African Journal of Gender and Women Studies

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: sjahrir@rad.net.id.

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: olubashy22@yahoo.com.

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.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Development studies discourse: How gender-sensitive are sustainable livelihood frameworks?

Frank S. Arku¹* and Cynthia Arku²

¹Faculty of Development Studies, Akuapem Campus, Presbyterian University College, Ghana.

²Department of Educational Policy Studies, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

Accepted 18 January, 2019

Abstract

Over the last two decades development studies professionals are drawing on Sustainable Livelihoods (SL) framework to understand the various livelihood strategies available to rural people. The unadventurous development top-down approaches identify only ‘one’ livelihood strategy in the form of ‘employment’ that supports them. This paper discusses the SL frameworks from the viewpoints of United Kingdom Department for International Development’s (DFID) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and maintains that despite the many advantages of SL as diagnostic framework in development studies discourse, the framework lacks specificity on what ‘activities’ provide a means of living. Without a clear explanation of the activities, their livelihood analysis can be best characterized as gender-insensitive because there is a high risk of overlooking certain non-market activities, such as women’s housework. This deficiency in the SL is epitomized from a feminist perspective, problematizing the increasing devaluation and undervaluation of women’s reproductive, productive and community management work in the modern economy and the need to deconstruct structural barriers to gender equal relations.

Key words: Gender, women, sustainable livelihoods, productive, reproductive, community responsibilities.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Female households and poverty: A case study of Faisalabad District

Zahoor Hussain Javed* and  Ayesha Asif

GC University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Accepted 03 January, 2019

Abstract

This study shows the relationship between female-headed households, male household and poverty in the two Tehisils of District Faisalabad. Eighty response clients were interviewed. Compare means; regressions and the binary Logit regressions analysis are used to detect the relationship between female household, male household and the factors that affect the possibility towards poverty. Linear results indicate that education, secondary earners, number of children and occupations are the significant factors that affect monthly income of the family. Nevertheless, results indicate that income, consumption, family size and households headship status, play vital role to determine the level of poverty. There is negative relationship between head of households and poverty. Female household’s heads have fewer assets, lower earning capacity than male-headed. Results suggest that the need for special interventions, skilled knowledge and specific infrastructures are required for the improvement women community.

Key words:  Female household’s head, poverty, Faisalabad.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of women farmers’ agricultural information needs and accessibility: A case study of Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

O. J. Okwu* and B. I. Umoru

Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, University of Agriculture Makurdi, Nigeria.

Accepted 19 November, 2018

Abstract

The study was aimed at determining women farmers’ agricultural information needs and accessibility, using Apa local government area of Benue State as a case study. A sample size of 70 women farmers was initially taken for the study but only data for 65 respondents were analyzed. Simple random sampling technique was used for the sample selection and questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The result showed highest information needs in the areas of pesticides and fertilizer applications and improved farm implements. Husbands, fellow women and mass media were the main sources of agricultural information to women farmers and accessibility of information from these sources was relatively high. Age, educational level and income of women farmers showed significant relationships with their accessibility to agricultural information at 5% level of significance. It is recommended that enough information should be provided in the needed areas and women adult literacy and economic empowerment programmes should be given serious attention to enhance their access to needed agricultural information.

Key words: Applications, questionnaire, Benue, empowerment.