African Journal of Gender and Women Studies

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Review

The genesis of women in decision making: Some Hints and tips

A.S. Norman

Senior Lecturer, Tumaini University and Kampala International University in Tanzania Email: [email protected]

Accepted 05 April, 2019

Abstract

This paper is a review in nature and presents a discussion on the genesis of women in decision making. It traces the decision making of women from biological and historical point of view. The biological approach attempts to show the strength of women in deciding to conceive, taking care of pregnancy, and bearing the child or children. The historical approach attempts to reveal some decisions that were made by women through tracing religious books, and evidence of some ancient women leaders. The thrust of the paper is to indicate the unrevealed strength of women. The paper concludes that women are both biologically and historically decision makers. And that women should not be pushed to get into activities which are not of their choice such as political representation, rather politics of representation should be left to individuals who want to practice it, and that national policies should indulge into supporting women and men on productive activities such as farming, entrepreneurial and professional careers.

Key words: Decision making, historical, genesis, and biological.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 001-010, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of self help groups in economic empowerment of rural women in Andhra Pradesh

Dr. SR Padala

Faculty, Department of Management Studies, Andhra University Campus, Vizianagaram, (AP), India. E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +91 94403 23606

Accepted 05 February, 2019

Abstract

Women represent 50 percent of world population and receive 10 per cent of the world income and own even less than one per cent of the world’s property. They suffer many disadvantages as compared to men in terms of literacy rates, labour participation rates and earnings. The major strategies of women Empowerment include social empowerment, economic empowerment, political empowerment and gender justice along with demographical justice (rural and urban). For rural women economic empowerment the concept of self Help Groups (SHGs) based on group approach to rural development is indeed a boon to the rural poor women who undertake viable economic activities on their own. The SHGs are voluntary associations of people formed to attain some common goals. The present study highlights to evaluate the nature of business and its performance carried out by women through SHGs in Andhra Pradesh. A sample of 400 DWCRA members was randomly selected out of 133 Self-Help Groups from Srikakulam, East Godavari, Chittor, Kurnool Warangal and Khammam Districts of Andhra Pradesh and a schedule was designed and administered among the respondents. Poverty is the compelling force for the women under study to join in the group and to take up the income generating activity. The study revealed that the main reason for becoming a group member is to get eligibility for availing government schemes and for availing bank loan facility. The study also proved that though majority of the members are illiterates their savings performance, group loan, and bank loan repayment performance are satisfactory. By running a business activity the women members have been earning certain income thereby supplementing their family income. The role of wife in taking majority of the business decisions is much evident in the study. However the role of joint decisions of both husband and wife in business cannot be ruled out. The present study highlights experiences of the members of SHGs and the contribution of these groups in income generation and thereby enhancing women empowerment. It also highlights that it is only through SHGs rural women economic empowerment can be possible.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (5), pp. 001-009, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Integrating women and gender issues in peace development

Fapohunda Tinuke M.

Department of Industrial Relations and Public Administration, Lagos State University, Ojo, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 14 January, 2019

Abstract

The last couple of decades have witnessed great changes in the nature of conflict globally. Consequently, the scope of peacekeeping and development operations have widened considerably. The mandates now cover a vast variety of responsibilities, such as promoting human security, supporting power-sharing arrangements and elections, strengthening the rule of law, monitoring respect of human rights and promoting economic and social development. It has become clear that women, men, boys and girls experience violence before, during and after conflicts differently and have different vulnerabilities, insecurities and coping mechanisms. Furthermore, conflicts have an impact on gender roles and relations as people often have to take up roles they might not do in peace times. The mandates of democratic sustainability and peace development have become more and more complex around the globe. There is increasing recognition that a gendered approach to the development of peace is essential to adequately respond to the needs of women, men, boys and girls who have been affected differently by conflict. The integration of gender into issues of peace development has taken two approaches: mainstreaming gender into the mandates, policies and practices of peace development and increasing the number of women working in peacekeeping operations. The United Nations Department of Peace Keeping Operations (UNDPKO) reports that as of 2008, only 2% of military personnel in UN peacekeeping were female. This paper aims to enhance understanding of the challenges that stand in the way of realizing the goals of achieving a gender balance in peace development, and peacekeeping operations, looking at recruitment of women, the impact of women peacekeepers, training and capacity-building activities in peacekeeping operations.

Key words: Gender, gender mainstreaming, gender-based violence (GBV) and peace development.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (5), pp. 001-014, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Women entrepreneurship in Asian developing countries: Their development and main constraints

Tulus Tambunan

Centre for Industry and SME Studies, University of Trisakti, Indonesia. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 15 January, 2019

Abstract

With limited data and information, this paper aims to examine recent developments of women entrepreneurship in Asian developing countries. This issue is currently very important since it is part of ongoing national efforts to alleviate poverty in developing countries in relation to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Greater opportunities for women to become entrepreneurs (or to have better income paid jobs) will help much in poverty reduction. .Methodologically, this study is based on data analysis and a review of recent key literature. This paper focuses only on women entrepreneurs in small and medium enterprises. The findings of this study show three main important facts. First, SMEs are of overwhelming importance in the region, as they account, on average per country, for more than 95% of all firms in all sectors. Second, the representation of women entrepreneurs is still relatively low which can be attributed to factors such as low level of education, lack of capital, and cultural or religious constraints. Third, most of women entrepreneurs in SMEs are from the category of “forced” entrepreneurs seeking for better family incomes. This suggests that when women are better educated and have better paid employment opportunities increase for women, the participation of women as entrepreneurs in SMEs may decline.

Key words: SMEs, women entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, gender, Asian developing countries.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Gender differentials, vulnerability and mobility stress coping strategies in Nigeria

Odufuwa, B. O.

Department of Urban and Regional, College of Engineering and Environmental Technology, Faculty of Environmental Technology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 22 October, 2018

Abstract

The exploding rate of growth of vulnerable groups and transport insecurity in developing cities poses great challenges to planners and policy makers. In the light of this, the paper examined vulnerability and mobility stress coping strategies differentials among male and female in a developing city-Lagos, Nigeria. The study used primary data, which were obtained through a questionnaire survey of 356 respondents in Lagos. Indices of individual coping strategies and the weighted sum reflecting frequency and severity of respondents mobility stress coping strategies were used as a proxy for indicating the vulnerability of male and female respondents to mobility stress. Variables used include socio-economic characteristics such as number of vehicle in household, purpose of daily trip, number of trips, trip distance, travel time, income, age and travel difficulties. The result shows that female respondents were more vulnerable to mobility stress than the male. Sources of stress are basically associated with travel difficulties. There was higher prevalence of long- waiting at bus stop, prolong travel time, uncomfortable means of travel and expensive cost of travel among female respondents. This implies that female respondents had less access to and utilization of comfortable services transport and are therefore more transport -in secure than their male counterpart. The paper emphasis the need to improve the current state of transport infrastructures in the country. Female and their counterparts (male) need transport enlightenment in order for them to be able to cope with stressful mobility conditions.

Key words: Vulnerability, stress, mobility, coping strategies and transport insecurity.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (4), pp. 001-008, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of a community intervention for women victims of domestic violence in the Gaza strip

A. A. Thabet¹, A. Abu Tawahina¹, Eyad El Sarraj¹ and Panos Vostanis²*

¹Gaza Community Mental Health Program, El Rasheed Street, P. O. Box 1049, Gaza, Palestine.

²University of Leicester, Greenwood Institute of Child Health, Westcotes House, Westcotes Drive, Leicester LE2 OQU, UK.

Accepted 16 February, 2019

Abstract

A range of therapeutic interventions and services for victims of domestic violence have been reported and evaluated in recent years, mostly in western countries. There is less knowledge on the impact of such programmes in developing countries, in particular those exposed to political conflict at the same time. The aim of this study was to establish the short-term impact of a community intervention of group counseling and vocational training for women victims of domestic violence in the Gaza Strip. The sample consisted of 99 women aged 16-42 years, who had been referred to three centers of the Women Empowerment Programme. Pre- and post-intervention (six months) assessments included completion of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale, the Brief Symptom Checklist, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience scale. Following the intervention, participants significantly improved on most mental health symptoms, in particular those of emotional nature. Total domestic violence, minor psychological abuse, and incidents of sexual assaults also significantly decreased, although there was no change in resilience scores. These promising findings indicate the importance of developing integrated programmes targeting both domestic violence and associated mental health difficulties, which are tailored to different cultural needs.

Key words: Domestic violence, interpersonal violence, empowerment, coping, Gaza strip, mental health, intervention.