Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Rural women Bangladesh Economic conditions'
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Ngan, Ching-ching Dora, and 顔菁菁. "Alleviating poverty of rural landless women: paths taken by Bangladesh and the Philippines." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1999. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B3195229X.
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Chowdhury, Tasneem A. 1954. "Segregation of women in Islamic societies of South Asia and its reflection in rural housing : case study in Bangladesh." Thesis, McGill University, 1992. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=61318.
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In Islamic societies, religion plays a significant role in shaping the home and the environment. An important feature of the Islamic culture is the segregation of women from males other than next of kin. This aspect has given rise to the separation of domains for men and women, both in the home and the neighbourhood. And this duality of space in turn reinforces the seclusion and segregation of women.This thesis studies this phenomenon in rural settlements in South Asia in regions where Muslims predominate and also in non-Muslim areas influenced by centuries of Muslim rule. The living patterns of rural women and how they use and perceive their local space formed the focus of the study.
A field study was undertaken in a rural community in Bangladesh. Gender segregation norms and the resulting spatial organization of dwellings of different socio-economic groups were studied and compared. An important premise of the study is how the poor manage to integrate their faith and Islamic customs in their living environment.
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Halim, Sadeka. "Rural development programmes : their impact on women : a Bangladesh study." Thesis, McGill University, 1991. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=61071.
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Rural development is a serious problem in Bangladesh, and so is the situation of women. This thesis assesses the programmes offered by a particular non-governmental organization, the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC), which simultaneously promote rural development and improve the status of women. This assessment is achieved by examining the functioning and impact of these programmes in a single village. The study is exploratory and uses qualitative methods, employing principally unstructured but in-depth interviews. Results indicate that most village women were aware of the need for improvement in the position of women, but interest, and thus active participation, was greater among those who were widowed or divorced. For these women, the programmes did succeed in raising their income through better technical knowledge, and in some ways improved their position in the family and society. They did not, however, succeed in raising their administrative knowledge, confining them to "women's only" projects, and did little to increase political empowerment.
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Gayen, Kaberi. "Modelling the influence of communication on fertility behaviour of women in rural Bangladesh." Thesis, Edinburgh Napier University, 2004. http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2783.
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The total fertility rate in Bangladesh declined from 6.3 children per women in 1975 to 3.3 in 1997-1999. This decline of 48 per cent over a 25-year period occurred without a substantial improvement in socio-economic status, health conditions and other factors thought to be essential for fertility decline. In this thesis it is postulated that current fertility behaviour is a manifestation of ideational change, which has occurred through mass media and interpersonal communication channels. To investigate the influence of communication on fertility behaviour and to control for demographic and socioeconomic and cultural variables, 724 married women of reptoductive age were interviewed from six rural villages of the six administrative divisions of Bangladesh. Another village was surveyed to compare the influence of religion. Data were collected in a full network basis in that one currently married woman with at least one child from each household of the entire village was interviewed. Sociometric data along with socio-economic-cultural and family planning practice data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The data have been analysed using statistical methods to construct models of factors, which influence the total number of children a woman has and those that determine the likelihood that a woman practices family planning. The main influencing variables to explain the total number of children were found to be wife's age, age at first child bom, number of family members, demand for male children, demand for female children, death of male children, place of giving birth, housing score, religion, equipment score, land property, FWA and information score. Whereas the influencing variables to explain the family planning practice were demand for male children, death of male children and variables connected with communication such as degree of interpersonal communication, mass media exposure, husband, Family Welfare Assistants (FWAs) and frequency of discussion with FWAs. Communication variables, especially interpersonal communication, were found to be most important in explaining family planning practice. More particularly, the dominant source of general information is relatives and friends. FWAs followed by friends and relatives are the main source of family planning information that along with husband influence fertility decisions. Hence, there was a need to ftu-ther understand the web of interactions among individuals, peer groups and opinion leaders using social network analysis. The web of communication links in which an individual exists and takes fertility decision was then modeled with the collected sociometric data. To do this, three matrices were constructed to reflect any communication link, the strength of these links and approval of family planning. Various centrality measures (in-degree, out-degree, betweenness and power), clique patterns and actors positions in the network were produced and analysed using Ucinet-6. This revealed that the actors who were not strongly connected or exist in the periphery of this web tended not to practice family planning. Also it was found that actors who overlap more than one clique are more likely to practice family planning. Variables created from the centrality measures were then added to the regression models for the total number of children and the use of family planning. In both the cases sociometric variables were found significant which ftirther enhanced the explanation of fertility behaviour of the women in rural Bangladesh. Using Structural Equation Models the direct and indirect effects of these variables were determined. Demographic, socio-economic-cultural variables were more directly associated in explaining total number of children while communication variables were directly associated in explaining family planning use, and family planning practice has a direct influence on the number of children born. Thus, as communication directly influences family planning practice it has an indirect influence on the Total Fertility Rate. From this work it is recommended that the service that was provided by the FWAs be reestablished and strengthened, husbands should be targeted in family planning motivation programmes and male contraceptive methods should be promoted. Also more motivational programmes should be incorporated in family planning programmes to create a positive image of female children and the extent of the social interaction among village women should be increased.
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Halim, Sadeka. "Invisible again : women and social forestry in Bangladesh." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1999. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp03/NQ64569.pdf.
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Evans, Eliza Robinson. "Women, microcredit and capability in rural India." Access restricted to users with UT Austin EID Free text (PDF) of UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International, 2001. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/utexas/fullcit?p3031050.
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Macdonald, Barbara A. "Socio-economic correlates of rural women's nutrition : the special case of re-introducing quinoa in Ecuador." Thesis, McGill University, 1999. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=35910.
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A cross-sectional study with repeated measures was conducted in the Ecuadorian Highlands to determine whether quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) production was associated with improved nutrition among women. Agricultural production systems, income, socio-economic status, morbidity, diet and protein-energy status were compared between a group of quinoa-producers and a randomly sampled quasi-control group of non-quinoa-producers (total n = 90 households) over four study rounds (pre- and post-quinoa-harvest).Seasonal and age-related variability in nutrient intakes as well as anthropometric status provided evidence of nutritional vulnerability in this population. Post-menopausal women (50+ years of age) consumed less energy (300 calories), less protein (11 g) and maintained a lower mean body weight (3.66 kg) compared to their younger counterparts. Seasonal changes in dietary quality and anthropometric status were apparent for women of all ages with less protein and micronutrients consumed post-harvest and mean arm circumference 6 cm smaller. Marked prevalences of inadequate intakes of many of these same nutrients (including iron, niacin, and vitamin B12) were demonstrated with the Probability Method.
Correlates of diet quantity (energy), quality (animal protein adjusted for energy) and anthropometric status were established. By means of a Principal Components analysis, socio-economic status was shown to be comprised of two unique constructs: modern lifestyle and farming wealth. Both factors were related to diet quality but neither was related to diet quantity. Diet quality, in turn, was significantly related to anthropometric status in multivariate models.
Women in quinoa-producing households consumed higher amounts of most nutrients and maintained larger arm protein-energy stores than those in non-quinoa-producing families. Trends were similar in children with no evidence of a difference in anthropometric status. However, quinoa-producers scored higher on both scales of socio-economic status, demonstrating self-selection bias. In multivariate models, quinoa production was related to increased intakes of energy, iron, zinc and folate but effects on animal protein intake and anthropometric status were confounded by the socio-economic effects. Therefore, while quinoa production was associated with positive nutritional impacts, the most impoverished households were left virtually untouched by this agricultural opportunity.
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Afsar, Rita. "Causes, consequences and challenges of rural-urban migration in Bangladesh." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1995. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09pha258.pdf.
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Includes bibliographical references (leaves 331-404) Attempts to contribute toward greater understanding of the urbanization process in Bangladesh. Focuses particularly on the rural-urban migration process, explaining the causes of mobility and stability and the consequences flowing from that movement for the wellbeing of migrants and their families.
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Jaim, Jasmine. "The influence of gender upon women business-owners' access to debt finance in Bangladesh, a patriarchal developing nation." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2016. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/35932/.
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There is growing attention to analyse the influence of gender upon women’s entrepreneurship. Nonetheless, the body of literature almost entirely concentrates on developed nations, specifically on the USA and Europe. The research context for the thesis is Bangladesh, a South Asian developing nation, where there was a government initiative to support small businesses of women through bank loans. Recognising that entrepreneurship is a social phenomenon, it is important to explore how gender subordination is articulated in the experiences of women business-owners in developing countries. Placing women at the centre of the study, this feminist standpoint research undertook interviews with 21 Bangladeshi women business-owners. Considering finance as a major area of entrepreneurship, this thesis analyses the influence of gender upon women business-owners’ access to debt finance in the context of a patriarchal developing nation. To address this aim, the study investigates the family as well as the broader societal context. The thesis contributes to advance the understanding of gender subordination of women business-owners within the context of debt financing from developed nations to developing nations. The extant literature on debt finance of developed nations focuses almost solely on discrimination-related issues. It is individual woman business-owner centric, ignoring the family or the broader societal context. Nevertheless, the empirical evidence of this study suggests that male family members were inevitably involved in the process. Further, in developed nations, the exploration of patriarchal practices is primarily limited to the adverse effect of societal expectation of work (i.e., domestic responsibilities and childcare) on the businesses of women. This study extends the view by demonstrating that the dominating, oppressing and exploiting roles of male family members were evident at the individual level with a direct influence on the business activities. The husbands of many women were even found to share the bank loans entirely or partially. This has implications for the effectiveness of the government policy, aiming at the emancipation of the women. Moreover, the study significantly adds to the prevailing knowledge by identifying certain context specific family related issues (for instance, child marriage) or the structural, cultural issues of the broader society (such as, corruption) in relation to gender subordination of women business-owners. While explaining gender subordination of women business-owners, the contribution of the thesis is not limited to its understanding in a developing nation. Given the highly patriarchal nature of the context, the study provides opportunity to extend the comprehension of some of the issues of gender subordination (for instance, the respectable position of women) that are existing in developed nations in a more subtle form. Thus, it provides a platform for future research in the field of entrepreneurship, gender and finance in developing nations as well as in developed nations.
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Gunasekera, Arosha Indika. "Achieving rural development in Sri Lanka through a systematic model : microfinance and women's empowerment." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2014. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.708366.
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Hassan, Sajjadul, University of Western Sydney, of Science Technology and Environment College, and School of Environment and Agriculture. "Evaluation of alternative farming systems with reference to income and gender in selected areas of Bangladesh." THESIS_CSTE_EAG_Hassan_S.xml, 2002. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/737.
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Farming systems in Bangladesh are characterised by a mixed culture of crop, livestock, poultry, fish and agro forestry sub systems of agricultural enterprise. Low productivity and inefficient resource use are the main constraints to farming in Bangladesh. It is necessary to improve the performance of all enterprises in existing farming systems which depends on the proper utilisation of the existing level of resources. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the alternative farming systems in terms of income and gender participation. To achieve the objectives, a study was conducted in four villages of Kaliakair Upazilla in the Gazipur district of Bangladesh. Thirty sample farmers were selected randomly from four dominant farming systems.Gender roles in farming systems were assessed in consideration to time spent in agricultural activities.In addition, time spent in household activities was also calculated. The conclusion is that there is no one right choice of selecting farming systems.Master of Science (Hons.)
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Pal, Mariam S. "An analysis of the role of women in economic development /." Thesis, McGill University, 1985. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=66051.
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Young, Grace 1956. "The survival strategies of rural low income mothers." Thesis, McGill University, 1996. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=40471.
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Recent research suggests that rural people develop a rich array of informal support and exchange among their kin, neighbors and friends. These informal exchanges are argued to develop in response to the weak penetration of formal state structures and capitalist market relations in peripheral regions. This case study of the survival strategies of low income rural mothers who live in Quebec village demonstrates that these mothers' avenues for economic and social integration are restricted by the formal and informal sectors which constitute and reinforce one another. First, an extensive data and document analysis of the Quebec pronatalist and welfare policies reveals that they fail to provide low income rural women access to appropriate training and education, to transportation and adequately subsidized child care, or to secure jobs. This restricts these women's integration into formal or informal systems of support and exchange. The second section draws on interviews with 20 community leaders and on two years of participant observation. Contrary to the literature which suggests that extensive informal ties promote socially and economically inclusive rural communities, this case study reveals that centralized state development policies limit local community initiative and independence. Hence, community effort to aid low income families are limited to charity which does not fundamentally alter these families' marginal position. The third section draws on semi-structured interviews with 20 low income single and married (or common-law) mothers. Comparing the single and married mothers' strategies reveals that studies of the rural informal sector have narrowly defined the sector, by excluding unpaid domestic and child care work. It is shown that the married mother's strategy to stay in the home is a viable one because she alone performs the unpaid work of the home. This results in her isolation in the domestic sphere. For the single mothers who seek paid work, the gende
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袁月興 and Yuet-hing Cynthia Yuen. "Regulation, negotiation and resistance: rethinking women's experiences of the reform in rural south China." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1998. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31220253.
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Dhlodhlo, Lindelani Mkhumbuzi. "Exploring the local economic development initiatives for unemployed rural women in Mandeni municipality." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/5393.
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Thesis (MPA (Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Unemployment and poverty have an adverse effect on society and proactive and sustainable measures are needed to deal with it. Women and rural women in particular, form the most affected group when it comes to unemployment and poverty. Illiteracy and underdevelopment are the major barriers to the advancement of unemployed rural women. Women in rural settings in most cases rely on local economic development (LED) initiatives for day-to-day survival. Local government has a constitutional mandate to promote social and economic development in order to improve the quality life for the citizens of South Africa. This mandate has been followed by a number of policy documents and guidelines for LED to enable local authorities to perform this task efficiently. The concept of LED is a micro approach in that it deals directly with local issues of economic development through partnerships between communities, business, workers, development agencies and governmental agencies to promote local economy. There is a pressing need for local government to be proactive in dealing with issues of rural development and in supporting LED initiatives of rural women. The literature review covers the theoretical framework of LED through examining both international and domestic practices. The review deals with the history of LED, the LED concept, development theories, evaluation of the practices of LED, as well as participatory development, pro-poor LED, and tourism as a response to LED. It further assesses the contextual framework of LED with particular attention to South African policy and practice. The state of LED in South Africa is discussed, together with the way forward for LED. The study provides an investigation into the background of the Mandeni Municipality by looking at the demographic factors and geographical location of the area. The state of LED in Mandeni Municipality is highlighted, together with LED strategy for the Municipality, and major future development associated with LED. The study clearly portrays that there is a gap between the LED initiatives of the unemployed rural women and the Municipality. The strategic location of the Municipality facilitates future economic prospects for the area and new development proposals associated with LED. It is clear from the LED Unit structure in Mandeni Municipality that there is a lack of capacity to deal with the LED challenges and local economic initiatives. From the literature review it is clear that women are critical role players in LED because of their ability to initiate community-based economic development projects and to perform multi-task activities. It is evident that strong partnerships with various LED stakeholders working directly with low-income communities can play a meaningful role in alleviating poverty, and in the creation of employment.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Werkloosheid en armoede het vandag .n nadelige invloed op die gemeenskap en proaktiewe en volhoubare maatreels is nodig om dit hok te slaan. Wat werkloosheid en armoede betref, val vroue onder die groepe wat die meeste geraak word, veral plattelandse vroue. Ongeletterdheid en onderontwikkeling is die vernaamste hindernisse vir die vooruitgang van werklose plattelandse vroue. Vroue in .n plattelandse milieu steun sterk op plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkelingsinisiatiewe vir hulle dag tot dag oorlewing. Plaaslike regering het .n konstitusionele mandaat om maatskaplike en ekonomiese ontwikkeling te bevorder ten einde die lewenskwaliteit van burgers van Suid-Afrika te verbeter. .n Enorme behoefte bestaan dat die plaaslike regering proaktief moet optree wanneer aangeleenthede rakende plattelandse ontwikkeling en ondersteuning van plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkelings-inisiatiewe vir plattelandse vroue aangespreek word. Op beleidsvlak het Suid-Afrika sterk klem geplaas op plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkeling as maatreel om sosio-ekonomiese toestande vir plattelandse gemeenskappe te verbeter. Plattelandse vroue staar egter reuse uitdagings rondom onderontwikkeling in die gesig. Die groot probleem vir hierdie navorsing is dat die Mandeni munisipaliteit se plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkelingsprogramme, wat vroue as voorheen gemarginaliseerde en kwesbare groepe teiken, onsigbaar is. Plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkelingsinisiatiewe geskied in isolasie van die munisipaliteit en daar blyk maar .n powere vennootskap tussen die munisipaliteit en plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkelingsinisiatiewe wat deur vroue gevoer word, te wees. Die Plaaslike Ekonomiese Ontwikkelingseenheid (LED-eenheid), wat oor .n mandaat beskik vir die implementering van plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkelingsprogramme, het .n niksseggende rol in die bevordering van plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkelingsprogramme vir plaaslike werklose vroue gespeel. Daarbenewens is daar baie vroue onder die bevolking van die Mandeni-munisipaliteit en die meerderheid van hulle is werkloos. Die vernaamste doelwitte van hierdie studie was om probleme te identifiseer wat die LED-eenheid gehad het met die implementering van LED-programme vir die werklose vrou en om sy vlak van deelname, in belang van die werklose plattelandse vroue, te assesseer. Die fokusgroep-metode is tydens navorsing ingespan met die insameling van data oor die twee verskillende vroueorganisasies wat plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkelingsprojekte geinisieer het. Voorts is die onderhoud-metode tydens die studie toegepas vir die insameling van data rondom die drie munisipale amptenare en die Speaker van die munisipaliteit. Die vernaamste bevindinge van die navorsing toon duidelik dat daar .n gaping bestaan tussen LED-inisiatiewe deur die plattelandse werklose vroue en die Mandeni-munisipaliteit. Die bevindinge van die studie dui daarop dat die LED-eenheidstruktuur van die Mandeni-munisipaliteit oor onvoldoende fondse beskik en gebrek toon aan die nodige vermoe om die plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkelingsuitdagings en plaaslike ekonomiese inisiatiewe van die werklose plattelandse vroue te hanteer. Dit is duidelik dat vroue kritiese rolspelers in plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkeling is weens hulle vermoe om gemeenskapsgebaseerde ekonomiese ontwikkelingsprojekte te inisieer en hulle kennis om veelvuldige taakbedrywighede van stapel te laat loop. Ten slotte beveel die studie aan dat die LED-eenheid geherstruktureer word om die LED-agterstande binne die Mandeni-munisipaliteit aan te spreek, dat daar behoorlike koordinering van LED-programme moet wees, en dat die plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkelingsinisiatiewe vir vroue sterk deur die Mandeni-munisipaliteit gesteun moet word.
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Eversole, Robyn. "Rural weavers in Southern Bolivia : a development project case study." Thesis, McGill University, 1995. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=22584.
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While most people would agree that economic development is an important goal, and understanding of exactly what "economic development" implies, and how to achieve it, are considerably more elusive. Specifically, this paper addresses the concern about whether very small-scale "grassroots-style" development projects for producers--especially petty artisans--really have the potential to make a positive impact on an ailing economy. A case study of a textile weavers' project in rural northern Chuquisaca, Bolivia, among the Jalq's (Quechua-speaking) ethnic group, is presented in detail. The local-level organizations, known as "workshops", which administer this project are analysed along with economic data from households, in order to determine both the advantages of such a project for rural women weavers, and the project's limitations. The implications of a form of organization in which local-level organizations share administrative duties with a larger support organization--in this case, the Sucre-based Antropologos del Surandino (ASUR)--are also discussed. The gains and potential gains made by weavers and their households as a result of this project are not overwhelming, yet they are valuable steps toward increased empowerment and an expansion of economic and social options for the Jalq'a.
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Afsana, Kaosar. "Power, knowledge and childbirth practices : An ethnographic exploration in Bangladesh." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2003. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/500.
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The intent of this study is to explore why and in what ways rural, poor women in Bangladesh adhere to indigenous birth practices and resist cosmopolitan obstetric care. To understand the complexities of childbirth, a multidimensional framework encompassing culture, gender, socio-economic, political economy and historical perspectives is used. I used ethnographic methods to have deeper understanding of childbirth practices predominantly from women's voices, but strengthened by multiple other voices and my observational experiences. I gathered information in Apurbabari village, the adjacent Thana Health Complex and the Medical College Hospital using in-depth interviews and participant observation, in particular.
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Joseph, John Santiago. "The relevance of involvement in micro-credit self-help groups and empowerment : findings from a survey of rural women in Tamilnadu." Thesis, McGill University, 2005. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=100632.
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The purpose of this dissertation is to establish the extent to which women's membership in self-help groups and their involvement in various activities of these groups, with particular reference to Micro Credit programs, impacted their socio-economic empowerment. The objective is to study the socio-economic empowerment impact factors (evidences) in women members of micro-credit self-help groups in rural India upon the self, the family and the community.Data selected for analyses was based on an operational model of empowerment that encompassed indicators of purported empowerment at the personal, family and community levels. The working hypotheses in quantitative analyses are that there are significant differences in income, savings, assets, expenditure, basic amenities, as well as attitudinal and behavioral changes in the rural women before and after their group membership.
The qualitative interviews helped to assess the life conditions of the women as the process of empowerment before and after their participation in self-help group micro-credit program. The qualitative interviews were to corroborate the veracity of reported progress from the survey to shed some light on the specific factors that contributed to their empowerment in line with their present quality of life at personal, family and community levels. Hence, the impact of the program is measured as the difference in the magnitude of a given parameter between the pre-and post-SHG situations by comparing the life condition of members before joining the self-help group to their condition three years after joining.
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Artontammakun, Nuntaporn. "Poverty in Thailand: Causes and solutions." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2001. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/1886.
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Poverty has been reduced substantially, but most poverty reducing programs have raised other problems out of poverty. This paper outlines the principal causes of poverty in an emerging nation-Thailand. It presents strategies for reducing the level of poverty.
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Richardson, Frances Ann. "Rural change in north Wales during the period of the Industrial Revolution : livelihoods, poverty and welfare in Nantconwy, 1750-1860." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2016. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:a94a14ee-c647-4215-9795-a3e22ce6b919.
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This thesis explores how a typical area of rural Wales participated in and was shaped by social and economic change during the period of the Industrial Revolution. It investigates how increasing numbers of people made a livelihood in the Caernarvonshire hundred of Nantconwy over the period 1750-1860, including the role of women in the local economy. A wide range of record types are used to explore inter-relationships between population growth, agriculture, proto-industry, the organisation of farming households, and the livelihoods of the poor. The thesis covers a key gap in the historical literature, as most studies of agrarian change at this period concentrate on England, and there has been little investigation of the experience in rural Wales. Unlike many parts of England where economic modernization was accompanied by growing inequality involving a transition from a household economy to a capitalist tripartite society of landowners, tenant farmers and landless wage labourers, Nantconwy experienced a growth of subsistence smallholding, as more people faced with a shortage of waged employment sought to make a livelihood from the land. Family by-employment and proto-industry also played a crucial role in the local economy. Bringing the commons and wastes into private ownership had relatively little impact on the poor, but smallholders' livelihoods were adversely affected after 1815 by the mechanization of spinning and declining earnings from stocking knitting. Living standards began to improve after 1830 with the expansion of male employment in slate quarrying, while the role of women on family farms was enhanced. Parishes evolved a low-cost system of poor relief which supported mainly older residents who were no longer able to quite make ends meet from the traditional cottager economy, while encouraging the young to leave the land or migrate to local towns or quarrying areas with better employment prospects.
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Ngomane, Thandi Susan. "Land as an economic empowerment tool: access, control and ownership of land by rural women in the Mpumalanga Province,South Africa." Thesis, University of Limpopo, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10386/1614.
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Rust, Urszula Anna. "Principles for mainstreaming gender equality in the South African rural water services sector." Thesis, Link to the online version, 2007. https://etd.sun.ac.za/jspui/handle/10019/706.
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Malungane, Lorraine Nxalati. "The socio-economic impact of casualisation of female farm workers on their social life at Letsitele area Mopani District of Limpopo Province." Thesis, University of Limpopo (Turfloop Campus), 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10386/787.
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Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2008The aim of the study was to asses the socio-economic impact of casualisation of female farm workers and to determine whether they understand their rights as provided in labour policies. The study was conducted in the Letsitele area in the Greater Tzaneen municipality, Mopani District, Limpopo Province of South Africa. A sample of eighty female farm workers was drawn from the population. The self-constructed questionnaire elicited biographic information, the socio-economic impact of casualisation and knowledge of female farm workers about labour policies was from the respondents The findings of the study showed that casualisation of female farm workers have a large impact on their lives. The low wages that they earn are usually insufficient to meet their basic financial needs such as schooling their children, buying food, and building proper houses. It was also established that they are not properly informed about labour policies.
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Chilibeck, Gillian. "Moving mountains through women's movements : the"feminization" of development discourse and practice in the Indian Himalayas." Thesis, McGill University, 2005. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=82696.
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This thesis examines the varied and contradictory ideas about rural women and their needs that are produced and circulate within development discourses and projects. It pays particular attention to the multiple actors involved in the production of such ideas and the relations of power that determine which ideas gain authority. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, India, it looks at women's participation in three different development projects: a women's savings and credit group, a broad-based development NGO, and the women's village organizations (mahila mandals ). These case studies demonstrate how development organizations engage with local gender meanings, often working to reinforce or even exploit inequalities, rather than challenge them. As women are targeted by such projects, they creatively receive, shape, and negotiate the ideas and representations that they encounter about themselves. These encounters limit, and sometimes foster, women's potential for new political identities and agency.
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Le, Roux Memry S. (Memry Sharlene). "Geskeide vroue se ervarings en persepsies van hul aanpassing in die post-egskeidingsfase." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/18219.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (M Social Work)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to gain understanding of the perceptions and experiences of divorced women in the postdivorce phase, with specific reference to rural divorcees. During intervention with divorced women the social worker ought to be informed about the needs of divorcees, as well as be skilled to deal with the trauma of divorce. It is therefore necessary to understand how women experience the post-divorce process. The Systems, Ecological, Strengths and Feminist Perspectives are used as a frame of reference to understand the adaptation of divorced women. First, a study of relevant literature is undertaken which presents a broad review of the process of divorce; divorce as a mourning process, as well as the influence of divorce on the women and children. Attention is also devoted to literature on the adaptation of women in the post-divorce phase. Second a qualitative, phenomenological research subject is chosen to explore the experiences and perceptions of divorced women’s adaptation during the post divorce-phase. Factors which obstruct adaptation, as well as factors which stimulate personal growth, came to light during the empirical research. Four themes unfolded from the research. The first theme relates to tension: tension regarding finances; tension regarding health; tension arising from the overloading of roles and tension resulting from the relationship with the ex-husband, as well as how divorce is experienced int the rural areas. The second theme deals with spirituality: divorce as a spiritual crisis; deepenig spirituality; spirituality in the shaping of identity and facilitating to a large extent the mourning process. In the third theme various sources of support are discussed, while the fourth theme focuses on the positive side of divorce, namely personal growth. The before mentioned themes contain the challenges divorced women experience during the post-divorce phase. Recommendations focus on post-divorce intervention which are aimded to relief stress, strengthen spirituality, to obtain knowledge of supportsystems in the community, and also to stimulate the process of personal growth.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het ten doel om geskeide vroue se persepsies en ervarings van hul aanpassing in die post-egskeidingsfase te verstaan, met spesifieke verwysing na die plattelandse geskeide vrou. Tydens intervensie met geskeide vroue behoort die maatskaplike werker vaardig en goed ingelig te wees ten opsigte van die behoeftes wat geskeides ervaar, daarom is dit noodsaaklik om te verstaan hoe geskeide vrouens die proses ervaar. As praktykraamwerk is die Gesinsisteem-, Ekologiese, Sterkte- en Feministiese Perspektief gebruik om die aanpassing van geskeide vroue te verstaan. Eerstens is ‘n literatuurstudie onderneem wat ‘n breë oorsig oor die proses van egskeiding, egskeiding as rouproses asook die invloed van egskeiding op die vrou en kinders bied. Aandag is ook gegee aan die aanpassing van die vrou in die postegskeidingsfase. Tweedens is ‘n kwalitatiewe, fenomenologiese navorsingsontwerp gekies om die ervarings en persepsies van vyf geskeide vroue uit verskillende plattelandse dorpe se aanpassing in die post-egskeidingsfase te eksploreer. Faktore wat die aanpassing strem, asook faktore wat persoonlike groei stimuleer, het uit die empiriese navorsing na vore gekom. Vier temas het uit hierdie navorsing ontspring. Die eerste tema hou verband met spanning: Finansiële spanning, spanning oor gesondheid, spanning wat ontstaan uit die oorbelading van rolle, spanning oor die verhouding met die gewese man, en die plattelandse ervaring. Die tweede tema handel oor spiritualiteit: egskeiding is ‘n spirituele krisis, dit bring spirituele verdieping, spiritualiteit help met identiteitsvorming en fasiliteer in ‘n groot mate die rouproses. In die derde tema word verskeie ondersteuningsbronne bespreek, terwyl die vierde tema ook die positiewe kant van egskeiding uitlig, naamlik persoonlike groei. Bogenoemde temas vervat die behoeftes wat geskeide vroue tydens die aanpassingsperiode na egskeiding ervaar. Aanbevelings het gefokus op postegskeidingsintervensie wat daarop gemik is om spanning te help verlig, spiritualiteit te versterk, ondersteuningsnetwerke in die omgewing te ken en die proses van persoonlike groei te stimuleer.
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Rahman, Sayma, University of Western Sydney, College of Law and Business, and School of Economics and Finance. "The impact of microcredit on poverty and women's empowerment : a case study of Bangladesh." 2007. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/36990.
Full textAbstract:
The microcredit program in Bangladesh is a unique innovation of credit delivery designed to enhance the income generating activities of the poor. Its uniqueness is reflected in its collateral-free group-based lending strategy. The program extends small loans to poor people, mainly women, for self-employment activities thus allowing clients to achieve a better quality of life. This program is regarded as a very exciting anti-poverty tool for the poorest, especially for women. This study investigates the impact of microcredit on economic indicators as well as consumption behaviour of the borrowers. It further analyses the impact of microcredit on women’s empowerment. Primary data has been collected from the borrowers of two major microcredit institutions in Bangladesh. Alongside the borrowers, data have also been collected from non-borrowers of the same village to compare the impact between borrowers and control group. The empirical work has used sophisticated econometric techniques. Five different econometric methods - OLS, 2SLS, Probit, Tobit and SURE estimators - have been applied to the sample data of this study. The most important finding indicates that microcredit programs are effective in increasing borrowers’ income, assets and consumption but it is more pronounced towards high income borrowers than low income borrowers. It further finds that microcredit programs are empowering for women.Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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Karim, Manjur-E. "Agricultural cooperatives and rural power structure in Bangladesh: a study of the Comilla Model." 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/27472.
Full text
28
Buthelezi, Bruce. "An assessment of multiple survival strategies employed by rural women : the case of Kwa-Sondela community." Thesis, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/4054.
Full textAbstract:
Poverty has been an issue in South Africa for quite a long time. For as long as
the "poor is with us", this issue will need to be addressed. A whole range of
issues such as severe unemployment, illiteracy, drought and other natural
disasters fuel poverty, gender inequality, unequal distribution of wealth, etcetera.
From the very outset, three stages have emerged in relation to dealing with those
affected by poverty.
1. What can we do for the poor?
2. What can we do about the poor?
3. What can we do with the poor?
The trend is presently at a stage where something is being done together with
the poor communities in order to alleviate their poverty condition. The aim of this
study is to look at the present stage in the lives of the poor by way of tackling
issues from alongside their own perspective. This is done by examining the
survival strategies used by poor rural women in order to provide for their families
/ households.
At the end of the day, the findings of this study will suggest means and ways of
helping the poor rural women.Thesis (M.A.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2002.
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Ramaribana, Felicia. "Reading Ruth for the sake of poor rural women : a bosadi womanhood approach." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/9307.
Full textAbstract:
This study posits that a deconstructive socio-historical reading of Ruth will elicit aspects of
ancient Israelite women’s agency which can then be used to inspire greater socio-economic
agency amongst poor rural women today. While it is difficult to establish the date of Ruth
with any precision, the study argues that the book was first written to legitimise David’s
kingship and then used as a polemic against Ezra-Nehemiah’s intermarriage policies some
550 years later. Accordingly, it discusses the socio-economic conditions pertaining to both
periods, namely the early monarchic and the early post-exilic periods.
The study shows that Israel began as a loosely organized tribal confederation, which lacked a
structured political system, in the pre-monarchic period, and that far-reaching changes ensued
upon the institution of the monarchy. During the monarchic period, the political structure of
the land was increasingly centralised around the king. Despite the political changes, and
variances within the mode of production, the family remained the basic economic production
unit throughout Israel’s history. Similarly, Israelite society remained patriarchal in nature,
and women derived their identity and economic wellbeing from the men in their lives.
Women did not have any economic rights per se; their rights, if any, were secured and
safeguarded by the men to whom they belonged. Furthermore, land was the most important
economic commodity but Israelite law deprived the majority of women of the opportunity to
own land. These factors disenfranchised and impoverished women, particularly childless
widows.
Within this context, Naomi and Ruth devised strategies which subverted the oppressive
patriarchal structures of their time and overcame their socio-economic distress. The principles
underlying their actions may be used to encourage poor rural women to develop greater
socio-economic agency today.Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.
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Mandinyenya, Sikhulekile. "The effectiveness of socio-economic empowerment strategies implemented by three NGO’s in Zimbabwe for rural women." Diss., 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/19884.
Full textAbstract:
Text in EnglishIn Zimbabwe, women are concentrated in rural areas where there are limited resources. For human development to be achieved, the welfare of women needs to be taken into consideration. Some NGOs operating in the country aim at advancing and improving the status of women and promote gender equality through socio-economic empowerment programmes. This study aimed at determining the impact of three selected local NGO’s programmes at grassroots level. The study revealed that progress has been made in transforming the general livelihoods of the women who are members of these organisations at grassroots level but there are various issues which these NGO’s have to consider so as to improve their effectiveness.
Development Studies
M.A. (Development Studies)
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Dhlamini, Sinelisiwe Lebohang. "Microfinance programmes : working towards empowering women living in a rural context?" Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/8424.
Full textAbstract:
This study aimed to investigate the experiences of women living in a rural area who
participate in a microfinance programme called SaveAct. Microfinance programmes have
been established to assist people, financially, living on a low income. Their primary focus is
women because of the high level of poverty amongst them. Microfinance programmes seek to
promote entrepreneurship in order for people to start income generating activities and to be
more self-sufficient. This initiative intends to empower women by making funds available to
them, so that these funds can transform into something more sustainable and help them in
improving their lives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 female participants
from the rural areas of Richmond and Obonjaneni, KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa. A
thematic analysis showed that women have experienced some change in their lives, as a result
of getting access to funds and participating in SaveAct. Some of these changes included
increased personal autonomy, self-confidence and business knowledge. These changes
suggest that this sample of women has been empowered despite the backdrop of a patriarchal
society. Women felt more in control of their lives and had gained some independence in their
homes in terms of contributing to household income. Despite these changes more integrated
services are still needed so that both genders are equipped with financial information as it
affects the household, so that there is more equality in the household economically. More
quality financial services are also needed in rural contexts in order for communities to be
more knowledgeable about finances and to build businesses that will feed into the economy
in the long term.Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.
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Grieb, Bettina-Christiane. "Influence of marital status on socioeconomic and food production variables in rural Paraguay." 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/27449.
Full text
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Fetsha, Angela Joy Nosipho. "Gender issues in development : an African rural perspective." Diss., 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/16780.
Full textAbstract:
The need to carry out an analysis of gender issues in development stems from a concern about the persistent inequalities surrounding African rural women. Women assume social and economic roles inside and outside the household but their contribution does not receive due recognition. Having being excluded from crucial
decision making processes, their productive roles have been secondary to their reproductive responsibilities.
The purpose of this study was to highlight the negative impact imposed by gender oppression on women's economic and social progress. This necessitated an in-depth review of literature that included journals, books,
newspaper articles and general publications. The review reflected that women have undisputedly faced social, cultural, economic, political and educational barriers and that simple rhetoric has not done much to
alleviate women's subordinate position and dependency on men. Finally a suggested plan- of action followed to provide an axis around which gender issues in development should revolve.Development Studies
M. Admin. (Development Administration)
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"Exploration on survival strategies of rural women in Qumbu, Eastern Cape." Thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3270.
Full textAbstract:
M.A.African family structures have not been systematically studied in South Africa. This is a pilot study of household structures in the Qumbu village at the Mhlontlo district in the Eastern Cape. I researched household arrangements in the area, whether migration of husbands to the cities has disrupted the traditional family unit, what the survival strategies are of these women, and whether survival strategies influence household structure. Fifteen households were surveyed. Questions asked included marital status, household size, ways of earning a living, alternative survival strategies to wage employment and government social grants, contributions to the household, government role to such families, any knowledge about self help groups and decision making skills, power relations, perception of future developments in their communities, fulfillment of essential needs and service rendering, etc. The study revealed that since traditional family units were disrupted by migration, and wives were left at home to take care for the children, the traditional “extended” African household, dependent on various survival strategies. The main categories are: Five women survived through receiving social grants from the Department of Social Development. Four were domestic workers, three were supported by their lovers whom are from extra marital affair, two from doing piece jobs in the community and 01 from community projects. The majority have no wage employment and make a living on the land where they dwell, but because of migration, rural food production has declined. However, the community survives also by supporting each other, for example, kin and community networks and neighborliness account for much of the survival strategies. Many men migrate to the cities, and as a result wives have different feelings towards male migrancy such as anger, regret, self blame, confusion and powerlessness. Dominantly in black societies grandmothers play a vital role in maintaining households and raising the children of migrants
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Pae, Tiisetso Edwin. "Dynamics of the migrant labour system and rural development in Mapholaneng catchment eastern Lesotho." 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/4549.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis is organised around two enquiries concerning out-migration from Mapholaneng Catchment in North Eastern Lesotho. Firstly, the social, cultural and economic impacts of the migrant labour system on the living conditions of the rural households is investigated. Secondly, possible alternative strategies are explored that could be applied to initiate and develop income-generating activities for the rural unemployed and marginalised individuals to address the on-going retrenchment of Mapholaneng migrants from South African mines. The thesis is thus a juxtaposition of historical impacts of labour migration and future considerations for what could be done to replace household's losses of income from mine retrenchments from South Africa. The thesis addresses both positive and negative socio-economic and cultural effects and influences of the historical system of labour migration between Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa. The effects of retrenchment on villages and households in Mapholaneng are disastrous and the most· affected households are those whose historical existence have largely depended on migrant labour wages and remittances. This loss of jobs in many households in Mapholaneng's villages has negatively affected the living conditions such as through reduced clothing and food-supply, schooling and medical care provisions. Moreover, the escalating rate of unemployment of many migrant worker members of households in the catchment are associated with the development of crime, robbery, theft and illegal trade in dagga and diamonds, all of which are gradually becoming the norm of life in the catchment. The second thrust of the thesis is directed at identifying alternative sources of households existence to replace losses of income from migrant labourer retrenchments. The thesis has investigated catchment households in terms of day to day living conditions and the surrounding physical environment, so as to determine household production and consumption demands and development potentials of the catchment. For instance, available resources of the catchment as a whole are identified. Household sizes, composition and gender of members are also studied to determine dependency and labour power potential for production, employment and job-creation initiatives in the catchment. The comparative conditions of living between migrant and non-migrant households have also been recorded to assess their general standard or quality of life. This is done by examining households historical changes in sources of income in the rural economy from livestock and crop farming practices so as to gauge future sustainability of these economic activities in the catchment. Land tenure systems, ownership and usage of fields, quality and quantity of livestock reared, cattle-posts and other rural farming issues have critically been assessed as they affect and will continue to influence rural life in Mapholaneng. Furthermore, the contributions of migrant labour wages vis-a-vis non migrant labour wages on the development of Mapholaneng is considered. The study has shown that labour migration to South African mines has brought both good and bad effects to the conditions of living in the catchment and labour migration has influenced social, economic and cultural practices of rural households in Mapholaneng. The destruction of family and social relations including changes to customs, beliefs and general ways of living among people in Mapholaneng has occurred. However, on the positive side, initiatives in self-employment and establishment of small business and petty trading enterprises by the ex-migrants are some of the examples identified in the study. While the study is an examination of the development impacts of labour migration at both village and household levels, it is concluded that the long practice of labour migration to South Africa from Mapholaneng has also contributed to the regional underdevelopment of the whole catchment. Influences of negative attitudes to schooling and indoctrination in the mines among the youth of the catchment, loss of local agricultural skills, loss of households labour power due to absence, disablement and death of migrant workers and effects of land degradation are some of the negative impacts of labour migration in Mapholaneng. Lastly, based on the losses of jobs and migrant wages by the majority of the former migrant households, future job creation and other viable alternative sources of income for the catchment are identified and recommended for the future sustainable development of Mapholaneng. The research techniques and methodology used for the collection of data for the thesis include a reviewof the relevant literature, extensive field work that involved observation and participatory techniques, informal interviews with local people and a formal household questionnaire survey based on a random sample of migrant and non-migrant households in five villages in the catchment. Data are presented in numerous tables and several maps and photographs depicting some of the physical conditions and socio-economic issues investigated in the study are included in the text.Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.
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Degu, Teshome Gudissa. "The impact of an adult literacy programme on the socio-economic empowerment of rural women in Oromia, Ethiopia." Thesis, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/21219.
Full textAbstract:
A large number of adult women living in rural parts of the country had neither the free time nor the opportunity to receive basic education at their early ages. As a result, despite the women's numerical significance, and their remarkable contribution to the economic development, women faced social and cultural challenges that undermine their human worth and dignity. These problems result mainly from lack of education among the majority of women and can possibly cause poverty and inequality. To address these problems, adult education and literacy programs that incorporate functional adult literacy, vocational training, and entrepreneurial support was implemented. Such a program is believed, would promote socioeconomic empowerment of women. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the impact of this adult literacy program on the rural women's socioeconomic empowerment. Conscientization and dialogue theory of Paulo Freire was adopted as a theoretical framework. A case study method was used with a purpose to determine the impact of adult literacy on the socioeconomic life of rural women. For sampling purpose, three adult literacy supervisors, five adult literacy facilitators, and twenty women were included. Data collection tools were in-depth interviews, focus group discussion and personal field notes. To analyze the data, the researcher took the rules proposed by Huberman and Miles (1994) and Marshall and Ross (1995).The analysis of the data resulted in two major themes, five categories, and twenty-one sub-categories. The result showed that the adult literacy program enhanced the following components of women's life: At the individual level, it improved, the ability to read, write and calculate; self-confidence to express one's feeling and idea; a positive self-concept; and confidence to challenge the already established wrong meaning about women. At the social level, literacy changed women's negative attitude towards children's education; improved their ability to persuade/communicate their spouses; it improved women's knowledge of family planning and health matters. Furthermore, it improved women's social networking ability and mobility; and changed women's attitude towards commonly practiced social evils like female child genital mutilation; and also increased women's participation in social affairs. At an economic level, adult literacy equipped women with the knowledge and skills to engage in different income generating activities like poultry production, honey production and growing different types of vegetables. Moreover, adult literacy advanced women's knowledge of saving and effective utilization of resources. However, it was found that that specific adult literacy program could not equip women adequately to exercise their decision-making right in financial management.Language Education, Arts and Culture
D. Ed. (Comparative Education)
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Sesoko, Priscilla Mimie. "Income-generating self-help groups as empowerment tool for rural women." Diss., 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/17718.
Full textAbstract:
An exploratory descriptive design was used to examine income-generating self-help
groups in the rural area of Moutse, Mpumalanga, South Africa in terms of viability and
ability to empower women economically.
Income-generating self-help groups of women in Moutse have grown over the years with
the initiative of the extension officers of the Department of Agriculture. These groups are
also used by the women to enhance personal growth and family support.
The success of the income-generating groups relates to abstract needs, such as the
individual member's motivation, self-esteem gained through participation in decisionmaking
processes and the implementation of projects. Skills are acquired in the process
of participation in which abstract and concrete needs are addressed.
The failures of the groups are as a result of lack of funding, unavailability of resources,
lack of appropriate support and training, lack of co-operation and some unhealthy
competition among groups in the area which results in the groups not being
economically viable.Social Work
M.A. (Social Science)
38
Yang, Lichao. "Development interventions, gender and social change in rural China : a case study of three villages in Shaanxi." Phd thesis, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/150910.
Full textAbstract:
In the last two decades in China, large international donor agencies and domestic women's non-governmental organizations have become significant actors in improving the lives of rural women. Many development agencies have put the empowerment of women on the agenda of all their development projects and organizational institutions rather than focusing on women-specific projects. Development agencies, activists and practitioners have also emphasized the need for incorporating the participation of local communities, especially women, in development practice.
This dissertation aims to examine 'gender mainstreaming', participation and empowerment in overseas donor-funded community development interventions in China and to understand the impact that different village socioeconomic circumstances and power relations have on development project design, implementation and outcomes. In order to address these aims, the dissertation draws on ethnographic research into one community development project, conducted in three villages in Pingxi county, Shaanxi province.{u00B9} It compares project practice and outcomes, and the relationship between the project, local gender and other power relations, and social change, in the three villages.
Drawing on this comparative case study, the dissertation argues that patterns of local power relations in Chinese villages are much more complex than development agencies have acknowledged. Development outcomes are not only determined by project models, but also shaped by local institutions and power relations. And the relationship between development interventions and social change is complex and obscure. The Pingxi project demonstrates that, for these reasons, development workers' application of what they consider to be 'participatory' and empowering approaches does not automatically empower local women or increase their effective participation in decision-making processes.
This dissertation suggests that achieving these goals requires an improvement of women's awareness of the power relations that shape their lives; a strengthening of women's access to and control of resources including land; and an enhancement of women's ability and self-confidence to create new development opportunities with these resources. In the long run, participatory approaches should be scaled up from individual development projects to government policy. In this process, the state government should strengthen processes of citizen participation, through which poor, rural women are able to have a voice. And the government and the All China Women's Federation should introduce new forms of consultation and strengthen the accountability and responsiveness of local government, in order to ensure more effective and genuine participation.
{u00B9} 'Pingxi' is a pseudonym.
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Tawiah, Sampson. "Socio-economic development through skills training for poverty reduction : an exploratory study of rural women in Mthatha, South Africa." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/27129.
Full textAbstract:
Women constitute the largest proportion of the rural adult South African population. The rural areas host women with the lowest levels of education and skills training in the country. The lack of basic education and skills has resulted in many of them being marginalised, rejected and discriminated against, unemployed and living in poverty. These social problems have serious negative effects on them and their families, which is why the educational provision of Adult and Community Education and Training in South Africa is a significant tool for their socio-economic advancement. This educational provision is aimed at empowering adults in general, and rural women in particular, with the necessary livelihood skills to lead productive lives and consequently the study sought to investigate the socio-economic lives of rural women through skills training for poverty reduction in the Mthatha area of South Africa. A qualitative research approach and an exploratory design were employed for the study. A sample of 35 participants, comprising 20 female learners, 4 educators, and 7 former learners were in addition to 4 learners selected for a focus group discussion. Other instruments with which data were collected constituted in-depth individual interviews and documentary analysis. The theories underpinning the study are Maslow‘s theory of motivation, empowerment theory and critical pedagogy. Among others, the findings revealed the absence of adequate resources with which to empower rural women and consequently the study recommends that Adult and Community Education and Training providers include programmes that can up-skill rural women based at community learning centres in an effort to enhance their economic development. Community learning centres must be fully resourced in terms of facilities and appropriate learning tools to render Adult and Community Education and Training a beneficial educational intervention for these rurally based women.Educational Studies
Ph. D. (Socio-Education)
40
Mushangwe, Beatha. "The socio-economic challenges of HIV and AIDS on widowed women in rural communities of Zimbabwe : a case of Mukadziwashe Village in Gutu Central District." Diss., 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/19564.
Full textAbstract:
The study into the socio-economic challenges of HIV and AIDS on widowed women in rural communities of Zimbabwe was carried out in the village of Mukadziwashe. The main aim of the study was to find out the socio-economic challenges that are faced by HIV and AIDS widows. Of particular concern has been role played change agent since the dawn of the HIV and AIDS pandemic and its devastating socio-economic impact on families, especially widows.
The findings of this study are based on a sample of limited number (12) widows based in the village of Mukadziwashe in Gutu Central District, as well interviews of key informants who happen to be representatives of change agents in the main.
In-depth interviews were the tool used to collect information from the research participants identified above. The findings of the study revealed that widows still suffer from the serious social and economic challenges posed by HIV and AIDS such as cultural oppressions and prevention of women from inheriting their late husbands’ wealth The continued denial of women of their constitutionally enshrined rights is difficult to understand, because many studies have been conducted on this subject. It is reasonable to expect noticeable progress in promoting the rights of women, especially widows.
What is apparent in this sad story is the mute role of change agents, be they government, non-governmental or community based, in affirming widows’ rights. Based on these observations, the study strongly recommends the design, implementation and constant monitoring of intervention programmes aimed at women empowerment in general.Sociology
M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)
41
Mlambo, Sharon. "Income generating projects and the poverty of women : the case of Chinamora." Thesis, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/5555.
Full textAbstract:
Rural women in Zimbabwe are disproportionately represented among the poor. Among the interventions taken to mitigate the poverty suffered by women is the concept of income-generating projects (lGPs). Government, non-governmental organisations and donor agencies support the IGPs. After years of channeling resources through the IGPs to alleviate the poverty of mostly rural women, it is necessary that we take stock of the benefits that have been realised. The aim of this thesis is to identify the benefits and
pitfalls of the IGPs in alleviating poverty. A case study of two projects in Chinamora communal lands in Zimbabwe demonstrates that IGPs do provide some benefits to participants and their households. Limited funding for start-up capital and lack of viable markets are among the major impediments to
increased benefits. There is evidence that women can successfully organise themselves and explore previously male dominated areas of production such as carpentry. This suggests that IGPs do have the potential to somewhat alleviate poverty. making it necessary for the supporting institutions to seriously consider improving the shortcomings presently plaguing IGPs.Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.
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Nhleko, Mary-Ann Nokulunga. "The use of small, medium and micro-enterprises as a strategic tool for women socio-economic empowerment in the northern rural KwaZulu-Natal." Thesis, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10321/2621.
Full textAbstract:
Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of a Degree of Master of Technology: Business Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 2017.Positive women entrepreneurial support can change the entrepreneurial spirit, attitude and perceptions among the women communities with specific references to rural women in the northern region of KwaZulu-Natal province. A lot of previous research survey about how SMMEs can improve women’s socio-economic challenges did not properly include those women living in the rural places such as KwaZulu-Natal. This study aims to analyse the use of SMMEs as a strategic tool for women’s socio-economic empowerment in rural northern KwaZulu-Natal. The study was conducted within the rural areas of northern KwaZulu-Natal using qualitative method. The sample for the study consisted of 250 respondents of rural women SMMEs. The respondents were selected using quota sampling. Respondents were asked to complete 2 page questionnaires with an interviewer present to assist. The data analysis was done by using SPSS version 24.0. The results were presented through tables and bar graphs. The main aim of the study was to investigate and describe the use of SMMEs as a strategic tool, to identify factors influencing the use and to examine to what extent they affect the use of SMMEs as a strategic tool for women empowerment. The findings of the study reveals that rural women SMMEs are mostly affected by external factors while on the other hand they also indicated that lack of proper training and entrepreneurial education have impact on the day- to -day running of their businesses. The study was limited by the exploratory nature and small sampling size. Therefore, generalisation of the findings should be done with care and further research is encouraged and should include other places in the area.
M
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Eschbach, Philipp. "The effect of entitlement and patronage on empowerment : a case study on a development project in Bangladesh." Diss., 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/25544.
Full textAbstract:
Text in EnglishSustainable development empowers poverty-affected people and communities by strengthening their capabilities. HRDP, a Bangladeshi development agency aims to achieve this goal by offering literacy classes and primary school edu-cation. In recent years, they have encountered obstacles to their empowerment strategy. Socio-cultural mediated expectations and moral obligations impeded the capability approach. This case study seeks to research the effects of entitlement and patronage on the empowerment of people in one of their projects. To be able to understand these structures and to determine possible implications for the asset-based ap-proach, 14 interviews and two focus-group discussions with local stakeholders have been conducted in the village of Gabtali, Bangladesh. Findings revealed that people desire to invest their own assets to increase their well-being, but expect assistance for this to happen. The study suggests align-ing expectations and obligations with the capability approach and also suggests a few ideas how this could be accomplished.
Development Studies
M.A. (Development studies)
44
Mokwena, Gladys Kedibone. "Vocational education and training programmes for unemployed women in Winterveldt, Pretoria." Thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/25268.
Full textAbstract:
The plight faced by unemployed rural communities in South Africa and particularly the women folks of Winterveldt does not differ much from other rural areas globally in terms of poverty and the need for development. In the light of this problem, the study attempted to answer the main research question guiding it, namely, what is the role of Vocational Education and Training programmes for unemployed women in Winterveldt? Few, if any, studies in South Africa have investigated how unemployed women with little formal education engage in Vocational Education and Training programmes for purposes of employment creation, environmental awareness and cultural preservation. This thesis presents three streams of Vocational Education and Training programmes that were introduced in Winterveldt, Pretoria, namely, the embroidery, vegetable gardens and beadwork.
Using a multi-focal theoretical framework consisting of empowerment, human capital, feminism, and critical pedagogy theories, the study investigates whether the programmes reduced women’s vulnerability to poverty in post-apartheid South Africa. To carry out the investigation, the study employed a multiple case study research design based on an interpretive paradigm. In addition, the researcher using individual and focus group interviews, observations and document analysis was able to acquire qualitative data. The data were collected from 17 unemployed women, seven from embroidery stream, five from vegetable garden section and five from beadwork division as well as three coordinators. All the interviewees were selected purposively because they were deemed information rich with regard to the programmes of their studies.
Data were analysed manually through hand coding that led to the emergence of the research findings. The research findings were categorised into various ideas that were eventually used to form the themes to this study.
The research findings revealed the followings:
That all human beings have the capacity to realise their potential in their own way;
That women with little or no formal learning, usually go unnoticed in any systematic way;
That despite being unnoticed, women have achieved success by using their own hands and available resources to create artefacts or produce crops to turn their impoverished situation around; and
That Vocational Education and Training programmes serve as a primary livelihood strategy for unemployed women who had no alternative means of employment.
In conclusion, the research findings are a reminder of the true African spirit that says; Rutang bana ditaola, le se ye natšo badimong, broadly translated as teach insights into the secrets of life to the young ones; you are not to take them with you when you depart to the land of ancestors. Finally, this study proposes a partnership framework as a formation that could enhance the performance of the women participants in the area of Winterveldt. The idea is that by sharing their knowledge and expertise the unemployed women who participate in the various community-based Vocational Education and Training programmes can achieve far better results than when they work in silos.Educational Studies
Ph. D. (Education)
45
Ndala, Ephie Lebohang. "Migrant women labourers and “leaving children behind” : community women’s perceptions." Diss., 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/26549.
Full textAbstract:
Migration has always been part of South African history, both in the collective and as individuals. Under apartheid, children were separated from their fathers and sometimes mothers for long periods of time, and as a coping strategy, foster care was introduced. This trend is still noticeable as we continue to find both men and women moving from rural households in pursuit of employment. In countries where gender roles are still very inflexible and the mother’s main role is perceived as that of raising children and the father’s as providing for the family, migration of mothers is perceived as a much larger disruption in a child’s life than is the father’s absence. Drawing from critical feminist theory, which pays particular attention to issues of discrimination and oppression against women, my study aimed at exploring the perceptions Madelakufa community women have about migrant women labourers who leave their children. A qualitative approach was employed, and data were collected through conducting three focus groups. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.Psychology
M.A. (Psychology: Research Consultation)
46
Dale, Beshir Butta. "Gender mainstreaming in agricultural value chains : the quest for gender equality, employment and women's empowerment in Arsi zone, Ethiopia." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/26841.
Full textAbstract:
Abstracts in English, Afrikaans and ZuluThis thesis investigates gender relations in agricultural value chains by examining gender differentials in terms of gender roles in agricultural production and marketing, gender division of labour within the household, gendered daily and seasonal activities in the household, decision-making power within the household, and access to productive resources and agricultural support services. The study also assessed historical, socio-cultural, and institutional factors constraining gender equality and women’s empowerment in agricultural value chains. Employing critical theory, the study used a qualitative research approach, specifically basic classical ethnographic methods - participant observation, field notes, in-depth interviews, semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and secondary documents. The study also used a time-use survey and seasonal calendar as its primary source of data. The study revealed that women are generally underrepresented in most profitable nodes of the value chains. However, agricultural value chain interventions have different outcomes for women in female-headed households (FHHs) and women in male-headed households (MHHs). The commercialization of agriculture, particularly in MHHs, has led women to lose control over the commodities they traditionally used to control, as these commodities have fallen into the hands of men. Therefore women in this category are either disempowered or at least not empowered by the value chain interventions. Nevertheless, for women of FHHs, gender mainstreaming in agricultural value chains has contributed to improving gender equality, employment, and women’s empowerment by boosting their economic, social, and personal empowerment levels, though they still lag behind the men in many aspects. The participation of women in managing and controlling high-value crops is constrained by unequal power relations within the household and society. This could be explained in terms of limited resources, low level of literacy, shortage of labour and time, limited access to productive inputs, technologies, market information and agricultural extension services, restriction of mobility, and other socio-cultural and institutional barriers.
Hierdie studie handel oor genderverhoudings in landbouwaardekettings deur genderkenmerke te ondersoek ten opsigte van genderrolle in landbouproduksie en -bemarking, die verdeling van take by die huis op grond van gender, daaglikse en seisoenale werksaamhede tuis volgens gender, besluitnemingsbevoegdheid in die huishouding, en toegang tot produktiewe hulpbronne en landbouhulpdienste. Die studie verreken ook die historiese, sosiaal-kulturele en institusionele faktore wat gendergelykheid en die bemagtiging van vroue in landbouwaardekettings belemmer. Genderverhoudings word deur die lens van die kritiese teorie bekyk. ʼn Kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering is gevolg en klassieke etnografiese metodes is toegepas, waaronder deelnemerwaarneming, veldaantekeninge, deurtastende en halfgestruktureerde onderhoude, onderhoude met sleutelinformante, fokusgroepbesprekings en sekondêre dokumente. ʼn Tydbenuttingsopname en seisoenale kalender was die primêre databronne. Uit die studie het geblyk dat vroue by die mees winsgewende skakels van die waardeketting grotendeels onderverteenwoordig is. Die uitkomste van landbouwaardekettingintervensies vir vrouehuishoudings (VH) (huishoudings waarin ʼn vrou die broodwinner is) verskil van dié vir mannehuishoudings (MH) (huishoudings waarin ʼn man die broodwinner is). Weens die kommersialisering van die landboubedryf, in veral MH’s, het beheer oor die kommoditeite van vroue se hande in dié van mans oorgegaan. Gevolglik word vroue in hierdie kategorie ontmagtig of ten minste nie deur die waarde van kettingintervensies bemagtig nie. Ofskoon ʼn groter genderbewustheid in die landbouwaardeketting gelyke indiensneming en die ekonomiese, maatskaplike en persoonlike bemagtiging van vroue bevorder het, het vroue steeds ʼn groot agterstand. Ongelyke magsverhoudings tuis en in die samelewing beperk vroue se bestuur van en beheer oor lonende gewasse. Die redes hiervoor is onder meer beperkte hulpbronne, ongeletterdheid, ʼn tekort aan arbeid en tyd, beperkte toegang tot produktiewe insette, tegnologieë, markinligting en landbouverlengingsdienste, beperkte mobiliteit en talle ander sosiaal-kulturele en institusionele struikelblokke.
Lolu cwaningo luphenya ubudlelwano kwezobulili kwezemisebenzi yokukhiqiza ngasemkhakheni wezolimo , lokhu kwenziwa ngokuthi kuhlolwe izimpawu ezahlukile kwezobulili, mayelana nezindima ezidlalwa ubulili emkhakheni wezemikhiqizo yezolimo kanye nokuthengiswa kwemikhiqizo, ukwehlukaniswa kwabasebenzi ngokobulili ngaphakathi kwekhaya kanye nokutholakala kwemithombo yokukhiqiza kanye nemisebenzi yokuxhasa ezolimo. Isifundo futhi sihlola izinto ezithinta umlando, inhlalakahle yabantu kwezolimo kanye nezimo/nezinto ezikumaziko ezidala ukungalingani kobulili kanye nokuhlonyiswa ngamandla kwabesimame emisebenzini yezokukhiqiza kwezolimo. Ukusebenzisa umqondo ogxekayo (critical theory), kusetshenziswe indlela yokucwaninga eyencike kwingxoxo, ikakhulukazi izindlela zokuqala ze-ethinogilafi, phecelezi (basic classical ethnographic methods) – ukubhekisisa izenzo zabadlalindima, ukuthatha amanothi wokwenzeka ezinkundleni zokusebenza ezingaphandle, ukwenza izinhlolo vo ezijulile, ukwenza izinhlolo vo ezimbaxambili, ukwenza izinhlolovo zomuntu onolwazi olunzulu, izingxoxo zeqembu eliqondiwe kanye nemibhalo yesigaba sesibili. Isaveyi yesikhathi ebizwa nge (time-use survey) kanye nekhalenda yenkathi (seasonal calendar ) zisetshenziswe njengemithombo yokuqala yedatha. Ucwaningo luveze ukuthi abesimame ngokwenjwayelo bamele inani elincane labesimame emikhakheni eminingi yezokukhiqiza, okuyimikhakha engenisa inzuzo eningi. Yize kunjalo, imizamo yokuxhasa imisebenzi yokukhiqiza kwezolimo inemiphumela eyehlukahlukene kwabesimame kumakhaya aphethwe abesimame (FHHs) futhi le mizamo inemiphumela eyehlukahlukene kwabesimame kumakhaya aphethwe ngabesilisa (MHHs). Ukufakwa kwemboni yezolimo kwibhizinisi, ikakhulukazi kwimizi ephathwe ngabesilisa (MHHs), sekuholele ekutheni abesimame balahlekelwe yilawulo kwimithombo yezomnotho ebebejwayele ukuyiphatha, njengoba le mithombo yezomnotho seyiwele ngaphansi kwezandla zabesilisa. Ngakho-ke abesimame kulo mkhakha mhlawumbe bephucwe amandla noma mhlawumbe abahlonyisiwe ngokwanele ngamandla ngamakhono okuxhasa imisebenzi yezokukhiqiza. Yize-kunjalo, ngasohlangothini lwabesimame abaphethe imizi FHHs, ukulinganisa amanani ngokobulili kwimisebenzi yezolimo sekube negalelo ekuthuthukiseni ukulingana ngokobulili, kwezemisebenzi kanye nokuhlomisa ngamandla kwabesimame ngokuxhasa amazinga abo ezomnotho, ukuhlonyiswa kwamazinga abantu kanye nomuntu ngamunye, yize abesimame basahamba emuva kwabesilisa emikhakheni eminingi. Ukubandakanyeka kwabesimame ekuphatheni kanye nasekulawuleni kwezitshalo zecophelo eliphezulu kukhinyabezwa ukungalingani ngamandla ngaphakathi kwekhaya kanye nomphakathi. Lokhu kungachazwa ngokwemithombo yomnotho emincane, ngokwamazinga aphansi emfundo, ngokusweleka kwabasebenzi kanye nesikhathi, ngokwamathuba amancane okufinyelela izinsiza zokukhiqiza, ngokwezixhobo zobuchwepheshengokuswela ulwazi lwezimakethe kanye nokwandiswa kwemisebenzi yezolimo, ngokwemigomo evimbezela ukuhamba kanye nezinye izihibe ezivimbela inhlalakahle yabantu kwezolimo kanye nezihibe zamaziko.
Development Studies
D. Phil. (Development Studies)