Women’s empowerment and food consumption:Evidence from female-headed households in Tanzania

Despite the growing recognition of women’s increasing role in the household and corresponding empowerment programs in sub-Saharan Africa,intensive research on the relationship between women’s influence and household food consumption is minimal.Using the most recent(2017-2018)national household survey data from Tanzania,this study examined the influence of women’s empowerment on household food consumption.First,we compared the monthly consumption of eight food categories between female-headed households(FHHs)and male-headed households(MHHs)using both descriptive statistics and the propensity score matching(PSM)method.Furthermore,we adopted the two-stage Linear Expenditure System and Almost Ideal Demand System model(LES-AIDS)to estimate income and price elasticities for the two household types.The results show that FHHs consume bread and cereals,fish,oils and fats,vegetables,and confectionery(sugar,jam,honey,chocolate,etc.)more than MHHs.Moreover,FHHs have a significantly higher income elasticity of demand for all food groups than MHHs.They are also more price elastic than MHHs in meat,fish,oils,fats,sugar,jam,honey,chocolate,etc.

The Three Principles of Institutional Safeguards for Women's Participation in Legislation in China

The participation of women in legislation is an important aspect and means of safeguarding women’s rights.Feminist theory,based on criticism of both the“citizenship identity theory as rights”and the“citizenship identity theory as responsibilities,”proposes the“citizenship identity theory as subjectivity.”Observing the current practice of women’s participation in legislation in China,two institutional safeguard principles can be summarized:the“minimum proportion”and the“influence evaluation.”However,each of these principles has its inherent limitations.Therefore,it is necessary to supplement them with the principle of“subjective participation”in a reflective manner.This principle requires women to participate substantively in the legislative process as subjects,express women’s needs and demands,input women’s perspectives and experiences,and reconstruct the distribution of rights and responsibilities in the existing legislation.The three principles complement each other and work together to comprehensively constitute the institutional structure of women’s participation in legislation,thereby promoting the reproduction of corresponding action structures.

A Historical Review of the Development of Women’s Higher Education in China (1908-2020): Stages, Explanations, and Trends

The development of women’s higher education in China can be divided into four stages:emergence(1908-1948);foundation(1949-1976);accelerating development(1977-2008);and the qualitative leap(2009-2020).This work considers the principal institutional mechanisms that contributed to this development.First,flexibly planned parenthood gradually promoted gender equality and openness in society facilitated by systematic“awards,grants,and loans”initiatives to support women’s higher education economically.Second,compulsory education ensured that left-out and migrant children had access to higher education.Third,effective connectivity across different education types bridged education gaps between those with different levels of education.Fourth,China made great efforts to invite and integrate international experiences that promoted the development of women’s higher education.Looking beyond these achievements,we also discuss the future trends of women’s higher education in China.

Screen-and-Treat Approach in Secondary Prevention of Cervical Cancer among HIV-Infected Women in Faith Alive Hospital, Jos Nigeria

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, the second most common cancer in Nigeria and the most common cause of cancer-related death in Africa. In 2020, World Health Organization in its updated guidelines recommended cervical cancer screening using HPV DNA, HPV mRNA tests and subsequent treatment as appropriate. However, in resource-poor settings, Visual Inspections with Acetic Acid (VIA), Lugol’s Iodine (VILI) and subsequent treatment of precancerous lesions with thermal ablation remain the practical approaches. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of precancerous cervical lesions and associated risk factors among Women Living with HIV (WLHIV). Methods: A retrospective study on sexually active WLHIV aged 16 - 55 years screened for cervical cancer using VIA and VILI within 16 months period in Faith Alive Hospital Jos. Data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS 26. Sociodemographic characteristics of the study participants and the screening results were presented in frequency tables, and logistic regression was performed to determine risk factors of pre-cancerous lesions. Results: 1113 women were screened for cervical cancer using VIA/VILI. 994 (89.3%) were negative, 101 (9.1%) were positive for precancerous lesions, and 18 (1.6%) were suspicious of cervical cancer. The mean age of clients with pre-cancerous lesions was 41.32 ± 9.89 years. A higher positivity yield (69.4%) was found in ages between 36 and ≥55 years while a less positivity yield (30.6%) was found in age’s ≤ 35 years. History of STI had 1.64 fold risk association with precancerous lesions. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a high prevalence of precancerous cervical lesions among WLHIV;bimodal age distribution for cancer-suspicious lesions and risk associated with STI. Thus, a “screen-and-treat” approach to cervical cancer prevention by VIA and thermal ablation in resource-poor settings should be undertaken until widespread HPV testing to triage clients is feasible.

Effect of Family Planning on Women's Lives in China

I.BackgroundFertilityhasdeclinedprecipitouslyinChinaoverthepastthreedecades,sotherearegenerationsofChinesewomenalivetodaywhohavebeenaffectedverydifferentlybyfamilyplanning.China'stotalfertilityrate(TFR)fellfrommorethansixchildreninthe1950stoaroundtwo...

The Rural Women Participation in Small Scale Livestock Management Decisions

In the Turkish society, family is accepted as the basic element of social structure. However, the role and importance ofwomen in the family is mostly neglected. Thirty-three percent of women state that their primary duties are child care and domestictask. Besides duties of women in the house, the participation of women to both agricultural production and activities outside thehouse is quite high. On the other hand, only 5% of women accept income generating activities as the main duty of women. Thepercentage of women who accept all above-mentioned responsibilities as women’s duty is 60%. This high ratio shows that agreat deal of women can participate indoor or outdoor activities depending on the family needs, however, their responsibilitiesstemming from being a mother or wife always have thepriority. However, in rural areas women are involved in agriculturalproduction activities as a labor, in adition to housework, care for children and the elderly. In small and medium-sized enterprises,labor-intensive work is mostly undertaken by women, and workloads are often higher than men. In this study, face-to-face surveyswith 84 women in small-scale livestock farming in villages in the central province of Diyarbakır yielded results. It has beenunderstood that women do not make decisions on domestic affairs in their own family, that they can not decide on their own behalf,they give more opinions on decisions taken, and even some families do not even report opinions on decisions. It may be possible toimprove and increase the living standards and social and economic structures of women living in rural areas by increasing theirknowledge of animal care.

Women's Lives in the Computer Age

ACCORDINGtoChinesemythology,afterNuWamoldedmenoutofclay,shedippedtwigsinwaterandwavedthem,sprinklingoutwomen.InWesterncreationism,GodtookaribfromAdamandturneditintoEve.Bothaccountsconveytheideathathumansocietyiscenteredaroundmenandthatwomenaresubordi...

Influence of cultural factors on choice of childbirth place among women in Oyigbo Local Government Area,Rivers State,Nigeria

Objectives:This study aims to ascertain if cultural factors influence the childbirth place choice of women in Oyigbo.Materials and Methods:The study used a cross‑sectional study design using a self‑structured questionnaire as the instrument to collect data from 384 volunteers through simple random sampling,and these data were analyzed using frequency and percentage for descriptive statistics while Chi‑square was used for inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance.Results:The influence of cultural factors such as family traditions(χ^(2)=12.56,P=0.006),beliefs(χ^(2)=70.66,P=0.000),lack of confidence in health facilities(χ^(2)=367.83,P=0.000),and the presence of male skilled birth attendants(χ^(2)=50.85,P=0.000)were statistically significant to the choice of childbirth place,while patriarchal system(χ^(2)=2.99,P=0.393)was not statistically significant to the choices of childbirth places of women in Oyigbo.Religion had a statistically significant influence on childbirth place(χ^(2)=125.46,P=0.000).Conclusion:This study shows that religious and cultural factors have a significant influence on the childbirth place choices of women in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Dilemma of Women’s Voices in the Post-Epidemic Era:Misconceptions of Feminism on Digital Media Platforms-The Example of Sina Weibo

Weibo,one of China’s largest digital media platforms,has become a major platform for women’s voices to fight for equality.However,misconceptions of feminism on Weibo have become obstacles to women’s voices,for which the platforms did not post women’s views prominently.From the perspective of women themselves,this paper adopted a questionnaire to study the misunderstanding of feminism and its impact on women’s expression on Weibo.

Identifying the Cultural Shifts and Societal Changes That Facilitated the Rise in Box Office Performance of Chinese Women’s Cinema in the 21st Century

With the gradual improvement of Chinese women’s status in the 21st century,gender studies and gender relations have become one of the hottest topics in Chinese society,which consequently prompted Chinese Women’s Cinema to attract the attention of larger audiences.With regard to the box office performance of Chinese Women’s Cinema,there seems to be a gap in research in finding an association between women’s status and the relevant films’box office performance.The purpose of this research is to outline the underlying reasons for the changes in gender roles and gender representation in the Chinese film industry over the past few decades in order to better understand this expansive social change in the 21st century.This study provides a comprehensive analysis through the use of questionnaires to better understand society’s attitude towards gender representation within the film industry.The questionnaire findings indicate that there is a direct correlation between people’s awareness of women’s changing status and gender equality and their acceptance of materials produced by Chinese Women’s Cinema.At the some time,it highlights that the Chinese government’s support and initiatives for gender equality have had a significant impact on the general popularity of Chinese Women’s Cinema.The significance of this research is to effectively popularize Chinese Women’s Cinema culture and the box office growth by understanding the social attitude towards gender representation in the Chinese film industry and to provide relevant information about the development direction and trend of Chinese Women’s Cinema.Furthermore,this research aims to provide foundational support for gender equality and help to understand the underlying factors that society needs to promote gender equality.

Do Chinese Women Face Subtle Discrimination in Job Hiring?

Gender discrimination has long been the problem that exists in the entire world,including China.However,as more and more people are focusing on the general gender discrimination,the group recognized an extension of such discrimination-pregnancy discrimination in job hiring(the discrimination that women who are pregnant or have the inclination to pregnancy receive in hiring).The possible subtle pregnancy discrimination may be one of the main causes that lead to the declining fertility rate in China.The group decided to conduct an experiment to determine whether women are receiving more subtle discrimination in job hiring due to their identity as mother than men with children,men without children,and women without children.Using the form of questionary and resumes,the team found that Chinese women are indeed enduring subtle discrimination in work hiring.The experiment highlights the importance to promote further equality among women.However,there are some confounding variables,like the level of patient of the HR who reads the resume,affecting the ultimate result of the study.Keywords:gender discrimination,women’s career,Chinese job market,pregnancy discrimination,fertility rate in China.

Mechanisms and Associated Factors of Nocturia in Women Attending Two Urogynecology Clinics: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Nocturia has a multifactorial etiology, and its diagnostic approach involves, in addition to medical history and physical examination, the use of a bladder diary to define the pathophysiological mechanisms present in each case. Methods: This study investigated the prevalence of nocturia, its mechanisms, and associated factors in women with lower urinary tract symptoms attending two urogynecology clinics in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Anamnesis, physical examination, and a 24-hour bladder diary were conducted. Two definitions of nocturia were considered: one or more nighttime voids and two or more nighttime voids. Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests were used, with p-value ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results: A total of 133 participants were included. The majority were aged 60 years or older (61.4%) and had three or more comorbidities (66.7%), with systemic arterial hypertension being the most prevalent (59.1%). Of the total participants, 54 (41.4%) completed the bladder diary. Among those with one or more nighttime voids (70.7%), the prevalence of nocturnal polyuria was 69.1%, reduced nocturnal bladder capacity was 17.3%, and global polyuria was 12.9%. Among participants with two or more nighttime voids (56.4%), the prevalences were respectively 68.2%, 19.1%, and 13.6%. Among the mechanisms, associations were found only with global polyuria, namely: use of insulin, body mass index and tobacco consumption. An association was also found between recurrent urinary tract infection and global polyuria in participants with two or more nighttime voids. Conclusions: The prevalence of nocturia was higher than that reported in general population studies and specialized services for lower urinary tract symptoms. Nocturnal polyuria was the most prevalent mechanism. Associations were observed between the use of insulin, body mass index, tobacco consumption, and recurrent urinary tract infection with global polyuria. No associations were found between any clinical or demographic variables and nocturnal polyuria or reduced nocturnal bladder capacity.

Analyzing the Influences on Women’s Upbringing and Their Educational Significance Using the Case of Estella,the Heroine of Great Expectations

This paper explores the influences on women’s upbringing and their educational significance by using the character Estella from Great Expectations as a case study.Through analyzing the impact of social environment,family education,and self-awakening,this article aims to promote gender equality and the construction of a feminist cognitive community.It delves into the class divisions of 19th-century England,the manipulative family education imposed on Estella by Miss Havisham,and Estella’s journey towards self-consciousness after her foster mother’s death.The study highlights the challenges faced by women in societal constraints,family expectations,and the importance of self-discovery in overcoming these limitations.

The Rise of China’s Women’s Basketball Team:An Exploration of Gender Equality in Professional Basketball

This article explores the rise of the Chinese women’s basketball team in professional basketball and its relationship to gender equality issues.In view of the gender differences in salary,market value,social status,and other aspects,the article proposes a series of strategies to promote the realization of gender equality for female basketball players in professional basketball.This article points out that the rise of the Chinese women’s basketball team will lead the process of gender equality and lay the foundation for a more equitable and inclusive future.To achieve this goal,this article highlights the importance of improving the competitive level of female athletes,improving basic education,promoting basketball culture,and promoting gender equality.

A Systematic Literature Review of the Impact of Climate Change on Menopause: Altering the Age, Severity of Symptoms and Long-Term Effects

Objective: This systematic review investigates the impact of climate change on menopause, focusing on the correlation between geographical location—considering altitude, temperature, humidity, and annual temperature range—and women’s menopausal experiences. This study aims to interpret how these environmental factors influence the age of onset, severity of symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats, and other long-term effects of menopause. Understanding these relationships addresses a significant gap in current knowledge and could guide future public health strategies. Methods: Through a comprehensive analysis of three cross-continental studies involving 1500 postmenopausal women from Spain, South American countries (Ecuador, Panama, Chile), various climates in Türkiye (Black Sea, Mediterranean, Continental), and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this review evaluates diverse environmental impacts. Studies were selected based on their methodological rigor, geographical diversity, and focus on the unique and personal experiences of menopause. Data was collected via questionnaires and routine medical checkups, analyzing demographic, lifestyle, mood, symptom severity, and onset age variables. Results: Preliminary analysis indicates that 52.5% of participants from Spanish-speaking countries and the UAE reported vasomotor symptoms, with those in higher temperatures and lower altitudes experiencing exacerbated symptoms. Notably, Mediterranean climates were associated with an earlier menopause onset. Seasonal changes had minimal impact across all regions, suggesting lifestyle and other environmental factors play a more significant role. Conclusions: The findings highlight a clear link between climate-related geographical factors and the menopausal experience. Women in warmer, lower-altitude regions suffer more severe symptoms, while those in Mediterranean climates face earlier onset. The absence of significant seasonal variations across the studies underscores the predominance of lifestyle and environmental factors over purely climatic conditions. These insights pave the way for targeted interventions and support the need for further public health research into the complex interactions between climate change and menopause.

Comparison of Sexual Function in Primiparous Women Pre-Pregnancy and Postpartum: Difference of the Sexual Function after the Normal Vaginal Delivery and the Cesarean Section

Introduction: Sexual function is undoubtedly an important dimension of adult life. Due to all the conflicting results with regard to sexual function after the normal vaginal delivery (NVD) or the Cesarean Section (CS), in the present study, we aimed to compare the sexual function in women pre-pregnancy and postpartum and also after the NVD and CS. Materials and Methods: In this cohort study, two groups of healthy women, with antenatal normal pregnancies, who underwent NVD (n = 90) and CS (n = 113), were prospectively studied. The sexual function of the participants was assessed through a Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire in two stages: once before pregnancy and then within 3 to 6 months after delivery, which lasted from June 2011 to September 2012. The data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Data were analyzed using chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, and T Test. Results: Based on the data gathered from 206 women who completed the FSFI questionnaire in two stages, the mean (±SD) self-reported timing of the resumption of sexual activity was 8.9 ± 1.3. There was no significant statistical difference found between the two groups by timing of the resumption of sexual activity in NVD and CS groups. There was also no statistically significant difference found in the overall sexual function scores between the two groups (NVD vs. CS). The average score for female sexual function in desire, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction within 3 to 6 months after delivery was significantly lower than that of their pre-pregnancy period (p < 0.004). The mean coitus in postpartum period was 1.84 ± 1.20 per week. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, there was no significant relationship between the mode of delivery and changes in sexual function. Therefore, it can be claimed that CS is not preferred to NVD with regard to preserving normal sexual functioning.

How Vaginal Infections Impact Women’s Everyday Life <br/>—Women’s Lived Experiences of Bacterial Vaginosis and Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Reoccurring symptoms and persistent problems that continue post treatment can be characteristic of the vaginal infections Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). The purpose of this study was to describe women’s life experiences in managing the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis and Candida. Sixteen women were recruited and participated in an interview study when they contacted a Swedish gynecology clinic with vaginal complaints that ranged from and included abnormal discharge, irritation itching along with serious malodor. An interpretive phenomenological approach was used with an individual interview to get a more intimate understanding of the women experiencing these problems. The finding of this study shows that managing the recurrent symptoms of the infections remains to be a challenge for women as it has a clearly negative impact on the quality of their lives. Four themes developed: frustration and mood disorders, intimacy changes in the relationship, exposure, hope and relief. The women had high hopes of eliminating the symptoms within the six-month study period. The treatment program, with its well-developed guidelines and continuity of care within the context of the study greatly improved the quality of life of these women. Women had feelings of frustration and anxiety when nothing could cure their problem while they had also a great hope to get rid of the symptoms with a long striking treatment. Well-developed guidelines and continuity of care can help these women to have an improved quality of life.

The Black Protests in Poland: An Example of an Anti-pastoral Revolution

Michel Foucault in Security, Territory, Population: Lectures at the Collège de France, 1977-1978 argues, that there has never been such a thing as an anti-pastoral revolution in Western societies. Yes, we have had revolutions against the disciplinary apparatus and legal devices of power (schools, hospitals, prisons) and we have had examples of revolutions against the economic foundations of social inequality, but there has never been a genuine revolution against pastoral power as a power relating to the conduct of individuals (but also entire social groups) and their disposition to “voluntary submission” to the will of external authorities. In my paper, I would like to reflect on this thesis, and taking it quite seriously, to look for examples of such revolutions. One of them is a women’s strike in Poland during the power of the conservative government of “Law and Justice”. Mainly referring to the texts of Silvia Federici and Paul Preciado, I will want to reflect on contemporary practices of reclaiming the body in contemporary capitalism. I will defend the thesis that regaining control over sexuality and reproduction means changing the material conditions of life and modern reproductive technologies.

For People's Right to Safety Of Lives and Health——On development of health-related human rights in China

Medical and health work constitutes the prerequisite to protection of the people's right to safety of lives and health. Over the past decades, the Chinese Government has spared no effort in this regard and, as a result, the Chinese people's health has significantly improved. In the nationwide fight against the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) epidemic in the first half of 2003, the Government placed the health of the Chinese people and the safety of their lives above everything else. With a huge input of human, financial and material resources, the country won a decisive victory over the epidemic. Following is the full text of an interview by Human Rights with Gao Qiang, executive vice-minister of the Ministry of Health, on China's medical and health work and how it is related to protection of human rights.