Malaria remains a major public health and development challenge in northern Ghana, disproportionately affecting women and children and undermining household livelihoods. In response, the AngloGold Ashanti Malaria Control Project (AGAMal) has implemented Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) and complementary vector-control and community-engagement interventions in selected districts, including Nadowli-Kaleo in the Upper West Region. This expanded research proposal outlines a comprehensive mixed-methods study designed to (i) assess the contextual and programmatic causes that necessitated AGAMal’s implementation in the district and (ii) evaluate the project’s health, economic, and social impacts on the livelihoods of women and children. The literature demonstrates that malaria significantly affects health, livelihoods, and human development, particularly among women and children. While numerous studies highlight the effectiveness of malaria control interventions, fewer explicitly link these interventions to household livelihood outcomes, especially within the context of private-sector-led initiatives. This study addresses this gap by providing a localised, gender- and child-sensitive assessment of the AngloGold Ashanti Malaria Control Project in the Nadowli Kaleo District, integrating public health and sustainable livelihoods perspectives. The study integrates epidemiological trends, household livelihood analysis, gender perspectives, and policy review. Qualitative interviews, focus group discussions, and secondary data analysis will complement quantitative household surveys. Findings are expected to inform malaria control policy, strengthen public–private partnerships, and enhance livelihood-sensitive health programming in malaria-endemic settings.

The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove delta, sustains millions whose livelihoods depend on its fragile ecosystem. Women form the backbone of household and community economies, yet their roles often remain undervalued and unrecognized. This study examines the socio-economic conditions, livelihood patterns, and adaptive strategies of women in the Indian Sundarbans. Based on field surveys conducted across selected blocks of South 24 Parganas, supported by secondary sources, the research explores women’s participation in agriculture, aquaculture, forest-based occupations, and cottage industries. The findings highlight significant vulnerabilities arising from climate-induced hazards, ecological degradation, gendered inequalities, and inadequate institutional support. At the same time, women demonstrate remarkable resilience through diversified livelihoods, self-help groups, traditional ecological knowledge, and collective adaptation. The study argues that enhancing women’s access to education, healthcare, financial resources, and decision-making spaces is crucial for advancing gender equity and ecological sustainability in the Sundarbans.

Background: The discourse of climate finance has become a cornerstone in the pantheon of global climate governance, typified by contestations on issues of credibility, equity, and effectiveness. Objective: This paper explores the politics of climate finance in Ghana through the interrelated issues of access, equity, and socioeconomic consequences. Method: Within the framework of climate justice, the analysis draws on qualitative data gathered through semi-structured interviews with policymakers, representatives of civil society, international organizations, and youth advocacy groups and supported by secondary data. Results: The findings show Ghana to be grappling with the mobilization of funds from several mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund, Climate Investment Funds, and Article 6 carbon markets, yet there are many administrative bottlenecks, with weak institutional capacity undermining access in a meaningful way. The equity issues also exist with climate finance flows concentrating in the south and urban areas, leaving women, youth, and northern communities dominated and marginalized in governance and benefit-sharing. Socio-economic outcomes weave another set of narratives, for on one side projects like the Shea Landscape Emission Reductions Project have improved women's livelihoods and created green jobs, whereas on the other, trade-offs come along with restrictions to charcoal-dependent livelihoods and costly industrial compliance that actually present new risks. Conclusion: The study argues that climate finance in Ghana reflects both the opportunities for and the tensions of doing an actual green transition delivering co-benefits in renewable energy and resilience yet reinforcing inequalities when badly timed. Policy recommendations are made for strengthening institutional capacity, targeting vulnerable regions and groups, and embedding gender and youth quotas in governance, while livelihood safeguards need to be integrated into project design. By situating Ghana's experience into the broader climate justice discourse, the paper adds to debates on how climate finance can promote not just environmental outcomes but also equity and sustainable development in the Global South.

BackgroundIn Tanzania, only 34% of pregnant women come for antenatal care (ANC) in first trimester hence miss an opportunity to be checked and get health advice from the health care workers. However, there is scanty of studies which used national representative data to determine the socio-demographic correlates of problem among pregnant women in Tanzania. Therefore, this study aimed at filling the gap.MethodsThis study analysed secondary data involving a weighted sample size of 4,243 pregnant women aged 15–49 years from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS). The analysis adapted a two-level multilevel weighted modified Poisson regression model using Stata 18 software. The dependent variable, “ANC in the first trimester of pregnancy” defined as the binary outcome variable. The independent variables included maternal factors and household factors.ResultsThe two-level multilevel modified Poisson regression indicated that one year increase in age of a mother at first birth results to 2% increase in prevalence of attending ANC in the first trimester (p-value = 0.019). Those in the richest wealth status had 31% higher prevalence of attending ANC in the first trimester compared to counterparts in poorest wealth status (p-value = 0.011). Those with first pregnancy had 23% higher prevalence of attending ANC in the first trimester compared to those with 24–48 months preceding birth interval (p-value = 0.005). Those with more than 48 months preceding birth interval had 28% higher prevalence of attending ANC in the first trimester compared to counterparts who had 24–48 months preceding birth interval (p-value <0.001). Those living in a household with more than 6 members had 32% less prevalence of attending ANC in the first trimester compared to those living in household with 1–4 members (p-value <0.001). Study participants who reported large walking distance to health facility in their residing communities indicated 24% less prevalence of attending ANC in the first trimester (p-value = 0.007).ConclusionANC attendance in the first trimester of pregnancy was significantly associated with wealth index, household size, preceding birth interval, age at first birth and distance to health facility. Programs aiming at increasing early ANC booking should prioritize activities that improve women's livelihoods, particularly those targeting lower socioeconomic and educational groups.

The Impact of Microfinance on the Livelihood of Women in Ghana

ABSTRACT This article examines the triple migration of young female live streamers performing street entertainment in Shenzhen, China. These second-generation rural-to-urban migrants navigate three intersecting trajectories: spatial mobility to urban centres, digital migration onto live-streaming platforms as precarious workplaces, and embodied negotiation of liminality where their bodily experiences blur online-offline boundaries. Drawing on multisensory ethnographic fieldwork, this study explores how sensory experiences, platform governance and systemic inequalities shape these women's precarious livelihoods. Beneath their public performances lie burnout, stigma and hidden injuries of inequality. By situating these women's experiences at the intersection of class, gender, rural-urban migration and platform capitalism, this research uncovers the intimate cost of precarious digital labour. It also highlights their resilience and creativity in navigating structural barriers. This study contributes to empirical and theoretical discussions on gendered labour, digital precarity and affective politics of precarity in contemporary urban China.

This research investigates the socioeconomic consequences of ongoing insecurity on women's livelihoods in Borno State, Nigeria—one of the regions hit hardest by the Boko Haram insurgency. Utilising a mixed-methods approach that integrates survey data, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs), this article provides a comprehensive examination of how violent conflict has hindered economic activities, destroyed assets, and exacerbated gender disparities. The results indicate that more than 70% of female respondents faced loss of primary income sources, 62.2% experienced loss of farmland, and 49.8% lost livestock. Furthermore, access to vocational training, credit, land, and institutional assistance remains notably restricted. Many women have turned to precarious survival strategies, such as engaging in survival sex and petty trading under exploitative circumstances. The study concludes that achieving sustainable peace and recovery must involve gender-sensitive livelihood interventions, institutional reforms, and community-driven economic empowerment programs focused on displaced and conflict-affected women.

Adapting to climate change: Women's livelihood strategies in uMkhanyakude District Municipality

Sakti Cafe in Odisha, India, stands as a beacon of empowerment for women, addressing socio-economic barriers through vocational training, employment, and entrepreneurship. This study evaluates its impact on women's financial independence, livelihood advancement, and socio-cultural dynamics. Through a mixed-methods approach, socio-economic barriers faced by women are assessed, Sakti Cafe's role is examined, and broader implications are explored. The study identifies actionable recommendations for policymakers, NGOs, and stakeholders to enhance women's empowerment and promote inclusive development. Suggestions include diversifying vocational training, customized financial inclusion, establishing satellite cafes, gender sensitization, strengthening partnerships, mentorship programs, technology integration, advocacy for policy reforms, regular monitoring, and knowledge sharing. By implementing these suggestions, Sakti Cafe can further empower women and contribute to sustainable development in Odisha and similar contexts.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the livelihoods of working men and women worldwide. The pandemic exacerbated already existing inequities, especially in sectors where women predominate, such as the healthcare, education, and hospitality sectors. Women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, a world outlier for low female labor force participation despite high female education levels, may have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on women's livelihoods and health is critical to support and retain women in the labor force during external health shocks. However, until now there has been relatively little research on this topic in MENA. Therefore, this scoping review aims to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and wellbeing of women workers in low-and-middle-income countries in the MENA region. The outcome of interest is COVID-19 related occupational health (COVID-19 infection related to workplace exposures and pandemic-related occupational stressors) and the impact on mental and physical health among women workers in LMIC in MENA. Academic databases, including APA PsycINFO, Arab World Research Source: Al-Masdar, Global Health, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection will be searched. The study selection process will involve two independent reviewers and data extraction will involve summarizing key information from the included studies using a predefined charting table. The evidence will be analyzed descriptively, providing a comprehensive overview of the identified themes and patterns. It is anticipated that this review will facilitate a deeper understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on working women in the MENA region. The findings may inform data-driven policies and targeted interventions that not only attract and retain women in the workforce but also enhance their health and well-being.

Financial inclusion can boost wealth, health, and quality of life. However, few studies have examined how women's participation in community-based financial inclusion opportunities, such as village saving and loan groups (VSLGs), relates to household food security. Using program data from central Mozambique, this study examined whether low-income women's participation in VSLGs directly increases household food availability, as well as indirectly through increased asset ownership. Employing a post-test-only comparison group quasi-experimental design, the study sampled 205 female VSLG participants and non-participants from three sub-villages in Mozambique's Sofala province. Structural equation modeling (SEM) results indicated that low-income women's participation in VSLGs is directly associated with a reduction in household hunger score (β = -0.21, p < 0.01), as well as indirectly associated through the mediating role of household assets ([Sobel indirect effect] = -0.06, p = 0.05). The VSLG participants showed a significant increase in household asset ownership compared to non-VSLG participants (β = 0.15, p < 0.05). Further, increased asset ownership significantly correlated with a lower probability of household hunger (β = -0.30, p < 0.01). The results suggest that community-based financial inclusion approaches could improve the availability of food through asset building among Mozambique's low-income women. The study offers a potential strategy for policymakers and development experts to utilize community approaches to financial inclusion to improve rural and low-income women's livelihoods.

The effects of women's livelihood strategy choices on rural household cooking energy consumption: Taking Hubei Province as an example

Impact of rural tourism development on women's livelihood capital in ethnic minority regions from perspective of subjective and objective comparison: A case study of Bapo Village, Jinghong City, Yunnan Province

Determinant factors of rural Women's livelihood diversification in Meket Woreda, Ethiopia

Climate change poses significant threats to rural women's livelihoods in Niger State's Wushishi Local Government Area, where rice processing is a vital economic activity. This study examined the percentage of rural females involved in rice processing in the area, with a focus on their socioeconomic characteristics, participation levels, and challenges faced. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 125 processors from five processing towns in the Wushishi local government area. The data was analyzed using Net Farm Income and descriptive statistics. The results indicate that 67.2% of the processors were between the ages of 30 and 50. However, climate change affects their participation in rice production, as they face increased labor burdens, reduced access to resources, and limited decision-making power. The study found that 78.4%, 64.0%, and 56.0% of participants declined to take part in the rice harvesting, threshing, and winnowing processes, respectively. In contrast, 66.4%, 96.0%, 93.6%, and 87.2% of the processors engaged in grinding, drying, parboiling, and storage. Each respondent's net farm income was ₦24,697.37, indicating the profit from rice processing in the Wushishi area. The primary obstacles faced by the participants included insufficient credit facilities, insufficient money, substandard storage facilities, unreliable transit routes, unstable electrical supplies, and lack of technical processing expertise, all of which are exacerbated by climate change. Policy considerations should prioritize making incentives available for upgrading processing technologies that will increase the rice processing process and provide better products with high market value and gain, thereby enhancing the resilience of rural women in the face of climate change. Additionally, respondents should establish cooperatives to strengthen their position in rice processing and advocate for improved access to credits, farm inputs, and climate-resilient agricultural practices.

This research examines the themes of women's digital literacy within the evolving digital economy. Digital literacy includes the ability to operate technological devices, critical understanding on information, and the use digital media safely and effectively. The literacy is one of the crucial keys to succeed in the competitive market, particularly for online women workers. This literature study employs descriptive analysis from a feminist political economy perspective that analyzes how power relations, social structures, and the economy shape gender inequality in the context of work and technology. This analysis explores the technology gap among women online workers, focusing on challenges, opportunities, and skills gaps. The findings indicate that in the era of the digital economy, technological proficiency is one of the keys to enhance women's livelihood. Nevertheless, women tend to possess lower technological skills than men. Several factors contribute to this gap, including socio-cultural structures, gender-biased technology, and limited access to education. It is essential to implement appropriate policies and initiatives to improve women's digital literacy, so, we can empower women to compete in the digital economy.

This study sought to assess the socio-economic impacts of cyclone Idai on the livelihoods of women in Chimanimani. The overall study aim was to examine effects of climate change induced disasters on women’s lives, exploring their experiences and coping strategies that they have employed in dealing with the aftermath of disasters. There was also examination on how governmental and non- governmental organizations help people in the aftermath of disasters. The research was qualitative in nature and in-depth interviews were carried out to elicit information from the participants and also made use of key informant interviews. The study employed the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework to help explore the adaptation strategies employed by women in the event of cyclones. The study established that cyclone Idai led to the problem of increasing vulnerability for women. Women are subject to gender-based violence, dependency and hunger. Findings show how women became homeless, jobless while food insecurity and health security, even individual safety loomed in their midst. Strategies employed included gardening, sewing, piece jobs while some sell and consume alcohol and others have resorted to former businesses. They have been receiving food aid and housing assistance from governmental and non- governmental organizations. The recommendations of the study are that the government and other responsible stakeholders should seriously consider devolution and proper planning before the advent of disasters. Moreover, they should consider the weather forecasts seriously to avert causalities.

ObjectiveThis article aims to examine the influence of individual and community-contextual factors on the well-being of older women in Zambia during the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing on Bronfenbrenner's process-person-context-time model.MethodsSecondary data from the nationally representative 2021 SEIA were used, and bivariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with the well-being of older women during the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsOverall, 29% (613) of older women reported a decline in their well-being due to COVID-19. Older women in rural areas had lower odds of well-being [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 0.607, 95% 0455,0.809]. At the individual level, the well-being of older women during COVID-19 was associated with age (AOR O.362, 95% CI: 0.190,0.689) and being in paid work (AOR 0.737, 95% CI: 0.552,0.984). Despite education having a strong relationship with well-being, it had a weak effect on the well-being of older women during COVID-19. Community-level factors significantly associated with the well-being of older women amidst COVID-19 included attendance at public gatherings (e.g., church meetings, funerals) (AOR 1.465, 95% CI: 1.139,1.885) and perceived fear or anxiety due to COVID-19 (AOR 0.522, 95% CI: 0.392,0.696). A significant contextual-level factor was access to transport services during the pandemic (AOR 0.589, 95% CI: 0.390,0.890).ConclusionCOVID-19 has exposed the inadequacy of systems at different levels in meeting the needs of older women and promoting their well-being during emergencies. At the individual level, there is a need to support older women's livelihoods and educational opportunities. Despite limitations on social interactions during COVID-19, access to social gatherings and interactions supported older women's well-being. However, this was hampered by fear of contracting COVID-19 and the limitations in public transport that compromised their mobility to access services and visit people. A more extensive analysis of individual, community, and contextual factors should identify factors that support or compromise the well-being of older women during emergencies or shocks. There is a need for information about what livelihood strategies during and/or post shocks, or critical events such as COVID-19 could sustainably support older women's well-being.

In South Asia, particularly India, women face significant challenges stemming from gender discrimination, poverty, and caste-based inequalities. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have emerged as a pivotal approach to women's empowerment, promoting both economic independence and social awareness. This review paper explores the role of sericulture, specifically the crafting of handicrafts from silk cocoons, as a means of enhancing women's livelihoods in rural areas. By utilizing cut and pierced cocoons, artisans can create a diverse array of decorative and functional products, contributing to both personal income and community development. This innovative use of by- products in handicrafts not only fosters creativity but also promotes self-employment, allowing marginalized women to gain economic agency. Moreover, engaging in cocoon crafting serves as a therapeutic activity, improving mental well-being and providing a sense of purpose. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating bio-crafts into the broader sericulture industry. This integration not only enhances sustainability by making use of waste materials but also provides a reliable income stream for women and their families. The potential for value addition through skilled craftsmanship transforms what would otherwise be discarded into valuable products, contributing to the local economy. Ultimately, these initiatives improve women's economic status and contribute to their social empowerment, offering a multifaceted solution to entrenched gender inequalities in South Asia. By equipping women with skills and resources, fostering community support, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices, the crafting of silk cocoon handicrafts exemplifies a holistic approach to addressing the challenges faced by women in rural areas. Through this innovative model, women can achieve greater independence, enhance their social standing, and participate actively in their communities, paving the way for a more equitable and empowered society.

Motivating Community Health Workers (CHWs)-many of whom are volunteers-is crucial for achieving Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) for Primary Healthcare (PHC) in resource-poor areas. In rural Nepal, PHC is mostly delivered by female CHWs, locally known as Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs), but little is known about them. This paper explores experiential factors influencing FCHVs' motivations, including how motivation intersects with women's livelihoods and consider what this means for achieving PHC in Nepal and globally. We conducted qualitative research in the hill and the Terai (flatland bordering India) areas of Nepal. Data were purposively collected through 31 semi-structured interviews (20 volunteers, 11 paid local health workers) and three focus group discussions with additional 15 volunteers. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim in Nepali and translated into English. Data were coded using NVivo10, analysed thematically at individual, organisational and community levels. FCHVs' motivations to volunteer was affected in several ways. At the individual level, participants wanted and were committed to voluntary work, yet the opportunity costs of volunteering, out-of-pocket expenditure and inadequate family support strained many of the women who were already overburdened. At the community level, perceived lack of appreciation of volunteer efforts by community members, who saw volunteers as paid health workers, undermined FCHVs motivation to volunteer. Finally, at the organizational level, a bureaucratic emphasis on recording and reporting, and lack of respect from local health workers undermined their motivation at work. Our paper illustrates how FCHVs from some of the poorest backgrounds can be highly motivated to volunteer, yet inadequate social and economic support across individual, organisational and community levels undermined this motivation, the security of their livelihoods, and thus wider efforts to achieve PHC. Financial investments are needed to compensate FCHVs, so that they remain motivated to deliver global health goals for PHC.