Vulnerable Women Research Articles

Internal Migration: An Analysis of Associated Risks and Vulnerabilities of Women and Youth in KwaZulu-Natal

The abolition of the apartheid regime and the democratic process of 1994 led to the freedom of movement within South Africa. According to data, KwaZulu-Natal Province has had the second-highest rate of migration since 2000. The labour market and the provision of services are significantly impacted by these migration patterns. This paper analyses the migration patterns of women and youth in KwaZulu-Natal Province, as it examines the associated risks and vulnerabilities. The primary data for the study was obtained from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development and International Organization for Migration, unpublished report based on research it commissioned in 2014. The target population of this study comprises women and youth between the ages of 15-39 years old from all 11 districts of KwaZulu-Natal as they are more likely to migrate. Multi-stage sampling was used to select the clusters, households and ultimately the individuals to be surveyed. A cross-sectional survey of 1783 respondents were selected from various households in KwaZulu-Natal. Findings indicated that most of the women and young people who migrated did so for economic reasons. Findings also indicated that the migrants were exposed to health risks, gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, contracting and spreading the human immunodeficiency virus as well as exposure to danger to life and property. The paper contributes to a deeper understanding of migration patterns and their implications within the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The theoretical framework guiding this study is the "Push and Pull theory", which helps to elucidate the factors motivating and influencing migration decisions among young people in the region.

Identifying gaps in maternal knowledge and care-seeking for neonatal health: A mixed methods study in rural pregnant women.

Knowledge of neonatal danger signs is crucial for timely care-seeking and improved newborn survival. This study assessed this knowledge among pregnant women in rural western Gujarat. A mixed methods study was conducted among 390 pregnant women selected through a two-stage sampling procedure. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Qualitative data were gathered via in-depth interviews with 20 purposively sampled women. Logistic regression identified determinants of knowledge. Thematic analysis was done for qualitative data. The majority of women were young (220, 56.5% ≤25 years), literate (333, 85%), and from rural backgrounds (320, 82%). Overall, 232 (59.5%) knew about cord care, and 301 (77.2%) correctly identified breastfeeding initiation time. Recognition of key danger signs such as fever (311, 79.7%), vomiting (292, 74.8%), and jaundice (275, 70.5%) was high, but only 70 (18%) identified chest in-drawing. Multiparity (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.4, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.2-3.9), lower age (AOR: 3.8, 95% CI: 2.4-5.8), education (AOR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.5-6.4), inadequate counseling (AOR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.82-5.190), and normative delivery (AOR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.16-5.006) were associated with poor knowledge. Qualitative findings revealed reliance on informal sources, family elders, and financial constraints as key barriers along with limited comprehension of some danger signs. Focused interventions via health workers, family members, and community platforms are needed to increase neonatal danger signs awareness among vulnerable women in the region to enable timely care-seeking.

Community-based water tenure in equitable and transformative drought resilience

In the search for promising pathways for equitable and transformative climate adaptation in low-income rural areas, the present study focuses on resilience to more variable and less predictable availability of precipitation and water resources. Equitable water governance is conceptualized as formal and informal polycentric decision-making that narrows infrastructure inequities and ensures equitable water resources allocation. Focusing on recognitional and procedural equity, vulnerable women's and men's community-based water tenure is starting point. Partnering with government in Zambia and with the Water Integrity Network in Kenya, field research in three communities in rural Zambia and in rural communities and a small town sharing several schemes in Kenya is conducted. These studies recognized horizontal polycentricity of community-based water tenure by identifying common features: communities' age-old drought resilience coping strategies to meet daily domestic water needs and daily or seasonal small-scale productive water needs, by tapping water from surface- and groundwater sources through multi-purpose infrastructure, both self-financed and publicly supported, and by ‘sharing’ water ‘in’ within the community and ‘sharing out’ with neighbouring communities and powerful third parties. Procedural equity implies inclusive, locally-led planning, design and implementation in polycentric vertical governance with governments and other support agencies from local to national level and vice versa. The four interventions studied were the installation of a a solar-powered borehole for multiple uses and local government's institutional framework for potential replication in Zambia, and post-construction support of small water systems and a planned megadam in Kenya. Further research on similar transformative approaches elsewhere is recommended.

The frequency of unintended pregnancy-associated factors among Iranian women in the poor part of the capital, Tehran.

Unintended pregnancy is considered one of the critical indicators of community health as being a risk factor in unsanitary abortions, miscarriage, and insufficient prenatal care. This study aimed to determine the frequency of unintended pregnancy and the related factors in married women. The study was conducted on 1013 married women aged 15-49 who were referred to health centers in the South of Tehran. To analyze the data, single and multiple logistic regressions were used. About 50% of participants had already experienced at least one unintended pregnancy. Analysis showed the following predictive factors for unintended pregnancy: being within the age range of 26 to 40 (AOR, 95% CI = 1.91; 1.25-2.90), being over 40 years of age (AOR, 95% CI = 1.96; 1.04-3.71), spouse education level of high-school or lower (AOR, 95% CI = 1.64; 1.11-2.42), first marriage age range of 21 to 30 years (AOR, 95% CI = 0.64; 0.47-0.88), use of the DMPA method as contraception (AOR, 95% CI = 3.42; 1.16-10.06), history of tubectomy (AOR, 95% CI = 4.45; 1.99-10) and history of vasectomy (AOR, 95% CI = 4.61; 1.18-17.98). Training and distribution of free contraceptive methods would be much more effective and less expensive than paying for costly illegal induction of abortion and unwarranted complications due to abortion. Vulnerable women who are referred to health centers to receive health services should be trained in contraceptive methods and be informed of the probability of unintended pregnancy with each contraceptive method and the consequences of self-induced abortion.

Opportunities in Assessing and Regulating Organohalogen Flame Retardants (OFRs) as a Class in Consumer Products.

In 2015, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) received and then, in 2017, granted a petition under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act to declare certain groups of consumer products as banned hazardous substances if they contain nonpolymeric, additive organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs). The petitioners asked the CPSC to regulate OFRs as a single chemical class with similar health effects. The CPSC later sponsored a National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report in 2019, which ultimately identified 161 OFRs and grouped them into 14 subclasses based on chemical structural similarity. In 2021, a follow-up discussion was held among a group of scientists from both inside and outside of the CPSC for current research on OFRs and to promote collaboration that could increase public awareness of CPSC work and support the class-based approach for the CPSC's required risk assessment of OFRs. Given the extensive data collected to date, there is a need to synthesize what is known about OFR and how class-based regulations have previously managed this information. This commentary discusses both OFR exposure and OFR toxicity and fills some gaps for OFR exposure that were not within the scope of the NASEM report. The objective of this commentary is therefore to provide an overview of the OFR research presented at SOT 2021, explore opportunities and challenges associated with OFR risk assessment, and inform CPSC's work on an OFR class-based approach. A class-based approach for regulating OFRs can be successful. Expanding the use of read-across and the use of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in assessing and regulating existing chemicals was considered as a necessary part of the class-based process. Recommendations for OFR class-based risk assessment include the need to balance fire and chemical safety and to protect vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant women. The authors also suggest the CPSC should consider global, federal, and state OFR regulations. The lack of data or lack of concordance in toxicity data could present significant hurdles for some OFR subclasses. The potential for cumulative risks within or between subclasses, OFR mixtures, and metabolites common to more than one OFR all add extra complexity for class-based risk assessment. This commentary discusses scientific and regulatory challenges for a class-based approach suggested by NASEM. This commentary is offered as a resource for anyone performing class-based assessments and to provide potential collaboration opportunities for OFR stakeholders. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12725.

Effects of Women Vulnerability in Wassa Internally Displaced Persons’ Camp in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

This study examines the effects of women vulnerability in the management of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Wassa Camp Abuja, Federal Capital Territory. Intersectionality Gender theory and Human Needs theory were utilized. The paper adopted both primary and secondary methods of data collection. For primary data, the paper administered 120 Questionnaires, out of which 100 were returned: for 60 women and 40 men. 7 Key Informant Interviews were also conducted with management staff of the camp, including security operatives assigned to the camp. Simple statistical tools and content analysis were used to analyse the data. The secondary data consulted books, journals, newspapers, reports of NGOs and internet materials. Simple statistical tools and descriptive content analysis were used to present the data. The findings revealed that the strategies deployed in the management of the camp include aligning with the National Policy on IDPs, construction of makeshift tents as shelters, partnership with NGOs, occasional rationing of food and provision of security. It was further discovered that the management strategies adopted by the IDP have negative impacts on women within the facility in terms of discomforting sheltering, health related concerns, maternal mortality, sexual harassment and exploitation. Some of the measures that have been put in place by the management of the camp and government (FCTA) include proposal to relocate the camp to another conducive environment, increase in supply of essential materials and consumables, improvement in partnerships with NGOs and other stakeholders and introduction of schools for the children. This study concluded that despite the efforts of stakeholders at addressing some of the challenges cited above, their negative impacts on women still largely persist. It is therefore recommended that state and non-state actors, being the stakeholders should always conduct thorough gender-sensitive needs assessment in the camp to better understand the unique challenges and vulnerabilities being faced by women.

A REFLECTIVE ACCOUNT – NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT OF NEONATAL ABSTINENCE SYNDROME

This reflection will use Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle to undertake a critical account of my experience as a student midwife on a busy postnatal ward caring for a woman and her newborn baby who was being assessed for neonatal abstinence syndrome. My reflection focuses on the assessment of neonatal abstinence syndrome and how newborns can be supported through withdrawal with the use of nonpharmacological methods. The use of strength-based approaches by midwives to provide effective care and support of newborn babies, and the importance of interdisciplinary working when caring for vulnerable women and families is also highlighted.

Menstrual Hygiene Awareness, Challenges and Management for Improving Quality of Life

Menstruation is a normal and necessary part of life, and maintaining proper menstrual hygiene is crucial for women's and girls' health as well as their right to access basic services for sanitation, hygiene, and reproductive health.Thesafe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) aspectof menstrual hygiene has significantly gained attention in recent times. In lowand middle-income nations, womenface significant menstrual hygiene management challenges. These problems stem from a lack of information and inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.Women frequently struggle with a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, or if they do, the high priceof sanitary pad render them unaffordable. The lives of vulnerable women are significantly impacted by stigma and period poverty, forcing them to use unhygienic alternatives like dried leaves and soiled old clothes as sanitary pads. The Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed on May 28 because women menstruate on average five days per month and menstrual cycles last an average of 28 days. 25 percent of World Bank education projects included menstrual hygiene management components, such as the provision of sanitary and hygienic restrooms or separate restrooms for boys and girls in their schools.To empower women and tackle misinformation, this study will contribute to raising awareness regarding the management of menstrual hygiene.

Abortion as a matter of Human Rights

To ensure genuine equality, autonomy, freedom, and the right to reproductive self-determination, it is imperative for nations to ensure the right to freely and responsibly determine the desired number of children. The complete criminalization of abortion is incompatible with constitutional legal systems as it ignores the assurance of human rights protection, placing an unfair and indefensible burden on vulnerable women. This article examines the elements upholding a legal approach that restricts reproductive rights. It centers on the crucial notions of reproductive autonomy and self-determination and their place in the reproductive rights framework. These rights are regarded as human rights, outlining States’ corresponding responsibilities.

The Womb of a Lesser Woman: Indian Anglophone Fiction and the Politics of Biotechnological Othering

Our paper investigates the fictional representations of ‘biotechnological othering’ and biological precarity as experienced by underprivileged Indian women with particular emphasis on the commodification of their wombs. Foregrounding the exploitation of their reproductive rights via surrogacy at the hands of the glocal capitalist elite, we rout our argument through the representational practices of The House of Hidden Mothers by Meera Syal and Origins of Love by Kishwar Desai to explore the disavowal of the reproductive rights of socio-economically vulnerable Indian women and the re-perpetuation of capitalist modes of inferiorization that target them. Contesting the egalitarian tilt of posthuman discourses, our main contention is that the biotechnological commodification of the wombs of indigent women does not merely confine them within structural inequalities, it also ensures that they remain confined within a biological precarity. Taking theoretical support from pertinent voices in the field including Deepika Bahri, Laura Harrison, Anureet Lotay, Katerina Kolarova and Eva-Sabine Zehelein, we unpick the multi-dimensional ramifications of biotechnological othering depicted in these novels to foreground the threat of biological precarity embedded within transnational surrogacy and the continuation of the dehumanization of Women of Colour in today’s world.

'Gezond Ge(s)maakt': a project in which vulnerable people learn skills and knowledge around healthy eating and cooking.

We work with a group of vulnerable women in a local community. Once a month, they come together to socialize and learn. The women want to increase their knowledge and skills concerning healthy nutrition. We experience that the existing methods and materials are insufficiently adapted to their specific needs. Can you help us translate evidence based methodologies into a practical tool we can implement during our group activities?’ This question was submitted by a social development organisation to Logo Limburg. It became the start for the project ‘Gezond Ge(s)maakt’.
 ‘Gezond Ge(s)maakt’ or ‘Healthy Tasted’ shows the added value of cooperation between a public health organisation (Logo Limburg) and a social development organisation (SAAMO Limburg). By working together, each from their own expertise, and with a clear focus on the targeted people, the impact of their actions is enhanced. Also, the focus on proportional universalism is always top of mind for both organisations. SAAMO Limburg is an expert in enforcing vulnerable people through a community based approach. The social workers are in close contact with their clients, they know the best way to reach and enforce them. Logo Limburg is a regional expert in health promotion. As a network organisation, they have a clear overview on state of the art methodologies and projects developed by expert organisations. This collaboration and the participation of the target group itself, had a synergistic effect. ‘Healthy tasted’ combines previously developed instruments to a tool that is adjusted, easy to implement and fun. 
 'Healthy tasted' comes in a large box containing ten folders. Each folder represents one specific theme (healthy snacks, picnic, healthy nutrition for children and parenting, healthy holidays, Flemish dishes, … ). These subject were all suggested by the target group itself. During 10 months, our pilotgroup covered one theme a month. The methodology contains all necessary materials for the teacher. It consists of basic theoretical background information, questions to start the conversation on the topic, an exercise or game, and 9 recipes. Each session starts with an educational part, than they prepare a healthy meal (one of the recipes) and enjoy eating together.
 A great advantage is that anyone can use the tool, no prior knowledge on healthy nutrition is needed. Based on their own experience with a specific target group, instructors will be able to translate the content to the needs of the target group.
 The project was evaluated several times by the health promotors of Logo Limburg, the social workers of SAAMO Limburg and the target group. It turned out to be a success. The women indicated they learned a lot about healthy food and applied it in their own families. Their knowledge and skills on healthy nutrition and cooking were enhanced. The integrated collaboration between Logo Limburg and SAAMO was a prerequisite for this success. . This positive evaluation and the existing needs for this theme among the target groups has ensured ‘Healthy Tasted’ was up-scaled and made available for other organisations, starting in Limburg and soon all over Flanders.

Integrated Health and Social Care In A Woman's Shelter and Multi-Service Agency

Introduction: Evidence exists demonstrating that integrated health and social care (IHSC) can support enhanced care for highly vulnerable and marginalized population groups. One such group are homeless women. Street Haven (SH) is a multi-service women’s agency that serves homeless women who suffers from the intersection of critical health, social and financial disadvantages living in one of the poorest urban neighbourhoods in Toronto, Canada. SH provides shelter, supported housing, addictions treatment and training support services. Over the past ten years, client acuity has increased the health and social care needs of vulnerable women. The pandemic has exacerbated this. Clients have experienced chronic homelessness which is connected to trauma. They also suffer from mental illness conditions, and chronic diseases including respiratory illnesses, and gastro-intestinal illness, and diabetes. Street Haven has engaged in integrated health and social care (IHSC) to ensure that more comprehensive care can respond to the increasing client care complexity. 
 Approach: IHSC coordination with community partners have been undertaken in order to address unmet health and social care. Within the SH shelter services, partnerships with primary health care partners, hospital services and community-based crisis and mental health teams have been established. As a result, a primary care physician and psychiatrist can be accessed once weekly on site by clients. Homeless women are then attached to a physician and psychiatrist while accessing SH services. In addition, when clients experience crisis, community-based outreach mental health and crisis teams are dispatched by other organizations to SH locations. The SH addiction treatment residence services also integrate with psychiatry services with a community clinical services agency and with the community crisis team to introduce crisis and psychiatric supports for addiction service clients. Lastly, SH works with community policing to ensure that women who exhibit behaviours stemming from crisis, may have benefit of community policing services that provide SH and client with protection while offering crisis supports at the same time. They help to divert clients from hospital and correctional services.
 Results: IHSC enables SH to better meet the needs of its highly complex client base within its premises. Several benefits of the IHSC include the identification of unmet health and social care needs of our clients including psychiatric and mental health needs and management of chronic diseases and medication prescription needs; enhanced client community engagement through the referral and coordination of services with community health and social care partner agencies; minimization of crisis events on SH premise sites; and minimizing utilization of acute car and correctional services. The competencies that are absent in the organization are available due to IHSC.
 Lessons Learned: IHSC can act as a lever for women’s shelter and addiction treatment services to provide more comprehensive health and social care services. IHSC is crucial considering the austerity in government program funding in Toronto and Ontario. IHSC is another means to better serve marginalized, homeless and impoverished women to ensure that they have more equitable access to health and social care services especially where there is a gender-bias against women’s services in Toronto. 

Аналітичні аспекти впливу воєнного конфлікту на жінок і дітей України та механізмів взаємодії з ними волонтерських організацій

The article explores the theoretical and methodological aspects of population vulnerability during armed conflicts and the issues of violence in such conditions. The essential characteristics of vulnerability, its signs, and features in the context of war are discussed. An analysis of vulnerability and violence is conducted based on online surveys of vulnerable women and children on one side, and volunteer organizations providing assistance to vulnerable population groups on the other side within the framework of an international project investigating the impact of armed conflict on vulnerable population groups. It is argued that addressing such problems requires immediate resolution at both the governmental and non-governmental levels for the effective re-socialization of vulnerable population groups after the conflict concludes.

Modern slavery and social protection in Northern Ghana: A decolonised perspective

Many recent discourses on modern slavery have dedicated attention to gendered dimension of trafficking, labour exploitation and sex work, among others. However, many debates pay little attention to the structural inequalities and limited social protection structures. Using mainly primary data drawn from a multi-sited ethnography in the Wa West District of Ghana, this paper provides evidence that challenges the popular view that women are passive and powerless actors who are vulnerable to exploitation. Its central argument is that people’s experiences of gender division of labour, limited social protection, climate change and historical inequalities are central to the causes of vulnerabilities and adaptive strategies. The paper provides a deeper contextual understanding beyond the sensationalism of many mainstream modern slavery advocates. It departs from the hegemonic rescue and rehabilitation strategies and demonstrates women’s agency through self-help social protection structures. The paper broadly calls for a decolonised approach to rights and humanitarianism. A transformative solution to women's vulnerabilities requires respect for the views of the affected women and strategies against the structural socioenvironmental factors which produce the conditions necessitating women’s entry into exploitative jobs.

Investigating the Extent and Social-Demographic Determinants of Domestic Violence Against Women

Background: Domestic violence against women is one of the most important issues in the field of women's problems. Identification of the demographic and social characteristics of risk and protective factors can be effective in managing this problem. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the demographic and social variables that affect the rate of different types of domestic violence against women. Methods: The present study was done using a quantitative method and survey technique. In so doing, 379 married women of reproductive age in Sadra City were surveyed. This survey used the multi-stage cluster sampling method and standard questionnaire. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the collected data. Results: Most respondents (53.6%) were between 30 and 39 years old, and the age of the majority of their wives (48%) was in the same age range. Economic violence was significantly lower among the upper-middle class (P = 0.010), middle class (P = 0.000), and lower middle class (P = 0.002) compared to the lower class. This type of violence is less common among Arabs (P = 0.001) and more prevalent among Turks (P = 0.034) than among Persian speakers. Women whose husbands were illiterate (P = 0.005), had only completed middle school (P = 0.002) or held a diploma (P = 0.040) experienced more psychological violence compared to women whose husbands had a university education. Psychological violence is more prevalent among lower-class women compared to women from the middle class (P = 0.002), upper-middle class (P = 0.020), and lower-middle class (P = 0.003). Physical violence is more common among Persian women compared to Arab women (P = 0.003) but less common compared to Turkish women (P = 0.019). Sexual violence is less common among Persian women compared to Arab women (P = 0.003). Conclusions: This study highlighted the prevalence of various forms of domestic violence. Socio-demographic factors significantly influenced these occurrences. Multifaceted strategies involving education, awareness, and support for vulnerable women were essential to combat domestic violence.

Increased domestic violence during the COVID‐19 pandemic: India's response

AbstractMotivationDomestic abuse of women, despite being illegal, is common in India: on average, every 4.4 minutes a woman suffers abuse. During the pandemic, owing to curfew and lockdowns, women had additional caring responsibilities, but they lacked social support. A legal system made lethargic by lockdowns, lack of safety protocols for dealing with cases of domestic violence during the pandemic, extended delays in processing cases, and limited protection for victims—all combined to increase domestic violence nationwide.PurposeWhat was the response of the Indian government to domestic violence during the COVID‐19 pandemic? We evaluate policies and interventions through the lens of intersectional feminism and social equity.Methods and approachWe review publicly available documents and scholarly journals published between 2018 and 2022. We identify the national anti‐domestic violence and state‐specific programmes offered to women in India. We critically evaluate the country's anti‐domestic violence campaign. The policy analysis draws on the cultural knowledge and professional expertise of the authors.FindingsThe government's efforts to address domestic violence during the pandemic were limited. Pre‐existing vulnerabilities such as economic hardship, the gender‐based digital divide, and strict gender roles were exacerbated by the pandemic. Although the government tried to address domestic violence, through helplines, keeping shelters open and offering virtual court sessions, it also released convicted abusers from prison, increasing women's vulnerability. Government and non‐governmental organization interventions were not scaled up to meet demand. Many programmes had little oversight and quality control, resulting in differential results that often further victimized victims of domestic violence among vulnerable populations.Policy implicationsOur findings highlight the importance of services and policies on domestic violence being explicit and sensitive to the culture and context in disaster preparedness and public health emergency planning.

Female-specific pharmacotherapy in ADHD: premenstrual adjustment of psychostimulant dosage.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition which is underdiagnosed and undertreated in women. For decades, the ADHD field has called for more insight into female-specific therapy. Preliminary findings postulate that changes in sex hormones during the menstrual cycle may influence the effectiveness of psychostimulant medication. Yet, pharmacotherapeutic interventions tailored to women with ADHD remain scarce. Previously, our group showed an increase in mood symptoms in the premenstrual week in women with ADHD. Premenstrual worsening of depressive and ADHD symptoms represent a treatment challenge. In our adult ADHD clinic, we noted several women describing exacerbation of their ADHD and depressive symptoms in the premenstrual week and/or insufficient effect of their established dosage of psychostimulant. We responded to the need expressed by these women by increasing their stimulant dosage in the premenstrual week, while monitoring the response and side effects. This community case study of nine consecutive women being treated for ADHD and co-occurring conditions (including depression and premenstrual dysphoric disorder), reports our local experience of increasing the individually prescribed psychostimulant dosage during the premenstrual period. We methodically monitored the effect of this increased dosage on ADHD symptoms, mood and somatic symptoms for the following 6-24 months. With premenstrual dose elevation, all nine women experienced improved ADHD and mood symptoms with minimal adverse events. Premenstrual inattention, irritability and energy levels improved, and now resembled the other non-premenstrual weeks more closely. All women decided to continue with the elevated premenstrual pharmacotherapy. Our preliminary results demonstrate potential benefits of increasing premenstrual psychostimulant dosage in women with ADHD, experiencing premenstrual worsening of ADHD and mood symptoms. The results concur with previous findings of diminished response to amphetamines in the late luteal phase. Increased dosage may help combat premenstrual worsening of cognitive and emotional symptoms in women with ADHD, with significant clinical implications. Better management of premenstrual ADHD and mood symptoms in vulnerable women can improve treatment outcome and meet an unmet need. However, implementation should be individually explored. Further investigation of luteal phase psychostimulant dose adjustment is required for safe, optimal and individualised treatment for women with ADHD.

Medicolegal study of Egyptian unnatural female deaths in the childbearing period during 2019–2020

Violence against women is a global public health problem, especially in the childbearing period. However, it is considered as the least documented human rights violation worldwide which at its worst can result in femicide. This medico-legal study aims to explore the pattern of unnatural deaths among women in childbearing age group in the Egyptian community in recent years for early detection of women who are at risk and for establishment preventive measures. One hundred and one fifty of suspicious deaths of women in the reproductive age from 13 to 49 years were autopsied in Zeinhom Morgue (the Egyptian Forensic Medicine Authority) during 2019–2020. Demographic data, circumstances of death, causes and manner of death were defined and statistically analyzed. Unnatural death occurred during the 2nd −3rdh decades, 83.4 % were from urban residence, 40.4 % were single while 39.1 % of cases were married. In the majority of deaths, bodies were found at home. Regarding the manner of death, there were 38.4 % suicidal deaths and 38.4 % were homicidal death, while 19.2 % were accidental deaths. Sharp traumatic injuries were the most common pattern in homicidal cases mainly after domestic arguments by a spouse or relative while the most common suicidal and accidental pattern was jumping from height. The present study proved that violence against women resulting in unnatural deaths is very prevalent in Egypt with a rising rate in recent years. These findings could be useful for early identification of vulnerable women and for preventing woman deaths in the future.

Investing emotions at work: exploring emotional labour of women in Indian anti-trafficking NGOs

ABSTRACT This article studies the experience of emotional labour by women in Indian NGOs. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 11 women across four anti-trafficking organisations in Kolkata, this paper highlights how emotional labour has been rationalised as women’s work. It shares the emotional distress and vulnerability women encounter due to the under-recognition of their labour. Despite the overwhelming nature of their work, women consider it a trade-off for the empowerment they experience due to their memberships with NGOs. Concluding remarks entail the need for NGOs to support the well-being of their workers.

Table Banking and Women Economic Empowerment in Nakuru County, Kenya

This publication is part of a wider study which aims at evaluating Women Economic Empowerment programme, which is being implemented by the Women Empowerment Link (WEL) in several counties across Kenya, since 2015. In Nakuru the programme targeted grassroot women in table banking. To make the evaluation comprehensive in determining the level of women economic empowerment, this study adopted Kabeer’s (2005) theoretical framework for measuring women’s empowerment. The objective of the study was to establish the extent to which table banking had increased women economic empowerment in Nakuru County. Specifically, the study sought to assess the extent to which; the WEL’s project had enhanced women’s participation in county governance, women’s participation in the project had increased access to services and resources; and finally Identify success stories, lessons learnt and challenges that women in the project encountered. The study reached a total of 206 out of the 473 women who had been trained on basic financial literacy from 35 table banking groups. In each of the selected groups, three officials (the chairperson, secretary and the treasurer) and three members participated in the study. Key informants, 2 gender officers, 1 gender champion also participated. Data analysis revealed that 80% of the women were business owners, 10.21% were employed while 6.6% were domestic workers. The study’s findings revealed that WEL’s programme on Strengthening Inclusive Leadership had mixed results in enhancing participation of women in leadership and governance. Only half of the women at 49.51% had offered themselves for leadership and governance positions yet their capacities and availability to participate in leadership and governance were rated very high. The study also found that women’s participation in the WEL’s project had increased access to services, resources and women’s participation in governance opportunities to a large extent. Finally, the study appreciated that the WEL project in Nakuru targeted most vulnerable, low income i.e., economically vulnerable grassroots women. Among the obstacles found to be hindering Women Economic Empowerment were poverty, high level of illiteracy and lack of information. Among other recommendations, women requested additional seed capital from either WEL or County Government to increase their borrowing power within their groups and expand adult literacy programme by the County Government. The study also recommended concerted campaign to include more women in leadership and governance.