Women Clients Research Articles

Peran Social Media Officer di Remote Site (Pedesaan) dalam Dokumentasi dan Pembuatan Konten Pemberdayaan Ibu-Ibu Prasejahtera Produktif untuk Meningkatkan Pendapatan UMKM Nasabah PT Bank BTPN Syariah Kec.Rungkut Surabaya

The Bestee Program is an initiative by BTPN Syariah that involves students providing mentorship aimed at enhancing the skills, knowledge, as well as the soft and hard entrepreneurial skills of its clients, particularly productive pre-prosperous women. Through the role of Social Media Officers and the use of the Bestee Application, this program serves as a platform for training and developing human resource skills to become more digitally literate in running sustainable businesses. Social Media Officers focus on gaining experience related to documenting empowerment activities in the form of photos, videos, and narratives; curating client products; and coordinating and communicating with the Social Media Coordinator (SMC) team to develop the Access to Market (A2M) Pasar Daya and Access to Knowledge (A2K) program channels. The research uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive method. The results of the research demonstrate that mentorship by students can sustain and even enhance the businesses of BTPN Syariah’s productive pre-prosperous women clients in this era of digitalization.

Navigating the city: gendered work experiences in urban spaces

ABSTRACT Women around the world experience much higher levels of fear of crime, profoundly impacting their perceptions of safety and influencing their interactions with public spaces. This fear prompts women to alter their behaviour, such as avoiding specific urban areas and public transport, especially after dark. While many amend their habits and limit their exposure to public spaces due to the fear of crime, what happens to those women for whom the urban space is also their workplace and whose work occurs solely in public spaces? This article focuses on women whose work demands engagement with public spaces, exploring the experiences of women drivers in male-dominated sectors such as taxi and platform-based (Uber and Cabify) services in the city of Malaga, Spain. Drawing on 35 semi-structured interviews, the article explores their experiences as mobile workers navigating urban spaces and their dual role in the dynamics of violence: as the receiver of violence and sexual harassment from clients and colleagues, and simultaneously acting as protectors for their women clients, ensuring their safety in public spaces. Rather than understanding women as passive victims, the article explores how women deploy a sense of agency in creating strategies that help them navigate these challenges. While some responses involve self-censorship to mitigate potential dangers, others defy gender by not conforming to the cultural norms of traditional femininity. Through these processes, women survive, challenge, and resist violence, and move from the sense that ‘this city is not for me’ to developing a higher sense of power.

Perceptions of and preferences for PrEP use among African American women and providers in the U.S. South: a qualitative study

Objective African American (AA) women in the U.S. South experience significant HIV incidence, and efforts to support antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and maintenance among this group have been insufficient. This study aimed to explore perceptions, attitudes, and implementation preferences surrounding PrEP use for AA women in the U.S. South. Methods and Measures The study team conducted qualitative interviews with AA cisgender women clients (n = 21) and their providers (n = 20) in Federally Qualified Health Centers and HIV clinics in Alabama. The research team employed directed qualitative content analysis to analyze interview data. Results Five themes emerged: a) inconsistent access to PrEP and PrEP knowledge, b) need for improving low PrEP awareness, c) managing hesitancy to prescribe or use PrEP, d) perceived HIV vulnerability and inherent stigma, and e) normalizing PrEP as part of routine sexual healthcare to increase uptake and maintenance. Interviews revealed an openness towards PrEP as an HIV prevention strategy for AA, cisgender women in Alabama. Conclusion Improving PrEP uptake and maintenance among AA women in the U.S. South must go beyond increasing awareness to improving PrEP access and trust through visibility of AA women’s PrEP use and incorporating PrEP education and services into routine sexual healthcare.

Support needs of survivors of violence against women in urban India: a prospective analysis of client records

Background Violence against women harms individuals, communities, and society. Supporting survivors requires a combination of skills and resources and involvement of multiple institutions. We aimed to document the range of responses that a counselling service should be able to provide, based on direct experience of working with survivors predominantly from urban informal settlements. Methods At non-government counselling centres in Mumbai, we analysed unlinked electronic records collected by counsellors supporting survivors of violence. We examined how women knew of the services, how they described their concerns, what they said they expected, and what was provided. We quantified the proportions of clients who required crisis intervention, police action, legal input, and medical, psychological and psychiatric support. Results Counsellors met with 2278 women clients in 2019, almost half of whom had been encouraged to attend through community outreach. Clients described intimate partner violence (37%), domestic violence by a family member other than their partner (22%), or both (27%). Common forms of violence reported were emotional (88%), economic (73%), and physical (71%); 68% of clients reported episodes of neglect, 59% of coercive control, and 36% of sexual violence, while 77% had survived three or more forms of violence. Over a median seven consultations, 32% required crisis intervention, 31% home visits from counsellors, and 17% legal support; 13% saw a clinical psychologist, 7% were assisted in consulting the police, and 5% required medical care. Discussion Demand for services was substantial at 200 new clients each month. Key concerns for counsellors were coping with this heavy workload, skills in responding to women’s experience of multiple forms of violence and their desire to stay in relationships, skills in emotional support, ability to undertake and act on risk and mental health assessment, and effective engagement with health, police, and legal services. Future work Counsellors need to take a systematic approach to interacting with survivors of violence that covers all the considerations and activities needed in order of priority. We have developed a package of guidelines to meet this requirement, including trauma-informed counselling and mental health assessment and support (https://garima.snehamumbai.org/). Limitations The record system may have been subject to errors in data entry or systematic differences between counsellor choices, with the possibility of over- or under-identification of need and different counsellors’ propensities for and choices of referral. The spectrum of concerns relates to women residents of urban informal settlements, and we should be cautious about their application to other populations. Funding This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Global Health Research programme as award number 17/63/47. A plain language summary of this research article is available on the NIHR Journals Library Website https://doi.org/10.3310/LKNH2423.

The role of microfinance service in the sustainable development goals of women's empowerment: a glimpse from Amhara Credit and Savings Institution (ACSI)

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are major concerns under Goal 5 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030. Therefore, microfinance institutions in developing nations have been working on these issues by providing loans to married women and others in need. As a result, this paper focuses on one such microfinance institution in Ethiopia, called ACSI (Amhara Credit and Saving Institution), and its role in fostering economic independence for married women and their involvement in various public social schemes. The study utilized a qualitative approach, collecting data through in-depth interviews (26), focus group discussions (1), and life histories from ACSI experts (4) and key informants from Women's and Children's Affairs (6). Specifically, the study focused on married women in Basona Werana Woreda and examined the impact of ACSI's credit services on their social conditions. The empirical findings of the study reveal that the social condition of married women clients has improved due to the credit services provided by ACSI. Women's social empowerment indicators have shown positive changes after utilizing the credit services. However, the study also identified challenges faced by the institution, such as a lack of adequate transportation means and a shortage of personnel to reach remote residents and fulfill their mission of improving the situation of vulnerable low-income and productive poor resident women. Additionally, cultural attitudes pose significant challenges to the social empowerment of women. The empirical implementation of this study provides insights into the achievements and hurdles that need to be addressed in enhancing economic security for married women through microfinance initiatives.

"Midwives are heroes of the country": qualitative evaluation of a midwifery education program in South Sudan.

Countries affected by armed conflict have higher maternal mortality than stable settings. South Sudan has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world, with an estimated 789 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Long-term socio-political instability has contributed to significant challenges in its health system. To reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality, South Sudan must increase the number of skilled midwives. A cross-sectional mixed methods study was conducted in 2022 to assess the midwifery education program at three schools receiving support from International Medical Corps in South Sudan, including in-depth interviews with 15 midwifery school graduates currently working as midwives, their supervisors, 16 school faculty (in dyads), and two Ministry of Health officials; and nine focus group discussions with women clients of graduate midwives. Participants identified strengths of the schools, including being well equipped with trained and competent teaching staff, competency-based curriculum, including practical training which prepared graduate midwives to apply their skills in practice. Weaknesses of the program included its dependence on donor funding, inadequate mentorship and number of tutors, and insufficient practice for some services due to low client load at clinical sites. Additionally, participants identified challenges affecting midwives' ability to provide good quality care, including lack of equipment and supplies, low client load, low salaries, and insecurity due to conflict. Nevertheless, women in the community appreciated the immense work that midwives do. Midwives were respected by the community at large, and graduates expressed pride and satisfaction in their job, as well as the positive impact they have had in providing critical services to communities. Overall, the quality of the midwifery education program appears to be strong, however gaps in the program and the provision of quality care remain. The findings highlight the need to ensure sustained funding for midwifery education, as well as health system strengthening to ensure midwives can practice their skills. Continued investment in midwifery education and training is critical to reduce high maternal mortality and morbidity in South Sudan.

Microfinace and Gender Equality: Issues and Outlook

In recent years, microfinance has emerged as a significant tool in the fight against poverty. The microfinance scheme has proven effective in elevating individuals beyond the poverty line by offering enhanced self-employment prospects and fostering creditworthiness. In India, the microfinance sector has witnessed substantial growth, catering to both rural and urban populations with a comprehensive range of financial services. While the core concept of microfinance encompasses more than just microcredit, the terms microfinance and microcredit are often used interchangeably. Notably, the microfinance industry places a strong emphasis on empowering women clients due to their proven creditworthiness. An overwhelming 97 percent of microfinance clients are women, reflecting their pivotal role in this domain. However, despite this focus, there appears to be a lack of concerted efforts from microfinance institutions (MFIs) to genuinely promote women's empowerment and gender equality. This paper draws on secondary data and articles, supplemented by the researcher's own experiences as a Branch Head at BASIX and Janalakshmi Financial Services Pvt Ltd. The study aims to delve into gender-related challenges within the microfinance industry, identify opportunities for achieving gender equality, and examine the obstacles and potential pathways toward this goal. Additionally, the researcher investigates the rationale behind the strong emphasis on women within the microfinance sector. In conclusion, the findings suggest that, beyond the mere provision of credit, MFIs have not adequately prioritized gender equality initiatives. Consequently, the anticipated positive impact of microfinance on gender equality has yet to materialize on the ground. It is imperative for MFIs to take proactive steps towards promoting gender equality, not only to enhance the borrowers' livelihood sustainability but also to ensure the long-term viability of these institutions

Empowering Women in Counseling by Dismantling Internalized Sexism: The Feminist-Multicultural Orientation and Social Justice Competencies

Women are exposed to multiple stressors that derive from various forms of violence and social injustice, most notably sexism. Sexism is an ideological system that maintains and reinforces gender injustice, which manifests at institutional, interactional, and individual levels. Among the various iterations of structural sexism, internalized sexism encourages women to retain and reproduce sexist messages unconsciously, leading to such adverse mental health outcomes as increased feelings of inferiority and self-doubt. With this background, the current article provides a review of literature on internalized sexism among women, as well as its impact on women’s mental health. In so doing, we posit the Feminist-Multicultural Orientation and Social Justice Competencies (F-MCOSJ) as a model for mental health counselors tending to women clients. This model includes feminist multicultural orientation, awareness, knowledge, skills, and actions. A case example is provided to demonstrate how the F-MCOSJ can be applied to address internalized sexism in counseling.

Black Women in White Institutional Spaces: Clinical Implications for Supporting Professional Identity Development

Black women share unique experiences as they traverse gendered racism in White institutional spaces. While there is abundant research outlining Black identity development and the relationship between Black identity development and mental health and wellness, the literature is void of a conceptual framework that details ways professional counselors can support Black women’s professional identity development experiences. A conceptual framework of Black women’s gendered racial identity development is adapted to center the professional identity of Black women in White institutional spaces. A case study illustration and clinical implications for working with Black women clients are presented along with recommendations for reducing social inequity and improving wellness for Black women.

The impact of micro credit programme on rural women livelihood development: A study of Bulathsinhala DS division in Sri Lanka

Micro credit (MC) is a financial service include under micro finance which is provide by consultative group to assist low income people. In global context, it is a very popular credit scheme among people who don't have access to formal financial services and most of them are women. However, this study tried to find the impact of Micro Credit programme on rural women livelihood development in Sri Lanka. The study conducted under main three objectives. Firstly, identify the Micro Credit client base and their intention of granting of Micro Credit loans. Then analyse the impact of Micro Credit loans on rural women livelihood development. Finally, provide suggestions and recommendations to improve effectiveness of credit programme in Sri Lanka. As the way to continue the study 50 Micro Credit women clients were selected from Bulathsinhala DS division by using simple random sampling technique. Then the data collected through structured questionnaires and interviews were analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis methods. According to the findings of the study, due to on-time & easy access to Micro Credit loans, people tend to use Micro Credit irrespective of the high-interest rate. Anyhow, Micro Credit has not helped to improve the livelihood and living standard of the rural women in the study area. Instead of that, their debtness was increased. Reasons for that were lack of financial literacy knowledge of women and miss utilization for recover previous loan premiums and for family consumption without a proper investment plan. Therefore, the study suggests responsible authorities to create accessible credit schemes for rural women & Micro credit institutions to create evaluating & monitoring process as an after care service of loans & organize programme to improve their client’s Financial Literacy knowledge to create an effective rural Micro Credit programme within Sri Lankan context.

The nature of domestic violence experienced by Black and minoritised women and specialist service provision during the COVID-19 pandemic: practitioner perspectives in England and Wales

Our article seeks to understand the contours of what has been termed a ‘dual pandemic’ in the UK: twin crises of increasing domestic violence and abuse (DVA) alongside the spread of COVID-19, both of which have disproportionately affected Black and minoritised communities. Our article draws upon the perspectives of 26 practitioners who provide specialist DVA services for Black and minoritised women and girls in England and Wales. Based on interviews with these practitioners, we explore the nature and patterns of the DVA which their Black and minoritised women clients experienced during the pandemic. Our findings highlight the pandemic-related risks and challenges that lead to specific manifestations of DVA within Black and minoritised communities and reveal the practice and policy landscape of the ‘by and for’ DVA sector during the pandemic and beyond.

Does firm size affect client targeting? An investigation over the clients of the Indian Microfinance Institutions

The study examines the impact of the Microfinance Institutions’ (MFIs) size on their client targeting. Using MFI clients’ household data, the study considers household income, wealth, human development, caste, settlement type, and purposes of loans as different client targeting dimensions. The analysis is based on a sample survey of over 301 women clients who had received loans exclusively from 12 big and 13 small MFIs.The results indicate that the MFI size has an adverse effect on social performance. As the MFIs grow in size, they tend to target and serve the wealthier and non-agriculturally employed clients residing in urban areas. The women’s passive role in borrowing emerges as yet another concern. The instances of poverty penalty among the poor clients as reflected through higher interest rates for small-sized loans are yet another concern. The target towards poverty eradication may turn out to be a far cry under the large-sized MFIs.

Demonstrating the Feasibility of an Economic Empowerment and Health Promotion Intervention among Low-Income Women Affected by HIV in New York City

Women of color in the U.S. face systematic exclusion from the labor market, work protections, and employer-based benefits. Women's economic vulnerability increases their susceptibility to health-related issues, including HIV transmission and substance use, which are work-restricting disabilities, by constraining their capacity to effectively reduce risk. The Women's Economic Empowerment pilot examined the feasibility of a structural intervention, implemented at a neighborhood agency, combining both health promotion and economic empowerment components as a pathway to accessing an urban job market for low-income women with work-restricting disabilities, including living with HIV. Ten women clients from a partner agency in New York completed four health promotion sessions, six financial literacy sessions, and a concurrent opportunity to match savings; some also followed with up to 24 vocational rehabilitation sessions. Interviews captured self-reported data on health promotion and financial outcomes at pre-/post-intervention and 3-month follow-up. Qualitative analysis of recorded group sessions and field notes demonstrate that women express improved HVI/STI knowledge and problem-solving strategies for risk reduction, a shared optimism for the future due to group participation, enhanced social support through relationship-building, a heightened sense of empowerment regarding financial decision making, and a desire to re-engage in the labor force. Findings suggest an empowering approach to re-engage women impacted by poverty, unemployment, and disabilities, including living with HIV, into the workforce may be implemented in a community setting.

Providing Chaplain Support to Morally Injured Servicewomen

The following article may serve as a learning tool for chaplains who are available to provide care to servicewomen suffering from moral injury. Moral injury occurs when someone experiences, takes part in, or witnesses a traumatic event that violates their deeply held beliefs about truth, justice, or morality. Using a gendered approach rooted in feminist principles and research, the text provides a list of traits and attitudes that effective chaplains possess, five principles of support, and recommendations for how chaplains can enact those concepts in specific counseling situations. The five principles of support are: establish trust, enable storytelling, be empathetic and calm, listen for special themes, and offer alternative perspectives. Together, the principles help create an environment in which a military woman can receive vitalizing pastoral care. The article describes in detail the five special themes of disempowerment, sink holes, guilt and shame, loss of identity, and low self-worth and explains how chaplains can offer alternative perspectives so that a woman client might experience post-traumatic growth and recovery.

The role of microfinance institutions on women’s entrepreneurship development

This study investigates the role of microfinance services on women's entrepreneurship development in Assosa town. The study employed both descriptive and explanatory designs and a quantitative research approach. The study targeted 352 women clients of Assosa Woreda Microfinance Institution, and 165 samples were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The data were collected through a questionnaire and analyzed through the statistical package for social science (SPSS) 26 software. The findings from the descriptive mean analysis indicate that the microfinance institution financial and non-financial services offered were found unable to significantly empower disadvantaged and poor women by improving their livelihood and development of their business. The correlation result also indicated a positive and significant association between saving practice, access to credit, skill development training, and the development of women entrepreneurs. Finally, the regression result saving and the credit or loan services of the microfinance institution service have the most decisive influence on women's entrepreneurship development.

Exploring the role of microfinance in women’s empowerment and entrepreneurial development: a qualitative study

In developing countries, women’s empowerment is a major concern. Several efforts were made to tackle this issue as the aims of poverty reduction and development cannot be achieved without giving attention to women’s empowerment. Over the past decades, microfinance institutions (MFIs) have appeared as crucial tools not only to address the issue of poverty but also particularly to empower women. Resultantly, a huge number of studies focus on the relationships between MFI and women empowerment. However, in the context of rural areas of Pakistan, the research is limited. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the role of MFI in women’s empowerment in Pakistan so that the research will facilitate MFIs and policymakers in strengthening the link between MFIs and women entrepreneurship. We have used a qualitative methodology, using primary data collected through in-depth interviews and a focus group discussion with six female borrowers of Rural Community Development Programs (RCDP). The empirical results provide valuable insights into the efforts made by RCDP to empower women and combat poverty by encouraging women’s entrepreneurship. Hence, this paper not only examines empowerment, which women are attaining from microfinance but also assists MFIs to know about their significance in developing the economy. The paper is significant for MFI practitioners to develop policies for boosting women’s entrepreneurship and to help their existing women clients with efficient training and supervision.

Centering and decentering client disclosures: A qualitative study of therapists' responses to clients' experiences of discrimination.

Clients who are societally marginalized because of their identities may seek support from therapists to process experiences of discrimination and oppression. Therapist navigation of these cultural conversations is a crucial skill. However, there is limited research examining how therapists immediately respond to clients when they disclose experiences of discrimination. In this study, 66 participants watched two brief videos of fictitious clients disclosing experiences of covert and overt discrimination. Participants watched one of two video vignettes, with one focusing on a White lesbian woman client and another focusing on a Black woman client. After watching each video, participants were asked to respond to clients as if they were the clients' therapist. We used reflexive thematic analysis to code participant responses, which spanned three themes: (a) invalidation and decentering of client's emotions, appraisals, and experiences; (b) incongruence and avoidance of client's language around identities; and (c) empathic attunement and centering of client emotions, appraisals, and experiences. While some participant responses were interpreted as emotionally aligning with the client, other participant responses were coded as minimizing or questioning client experiences of discrimination or using language incongruent with how the client self-identified. We discuss implications for research, training, and practice in navigating conversations about discrimination with psychotherapy clients. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Relating ‘to her Human Side’: a Grounded Theory analysis of cosmetologists’ and aestheticians’ relationships with clients in Black American beauty salons to inform sexual health interventions

Due to the elevated incidence of HIV among Black American women, effective sexual health interventions are needed. To explore beauty salons as settings for such interventions, we examined Black American women stylists’ experiences discussing sex-related topics with Black American women clients. Constructivist Grounded Theory methodology guided data collection and analysis. Individual intensive interviews were conducted in 2019 with 16 Black women cosmetologists and/or aestheticians who served Black women in Southern California. Analyses generated grounded theory which we refer to as Relating ‘to her Human Side’: Black American cosmetologist-client relationship building model. The model highlights the importance of three sets of practices: 1) playing different roles to appeal to clients’ varying wants and needs, 2) creating a comfortable atmosphere, and 3) establishing a judgement-free zone. Stylists put clients at ease and consequently, clients shared stories regarding sex and relationships freely. Stylists’ actions built trusting relationships with clients, thus crafting beauty salons as atmospheres favourable for sex-related conversations and potential sexual health interventions.

Impact of microfinance on women’s economic empowerment

Women’s economic empowerment a strategy aimed at enabling women in decision-making, increment in income and asset ownership. The main aim of the study is to examine the impact of microfinance on women’s economic empowerment. Data were derived from a questionnaire of a sample of 346 women clients of microfinance. Multiple regression and paired sampled t-test data analysis techniques were used in the study. Multiple linear regression result revealed that age, marital status, education level, credit amount, and number of training have significant effect on women’s economic empowerment. However, previous business experience did not have significant impact on women’s economic empowerment. Paired sampled t-test result revealed that there is significant mean difference before and after microfinance service in terms of income, asset, and saving. Microfinance has significant positive effect on women’s economic empowerment by improving women’s independent income, increasing asset possession levels, and improved monthly saving amount. Moreover, the study proved that microfinance has a positive impact on women’s entrepreneurship development and business exposure.

Older adults who prefer aging in place and corresponding challenges to social workers: the impact of smartphone-based interventions

ABSTRACT This paper reports a study on the impact of a smartphone meditation app (M-App) in building resilience and competencies among social workers with aging in place (AIP) initiatives. Compared to a control group who used the leisure app (L-App), M-App users reported greater resilience and gerontological social work competencies 6 months posttest (T2). Women social workers, Christians, who specialized in home-based care, and whose core clientele comprised older adults with acquired disability and long-term illness, reported greater resilience at T2. Women social workers and those who specialized in home-based care exhibited greater gerontological competencies at T2. Disciplined M-App usage and self-practice mediated the association between socio-demographic moderators and outcomes. Clients of women and Christian social workers, home-based care specialists and those who diligently adhered to the intervention reported higher satisfaction. The interesting finding was that this satisfaction was reported by Christian clients and those who lived with family members as compared to Hindu and Muslim clients and those who lived alone with formal caregivers. For gerontological social workers with AIP initiatives, the M-App could be used in a continuing education training with some refinements for men, non-Christian social workers and engaged in AIP programs through community and neighborhood support practice.