceived a more supportive social environment reported greater levels of empowerment. In addition, educational linguistic discourse in education moderated the relationship between gender identity and female teacher empowerment in a substantial way. The relationship between gender identity and empowerment was stronger among women who used more inclusive language and avoided gender stereotypes. These findings shed light on the complexity of female teacher empowerment in education and how gender identity, educational cultural values, educational social context, and language use shape women's experiences. The study emphasizes developing progressive educational cultural values and a supportive social environment in education sector to empower women and reduce gender inequities. The study emphasizes inclusive language and eliminating gender stereotypes to promote gender equality and women's empowerment.

Construction and Application of Education Discourse Analysis for Functional Linguistic Influencing Gender Identity: From the Perspective Educational Cultural Values &amp; Social Context

Educational culture is a community or society's values, conventions, and practices that guide educational systems and institutions. It includes schools, universities, informal learning contexts, pedagogical methodologies, curriculum design, and education attitudes. Gender identity based on male and female teachers and its impact at the empowerment of female teachers in education sector have garnered huge interest from researchers and students across numerous fields of examine. This particular study sought to delve into the connection between gender identity and female teacher empowerment in education sector, with a particular recognition on exploring the moderating function of Linguistic Discourse in education and the mediating role of educational cultural values and educational social context . A sample of 500 women spanning numerous areas and socioeconomic backgrounds inside the China become recruited, encompassing an age range of 18 to sixty five years. To acquire information, an online survey was employed, which integrated standardized measures of gender identity, cultural values, educational social context , and empowerment in education sector. Additionally, a comprehensive evaluation of participants' communication patterns and language usage in education sector was conducted to assess Educational linguistic discourse in education sector. Structured equation modeling was used to conduct statistical analysis. Results indicated that gender identity predicts female teacher empowerment in education sector significantly, and that educational cultural values and educational social context partially mediate this relationship. Women who held more progressive educational cultural values and perceived a more supportive social environment reported greater levels of empowerment. In addition, educational linguistic discourse in education moderated the relationship between gender identity and female teacher empowerment in a substantial way. The relationship between gender identity and empowerment was stronger among women who used more inclusive language and avoided gender stereotypes. These findings shed light on the complexity of female teacher empowerment in education and how gender identity, educational cultural values, educational social context, and language use shape women's experiences. The study emphasizes developing progressive educational cultural values and a supportive social environment in education sector to empower women and reduce gender inequities. The study emphasizes inclusive language and eliminating gender stereotypes to promote gender equality and women's empowerment.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices on menstrual hygiene among school-going adolescent students in the rural areas of Wardha district, Maharashtra: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: In many Indian studies, menstruation is considered a female subject because only girls and women are affected. Adolescent boys are excluded, demonstrating that menstruation is recognized as a social phenomenon with gender differences. Boys’ knowledge and attitudes about menstruation and socio-economic variables influencing their experiences related to menstruation must be investigated if boys are to play a substantial part in improving women's health. Boys’ participation in improving women’s health and reducing gender inequalities is where reducing gender inequalities in adolescent health must begin. We will study boys' knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about menstruation to understand the role of social determinants in their experiences. The study investigates the knowledge of menstruation, sources of knowledge, attitudes towards menstruation and menstrual hygiene management of adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study will be conducted on adolescent school-going students in government schools using a questionnaire, which includes questions on socio-economic variables, family, and education. The study population will include 154 students in the age group of 10–19 years. Both boys and girls are included in the study population. Results: The findings of the study will provide insights that can be used to improve the menstrual hygiene practices of the target population of adolescents group age 10–19 years old. The study finding will also show the knowledge of adolescents about menstruation. It also indicates how boys assist and emotionally support their menstruating family members and colleagues.

Gender differences in the association between nonstandard work schedules and work-family conflict: A mixed methods analysis in France

Objective: This study aims to examine the association between nonstandard work schedules and time-based work–family conflict (WFC) among employed parents. Taking a gender perspective, it further considers whether job and family resources mediates this association. Background: The recent increase in nonstandard work schedules has proportionally affected women more than men in various EU countries. Previous research has established a link between nonstandard work schedules and WFC. However, limited attention has been given to directly investigating time-based WFC and exploring the factors that drive gender-specific effects. Method: Employing a mixed methods design, we use cross-sectional data from a large-scale French Working Conditions survey and qualitative interviews with couples who work nonstandard schedules. Results: Quantitative findings demonstrate that nonstandard work schedules increase time-based work–family conflict for women more than men. Early morning and evening work disrupts socially valuable time for women, while weekend work negatively affects both genders. Lack of family support explains a significant portion of the association, with work schedule unpredictability being crucial for women. The qualitative findings shed light on the gender-specific generation of perceptions regarding time-based WFC among couples and the interaction of job and family resources in their daily lives. Conclusion: The findings suggest that a comprehensive understanding of the gendered interferences between family and work dynamics is vital for informing policy decisions, reducing gender inequalities, and enhancing workers’ wellbeing.

Visible body, invisible care: Family, gender politics, and the female caregiver in living donor liver transplantation in Taiwan

This study contributes to existing research on gender inequities in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) by employing a feminist and sociocultural theoretical perspective. Through participant observation and in-depth interviews with 36 participants from 13 families, including 13 donors, 10 recipients, and 13 caregivers, at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, this study provides a nuanced understanding of the complexities of family dynamics and gender relations throughout the decision-making and meaning-making processes for LDLT in Taiwan. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, translated from Mandarin to English, and analysed using grounded theory and thematic analysis. The findings reveal that LDLT is a gendered experience embodied through four aspects: 1) the impact of family dynamics and gender politics on decision-making, 2) societal and cultural perceptions of women's bodies and families, 3) the multiple roles and multifaceted care work of female caregivers, and 4) gender differences in the discourse on the meaning-making of LDLT. The study illuminates the complex interplay of family, gender, and care within the sociocultural landscape of Taiwan. It underscores the gendered and hierarchical division of care work within households and the vulnerability experienced by female caregivers and donors, as well as other disadvantaged family members. Furthermore, the study offers insights for healthcare professionals and policymakers to recognise the value of caregiving and the need for more support and resources for caregivers. Future research could adopt a multifaceted approach and inform interventions and policies aimed at reducing gender inequities in LDLT, moving beyond the narrow focus on numerical gender imbalance.

Adolescent Cybervictimization in 31 Countries: The Gender Gap, Gendered Opportunity, and the Contextual Influence of Gender Stratification

Abstract This study examined the gender gap, gendered opportunity, and the contextual influence of gender inequality and women’s absolute status with respect to online stalking victimization and online image-based victimization (IBV) among youths in 31 countries. Descriptive analysis allowed for comparison of prevalence of online stalking and IBV across gender. We estimated sex-specific hierarchical logistic regression models that examined the relationships between indicators of risky lifestyle, social attachments, physical/social vulnerability and online stalking victimization and IBV. We estimated multilevel models that focused on the linear and curvilinear effects of country-level gender inequality and women’s absolute status (WAS) on the average country-level odds of online stalking victimization and IBV. There were both cross-gender similarities and differences regarding the individual-level correlates of both types of adolescent cybervictimization examined. Countries that had relatively greater gender inequality tended to exhibit a higher prevalence of boys’ and girls’ victimization. Findings suggest that student-level programs should address risk, vulnerability, and protective factors across the three student life domains of risky lifestyle, social attachments, and physical and social vulnerability. Addressing risky lifestyle seems particularly important for reducing girls’ victimization. Moreover, reducing gender inequality or increasing women’s absolute status can play a role in reducing youth online victimization generally.

Does Gender Wage Gap Exist among Farm Workers in Nigeria? Evidence from Decomposition-Matching Analysis

AbstractUsing a cross-sectional survey data of agricultural farms, we investigate gender-based differences in farm wages among farm workers by randomly allocating farm workers into treatment (female) and control (male) groups with a simple random sampling technique. We used the Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition method to establish the gender wage gap and Propensity Score Matching to address assumptions and heterogeneity difficulties that plague the decomposition technique. Results show that female farm workers earn ₦ 9,170.83 less compared to their male counterparts, which indicates an unadjusted gender gap. This gender gap in farm wages is explained by the specific factors included in our model, so upgrading these variables could reduce gender inequalities in farm wages. Matching results indicate that the gender gaps estimated with nearest neighbour matching and kernel-based matching are 9.8% and 21.6% higher, respectively, than the gaps measured by the decomposition technique. Thus, the matching procedure was successful in identifying a sizeable proportion of gender gaps that are unexplained due to discrimination between male and female farm workers.

Child Allowances and Work-Family Reconciliation Policies: What Best Reduces Child Poverty and Gender Inequality While Enabling Desired Fertility?

Child Allowances and Work-Family Reconciliation Policies: What Best Reduces Child Poverty and Gender Inequality While Enabling Desired Fertility?

Eco-tourism and socio-economic development of rural areas

The authors presented a theoretical review of research by foreign scientists on the topic of ecotourism, aimed at clarifying the theoretical aspects of its impact on the economy of rural areas and the social sphere. The goal is to form the author’s vision of the socio-economic impact of agritourism on the sustainability of rural areas. To achieve the goal, methods of dialectical, abstract-logical, comparative and content analysis were used. Results – scientific discussions and exchange of opinions of scientists made it possible to identify the following positive economic features of the development of ecotourism: the formation of the country's GDP, growth in gross added value, increase in foreign exchange earnings, diversification of the rural economy, strengthening of relationships between industries, expansion of markets for local goods and services, modernization of infrastructure, increase employment. Among the social characteristics, one can note the creation of jobs, an increase in the income and well-being of rural residents, the development of social infrastructure and the improvement of rural settlements, improving the quality of labor resources, improving the health of the population of the republic, reconciling the interests of the local community with the interests of the state and business structures, reducing gender inequality, preventing the outflow of people living in rural areas and guaranteeing social stability. In addition, the authors supplemented the effects of rural tourism with an impact on the environment, expressed in changing the situation of villagers, protecting and renewing natural resources and biodiversity, preserving and restoring cultural and historical monuments, observing national traditions, customs, folklore, as well as maintaining traditional forms of economic management. Conclusions – based on the detailed indicators of each component of ecotourism, its impact on the living standard in rural areas is substantiated.

KETIDAKSETARAAN GENDER DI TEMPAT KERJA : TINJAUAN MENGENAI PROSES DAN PRAKTEK DALAM ORGANISASI

This article aims to examine more broadly the extent of gender inequality in processes and practices covering a wide range of areas ranging from performance evaluation, compensation, and leadership opportunities, to sexual harassment in organizations. This literature review makes it possible to review the factors that facilitate and hinder gender equality in the workplace. The review identifies gaps in the literature review provides suggestions for future research and highlights practical implications for organizations aiming to reduce gender inequality and value gender equality in organizations.

Pergulatan Advokasi Kebijakan Pengarusutamaan Gender di Kota Pekanbaru

Gender inequality has not become a priority issue in Pekanbaru City. The percentage of gender mainstreaming that is included in the work programs and activities of regional apparatus organizations is only around 48%. BPS data shows an increasing trend of the Gender Development Index in 2021, namely 93.27 from 93.01 in 2020. But the Gender Empowerment Index in Pekanbaru City has actually decreased in 2021, namely 68.63 percent from 69.23 in 2020. Gender mainstreaming has become a strategy to reduce gender inequality for nearly ten years. However, this advocacy has not been able to integrate gender mainstreaming in every regional policy in Pekanbaru City. For this reason, this research will find advocacy struggles that occur by mapping the power and interests of stakeholders. This research is qualitative research by conducting interviews with 5 informants from related agencies and collecting secondary data. Then various data and information were analyzed using advocacy theory and Power-Interest Stakeholders according to Ackermann and Eden (2011). The results of the study show that the power and interests of stakeholders in implementing gender mainstreaming in Pekanbaru City are still low. This is evidenced by the fact that only a few DPOs have integrated gender equality into gender-responsive planning and budgeting.

Women's Labor Participation in Ghana and Effects on Human Development: A Focus on Entrepreneurship

The purpose of this paper is to examine the gender-rooted challenges that women entrepreneurs face in Ghana and to analyze the impacts that increasing women’s rights and entrepreneurship have had on the country’s economy. Several indicators (including labor force participation, women's seats in national parliaments, the Women Business and the Law index, primary completion rate, and the gender inequality index) of gender equality and the prevalence of women’s entrepreneurship are compared with economic and human development trends. Through statistical regressions, the paper’s findings show a positive correlation between greater income equality and women’s seats in national parliament, as well as with the human development index, and conclude that the best way to reduce gender inequality is to increase the number of women in positions of power, as well as improve the education and skill development for women.

Does financial inclusion empower women in Africa?

AbstractThis paper examines the effect of financial inclusion on women's empowerment. We contribute to the growing interest in financial inclusion effectiveness literature by conducting an empirical analysis of 42 African countries to examine the role of financial inclusion in empowering women. We also examine and compare the effectiveness of the three dimensions of financial inclusion viz. usage, access, and quality, and the first most influential indicators, based on their PCA score, of these dimensions. Our findings suggest that financial inclusion has a significantly positive effect on women's empowerment‐measured by females' human development index. Examining the relative importance of financial inclusion dimensions, we find access to financial services has a higher effect on women's empowerment. These results are robust to alternative measures of women's empowerment and financial inclusion, and alternative estimation procedures. We also find that the effect of financial inclusion on women's empowerment is higher in low and lower‐middle‐income countries compared with upper‐middle‐income countries in the region. This study provides evidence of one of the channels through which financial inclusion contributes to reducing gender inequality, and thereby enhancing economic development.

Explaining gender inequalities in overweight people: a Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis in northern Sweden

BackgroundBeing overweight and obesity are considered serious public health concerns worldwide. At the population level, factors contributing to overweight as well as the differences in overweight between men and women in terms of prevalence or associated factors are relatively well-known. What is less known is what explains the inequalities in overweight between men and women. In this study, we examined the contribution of material, behavioural, and psychosocial factors in explaining the gender differences in overweight among adults in northern Sweden.MethodsThis study was based on the 2018 Swedish Health on Equal Terms survey, which was carried out in Sweden’s four northernmost regions. The analytical sample consisted of 20,855 participants (47% men) aged 20–84 years. Overweight (including obesity) was the outcome, and the selected explanatory variables were grouped according to three theoretical perspectives: material, behavioural and psychosocial. Descriptive statistics and Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition were applied for analysing the data.ResultsOur study showed that the prevalence of overweight was 64% and 52% among men and women, respectively. It, therefore, revealed a gender gap in overweight people of 11.7% points with explanatory factors accounting for 39% of that gap. This gender gap in overweight people was mostly explained by behavioural variables (19.3%), followed by the materialistic variables and age accounting for 16.2% and 3.1%, respectively. Specifically, having low education, being in the lowest income quintile, alcohol drinking and snus usage contributed to explain 8.4%, 8.9%, 2.8% and 6.3% of the gender difference, respectively.ConclusionsWe found a considerable gender inequality in overweight between men and women. The findings highlight that future overweight prevention initiatives would benefit from targeting the uncovered contributing factors to reduce gender inequalities in overweight people.