Pub Date : 2022-03-01DOI: 10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a8
Eleanor Alvira Hendricks
Abstract Universities are institutions focussing on developing knowledge acquisition, acquiring discipline-specific skills, and where mentoring of students transpire, facilitating students in pursuing careers of their choice. Therefore, universities should be nonviolent environments where students use their scholarships to their full potential. In recent years, universities have become environments of distress for female students, with escalating reports of violence against them so extensive that it has become petrifying. This study aimed to explore reasons for increasing sexual harassment towards female students in three South African Universities. A qualitative approach and a case study research design were used in conducting this study. Thirty female students (10 from each of the three selected universities) and three staff (2 counsellors and 1 Dean of students from the selected universities) were purposively sampled to participate in this study to share their experience on sexual harassment. The data obtained through in-depth interviews was analysed thematically and supported by the relevant literature. The findings revealed that amongst the many forms of violence against women, sexual harassment is very common. The study recommended that female students who have been victims of any form of sexual harassment should establish support networks and empower each other in overcoming fear of abuse and assist victims to become survivors.
{"title":"Sexual Harassment of Female Students in selected South African Universities","authors":"Eleanor Alvira Hendricks","doi":"10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a8","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Universities are institutions focussing on developing knowledge acquisition, acquiring discipline-specific skills, and where mentoring of students transpire, facilitating students in pursuing careers of their choice. Therefore, universities should be nonviolent environments where students use their scholarships to their full potential. In recent years, universities have become environments of distress for female students, with escalating reports of violence against them so extensive that it has become petrifying. This study aimed to explore reasons for increasing sexual harassment towards female students in three South African Universities. A qualitative approach and a case study research design were used in conducting this study. Thirty female students (10 from each of the three selected universities) and three staff (2 counsellors and 1 Dean of students from the selected universities) were purposively sampled to participate in this study to share their experience on sexual harassment. The data obtained through in-depth interviews was analysed thematically and supported by the relevant literature. The findings revealed that amongst the many forms of violence against women, sexual harassment is very common. The study recommended that female students who have been victims of any form of sexual harassment should establish support networks and empower each other in overcoming fear of abuse and assist victims to become survivors.","PeriodicalId":45357,"journal":{"name":"Gender Technology & Development","volume":"22 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75711692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-01DOI: 10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a7
Marongwe Newlin, Masha Anthony
Abstract The aim of the study was to explore how female academics in rural South African higher education developed resilience by balancing the pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, work, and house chores; and rose above the harsh situations. Some people in Africa and across the globe argue that females do not enjoy the same privileges and opportunities at home and work because of patriarchy and societal norms that reinforce family and organisational practices favouring the male counterparts. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and a case study design. A purposive sampling technique was used to choose nine participants from three rural universities. Telephonic interviews were used for data collection, and the data were thematically analysed. This study found that female academicians were faced with a myriad of challenges, but influences from within the self helped them to build resilience. The study concluded that no matter what hurdles are along the way, women have learnt to fight for their space. The implication drawn from the study’s findings is that failure to address the challenges faced by female academics, especially regarding the workload policy, impacts negatively on the quality of work done and slows down knowledge production. Consequently, the study recommended that employers in higher education should come up with a workload policy/model that allows female academics to work more efficiently and effectively contributing constructively to knowledge production in higher education.
{"title":"Resilience of Female Academics in Rural South African Higher Education amid the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Marongwe Newlin, Masha Anthony","doi":"10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a7","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The aim of the study was to explore how female academics in rural South African higher education developed resilience by balancing the pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, work, and house chores; and rose above the harsh situations. Some people in Africa and across the globe argue that females do not enjoy the same privileges and opportunities at home and work because of patriarchy and societal norms that reinforce family and organisational practices favouring the male counterparts. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and a case study design. A purposive sampling technique was used to choose nine participants from three rural universities. Telephonic interviews were used for data collection, and the data were thematically analysed. This study found that female academicians were faced with a myriad of challenges, but influences from within the self helped them to build resilience. The study concluded that no matter what hurdles are along the way, women have learnt to fight for their space. The implication drawn from the study’s findings is that failure to address the challenges faced by female academics, especially regarding the workload policy, impacts negatively on the quality of work done and slows down knowledge production. Consequently, the study recommended that employers in higher education should come up with a workload policy/model that allows female academics to work more efficiently and effectively contributing constructively to knowledge production in higher education.","PeriodicalId":45357,"journal":{"name":"Gender Technology & Development","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89828070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-01DOI: 10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a5
Nqobile Precious Nzama, Edmore Ntini
Abstract This paper presented the results of a qualitative study on challenges to community gardens as a livelihood strategy in a rural community. The paper aimed to generate knowledge on the manifestations of the challenges and what could be done to minimise them. Its objective was to describe the challenges to community gardens. The paper used a qualitative case study of community vegetable gardens in the Echobeni area situated on the south coast of the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Interviewing method was used. Five purposefully sampled participants from a population of 20 women engaged in vegetable gardening in the Echobeni area were interviewed. The study identified seven challenges, namely: lack of institutional support and leadership support; vandalism; pests; lack of knowledge and marketing; land tenure; inadequate water supply; and lack of motivation. The study recommended the need for capacity building, the adoption of a sustainable livelihoods’ framework, the promotion of institutional linkages, security of land tenure, and encouraging the participation of the rural youth.
{"title":"Challenges Facing Women’s Community Vegetable Gardening in the Echobeni area of KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa","authors":"Nqobile Precious Nzama, Edmore Ntini","doi":"10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a5","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This paper presented the results of a qualitative study on challenges to community gardens as a livelihood strategy in a rural community. The paper aimed to generate knowledge on the manifestations of the challenges and what could be done to minimise them. Its objective was to describe the challenges to community gardens. The paper used a qualitative case study of community vegetable gardens in the Echobeni area situated on the south coast of the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Interviewing method was used. Five purposefully sampled participants from a population of 20 women engaged in vegetable gardening in the Echobeni area were interviewed. The study identified seven challenges, namely: lack of institutional support and leadership support; vandalism; pests; lack of knowledge and marketing; land tenure; inadequate water supply; and lack of motivation. The study recommended the need for capacity building, the adoption of a sustainable livelihoods’ framework, the promotion of institutional linkages, security of land tenure, and encouraging the participation of the rural youth.","PeriodicalId":45357,"journal":{"name":"Gender Technology & Development","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80873726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-01DOI: 10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a9
R. Kasimba, P. Nyoni
Abstract The study unearthed embedded factors that hinder Muzarabani District from achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by 2030. Main research focus is how far has Zimbabwe’s rural areas such as the Chadereka community achieved gender equality and empowerment of women and girls with respect to the 2030 target. The research further explores reasons why there is a high number of girls of school-going age outside the school system. A human rights-based approach guided the study’s arguments. The research utilised a case study design while a thematic analysis was used for data analysis. A qualitative methodology was employed while key informant interviews, focus group discussions and observations were used to collect data with purposive sampling being adopted in the selection of respondents. A total of 20 participants were chosen and they included; three men (a villager, a chief and a village head); five girls; five women; two officials from the DA’s office who consisted of the DA and an official dealing with women, children and disability, and development; two officials from local NGOs, a school head and two female teachers. The study found that women in Chadereka were still in a perpetual state of domination by their male counterparts due to persistent gender stereotypes, school setting related challenges and climatic variances that impacted on the education and ultimate emancipation of the girl child.
{"title":"Girls’ Rights to Education in Chadereka Muzarabani District, Zimbabwe: A perspective on Sustainable Development Goal Number 5","authors":"R. Kasimba, P. Nyoni","doi":"10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a9","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The study unearthed embedded factors that hinder Muzarabani District from achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by 2030. Main research focus is how far has Zimbabwe’s rural areas such as the Chadereka community achieved gender equality and empowerment of women and girls with respect to the 2030 target. The research further explores reasons why there is a high number of girls of school-going age outside the school system. A human rights-based approach guided the study’s arguments. The research utilised a case study design while a thematic analysis was used for data analysis. A qualitative methodology was employed while key informant interviews, focus group discussions and observations were used to collect data with purposive sampling being adopted in the selection of respondents. A total of 20 participants were chosen and they included; three men (a villager, a chief and a village head); five girls; five women; two officials from the DA’s office who consisted of the DA and an official dealing with women, children and disability, and development; two officials from local NGOs, a school head and two female teachers. The study found that women in Chadereka were still in a perpetual state of domination by their male counterparts due to persistent gender stereotypes, school setting related challenges and climatic variances that impacted on the education and ultimate emancipation of the girl child.","PeriodicalId":45357,"journal":{"name":"Gender Technology & Development","volume":"310 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79693094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-01DOI: 10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a3
D. Isaacs, Kariena Strydom, I. Mbukanma
Abstract Previous scholars have emphasised gender inequalities in management and decision-making in a variety of companies. This study aimed to identify and analyse characteristics that may promote women's empowerment and minimise gender inequality in the workplace. A quantitative research method was adopted with strict adherence to deductive design, and a questionnaire was used to collect data from 111 female employees at a company in the polymer industry in South Africa. An inferential statistical method was employed, using regression analysis to test and ascertain the significance of the relationship between five independent variables (information and communication resources; rewards and incentives; autonomy; skills and knowledge; and self-esteem) and the dependent variable, which measures women’s empowerment. The findings revealed a strong, positive significant relationship between the variables. Improving these five independent variables positively predicts an improved pattern of women’s empowerment in the workplace. It is recommended that stakeholders incorporate these independent variables into their human capital management structures to empower women.
{"title":"Advancing Women’s Empowerment in the Workplace: A Study of a Company in the Polymer Industry in South Africa","authors":"D. Isaacs, Kariena Strydom, I. Mbukanma","doi":"10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a3","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Previous scholars have emphasised gender inequalities in management and decision-making in a variety of companies. This study aimed to identify and analyse characteristics that may promote women's empowerment and minimise gender inequality in the workplace. A quantitative research method was adopted with strict adherence to deductive design, and a questionnaire was used to collect data from 111 female employees at a company in the polymer industry in South Africa. An inferential statistical method was employed, using regression analysis to test and ascertain the significance of the relationship between five independent variables (information and communication resources; rewards and incentives; autonomy; skills and knowledge; and self-esteem) and the dependent variable, which measures women’s empowerment. The findings revealed a strong, positive significant relationship between the variables. Improving these five independent variables positively predicts an improved pattern of women’s empowerment in the workplace. It is recommended that stakeholders incorporate these independent variables into their human capital management structures to empower women.","PeriodicalId":45357,"journal":{"name":"Gender Technology & Development","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89625247","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-01DOI: 10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a2
Muesiri O. Ashe, Vivian B. Ojong
Abstract The study is an analysis of border management in relation to the gender structure of cross-border trade in sub-Saharan Africa. It is partly a response to recent policy briefs of the United Nations on gender issues under COVID-19. The study adopted a historical approach and combined data from personal fieldwork with those from both published and unpublished works. It posits that there still exists gross gender imbalance in the region’s cross-border trade and that the agencies in charge of border control can do more to minimise the imbalance. One of its key findings is that policies protecting small-scale cross-border commerce constitute one means of increasing the participation of women and therefore reducing gender imbalance in the system. Among its recommendations is the adoption of relevant initiatives of regional organisations and international agencies that have given gender issues in cross-border trade a priority and embarked on relevant fieldwork on the way forward.
{"title":"Border Management and Gender Issues in sub-Saharan Africa’s Cross-Border Trade under COVID-19","authors":"Muesiri O. Ashe, Vivian B. Ojong","doi":"10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a2","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The study is an analysis of border management in relation to the gender structure of cross-border trade in sub-Saharan Africa. It is partly a response to recent policy briefs of the United Nations on gender issues under COVID-19. The study adopted a historical approach and combined data from personal fieldwork with those from both published and unpublished works. It posits that there still exists gross gender imbalance in the region’s cross-border trade and that the agencies in charge of border control can do more to minimise the imbalance. One of its key findings is that policies protecting small-scale cross-border commerce constitute one means of increasing the participation of women and therefore reducing gender imbalance in the system. Among its recommendations is the adoption of relevant initiatives of regional organisations and international agencies that have given gender issues in cross-border trade a priority and embarked on relevant fieldwork on the way forward.","PeriodicalId":45357,"journal":{"name":"Gender Technology & Development","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88473772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-01DOI: 10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a1
Clayton Hazvinei Vhumbunu, Joseph Rukema Rudigi
Abstract The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has been signed by 54 out of the 55 African countries, seeks to create a single continental market for goods and services and facilitate the free movement of people on the continent, thereby boosting and enhancing the competitiveness of intra-African trade. However, while the Agreement Establishing the AfCFTA, under Article 3 (e), emphasises that one of the general objectives of the AfCFTA is to promote gender equality, experiences in other African Regional Economic Communities (RECs) FTAs have proven that gender and gender equality have not been adequately mainstreamed in implementing Free Trade Areas which has resulted in gender inequalities in international trade and commerce. Consequently, the majority of women have been left marginalised in trade and faced with serious challenges in accessing opportunities created by regional trade agreements. This paper sought to examine the potential of the AfCFTA to promote gender equality in Africa through the promotion of intra-African trade opportunities. Using secondary data sources, it drew from the experiences of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in mainstreaming gender in regional trade to proffer recommendations for the AfCFTA. The concepts of gender equality, gender mainstreaming and trade liberalisation were utilised for conceptual analysis. Recommendations of the research are key in presenting possible options for implementing gender-sensitive measures and strategic interventions that address the differentiated implications of the AfCFTA on both men and women such that the AfCFTA delivers more transformative, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development in Africa.
{"title":"Opportunities for Gender Equality in the African Continental Free Trade Area: Drawing Lessons from COMESA","authors":"Clayton Hazvinei Vhumbunu, Joseph Rukema Rudigi","doi":"10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has been signed by 54 out of the 55 African countries, seeks to create a single continental market for goods and services and facilitate the free movement of people on the continent, thereby boosting and enhancing the competitiveness of intra-African trade. However, while the Agreement Establishing the AfCFTA, under Article 3 (e), emphasises that one of the general objectives of the AfCFTA is to promote gender equality, experiences in other African Regional Economic Communities (RECs) FTAs have proven that gender and gender equality have not been adequately mainstreamed in implementing Free Trade Areas which has resulted in gender inequalities in international trade and commerce. Consequently, the majority of women have been left marginalised in trade and faced with serious challenges in accessing opportunities created by regional trade agreements. This paper sought to examine the potential of the AfCFTA to promote gender equality in Africa through the promotion of intra-African trade opportunities. Using secondary data sources, it drew from the experiences of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in mainstreaming gender in regional trade to proffer recommendations for the AfCFTA. The concepts of gender equality, gender mainstreaming and trade liberalisation were utilised for conceptual analysis. Recommendations of the research are key in presenting possible options for implementing gender-sensitive measures and strategic interventions that address the differentiated implications of the AfCFTA on both men and women such that the AfCFTA delivers more transformative, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development in Africa.","PeriodicalId":45357,"journal":{"name":"Gender Technology & Development","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75159835","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-01DOI: 10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a10
S. N. Mahlaba, K. D. Ige, N. G. Tshabalala
Abstract Development agencies, non-government organisations (NGOs), and government organisations around the world aim to advance women in all spheres of their lives. Cooperatives have been recognised as an imperative mechanism to increase capital initiatives and development within disadvantaged communities. This study examined the role of cooperatives in empowering women to throw some light on how active participation and membership in cooperatives can empower women to improve their skills, social needs, and ambitions to eliminate poverty and create jobs. Survey research was employed in the study. One hundred and ten (110) members responded to a questionnaire to decipher respondents’ perceptions of the level of participation, empowerment, capacitation and perceived benefits. The findings of the study demonstrated that capacitation, empowerment and participation influence change on the benefits of membership in a cooperative as they provide an affirmative impact on development and individual growth. However, the study also revealed that women lack skills and training, sound management, and continuous government support. The study, therefore, recommended continual support from the government and the private sector by providing financial support, training and workshops for women in cooperatives to empower themselves and contribute considerably to job development and poverty reduction in local and regional areas.
{"title":"Women Participation and Empowerment in the Cooperative Organisations in South Africa","authors":"S. N. Mahlaba, K. D. Ige, N. G. Tshabalala","doi":"10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2022/v11n1a10","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Development agencies, non-government organisations (NGOs), and government organisations around the world aim to advance women in all spheres of their lives. Cooperatives have been recognised as an imperative mechanism to increase capital initiatives and development within disadvantaged communities. This study examined the role of cooperatives in empowering women to throw some light on how active participation and membership in cooperatives can empower women to improve their skills, social needs, and ambitions to eliminate poverty and create jobs. Survey research was employed in the study. One hundred and ten (110) members responded to a questionnaire to decipher respondents’ perceptions of the level of participation, empowerment, capacitation and perceived benefits. The findings of the study demonstrated that capacitation, empowerment and participation influence change on the benefits of membership in a cooperative as they provide an affirmative impact on development and individual growth. However, the study also revealed that women lack skills and training, sound management, and continuous government support. The study, therefore, recommended continual support from the government and the private sector by providing financial support, training and workshops for women in cooperatives to empower themselves and contribute considerably to job development and poverty reduction in local and regional areas.","PeriodicalId":45357,"journal":{"name":"Gender Technology & Development","volume":"92 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85682166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-01-02DOI: 10.1080/09718524.2022.2040218
Sampriti Baruah, S. Mohanty, A. Rola
Abstract Vulnerable landless women farmers face the dual challenge of small farm size and illegality of land tenancy. These smallholders face a lack of bargaining power in input and output markets and economic non-viability of technology adoption. We piloted a collective action model of organizing agriculture production work called “Small Farmers Large Field” with 35 landless tenant women farmers in Khanizpur village, Odisha. Within an embedded mixed method design, the study included the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data. In this QUAL + quan design, the qualitative dataset assumes the primary role. The results indicate that the per acre net income that represented a loss of INR 2,831 in the previous wet season changed to a positive profit of INR 15,065. Much of the increase in net income was due to the 60% increase in yield. Several factors including the use of good-quality seeds and adoption of improved practices contributed to such yield improvement. Apart from the monetary benefits, the collective action among farmers resulted in many non-monetary benefits such as improved knowledge on technology and production practices, stronger social network and civic engagement, and efficient use of water. In addition, farmers had a significant amount of time saving in different field operations.
{"title":"Empowering women farmers through collective action: a case study of Khanizpur Hamlet, Odisha","authors":"Sampriti Baruah, S. Mohanty, A. Rola","doi":"10.1080/09718524.2022.2040218","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09718524.2022.2040218","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Vulnerable landless women farmers face the dual challenge of small farm size and illegality of land tenancy. These smallholders face a lack of bargaining power in input and output markets and economic non-viability of technology adoption. We piloted a collective action model of organizing agriculture production work called “Small Farmers Large Field” with 35 landless tenant women farmers in Khanizpur village, Odisha. Within an embedded mixed method design, the study included the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data. In this QUAL + quan design, the qualitative dataset assumes the primary role. The results indicate that the per acre net income that represented a loss of INR 2,831 in the previous wet season changed to a positive profit of INR 15,065. Much of the increase in net income was due to the 60% increase in yield. Several factors including the use of good-quality seeds and adoption of improved practices contributed to such yield improvement. Apart from the monetary benefits, the collective action among farmers resulted in many non-monetary benefits such as improved knowledge on technology and production practices, stronger social network and civic engagement, and efficient use of water. In addition, farmers had a significant amount of time saving in different field operations.","PeriodicalId":45357,"journal":{"name":"Gender Technology & Development","volume":"26 1","pages":"58 - 73"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48249370","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-01-02DOI: 10.1080/09718524.2022.2034097
Mona Chettri
Abstract In the eastern Himalayan region of Sikkim and Darjeeling, India, young women migrate from within and outside the area to work in the expanding retail and service sector. This sector demands very little from them in terms of education, technical skills or financial literacy; the emphasis being on their youth, and supposed socio-cultural and gendered attributes of docility, flexibility and manageability. Simultaneously, technological and infrastructural advancements combined with the influx of cheap fakes of international brands have made borderlands prominent sites of low-end globalization. The informal sector thrives on the back of this rapidly expanding market, the unceasing supply of cheap, flexible and docile labor and the invisibility of laboring bodies and their inherent precarity. However, the informal sector and the attributes that it seeks also create room to maneuver, and negotiate precarity. Focusing on this newly formed but rapidly growing precariat in the eastern Himalayan borderland, and using qualitative data, this paper illustrates (a) how capitalism, through consumption, can create precarious lives and livelihoods (b) the emerging contradictions (empowerment, exploitation) in social and gendered relations as a result of informal employment and (c) the transformation of borderlands into new sites of low-end globalization.
{"title":"Next-gen precarity: gender and informal labor in the Eastern Himalaya","authors":"Mona Chettri","doi":"10.1080/09718524.2022.2034097","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09718524.2022.2034097","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In the eastern Himalayan region of Sikkim and Darjeeling, India, young women migrate from within and outside the area to work in the expanding retail and service sector. This sector demands very little from them in terms of education, technical skills or financial literacy; the emphasis being on their youth, and supposed socio-cultural and gendered attributes of docility, flexibility and manageability. Simultaneously, technological and infrastructural advancements combined with the influx of cheap fakes of international brands have made borderlands prominent sites of low-end globalization. The informal sector thrives on the back of this rapidly expanding market, the unceasing supply of cheap, flexible and docile labor and the invisibility of laboring bodies and their inherent precarity. However, the informal sector and the attributes that it seeks also create room to maneuver, and negotiate precarity. Focusing on this newly formed but rapidly growing precariat in the eastern Himalayan borderland, and using qualitative data, this paper illustrates (a) how capitalism, through consumption, can create precarious lives and livelihoods (b) the emerging contradictions (empowerment, exploitation) in social and gendered relations as a result of informal employment and (c) the transformation of borderlands into new sites of low-end globalization.","PeriodicalId":45357,"journal":{"name":"Gender Technology & Development","volume":"26 1","pages":"96 - 115"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48492596","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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