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.

Women on Boards of Directors

This research aims to measure the current gender representation in membership of boards of directors,and to study the factors affecting the presence of women on boards.The results of the study will support the decision makers and policy makers at all levels by providing knowledge that contributes to bridging the current gap in participation of women boards.The methodology used in this research is the descriptive analytical approach,which relies on quantitative methods in the process of collecting and analyzing data.This study represents the boards of directors in the three sectors(public,private,and non-profit)in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,The study sample contained 350 targets,where a random sample of 150 people in the public sector,100 people in the private sector,and 100 people in the non-profit sector were selected.The research result found that the majority of the responses believe that the lack of experience and training,and social factors,are the most impact areas of explaining the reasons for the existence of a gap in women’s membership in boards of directors in the three sectors.And the most important reasons for the existence of a gender gap in board membership are:there is no statutory minimum percentage for women’s representation on boards of directors,and scarcity of female competencies in general,and the lack of women occupying leadership positions.

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.

Contraceptive Use in Ghana: What about Women Empowerment?

Introduction: Although contraceptive usage appears to be increasing in Ghana, 30 and 42 percent of married and unmarried women respectively still have unmet need for family planning services partly due to their inability to exercise their basic rights on fertility issues. Meanwhile, expanding freedom of choice and actions to shape women’s life is critical to how women can be autonomous about issues surrounding their fertility. On this premise, this study aimed at investigating empowerment status and usage of contraceptives among women in the reproductive age in Ghana. Methods: The study made use of the 2014 Ghana Demographic and health survey with a sample size of 9396. The outcome variable was contraceptive use whilst the main independent variable was women empowerment (measured by ability to decide on a woman’s own healthcare, large household purchases and visiting family members). Both bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regressions were carried out generating odd ratios to explore the association at 95% confidence interval. Results: The results indicated that women who were not deciding alone on their own healthcare were less probable to use contraceptives (OR = 0.92, CI = 0.80 - 1.07) as well as those who were not deciding alone on large household purchases (OR = 0.96, CI = 0.82 - 1.11) and visiting family members (OR = 0.63, CI = 0.93 - 1.25) at the bivariate level. However, at the multivariate level, higher likelihoods of contraceptive use were found among those who were not deciding alone on health (OR = 1.26, CI = 1.18 - 1.68), large household purchases (OR = 1.30, CI = 1.08 - 1.55) and visiting family members (OR = 1.32, CI = 1.12 - 1.57). Conclusion: This has inspired the need to intensify women empowerment interventions through mass media and all possible avenues in order to enhance reproductive health.

Women Empowerment in Household Economic Development:Lessons From Poverty Reduction for Ethnic Minorities in Vietnam

This paper reviews the poverty reduction process in Vietnam and experiences of decision-making empowerment in household economic activities for ethnic minority women in their efforts to reduce poverty.The study analyses data from the Gender Equality Survey,covering 950 households in matrilineal ethnic groups(in the South of Vietnam)in 2018 and life stories of women from Hmong,Tay,Khmer,and Xo Dang ethnicities.The analysis reveals a strong engagement of ethnic minority women(both matrilineal and patriarchal groups)in household economic decisions.They have overcome various cultural barriers to take initiatives in accessing to bank credit,which has been used for developing household livelihood.Thanks to their own efforts and supports from the Women’s Union,many ethnic minority households have escaped from poverty,ended food shortage,and started commercial production.As a result,ethnic minority women have been increasingly active in both their family and community.

Women Empowerment in the Arab Region： Between the Anvil of Illiteracy and the Hammer of Passive Representative Bureaucracy

This paper emphasizes on enacting comprehensive mainstreaming institutional mechanisms to promote the role of women in socio-economic development in the Arab region. Sustainable development could never take place unless both the government and civil society are committed towards women empowerment and gender parity to achieve gender mainstreaming. However, cultural legacy, with its socioeconomic and political dimensions, is envisaged as the most challenging impediment. There are three critical areas of concern of substantive nature, which are high rates of women illiteracy, passive representative bureaucracy, as a result of underrepresentation at decision-making levels, as well as gender disparity. To investigate women empowerment challenges in the region, the study first presents the multifaceted hurdle of cultural legacy and identifies the relevant social, economic and political challenges from a multidisciplinary perspective. Thereafter, it looks at two inseparable issues facing women in the Arab region, illiteracy and underrepresentation at decision-making levels. The study, then, indicates the pressing need for policy changes to fill up the massive gender gap existing in the majority of Arab States, where not only a description of gender disparity profile of the Arab region is presented but also a comparative outlook vis-a-vis global trends is highlighted. Finally, the research identifies the indispensible roles of both the government and civil society to address key challenges in synchrony. It does not only call for placing women empowerment among the top priorities on the agenda of policy-makers in setting development plans, but also reiterates the significant role of civil society institutions in the areas of illiteracy eradication, civic education, and women fights advocacy. In this context, a framework of recommended policy actions is presented in an attempt to set effective women empowerment mechanisms to achieve gender mainstreaming and hence contribute to sustainable development.

Women’s Empowerment and Its Subversions in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall,firstly published in 1848,was the second and final novel of Anne Brontë,the youngest of the Brontësisters,telling a story of the mysterious young widow Helen Huntingdon,who flees her abusive husband and hides with her son at Wildfell Hall.Just as most contemporary critic defines it as one of the first feminist novels,the overall characterization of Helen sends a strong message of the empowerment of women.What confuses modern readers,however,is the subtle confrontation between the empowerment and its subversion.Thus,this paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the text concerning Anne's empow⁃erment of Helen and the corresponding subversion of the established empowerment before unveiling the fundamental cause of such arrangement with a view of shedding light on the comprehension of Anne Brontë's belief in universal social issues.

The Contributing Factors of Black Women's Devotion to Self-empowerment in the Later Civil Rights Movement

From the beginning the civil rights movement,black women had thrown themselves into the fighting for racial liberation.However,since the mid-1960s black women began to pay more attention to their own empowerment for many intricate and complex reasons.This paper focuses on what resulted in gradual shifting of black women to self-empowerment.

Does empowering women benefit poverty reduction?Evidence from a multi-component program in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China

Ending poverty is a top priority of the international development agenda,and governments worldwide have attached great importance to poverty alleviation measures.However,poverty reduction policies have mostly focused on men,which has widened the gap in productivity and income between men and women and increased gender inequality.This paper aims to determine the impacts of a multi-component program on women's empowerment and poverty reduction,and explore the role empowered women play in poverty reduction.The dataset used in this study was collected in nine poor counties of Ulanqab City in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China at the end of 2014,yielding a sample of 900 households.Recall questions were used to reconstruct the baseline data and build a panel dataset.Smaller groups of rural households were further identified to better target the women in the beneficiary group.To control the selection bias,propensity score matching,inverse probability weighting,and the difference-in-differences matching method were used to analyze the effect of the program and undertake robust checks.The results show that the program has positive effects on women's empowerment and poverty reduction simultaneously.Empowering women also has positive effects on poverty reduction,and the women who were the beneficiaries have contributed to increasing the incomes and living standards of households.Training,microfinance,and associations are common means or strategies to empower women to address poverty.This paper provides new empirical evidence that women can benefit from a gender-focus program through portfolio intervention such as training,cooperatives,and credit.Empowered women further improve the livelihoods of poor households and help lift them out of poverty.The results suggest that researchers and policymakers need to pay more attention to poverty issues from the perspective of gender.

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.

Nigerian Women Empowerment and the Entrepreneurial Myth

The decision usefulness of women empowerment depends on its ability to satisfy the fundamental daily needs of a woman not minding any limitation.Despite Nigeria government efforts on corruption reduction,poverty is still on the increase.This research investigates the relationship between women empowerment and entrepreneurial myth in Nigeria.By means of survey design,the primary data were obtained from sample of National Youth Service Corps(NYSC),marketers,and civil servants.Two hundred copies of questionnaire were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.The study found correlation of women empowerment and entrepreneurial myth is significant at 0.01 level and no significant difference in Nigerian perception of women in the entrepreneur due to the probability value(0.08).The research concluded entrepreneurial myth is a significant factor in women empowerment,it recommends women should be proactive in addressing the current poverty situation in Nigeria and policy-makers should consider enlightenment programmes because it has a far-reaching implication on national development.

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.