Family Responsibilities Research Articles

Parents' work demands on next day's cortisol awakening response - the moderating role of family-to-work conflict

BackgroundConstant availability, overtime and feeling overwhelmed by work can impact employees' wellbeing and their biological stress responses. Especially working parents often struggle to balance the demands of their work and family life and were found to be distracted from their work due to family responsibilities. The Family-to-Work Conflict (FWC) indicates the extent to which participating in work is made difficult by family demands. Recent studies have found associations between FWC and biological outcomes such as the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), a measure of an individual's Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA)-axis activity. This diary study investigates the effect of parental work demands on next day's cortisol response as well as the moderating role of FWC and the mediating role of fatigue. MethodsOver the course of five consecutive days (from Monday to Friday), 168 observations were made on a total of 42 parents. Participants had at least one child and worked a minimum of 20 hours per week. Salivary cortisol samples were obtained immediately, 15 and 30 minutes after awakening each day. Work demands, FWC and fatigue were assessed using standardized questionnaires. Within-person effects were examined using multilevel modeling and mediation analyses. ResultsOur results indicate that there are no main effects of work demands on next day's cortisol response. The multilevel analysis revealed that FWC predicts lower wakening cortisol levels and confirmed FWC as an increasing moderator between work demands and next day's HPA-axis activity. Further, work overload was found to increase fatigue, which in turn leads to higher CAR on the following day. This indicates that fatigue mediates the relationship between work demands and CAR. Our findings add to a growing body of research demonstrating further predictors for HPA-axis activity and emphasise the importance of considering family related demands when investigating biological outcomes for working parents.

Narcissist Traits and Transfiguration of Domestic Territory in Anne Tyler's “Saint Maybe”

Men and women in the domestic territory are predominantly presented as the main sources of family in most of the contemporary American novels. Yet their significance is portrayed with multitudes of familial responsibilities in nurturing their children. Anne Tyler’s Saint Maybe appraises the familiar theme of ordinary people and their encounter with sufferings to culminate in transfiguration of domestic territory. This paper displays the outlook of ordinary people in Saint Maybe to prevent them from falling astray. More crucially, the framework of the paper lays its emphasis on how Ian Bedloe sheds his narcissistic traits to capture the attention of his brother’s children in the domestic sphere after the death of their parents. Therefore, this paper purports to bring out the effect of narcissistic traits in which Tyler has ingrained a real and a fervent tone about religion to protect Ian Bedloe as a surrogate father.

Are different generations of female employees trapped by work-family conflicts? A study on the impact of family-supportive supervisor behavior on thriving at work.

With women's advancement in education and status, they drive corporate and social progress. However, traditional gender roles burden female employees with more family responsibilities, challenging work-life balance and affecting job performance. Organizations should supporting female employees to address these challenges. Thriving at work, a core aspect of positive work engagement, helps maintain enthusiasm and efficiency. This study explores the impact of family-supportive supervisor behavior (FSSB) on the thriving at work of female employees in China, considering generational differences in their work-family balance needs and the mediating mechanisms involved. The methodology adopted in this study utilized Amos 26.0 and SPSS 25.0 to analyze data obtained from a sample of 279 female employees in China. Specifically, the study examined the direct impact of FSSB on thriving at work, alongside the mediating influence of work-family balance. Moreover, the research aimed to discern variations in these effects across different generational cohorts. This study highlights the direct impact of FSSB on female employees' thriving at work across different generational cohorts. Notably, the "post-90s" generation displayed the strongest direct effect of FSSB on thriving at work. Additionally, the impact of FSSB on work-family balance varied by generation, with the "post-90s" generation showing the weakest effect. Furthermore, the mediating role of work-family balance differed among generations, with complete mediation observed in the "post-80s" generation but no mediating effect in the "post-90s" generation, reflecting their distinct work-life balance priorities and needs. This study uses a generational difference perspective to explore the main and mediating effects of FSSB on thriving at work, enriching the theoretical research on generational differences and providing valuable insights for future research. Practically, organizations should focus on the needs of different generations while encouraging FSSB, fostering a supportive work environment and enhancing outcomes.

Dampak Kemiskinan Terhadap Kesejahteraan Masyarakat Kotanopan Secara Ekonomi Islam

This research is descriptive qualitative field research. This field research was conducted in Kotanopan Village, Mandailing Natal Regency, North Sumatra Province. This research used the side quota method consisting of 15 quotas taken from 3 RTs in Hamlet 001, as well as interviews with the village head. Next, this research problem was analyzed using a qualitative data analysis method that uses a deductive thinking approach. The research results show that several causes of poverty in Kotanopan Village are as follows: low level of education; lack of funds; and family responsibilities. Based on these factors, poverty has the impact of losing people's welfare rights such as clothing, food and shelter, because some people still live in semi-permanent homes, losing the right to education because parents cannot teach their children, and losing the right to get a decent job because the head of the family does not have enough education so they cannot pay their children's school fees.

Farm Labor Shortage in the Pennsylvania Mushroom Industry: A Gender‐Sensitive Comparison of Farmer and Farmworker Perspectives☆

AbstractU.S. farmers are facing a widespread labor shortage. Previous literature on the causes, mostly written by agricultural economists, has focused on the macro‐economic and political factors that have reduced the traditional agricultural labor supply from rural Latin America. In this article, we present a sociological approach that probes the settlement of immigrant farmworkers in rural communities and their associated family responsibilities as possible contributing factors to the farm labor shortage. We conducted online questionnaires with 23 mushroom farm and packing plant representatives and structured interviews with 105 women and men workers in the Pennsylvania mushroom industry. Our findings suggest that if compensation and scheduling were more amenable to raising families, the labor shortage would be less acute. Moreover, workers, particularly women, identified the need for more respectful treatment by their supervisors. We conclude that, while farm employers are taking measures to address these concerns, their efforts do not fully address the economic conditions and sense of disrespectful treatment that may contribute to the labor shortage. As a result, farm employers feel forced to turn to labor contracting services, whose practices may exacerbate the vulnerability of mushroom workers.

The Role of Family Responsibility, Assertiveness, and Networking in Building Female Leadership Aspirations

Female leadership plays a crucial role in organizations through improving performance and productivity and allowing businesses to achieve better results. Unfortunately, the number of women in leadership positions in business is still behind that of men, and progress is relatively slow. This study aims to determine the effect of external factors, such as family responsibility and networking, and internal factors, such as assertiveness, on female leadership aspirations. The research used quantitative research methods, with the sample being women within the reproductive age range in Indonesia. This study involved 258 female respondents. The data analysis used the partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) approach, using SmartPLS. The results of this study show that family responsibility has a significant negative effect on female leadership aspirations, while assertiveness has a significant positive effect, as does networking.

It’s About Time: The Inequitable Distribution of Time as a Resource for College, by Gender and Race/Ethnicity

Existing qualitative research in higher education on students’ work and family commitments already suggests that time as a resource for college is likely not distributed equitably by race/ethnicity or gender. However, the relationship between race/ethnicity, gender, and time as a resource for college has yet to be quantitatively measured in large-scale higher education research. This study explored whether gender or race/ethnicity correlated with differences in time as a resource for college; and further, the extent to which differences in time as a resource for college may be explained by other factors such as age, number of children, and access to childcare. Retrospective survey responses (n = 41,579) on self-reported time use were merged with institutional data records from students at the City University of New York (CUNY), a large diverse public university in the U.S. Women, Black, and Hispanic students were all significantly more time poor than male, White, or Asian students. Age accounted for significant portions of these differences, perhaps because it correlates with increased work and family responsibilities. Having children as well as a student’s access to childcare also explained a significant portion of inequitable distributions of time as a resource for college.

Industry 4.0 Technologies and Law in Enhancing Human Capacity Among Women in The Nigeria Construction Industry: A Systematic Review

Purpose: This study examines the impact of Industry 4.0 and the role of law in enhancing women's involvement in Nigeria's construction sector. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study adopted a systematic review of relevant literature from Scopus, IEEE Xplore, Science Direct, EBSCO, Emerald Insight, and Proquest Central between 2011 to 2023 on the various issues addressed in the research. A thematic analysis was adopted to discuss the findings from the reviewed articles in line with the study's objective. Findings: Industry 4.0 technologies enhance women's involvement in the construction industry by automating risky tasks, ensuring safety, and reducing working hours for family responsibilities. Limiting women's participation in construction results in unconstitutional gender-based discrimination and the law has not been fully explored in ensuring gender equality in the construction industry. Research Limitation/Implications: The study's reliance on a systematic literature review may limit capturing real-time industry dynamics. Practical Implication: Implementation of industry 4.0 technologies in the construction industry has the potential to create a safer, inclusive work environment by automating hazardous tasks and reducing working hours. Social Implication: Construction 4.0, if embraced, has the potential to challenge traditional gender norms, fostering a more equitable industry. Originality/Value: The study offers a novel approach that assesses the collective impact of technology and the law on enhancing women's participation and capacity-building initiatives, thereby contributing to gender equality and empowerment in the industry.

Navigating Multiple Burdens among Women in Government Service

This study investigates the lived experiences of government-employed mothers in Sabangan, Mountain Province, Philippines, who juggle work, family, and community roles without domestic help. Employing descriptive phenomenology and thematic analysis, the research examines the effects of these multiple burdens on nine participants from various government institutions. Findings highlight both positive outcomes, like happiness and fulfillment, and negative impacts, such as exhaustion and stress. The study reveals strategies these women use to mitigate adverse effects and suggests policy changes for better government support. Recommendations include extended parental leave, more holidays, reduced work hours, and accessible childcare. The study underscores the need for shared familial responsibilities and legislative backing to aid working mothers in managing their multifaceted roles.

Residual and emergent: Good mother ideals in China and the role of cultural values

AbstractObjectiveThe study aimed to explore how different groups of people perceive good mother ideals in China and the cultural and sociodemographic profiles of these groups.BackgroundGood mother ideals have changed over time and become increasingly complex. The prevalence of intensive mothering has been supported mainly by media representation research and dominated by Western‐focused studies. How tensions between Confucianism and neoliberalism alter the good mother ideas in contemporary China requires further investigation.MethodFirst, we used an open‐ended survey to collect good mother attributes. Then, we conducted a latent profile analysis with an online survey (N = 449) to divide people into subgroups according to their latent perception structures. Later, we ran multinominal logistic regressions to explore whether cultural values and sociodemographic variables can predict group membership.ResultsCollected attributes (N = 1,162) were organized into five categories: neutrality (37.87%), femininity (25.39%), motherhood (11.53%), family responsibilities (6.71%), and childcare responsibilities (18.5%). Moreover, we identified three groups holding different motherhood beliefs: Whatever, Average, and Perfectionist. Young people had higher odds to be in the Whatever group and held more flexible good mother ideals, and married women were 6.69 times more likely to be in the Perfectionist group than single men. Our findings also indicated that people in the Perfectionist group scored higher on attitudes toward family and Asian values.ConclusionOur research suggested that researchers must distinguish between dominant motherhood representation and lay perceptions of motherhood as well as pay attention to the cultural sensitivity of good mother ideals.

Exploring the Gendered Dynamics of Work and Family Life. A Secondary Descriptive Analysis in the Romanian Context

This paper focuses on work and family life in Romania, with particular emphasis on gender, seen as a social structure. The methodology employs the secondary descriptive analysis of data drawn from NIS, Eurostat, and the European Value Survey/World Value Survey datasets. The findings show a Romanian work landscape with slow progress in embracing work flexibility, with considerably lower percentages of remote work and part-time employment compared to EU averages. A notable gender disparity exists in the professional sector. Women exhibit a 18.8% lower participation in economic activities compared to men, a gap that increases with the number of children. Moreover, 36.5% of women, in contrast to 2.7% of men, are professionally inactive due to familial responsibilities. These results align with Nancy Fraser’s (2013) viewpoint on how the intersection between capitalism and patriarchy shapes women experiences. The lack of family-friendly work structures disproportionately impacts women, leaving them vulnerable professionally and financially. Family continues to be the most important institution for Romanians, with trends regarding age of marriage and child births mirroring previous years. While there's a gradual decrease in unpaid household and childcare activities, it is mostly due to technological progress (Popescu, 2009) while women still work “double shifts” (Hochschild, 2012). The paper’s findings highlight that cultural norms and societal pressure compels women to prioritize family responsibilities. Creating “brave new families” (Stacy, 1990) or fostering “confluent love” (Giddens, 1992) requires post-modern cooperation between partners, backed by multi-level actions (Walby, 1989) at individual, organizational and societal levels.

How Did Telecommuting Fathers Navigate Work and Family Responsibilities During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

The global outbreak of COVID-19 abruptly upended work and family life. Yet, little is known about how fathers combined paid and unpaid labor during this unprecedented historical period. Drawing on 35 semi-structured interviews with fathers who primarily telecommuted from home, I identify four strategies fathers used to combine paid and domestic labor: interim primary caregiving, egalitarian tag-teaming, transitional tag-teaming, and hands-on traditional fathering. Findings suggest that these work-family strategies primarily depended on wives’ physical presence in the home. The fathers who described doing the most domestic labor said their wives worked outside of the home. When wives were physically present in the home, fathers’ domestic behavior varied by the extent to which they endorsed the new fatherhood ideal—defining good fathering as involvement in both paid and domestic labor. Yet, change in fathers’ domestic behavior was limited. None of the fathers I interviewed described doing most of the domestic labor when their wives were physically present at home. Taken together, fathers’ domestic behavior depends on wives’ physical presence in the home and their normative perception of men’s responsibility to the family, suggesting that fathers do not perceive domestic time availability simply by differences in the couple’s paid work hours.

Illuminating health aspects for immigrant Thai women in Swedish transnational marriages

BackgroundWomen who are migrants experience discrimination and face major risks, including sexual exploitation, trafficking, and violence, which affect their health and well-being.This study explored critical health incidents experienced by immigrant Thai women in marriage migration.MethodsA qualitative explorative approach with in-depth interviews was used. Forty immigrant Thai women who currently or previously had a Swedish spouse were recruited for the study. An inductive critical incident technique was used to collect and analyze the data as the first step. In a second deductive step, the Newman system model was used to categorize health dilemmas.ResultsThe women reported 438 critical health incidents in five main areas. Psychological health dilemmas included emotional abuse, feeling overwhelmed due to family responsibilities and the stress of leaving family behind. Sociocultural health dilemmas included transnational family duties or not performing family duties. Physiological health dilemmas included experiencing physical violence and environmental, domestic or work accidents. Developmental health dilemmas included failing health, difficulties upholding the duties expected of a spouse in the target culture and caring for an elderly husband. Spiritual health dilemmas included critical incidents in which the women perceived themselves to have failed in their hopes and duties as a wife, which intensified their dependence on faith, particularly the Buddhist concept of karma.ConclusionProfessionals in health and welfare practices in Thailand together with professionals in Western countries who work with women in marriage migration situations need to recognize the psychological, sociocultural, physiological, developmental, and spiritual health dilemmas experienced by these women. Furthermore, civil organizations that meet Thai women in foreign countries, such as Buddhist cultural associations, would benefit from the multicultural knowledge revealed by the present study. This knowledge can facilitate healthcare and welfare support for women in marriage migration situations.

Lower Independent Self-Care Readiness Persists over Time in Teens with Type 1 Diabetes and Executive Function Challenges.

Management of type 1 diabetes is complex and benefits from adequate executive function (EF) (planning, organization, problem-solving). Teens with diabetes and executive dysfunction may have challenges with acquisition of self-care skills. Over 18 months, parents of teens with type 1 diabetes aged 13-17 completed the Diabetes Family Responsibility Questionnaire (DFRQ) and Readiness for Independent Self-Care Questionnaire (RISQ) every 6 months. Parents assessed teen EF, completing the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). T-score ≥60 defined EF challenges. EF, demographic, and diabetes treatment variables predicted RISQ score over time using longitudinal mixed modeling with false discovery rate adjustment. There were 169 teen participants (54% male) aged 15.9±1.3 years, diabetes duration 8.4±3.7 years, and A1c 8.6±1.2%. About a third (31.4%) of teens had parent-reported BRIEF Global Executive Composite (GEC) scores ≥60. After adjusting for age, gender, and DFRQ, those with GEC <60 had RISQ score 4.1 points higher than those with GEC ≥60, p=0.016. Behavioral regulation index (BRI; adjusted for age, CGM use, DFRQ, and A1c) did not predict RISQ while metacognition index (MI; adjusted for age, gender, and DFRQ) did; those with MI <60 had RISQ score 5.3 points higher than those with MI ≥60, p<0.001. In all models, older teen age (p<0.05) and less parental involvement (p<0.001) predicted higher RISQ score. EF skills, especially metacognition, appear important for acquisition of self-care behaviors in teens with type 1 diabetes. Evaluating EF during adolescence may identify teens needing extra support during the transition process.

Danish citizens' perspectives on the preventive medication recommended after screen-detected cardiovascular disease: A qualitative study.

The rationale for screening for cardiovascular disease (CVD) is debated as a prevention strategy. However, research shows that when preventive medication is initiated after screening for CVD, mortality rates decrease, especially among men. When implementing screening programmes, facilitating citizens' informed decisions and empowering their autonomy in the decision-making process are crucial. We therefore aimed to explore citizens' perspectives on and decisions regarding initiating cardiovascular preventive medication for screen-detected CVD. We employed an exploratory qualitative design using semi-structured interviews to investigate participants' perspectives on and decisions regarding initiating cardiovascular preventive medication for screen-detected CVD. Twelve interviews were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's six-step approach. We found one overall theme, Being on a continuum between wellness and illness, with two underlying sub-themes. Sub-theme (1) Navigating mixed feelings and pathways reflects participants' perspectives on CVD preventive medication, which were positioned on a continuum with shifting perspectives. The state between wellness and illness was experienced as liminal and characterised by uncertainty and concerns about CVD risk. (2) Navigating medication decisions: a negotiated process. Pivotal medical decisions hinged on trust in authorities or own judgement, influenced by attitudes towards the need for medication, perception of meaningfulness, asymptomatic condition, age, family responsibility and predisposition. Participants' medical decisions were supported and impacted by significant others. We uncovered a continuum of shifting perspectives ranging from feeling improved health to experiencing fear of CVD. For certain citizens, it is like navigating between these contrasting feelings. The perceived necessity and meaningfulness, in particular, shape medical decisions. Providing support for informed decisions is crucial and includes significant others. Shared decision-making with healthcare professionals as facilitators is needed. Future research is warranted to investigate how to embrace the various perspectives on initiating CVD preventive medication in clinical practice.

Intervention for work-family conflict and work deviance behavior among female workers in Tourism, Museum, Art Gallery Exhibition Centers: Implications for sustainable Tourism development intervention study.

This study was motivated due to psychological exhaustion, demands, and conflict degenerating from the work environment and family responsibilities facing career female workers. These roles and expectations have posed serious dilemmas to female populations in workplaces. Leaving them untreated is risky and could lead to severe psychological disturbances. Based on these, this study investigated the effect of the occupation health model of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy on work-family conflict and work-deviant behavior among female workers in Tourism, Museum, Art Gallery and Exhibition Centers in Enugu State. A randomized control design was used. A total of 119 female workers were randomized into intervention and control groups, measured at 3 points (pretest, posttest, and follow-up test), and the data collected were analyzed using repeated measure statistics. The finding showed that the intervention is significantly effective in reducing the work-family conflict and work deviance behavior among female workers in Tourism, Museum, and Art Gallery Exhibition Centers. Nonetheless, the findings show that the gender and time interaction effects did not significantly affect the work-family conflict and work deviance behavior scores of the workers. The follow-up stage improved the intervention's favorable impact on the reduction of work-family conflict and work-deviant behaviors. This suggest that occupation health model of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy has significant impact in reducing and changing female workers' perceptions of work-family conflict and work deviant behaviors.

Understanding Women's Transitions from Military to Department of Veterans Affairs Care.

Background: Over the past two decades, increasing numbers of women have served in the military, with women now comprising 17.3% of active-duty personnel and 21.4% of National Guard and reserves. During military service, women often incur painful musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries related to carrying heavy loads and wearing ill-fitting gear. While women may receive initial care for these injuries under the auspices of the Department of Defense (DoD), these injuries often linger and further treatment in required as women transition to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care. However, little is known about this transition process, and whether women are given adequate information and support regarding how to access VA care after their military service has ended. Research Design: To better understand these issues, we interviewed 65 women veterans with military service-related MSK injuries about their transition from DoD to VA care. Results: Six major themes emerged from the interviews. Those themes were: (1) Military injuries are often related to ill-fitting gear or carrying heavy loads; (2) Stigma/discrimination related to military injuries; (3) Limited assistance with transition between DoD and VA to manage ongoing injuries and pain; (4) Women have a difficult time managing perceptions and expectations of their weight after military service; (5) Childcare is a substantial burden for veterans in self-care; and (6) veterans desire peer-support services to help them stay healthy. Conclusions: Based on these findings, DoD and VA should continue to work together to develop programs to educate and support women as they transition from military to VA care. Furthermore, VA should consider developing peer support programs for women Veterans who may require additional support to maintain health, especially among Veteran mothers who have complex family responsibilities that may limit their ability to focus on their own health.

The use of teleworking in public administration during and after the COVID-19: The case of Kazakhstan

This study investigates the teleworking experiences of public servants amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on insights from surveys conducted during the early stages of the pandemic, we explore the advantages, challenges, and variations in telework policies across government organizations. Our findings underscore the significance of telework satisfaction in influencing employee performance and reveal gender differences in telework preferences, particularly concerning family responsibilities. The study emphasizes the need to evaluate pandemic telework experiences to inform policy adjustments in public administration and businesses. Flexibility in work arrangements can enhance talent retention, employee satisfaction, productivity, and organizational resilience, crucial aspects for businesses navigating a post-pandemic world. Effective telework implementation requires not only technological upgrades but also shifts in corporate culture to create conducive conditions.

The Impacts of Secondary Education on Women Decision Making of Higher Education (A Case Study of Khyber Pakhtun Khwa, Pakistan)

Women's decision-making about the pursuit of their higher education has been found to be significantly influenced by their schooling. In this regard, this study investigates the complex influences of education on women's decision-making processes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, while they are thinking about pursuing higher education. It has long been understood that education is essential for achieving socioeconomic advancement and self-determination, especially for women who have historically faced obstacles in receiving a high-quality education. The nature of this research study is qualitative while the primary data has been gathered with the help of an interview guide, (FGDs) focus group discussion. Female students enrolled in secondary, post-secondary, and higher education programs at Swat comprised the targeted population. The study conclusions show that women's early educations play a major influence on their decision to pursue further education. Following secondary education, women acquire the capacity to make decisions regarding their further academic pursuits. Similar to how women decide which subjects to study, which subject to pursue as a graduate program, and which mentor and supervisor to work under. Furthermore, parents have a crucial role in helping daughters make decisions about continuing their education. Moreover, women are empowered to make decisions about their education because of family support and encouragement. On the other hand, societal perception has a significant impact in women's education. While urban culture values about girls' education since it strengthens their capacity for further study, rural society forbids females from pursuing higher education due to the conservative nature of its culture. Women also face difficulties in juggling their schooling with their family responsibilities, but they manage somehow as their early education gave them management skills. Furthermore, because to social and cultural constraints, the majority of women in Pashtun society are not permitted to pursue higher education outside. The ratio of male to female literacy is not equal. The study strongly suggests that the media should play its role in raising awareness and launching campaigns regarding education for all, high-quality education, hiring more female teachers, requiring teacher training, and community involvement in education promotion in order to close the achievement gap and further raise women's literacy levels.

Factors Shaping Women's Involvement in Community Development Projects: A Case of Mvomero Water Initiatives

This study investigated about factors influencing women's involvement in community development projects within the framework of development initiatives targeting women. Specifically, it focused on water initiatives in the Mvomero District. The study utilized the cross-sectional design. The findings from probit regression analysis reveal significant insights, highlighting the influential role of various factors in shaping women's decisions to participate. Education level emerges as a significant determinant emphasizing the pivotal role of educational attainment in fostering women's involvement in community development endeavors. Additionally, marital status and family size demonstrate notable impacts, illustrating the complex relationship between familial responsibilities and women's engagement in such projects. Furthermore, income level and access to credit emerged as crucial determinants, underscoring the importance of financial resources in facilitating women's active participation. Moreover, media, awareness and government policies played pivotal roles in influencing women's decisions to engage in community development initiatives. The study emphasizes the necessity of targeted policy interventions aimed at women’s participation through enhancement of income-generating opportunities and awareness to foster inclusive development and growth, thereby contributing to the advancement of gender equality in community development efforts.