Women Encounter Research Articles

Institutional Barriers to Women Contesting for Political Positions, A Case of Iringa Municipality in Tanzania

The study was conducted to find out the barriers to women contesting for political positions. This study aimed to investigate the institutional barriers to women contesting for political positions in Iringa Municipality, Iringa region, Tanzania. The study adopted a cross sectional study design where interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and document analysis were used to collect information from the women political leaders facing the barriers to contesting for political positions, Women Ex Members of parliament and the ward councillors. The thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative information collected from the respondents. From the study findings, it is concluded that the institutional barriers that women encounter when contesting for political positions are Political parties, Political motivation, Supportive Networks, International Organizations, Governmental and Electoral Institutional policy and Religious Institutions. Therefore, the study recommended that in order to increase women political participation, political parties, supportive networks, international organisations, governmental and electoral institutional policy and the religious institutions are advised to pursue measures like taking advantage of the ongoing constitutional review process, the government should make sure that gender-equitable principles are incorporated into the new constitution in accordance with the nation's obligations under international, regional, and domestic agreements like the Beijing Platform for Action, the African Union's Agenda 2063, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, also by insisting formation of the intra party leadership quota trainings and mentoring between experienced and inexperienced women to improve leadership and decision-making, public speaking and self-assertion again is political campaigning to increase women’s political knowledge, skills and capacity without forgetting a general consideration on laws of campaigning funds that can promote or diminish women political participation.

Analysis of Difficulties That Women Encounter in Workplace

In modern China, the number of college graduates who intend to take the civil service examination and engage in enterprises is increasing rapidly. They hope to find ideal companies and receive offers during job hunting, so everyone tries as much as possible. However, the challenge is different between males and females. Some female students protest that they have been treated unfairly according to interview results compared with male students even though they have the same conditions and abilities on their resumes. Through the analysis of the phenomenon of women s unfair treatment when searching jobs , this article focuses on the causes and solutions of the problem . Data show that almost all students feel that they have received unfair treatment while finding jobs, owing to stereotypes and male-dominated society. Plus, to better protect womens legal and legitimate rights, the Chinese government has regulated laws to ensure womens own interests.

Exploring the Impact of the Two-Child Policy on Women's Employment Situation in Television Drama 'Two-Child Era'

This paper examines the impact of Chinas two-child policy on womens employment rights through the lens of the television drama Two-Child Era. While the policy has successfully addressed the problem of an ageing population, it has also intensified gender discrimination in the workplace. The drama depicts the challenges faced by Jin Cancan, a working mother who decides to have a second child in compliance with the national policy. The conflict between her family responsibilities and professional duties highlights the difficulties women encounter when seeking to return to the workplace. Using literature analysis and content analysis methods, this paper investigates the influence of the two-child policy on womens employment rights, identifies the causes of gender discrimination in the workplace, and proposes countermeasures to mitigate its negative impact. The study suggests that eliminating gender discrimination requires comprehensive approaches that address legal provisions, policy formulation, and cultural transformation. The paper also concludes that empowering women through education and training can be crucial as well in overcoming societal stereotypes and promoting gender equality.

Exploring women entrepreneurs' push–pull motives and challenges: empirical evidence in an emerging economy

PurposeResearch on women-owned businesses is more extensive in developed countries than in developing countries. This prompted the authors to investigate the factors that affect women entrepreneurs' motives to start a business and the challenges they faced in running their businesses in India.Design/methodology/approachData for the analysis were collected from 620 respondents using a structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews with 20 women entrepreneurs. The data were then analyzed using descriptive and factor analysis in the statistical software “SPSS” (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences).FindingsThe findings showed that the primary motivation for women to launch their own business was to achieve self-employment. Other motivations include increasing income and allowing women to follow their passion. Factor analysis indicates that women entrepreneurs are more motivated by push than pull factors. The research also shows that women encounter challenges in their entrepreneurial journey, such as access to financing, issues with gender equality and social and cultural obligations.Originality/valueThe study on women entrepreneurs in the Indian context is limited. This study responds to a need of better understanding of women motivations and challenges. By studying these constructs, the study shows that start-up motives and challenges faced by female entrepreneurs are unique to different contexts.

Navigating the challenges of female leadership in the information and communication technology and engineering sectors

PurposeThis paper addresses the issue of the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions within the information and communication technology (ICT) and engineering fields. The study examines the complex issue of vertical segregation and gender equality by exploring the barriers that women encounter and the potential coping strategies they adopt to advance in their careers.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a qualitative approach, conducting semi-structured interviews with 17 women at middle and upper management levels in the ICT and engineering sectors. This approach aims to better understand women's workplace experiences and gain deeper insights into the nature of the barriers they face.FindingsThe study identifies four main factors hindering women's progression toward senior management positions, namely working hours, work-family conflict, social role stereotypes and second-generation bias. The results also offer useful insights into the coping strategies adopted by women to overcome these barriers.Practical implicationsThe study highlights the persisting underrepresentation of women in senior positions, indicating a societal and organizational lag in terms of inclusion and equity. It underscores the importance of developing effective policies to address the challenges faced by employees striving to balance their work and family commitments. Training is recognized as an important tool for raising awareness about gender stereotypes among employees and reducing second-generation bias.Originality/valueThis study provides valuable lessons derived from its findings, including potential strategies that organizations can implement to help women navigate and overcome workplace barriers in the ICT and engineering fields.

Negotiating Feminine Identities in Manju Kapur's Difficult Daughters

This research delves into the exploration of women’s identities within a society dominated by men as depicted in Manju Kapur’s known novel, Difficult Daughters. Grounded in theory, the study examines how Kapur’s female characters navigate the complexities of a male dominated world while grappling with layers of identity formation. By adopting a perspective, the analysis sheds light on the challenges faced by these protagonists as they strive to transcend expectations and traditional gender roles. The narrative lens of this novel serves as a reflection of societal norms that restrict women’s aspirations and autonomy. Through examination of the text this research uncovers the dualities faced by the characters that are simultaneously constrained by ingrained gender norms and driven by their desire, for personal fulfilment. Their journey unfolds as a negotiation between conforming to expectations and pursuing their individuality. By analysing character dynamics, narrative arcs and social contexts this study showcases how the protagonists, in Kapur’s novel grapple with issues related to marriage, education and self-determination. Drawing upon theory it reveals how these characters confront challenges push against normative boundaries and strive to carve out their own space within a patriarchal society. The analysis delves into the relationships of the characters whether it be with their families, society or, within themselves. It closely examines the challenges that these women encounter as they try to balance their dreams and desires with the expectations imposed upon them by society.

Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Educational Inequalities and Perils Confronting Women in Albania

This paper sheds light on the reality of women following an educational system characterized by a pervasive tendency and the disparities they face in Albania. Despite numerous efforts towards advancement against such phenomena, women in Albania continue to find themselves facing barriers when it comes to accessing education of high quality. The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on gender disparities in education and the difficulties women encounter in Albania is a complicated and diverse topic. Although artificial intelligence (AI) has promise in mitigating certain educational gaps, its implementation and management could potentially exacerbate pre-existing inequalities. Furthermore, the effects of AI on education may overlap with particular issues that women in Albania confront, such as gender stereotypes and restricted access to education.This article will explore the multifaceted nature of these educational inequalities while taking into consideration many factors such as limited access to schools, cultural norms, gender biases in curricula, and societal expectations that create a self-perpetuating system of discriminatory practices. Furthermore, it examines the risks women encounter when pursuing education, including social stigma, harassment, and violence. By understanding the complexities of these concerns, this abstract aims to raise awareness, prompt dialogues, and advocate for changes that ensure an even-handed and safe environment for women to pursue education in Albania.

Field-specific ability beliefs as an explanation for gender differences in academics' career trajectories: Evidence from public profiles on ORCID.Org.

Academic fields exhibit substantial levels of gender segregation. Here, we investigated differences in field-specific ability beliefs (FABs) as an explanation for this phenomenon. FABs may contribute to gender segregation to the extent that they portray success as depending on "brilliance" (i.e., exceptional intellectual ability), which is a trait culturally associated with men more than women. Although prior work has documented a relation between academic fields' FABs and their gender composition, it is still unclear what the underlying dynamics are that give rise to gender imbalances across academia as a function of FABs. To provide insight into this issue, we custom-built a new data set by combining information from the author-tracking service Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) with information from a survey of U.S. academics across 30 fields. Using this expansive longitudinal data set (Ns = 86,879-364,355), we found that women were underrepresented among those who enter fields with brilliance-oriented FABs and overrepresented among those who exit these fields. We also found that FABs' association with women's transitions across academic fields was substantially stronger than their association with men's transitions. With respect to mechanisms, FABs' association with gender segregation was partially explained by the fact that women encounter more prejudice in fields with brilliance-oriented FABs. With its focus on the dynamic patterns shaping segregation and its broad scope in terms of geography, career stage, and historical time, this research makes an important contribution toward understanding the factors driving gender segregation in academia. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Do financial market frictions hurt the performance of women‐led ventures? A meta‐analytic investigation

AbstractResearch SummaryExtant research offers conflicting views about the size and nature of gender‐related disparities in venture financing and venture performance. We theorize that gender‐related frictions in debt financing, the most common source of capital for new ventures, materially impair the performance of women‐led ventures but that these frictions decline with financial development. We find strong support for these predictions in a meta‐analysis of 63 primary studies in which we use financial development to instrument for the impact of gender‐related financial frictions on venture performance; in fact, in the absence of gender‐related financial frictions, ventures led by women would modestly outperform ventures led by men. We also find that gender‐related financial frictions are greater for access to, than the terms of, debt financing.Managerial SummaryWe use meta‐analysis to offer a quantitative synthesis of the research on gender, venture finance, and venture performance. We find evidence that women encounter gender‐related frictions in obtaining debt financing for their ventures, materially impairing their ventures' performance. In fact, in the absence of these frictions, ventures led by women would modestly outperform ventures led by men. We also find that gender‐related frictions in venture finance are greater for access to, than the terms of, debt financing and that these frictions tend to be stronger in countries with less developed financial institutions and markets.

First encounter with the celluloid ceiling: female representation at a student film festival in Türkiye

ABSTRACT Gender inequality in the film industry and the barriers women encounter are referred to as the “celluloid ceiling.” To fully understand the structural and social causes of this phenomenon, comprehensive data collection and analysis are required. The current research aims to explore women’s representation in student projects to examine how women studying in film schools encounter the celluloid ceiling before graduating and entering the workforce. For this purpose, 266 short films submitted over three years to a student film competition in Türkiye were investigated. The gender distribution in leadership positions, such as producing, directing, and screenwriting, as well as technical and acting roles, were examined. The study also looked at how having a woman in a leadership position in a film affected recruiting more women for positions behind the camera. The findings revealed that women are underrepresented behind the camera compared to men, and the proportion of women working behind the camera was higher when a female director or producer was present. A female director’s or screenwriter’s presence in a film also significantly affected passing the Bechdel-Wallace Test, an indicator of on-screen representation.

Young black women's desired pregnancy and birthing support during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

ObjectiveTo document pregnancy and birthing experiences of young, Black pregnant women in one geographic area to make recommendations for improving young Black women's pregnancy and birthing experiences. MethodsParticipants were recruited through The YoungMoms Study (R01 DA04640101A1) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and included Black or biracial participants ages 16–23 (n = 25). Individual interviews were conducted from March 2022–July 2022 to assess pre-, peri-, and post-natal healthcare system encounters; experiences of structural and obstetric racism and discrimination in healthcare settings while obtaining prenatal care; attitudes around healthcare systems and medical professionals; effects of COVID-19 pandemic on participants lives and the impact of enacted healthcare policies in their perinatal experience; substance use changes during pregnancy; and coping mechanisms for stress. NVivo 13 was used to code transcripts, then major themes and subthemes were identified using thematic content analysis and based on grounded theory. ResultsTwenty-five interviews were conducted, and four themes emerged from participant experiences of racial discrimination in healthcare settings; (1) awareness of historical racism that influences perinatal care; (2) clinical providers assume participant substance use and enact reproductive coercion; (3) clinical providers question validity of Black women's birthing complaint; and (4) Young Black pregnant women know and will express what they desire in their perinatal experience if asked. ConclusionsYoung Black pregnant women encounter structural racism and intersectional bias from healthcare providers. By centering the perspectives and experiences of this overlooked population, public health researchers and clinical providers can utilize anti-racist frameworks to create more equitable, just practices in reproductive healthcare.

Early Detection of Breast Cancer using Versatile Techniques - A Study

Among all cancer types, breast cancer is the most prevalent. For females, it ranks as the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality. Every 1 person per 28 people in lifetime have a chance of developing breast cancer, according to statistics. Each year, it is estimated that over two million women encounter it. The high-risk group in India has an average age of 43–46 years, but in the west, women between the ages of 53 and 57 are more likely to get breast cancer. While there is no known cure for breast cancer, early detection and diagnosis significantly improves chances of survival. Treatment for breast cancer patients may be possible if the disease is identified and diagnosed early. Diagnosing benign from malignant tumours and determining whether a breast cancer case is early or progressed presents a number of challenges for cancer researchers. This study compares many methods for detecting breast cancer and provides a detailed analysis of each, highlighting the methods that are most accurate and economical. This study's primary goal is to comprehend the fundamental principles behind the various technologies used in breast cancer diagnosis. It is simple to save lives by spreading awareness of the latest and most varied detection and screening techniques.

Perempuan Muda dan Partai Politik : Dari Descriptive Participation menuju Substantive Representation

The low level of political participation among women in general, including young women, in Indonesia can be explained through three reasons. Firstly, women face a challenging playing field because politics is predominantly characterized by a masculine culture. Secondly, in their pursuit of political engagement, women encounter several obstacles, such as patriarchal structures, sexist and ageist views, and social class barriers. Thirdly, young women are also hindered by political nepotism, lack of party support, limited political knowledge, and financial constraints. This paper utilizes the conceptual framework of Women and Political Party by Lovenduski (1997), Squires (2007), Ann Phillips’ theory of women’s representation, as well as the works of Young, Mouffe, Childs, and Krook to examine the dynamics of young women and political parties in Indonesia from the 2019 elections to the upcoming 2024 elections. The focus is on the interconnection between descriptive participation and substantive representation. The research methodology employed involves a critical analysis of existing literature supplemented by interviews conducted with young women actively involved in five political parties qualified as participants in the 2024 elections (Golkar, NasDem, PKB, Demokrat, and PSI), including both ordinary party members and those who were elected as members of the DPR (People’s Representative Council of Indonesia) in the 2019 elections.

Economic empowerment of women through climate change mitigation

This study examines the gendered component of vulnerability to climate change in Pakistan, a highly vulnerable country. Through interviews conducted in different provinces and regions, the research explores how gender influences climate change sensitivity, impacts on women, and the effectiveness of adaptation measures. The results show significant health disparities between men and women, with women suffering more from heatwaves, cold snaps, and droughts. Livestock sectors face challenges such as water and pasture scarcity, affecting rural women's livelihoods. In agriculture, women encounter economic hardships, limited resources, and social barriers, amplifying climate change's adverse effects on their livelihoods. Food and water scarcity pose critical concerns, leading to malnutrition and health risks for women. In rural areas, energy crises force women to rely on harmful fuel sources, impacting their respiratory health, while urban settings restrict women's access to essential services. The study emphasizes the need for gender-responsive policies and women's participation in climate decision-making processes to build resilient communities. Policy implications include adaptation measures, women's inclusion, investment in rural livelihood support, disaster management, and promoting gender equality in climate governance. Raising awareness and education about climate change's gendered impacts is crucial for fostering resilience.

The (im)possibility of being a breastfeeding working mother: experiences of Ecuadorian healthcare providers

BackgroundThroughout the twentieth century, public health agencies and expert healthcare professionals have recognized breastfeeding as the most nutritious and appropriate option for feeding infants. The Ecuadorian government, in line with international guidelines, has therefore developed laws and initiatives to improve the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding, especially among working mothers. However, breastfeeding rates in Ecuador are low.MethodsA qualitative methodology following social constructionist approaches was applied to explore the breastfeeding experiences of Ecuadorian women who are both mothers and healthcare professionals. Using snowball sampling, 60 healthcare professionals who breastfed their babies: 20 nurses, 20 physicians, and 20 nutritionists, took part in research interviews lasting between 30 and 92 minutes. All participants are currently offering telehealth or face-to-face consultation to their patients in Ecuador. Since Ecuador is a multicultural country, efforts were made to include participants from different regions of the country. Data gathering employed virtual semi-structured interviews including Photovoice. The interviews were carried out in Spanish, following a semi-structured topic guide. The data analysis employed constant comparative methods.ResultsThe analysis produced three overarching themes: Integrating breastfeeding in life and work; Establishing space for breastfeeding at work; Negotiations and tensions. The first theme: Integrating breastfeeding in life and work addresses participants' corporeal and emotional experiences when breastfeeding. This theme also includes the participants' experiences of how they integrated their maternal identity and adapted their breastfeeding bodies to their daily routines. The second theme: Establishing space for breastfeeding at work includes the challenges that some women encounter when incorporating and seeking to combine breastfeeding in their professional identities. The third theme: Negotiations and tensions covers how this group of female healthcare professionals had to negotiate the time and space to continue breastfeeding their children while working.

Development of a relationship counselling website to identify and mitigate risk of intimate partner violence in the context of women's PrEP use.

Discreet, accessible interventions are urgently needed to mitigate the risk of intimate-partner violence (IPV) and other relationship barriers that women encounter to using HIV prevention methods such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We adapted a counsellor-administered intervention, CHARISMA, into a mobile-optimized website to enhance accessibility and reduce human resources required for HIV prevention and relationship counseling. Using human-centered design and participatory methods, CHARISMA was adapted through workshops with former CHARISMA in-person intervention participants (n = 14; ages 18-45) and web development 'sprints' combined with cognitive interviews (n = 24). 'CHARISMA mobile' was then beta-tested with 81 women naïve to the in-person intervention. In beta-testing, participants used a 'think aloud' process to provide feedback on ease of use and rated design, functionality, comprehension, confidentiality, safety, and usefulness on a scale of 1 to 5 via a survey. Data were conducted in four rounds, interspersed with rapid assessment according to go/no-go criteria, and website adaptations. The updated website was pilot tested for 'real-world' feasibility and acceptability among 159 women using their own smartphones at a location of their choice. Feedback was measured via surveys and website analytics. Workshops and cognitive interviews generated insights on technology use, contextual adaptations, and confidentiality, which were integrated into the beta version. The beta version met all 'go' criteria and was further adapted for pilot testing. In pilot testing, users found the website was useful (mean rating 4.54 out of 5), safe (4.5 out of 5), and had few concerns about confidentiality (1.75, representing low concern). On average, users rated the website more than 4 stars out of 5. Beta and pilot-testing suggested the smartphone-optimized website was well-accepted, relevant, engaging, feasible to administer, discreet and safe. Results contributed to a refined website, suitable for adaptations to other contexts and further evaluation where outcomes related to PrEP use and relationships should be assessed.

Language and Cultural Barriers and Facilitators of Sexual and Reproductive Health Care for Migrant Women in High-Income European Countries: An Integrative Review.

Dealing with intercultural communicative barriers in European countries' national health services is an increasing and necessary challenge to guarantee migrant women's right to health care. This integrative review describes the communication barriers and facilitators that migrant women encounter to access and use sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Europe. A literature search was performed to identify original studies in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus, using keywords associated with migrant women and SRH services. This was supplemented by scanning the reference lists from relevant studies and similar reviews. Studies exploring the perspective of migrant women about communication barriers and facilitators to the access and use of SRH services were included, whereas those that solely explored health professional's experiences were excluded. Findings were organized into 4 themes: (1) verbal-linguistic barriers, (2) nonverbal language barriers, (3) cultural barriers, and (4) communication facilitators. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Results showed that when women had problems understanding or being understood by health professionals, they experienced feelings of anxiety, fear, insecurity, and discrimination that discouraged them from using SRH services. The most requested facilitators by women were health education, access to professional interpreters and translation of written information, and increasing the practitioners' cultural competence. Communication barriers undermine migrant women's right to benefit from preventive SRH programs and to make informed decisions concerning their health. It is necessary to establish tailored plans in each health care center to improve intercultural communication that integrate facilitators proposed by women. Future research should provide solid evidence on the effectiveness of each facilitator implemented.

Poor Sanitation Among Women: A Comprehensive Research to Address Women’s Inadequate Sanitation in a Sustainable Manner

Environmental, social, and health problems are frequent in the absence of sufficient sanitation infrastructure and become worse as it stagnates. Poor sanitation has a disproportionately negative impact on vulnerable people, particularly women. There is a health and social divide between men and women as a result of attitudes and ideas about gender and menstruation. When managing menstruation and exercising good hygiene, women face additional challenges. This article examines the social repercussions of the condition of sanitation and tales of women's experiences managing menstrual cycles in both rural and urban areas of India. On a personal level, young women don't understand menstruation. Young women encounter constraints on mobility and other activities during menstruation, as well as stigma surrounding menstruation and a lack of opportunities to discuss it. Young women in low- and middle-income nations typically face psychological, social, and health issues related to menstruation. It might be particularly challenging in nations where menstruation is stigmatized, like India. Nevertheless, even if education is crucial, knowledge on its own is probably insufficient. Interventions must also target societal practices that propagate stigma, shame, and silence surrounding menstruation that might cause internalized stigma about menses in young people. Overall, developing multilayered, culturally relevant interventions that prioritize wellbeing and comfort in addition to more conventional health, educational, and employment outcomes is necessary to support challenge free menstruation.

An examination of the economic and educational reality of the Zenú indigenous woman: reflections from the El Campo Mirella Minor Council

Indigenous women face a relentless struggle for gender equality, the recognition of their rights, and the attainment of a dignified place in society. This quantitative study aimed to describe the social reality of the indigenous women from the Campo Mirella Minor Council, part of the San Andrés de Sotavento indigenous reserve in Córdoba and Sucre, with a focus on economic and educational aspects. Moreover, it underscores the challenges and barriers these women encounter in these fields. According to the obtained results, it became evident that indigenous women play a pivotal role within their communities. They not only take care of their families and territories, but also preserve cultural legacies and ancestral traditions. However, due to the lack of opportunities and a historical context of discrimination, these women face ethnic inequalities in both work and education. These constraints hinder their personal, familial, and territorial growth, perpetuating existing disparities when compared to other social groups. The fight for gender equality within indigenous communities involves confronting barriers not only from their own environment, but also those stemming from a predominantly patriarchal and unequal society.

Socio-Psychological Challenges of Women Having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS can have a substantial socio-psychological influence on women's lives, along with its clinical symptoms.This qualitative phenomenological investigation observed the emotions, body image, societal stigma, interactions, and coping techniques of women with PCOS. In-depth interviews with a varied group of women highlighted several major themes, including the difficult emotional journey, challenges with a perception of oneself and body image, loneliness or ostracism, and the value of support and connection networks. The study's findings have crucial consequences for healthcare practitioners, politicians, and people with PCOS. Understanding the particular issues that these women encounter allows healthcare practitioners to deliver more comprehensive and compassionate treatment. Policymakers may also create legislation to benefit women experiencing PCOS and decrease the prejudice associated with the disorder.Lastly, women with PCOS may utilize the study's findings in order to comprehend their own circumstances and develop solutions to manage the difficulties they confront.