Glocalizing Women’s Empowerment: Feminist Contestation and NGO Activism in Iran

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 715-744
Author(s):  
Fae Chubin
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Gender Justice ◽  
Sexual Autonomy ◽  
Liberal Conception ◽  
Marginalized Women ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
Depth Interviews

Through an ethnographic study of a women’s empowerment program in Tehran, and in-depth interviews with its workers, I examine the hegemony of liberal feminist conceptions of empowerment among secular and cosmopolitan middle-class activists and NGO directors. This study demonstrates that activists’ liberal conception of agency inadvertently erased the agency of the marginalized clients and their rights-based advocacy did not equip the subaltern women with a framework of gender justice that would find currency in their communities. While NGO staff and administrators contested the practicality of advocacy for sexual autonomy among marginalized women, the subaltern clients rejected the culturally reductionist accounts of their oppression by prioritizing economic justice. Rather than positing liberal and secular feminist discourses as over-determining, this study reveals that local actors continuously debate and contest globally circulating “women’s rights packages” in accordance with local norms, their standpoint, and lived experiences.

scholarly journals Women’s empowerment for abortion and family planning decision making among marginalized women in Nepal: a mixed method study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heera KC ◽  
Mangala Shrestha ◽  
Nirmala Pokharel ◽  
Surya Raj Niraula ◽  
Prajjwal Pyakurel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Family Planning ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
Marginalized Communities ◽  
Modern Contraceptives ◽  
Marginalized Women ◽  
Planning Decision

Abstract Background Women’s empowerment is multidimensional. Women’s education, employment, income, reproductive healthcare decision making, household level decision making and social status are vital for women’s empowerment. Nepal is committed to achieving women empowerment and gender equality, which directly affects the reproductive health issues. This can be achieved by addressing the issues of the poor and marginalized communities. In this context, we aimed to find the association of women’s empowerment with abortion and family planning decision making among marginalized women in Nepal. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted at selected municipalities of Morang district of Nepal from February 2017 to March 2018. A mixed method approach was used, where 316 married marginalized women of reproductive age (15–49 years) and 15 key informant interviews from representative healthcare providers and local leaders were taken. From key informants, data were analysed using the thematic framework method. Findings obtained from two separate analyses were drawn together and meta inferences were made. Results Women’s empowerment was above average, at 50.6%. Current use of modern contraceptives were more among below average empowerment groups (p 0.041, OR 0.593 C.I. 0.36–0.98). We could not find any statistically significant differences among levels of women’s empowerment, including those women with abortion knowledge (p 0.549); family planning knowledge (p 0.495) and women’s decision for future use of modern contraceptives (p 0.977). Most key informants reported that unsafe abortion was practiced. Conclusions Women’s empowerment has no direct role for family planning and abortion decision making at marginalized communities of Morang district of Nepal. However, different governmental and non-governmental organizations influence woman for seeking health care services and family planning in rural community of Nepal irrespective of empowerment status.

scholarly journals Women's empowerment for abortion and family planning decision making among marginalized women in Nepal: a mixed method study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heera KC ◽  
Mangala Shrestha ◽  
Nirmala Pokharel ◽  
Surya Raj Niraula ◽  
Prajjwal Pyakurel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Family Planning ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
Marginalized Communities ◽  
Modern Contraceptives ◽  
Marginalized Women ◽  
Planning Decision

Abstract Background: Women’s empowerment is multidimensional. Women’s education, employment, income, reproductive healthcare decision making, household level decision making and social status are vital for women’s empowerment. Nepal is committed to achieving women empowerment and gender equality, which directly affects the reproductive health issues. This can only be achieved by addressing the issues of the poor and marginalized communities. In this context, we aimed to find the association of women’s empowerment with abortion and family planning decision making among marginalized women in Nepal. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at selected municipalities of Morang district of Nepal from February 2017 to March 2018. A mixed method approach was used, where 316 married marginalized women of reproductive age (15-49 years) and 15 key informant interviews from representative healthcare providers and local leaders were taken. From key informants, data were analysed using the thematic framework method. Findings obtained from two separate analyses were drawn together and meta inferences were made. Results: Women’s empowerment was above average, at 50.6%. Current use of modern contraceptives were more among below average empowerment groups (p 0.041, OR 0.593 C.I. 0.36-0.98). We could not find any statistically significant differences among levels of women’s empowerment, including those women with abortion knowledge (p 0.549); family planning knowledge (p 0.495) and women’s decision for future use of modern contraceptives (p 0.977). Most key informants reported that unsafe abortion was practiced. Conclusions: Women’s empowerment has no direct role for family planning and abortion decision making at marginalized communities of Morang district of Nepal. However, different governmental and non-governmental organizations influence woman for seeking health care services and family planning in rural community of Nepal irrespective of empowerment status.

scholarly journals Advancing Breast Cancer Advocacy in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Findings From Women’s Empowerment Cancer Advocacy Network (WE CAN) Summits

2021 ◽  
pp. 585-592
Author(s):  
Nicoleta Antone ◽  
Darya Kizub ◽  
Julie Gralow ◽  
Jo Anne Zujewski ◽  
Allison Dvaladze
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Patient Support ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Advocacy Network ◽  
Depth Interviews

PURPOSE Breast cancer civil society organizations have emerged in Eastern Europe and Central Asia to raise awareness about cancer as a survivable disease and provide patient support. We explored the experiences and priorities of these organizations with the goal of making recommendations to advance cancer advocacy and improve cancer care. METHODS We conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with representatives of civil society organizations attending the 7th Women’s Empowerment Cancer Advocacy Network Summit in Romania in 2015. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed for key themes. Findings were discussed at the 8th Women’s Empowerment Cancer Advocacy Network Summit in Ukraine in 2017 to ensure accuracy. RESULTS We conducted nine in-depth interviews and three focus group discussions with a total of 36 participants. Survivor- and oncologist-led organizations played an important role in filling existing gaps in public health care systems through awareness raising, patient support, and advocacy to improve early detection and access to treatment. Barriers to these efforts included persistent stigma, mistrust of patients toward the public health care system, limited access to evidence-based guidelines, difficulty adapting existing best practices to their setting, and insufficient involvement of policymakers. Key facilitators of advocacy efforts included effective local and international partnerships with physicians, like-minded organizations, and policymakers to facilitate access to educational resources, improve breast cancer early detection and care, and catalyze meaningful policy change. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the value of providing opportunities for advocates to connect and share experiences. To advance cancer advocacy and improve cancer care, the following needs were identified: dissemination of resource-adapted information for improving outcomes; needs assessments; improved program-monitoring practices; and fostering and promotion of collaboration between advocates, medical professionals, and local governments.

scholarly journals Economic Aspects of Women's Empowerment Program in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 7-14
Author(s):  
Nuraisyah Ambo
Keyword(s):  
Child Protection ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Standard Operating Procedure ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Executive Engagement ◽  
Central Sulawesi ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Empowerment Program

The goal of this research is to see how successful the Women's Empowerment Program is at improving the economy in Poso Regency. With the aim of answering research questions, such as how to motivate women in improving the economy in Poso district, the research approach used qualitative research and data processing with descriptive analysis methods. Data was gathered through library analysis and recording, observation, and in-depth interviews with a variety of informants, including Poso, Observers of Women, Women's Organizations, and three Home Industry Entrepreneurs from the Office of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (DP3A) district. According to the findings of this report, the Women's Empowerment Program at DP3A Poso Regency is not succeeding. Since the program being introduced is not on track, implementation times are often late, there is a lack of executive engagement, there is no bureaucratic structure or standard operating procedure, and there are insufficient human resources. There is also a lack of communication both internally (inter-coordination) and externally (external coordination).

scholarly journals Women's empowerment for abortion and family planning decision making among marginalized women in Nepal: a mixed method study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heera KC ◽  
Mangala Shrestha ◽  
Nirmala Pokharel ◽  
Surya Raj Niraula ◽  
Prajjwal Pyakurel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Family Planning ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
Marginalized Communities ◽  
Modern Contraceptives ◽  
Marginalized Women ◽  
Planning Decision

Abstract Background: Women’s empowerment is multidimensional. Women’s education, employment, income, reproductive healthcare decision making, household level decision making and social status are vital for women’s empowerment. Nepal is committed to achieving women’s empowerment and gender equality, which directly affects the reproductive health issues. This can be achieved by addressing the issues of the poor and marginalized communities. In this context, we aimed to find the association of women’s empowerment with abortion and family planning decision making among marginalized women in Nepal. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at selected municipalities of Morang district of Nepal from February 2017 to March 2018. A mixed method approach was used, where 316 married marginalized women of reproductive age (15-49 years) and 15 key informant interviews from representative healthcare providers and local leaders were taken. From key informants, data were analysed using the thematic framework method. Findings obtained from two separate analyses were drawn together and meta inferences were made. Results: Women’s empowerment was above average, at 50.6%. Current use of modern contraceptives were more among below average empowerment groups (p 0.041, OR 0.593 C.I. 0.36-0.98). We could not find any statistically significant differences among levels of women’s empowerment, including those women with abortion knowledge (p 0.549); family planning knowledge (p 0.495) and women’s decision for future use of modern contraceptives (p 0.977). Most key informants reported that unsafe abortion was practiced. Conclusions: Women’s empowerment has no direct role for family planning and abortion decision making at marginalized communities of Morang district of Nepal. However, different governmental and non-governmental organizations influence woman for seeking health care services and family planning in rural communities of Nepal irrespective of empowerment status.

Accessing Romani Women Study Participants: Collaborating with Their Gatekeepers and Other NGO Entrepreneurs

2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 46-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nila Hofman
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Ethnographic Approach ◽  
Women's Lives ◽  
Study Participants

I recently spent twenty-two weeks in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, for the purpose of establishing a Romani women's empowerment program2. My objectives were to help invigorate Croatian Romani women's lives, and to bring their lived experiences into public view. Given the demanding nature of my research agenda and preferred ethnographic approach, I had relatively little time to achieve those objectives.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Through Microfinance - A Case of Rural Bangladesh

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Saida Parvin
Keyword(s):  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Case Study Method ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Donor Agencies ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Impact

Women’s empowerment has been at the centre of research focus for many decades. Extant literature examined the process, outcome and various challenges. Some claimed substantial success, while others contradicted with evidence of failure. But the success remains a matter of debate due to lack of empirical evidence of actual empowerment of women around the world. The current study aimed to address this gap by taking a case study method. The study critically evaluates 20 cases carefully sampled to include representatives from the entire country of Bangladesh. The study demonstrates popular beliefs about microfinance often misguide even the borrowers and they start living in a fabricated feeling of empowerment, facing real challenges to achieve true empowerment in their lives. The impact of this finding is twofold; firstly there is a theoretical contribution, where the definition of women’s empowerment is proposed to be revisited considering findings from these cases. And lastly, the policy makers at governmental and non-governmental organisations, and multinational donor agencies need to revise their assessment tools for funding.

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