A função de conduzir ônibus é exercida majoritariamente por homens. Porém, cada vez mais, mulheres adentram nessa profissão e ali sentem os tabus, os desafios e as alegrias da profissão. Desta forma o objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar as condições de acesso e permanência das mulheres como condutoras de ônibus em Curitiba e Região Metropolitana, com olhar voltado às conquistas, dificuldades, limites, desafios que estas mulheres enfrentam para acessar e permanecer na profissão. Como metodologia de pesquisa se adotou a qualitativa, utilizando como técnica de pesquisa a entrevista semiestruturada, na qual foram entrevistadas 20 mulheres condutoras de ônibus, atuantes em Curitiba e Região Metropolitana. As entrevistas ocorreram nos meses de maio e junho de 2017. Para análise dos dados utilizamos o método de Análise de Conteúdo, no qual observamos que a inserção e permanência nessa profissão é permeada por contradições, e, embora seja perceptível o alto grau de empoderamento das motoristas, elas ainda são submetidas a inúmeros desafios no que tange as relações de poder praticadas pelos motoristas do sexo masculino. Há relatos de situações em que as motoristas se utilizam de estratégias para relevar ou ficar indiferente às investidas discriminatórias como forma de não se indispor no trabalho. Outrossim demonstram ter, na atuação profissional, a igualdade de capacidade para condução dos veículos e bem desempenhar a profissão. Os resultados desta pesquisa poderão possibilitar ações para maior inserção das mulheres nesta profissão. / The function of driving a bus is exercised mainly by men. However, more and more, women enter this profession and there feel the taboos, challenges and joys of the profession. In this way the objective of this research was to analyze the conditions of access and permanence of women as bus drivers in Curitiba and Metropolitan Region, with a view to the achievements, difficulties, limits, challenges that these women face to access and remain in the profession. As a research methodology, a qualitative approach was adopted, using as a research technique the semi-structured interview, in which 20 bus drivers, who worked in Curitiba and Metropolitan area, were interviewed. The interviews took place in May and June of 2017. In order to analyze the data we used the Content Analysis method, in which we observed that the insertion and permanence in this profession is permeated by contradictions, and although the high degree of empowerment of drivers, they are still subjected to numerous challenges regarding the power relations practiced by male drivers. There are reports of situations in which drivers use strategies to relieve or be indifferent to discriminatory assaults as a way of not being upset at work. In addition, they demonstrate that they have the same level of capacity to drive their vehicles and perform their profession. The results of this research may enable actions to increase the insertion of women in this profession.

A função de conduzir ônibus é exercida majoritariamente por homens. Porém, cada vez mais, mulheres adentram nessa profissão e ali sentem os tabus, os desafios e as alegrias da profissão. Desta forma o objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar as condições de acesso e permanência das mulheres como condutoras de ônibus em Curitiba e Região Metropolitana, com olhar voltado às conquistas, dificuldades, limites, desafios que estas mulheres enfrentam para acessar e permanecer na profissão. Como metodologia de pesquisa se adotou a qualitativa, utilizando como técnica de pesquisa a entrevista semiestruturada, na qual foram entrevistadas 20 mulheres condutoras de ônibus, atuantes em Curitiba e Região Metropolitana. As entrevistas ocorreram nos meses de maio e junho de 2017. Para análise dos dados utilizamos o método de Análise de Conteúdo, no qual observamos que a inserção e permanência nessa profissão é permeada por contradições, e, embora seja perceptível o alto grau de empoderamento das motoristas, elas ainda são submetidas a inúmeros desafios no que tange as relações de poder praticadas pelos motoristas do sexo masculino. Há relatos de situações em que as motoristas se utilizam de estratégias para relevar ou ficar indiferente às investidas discriminatórias como forma de não se indispor no trabalho. Outrossim demonstram ter, na atuação profissional, a igualdade de capacidade para condução dos veículos e bem desempenhar a profissão. Os resultados desta pesquisa poderão possibilitar ações para maior inserção das mulheres nesta profissão. / The function of driving a bus is exercised mainly by men. However, more and more, women enter this profession and there feel the taboos, challenges and joys of the profession. In this way the objective of this research was to analyze the conditions of access and permanence of women as bus drivers in Curitiba and Metropolitan Region, with a view to the achievements, difficulties, limits, challenges that these women face to access and remain in the profession. As a research methodology, a qualitative approach was adopted, using as a research technique the semi-structured interview, in which 20 bus drivers, who worked in Curitiba and Metropolitan area, were interviewed. The interviews took place in May and June of 2017. In order to analyze the data we used the Content Analysis method, in which we observed that the insertion and permanence in this profession is permeated by contradictions, and although the high degree of empowerment of drivers, they are still subjected to numerous challenges regarding the power relations practiced by male drivers. There are reports of situations in which drivers use strategies to relieve or be indifferent to discriminatory assaults as a way of not being upset at work. In addition, they demonstrate that they have the same level of capacity to drive their vehicles and perform their profession. The results of this research may enable actions to increase the insertion of women in this profession.

RESUMÉ IN ENGLISH ENGLISH TITLE OF THE THESIS: OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE CONVENTION ON ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN The thesis is concerned with the Optional Protocol to the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (adopted in 1999 and entered into force on December 22nd, 2000). This international treaty offers women two significant mechanisms to protect their rights - the possibility to submit an individual communication to the Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women against a State Party to both the Convention and the Protocol and the competence of the Committee to carry out investigations into grave and systematic violations of rights set out in the Convention. The first chapter focuses on the context of and reasons for the adoption of the Protocol. Firstly, the CEDAW, its origins and implementation mechanisms are introduced. The need for an optional protocol clearly arose from the insufficiency of the protection mechanisms enshrined in CEDAW itself in the quest of protection of women in their everyday encounters with discrimination. The chapter describes the new implementation mechanisms introduced by the Protocol. Furthermore, the second and third chapters compare the protection mechanisms laid down in the Protocol and similar...

Ce travail propose une réflexion sur les obstacles, souvent "invisibles", qui contribuent à maintenir les femmes aux niveaux inférieurs de la hiérarchie professionnelle. Ce phénomène a été baptisé « plafond de verre ». L’asymétrie des profils professionnels entre hommes et femmes est interrogée à partir d’une approche constructiviste multidisciplinaire profitant des contributions conjointes de l’histoire, de la philosophie, de la sociologie et de la psychologie sociale. L'introduction théorique propose une réflexion sur les déterminants historiques et psychosociaux de l’asymétrie du masculin et du féminin dans leurs rapports au pouvoir et au travail. Les théories des Représentations Sociales (Moscovici, 1961), de l'Identité Sociale (Tajfel & Turner, 1986) serviront de cadre conceptuel à l’ensemble du travail. Les antécédents psychosociaux du « plafond de verre » sont étudiés au travers d’une série de 6 études. La première explore le vécu et les représentations des femmes évoluant dans un contexte professionnel masculin tel que la politique et montre l’existence chez elles d’une tension entre les normes instrumentales en vigueur dans ce contexte et l’approche relationnelle qu’elles voudraient promouvoir. La deuxième et la troisième études explorent respectivement les représentations sociales de l’« emploi idéal pour soi » et de la « réussite » chez des jeunes universitaires (garçons et filles) en partant du présupposé qu’afin de mieux comprendre les stratégies différenciées de mobilité ascendante chez les deux sexes, il est important d’interroger les représentations sociales liées à la sphère professionnelle que les uns et les autres possèdent avant d’y être intégré-e-s. Enfin, trois études empiriques testent l’hypothèse générale selon laquelle la sous-représentation des femmes aux niveaux supérieurs de la hiérarchie sociale pourrait résulter des discordances qui existent entre, d’une part, les normes de genre endossées par les individus (i.e. féminine vs. masculine) ainsi que le niveau d’identification au genre et, d’autre part, les normes sous-tendant la culture des organisations. Les résultats suggèrent l’existence d’une telle incompatibilité normative et de son impact potentiel sur les stratégies de mobilité ascendante./Adopting a constructivist and multidisciplinary perspective, the present dissertation questions the “hidden obstacles” contributing to maintain women in the lower positions of the professional ladder, a phenomenon called “glass ceiling”. Framing our work in the social representations theory (Moscovici, 1961) and the social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1986), we address the asymmetry in men’s and wome’s careers trough 6 study. Study 1 explores the representations of Belgian politician women with regard to their personal professional experiences and their relation to the normatively masculine political functioning. Furthermore, a second set of studies starts from the idea that, in order to understand women’s and men’s professional mobility strategies, we have to take social representations related to the professional domain into account. Hence, study 2 and 3 explore respectively the social representations of « an own ideal job » and of « a successful life » amongst young students of both sexes. Finally, studies 4, 5, and 6 test the general hypothesis that the lack of women in positions of power could be partially due to the incongruence between potentially conflicting social norms. Namely, while work settings seem to induce a social norm favoring instrumental social orientations, women socialization is still characterized by the existence of prescriptions about relational orientations. Results suggest the existence of this normative inconsistency together with its potential impact on women’s professional mobility strategies. / Doctorat en Sciences Psychologiques et de l'éducation / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

It has been claimed that since the dawn of democracy, there have been remarkable strides which were made to deal with the inequalities and disparities of the previous years. Former South African Police was reformed into a formidable South African Police Service that recognises the importance of women in the police. However, the SAPS is still one of the male-dominated organisations in this country. The inclusion and the retaining of women within operational policing and in management as well as leadership positions is still not yet successful. This research aimed to explore the causes for underrepresentation of policewomen in operational policing in Tshwane. The aim of this study was attained by gathering information through literature review, interviews and document analysis. In this qualitative study, semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted with twenty policewomen from four different identified police stations in Tshwane. Each identified police station was represented by five participants who directly perform operational policing. The findings of this study show that the organisation is still very unbalanced with the scale favouring males in operational policing. It is therefore recommended that SAPS should empower women in operational policing with the appropriate knowledge, skills and competencies through providing opportunities for career development and growth to successfully realise the SAPS’ dream of including and retaining women in operational policing, as well as in management and leadership positions and providing all women in the SAPS with the necessary support. The development and review of a regulatory framework and strategies that promote gender equality are also paramount. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)

MGS / Institute for Gender and Youth Studies / Political participation has more to do with various procedures than voting only. The United Nations (2015) argues that politics has to do with freedom of speech, working together without gender biasness, capacity to take part in the public sphere, ability to be registered as a political contender and campaign, be voted and be able to hold office at all stages of government leadership. Therefore, world-over men and women should be equal in order to participate in all areas of decision making in party-politics. Unfortunately, this has not been easy for women as there have been several barriers to their participation. This is because gender equality has been implemented on paper than in practice. This is due to the fact that many people have been socialised to believe that men are more powerful than women. This practice is deeply engraved into the social systems extending to the economic and political spheres leading to women being regarded powerless and unable to take up decision making or influential political positions in many nations. The gender biasness becomes even more apparent in political parties, women are often appointed to positions relating to administration and nurturing roles as compared to the strategic positions. Women continue to be marginalized as men still continue to be regarded as the custodians of leadership positions this study aims to examine the political disparities between men and women as they determine who should be nominated and elected leading to many women being disregarded. Qualitative approach was used for data collection using semi-structured interviews.Data was then analysed using the thematic analysis to draw themes from the research as well as participants’ responses. Non-probability sampling was used to choose participants of the study using the purposive or judgmental sampling. Moreover, a gender audit was made with regards to gender representation in the Vhembe District political arena. Information for the audit was acquired through the help of key informants. Findings of the research observed that in the Vhembe District, besides the existing barriers against women’s ascendency to positions of political power, women have been finding a way up to influential political positions, even though many are still concentrated at the very low positions as councillors. Hence, besides the unprecedented number of women politicians, equal gender relations have not been achieved in the district. Furthermore, the findings indicated that, political people in the district are less aware of gender policies as well as government efforts aimed at doing away with gender inequalities in the sector. In this regard, this research is a significant instrument in highlighting the disparities that exist between men and women which disadvantage mainly women by holding them back from accessing equal influential political positions.

The study explored women’s underrepresentation in engineering at a Technical Vocational and Education and Training (TVET) College in Gauteng, South Africa. Research on the lack of women in engineering exists, however, the underrepresentation of women students in engineering at TVET Colleges is under-researched. Using a theoretical starting point Bandura’s concept of self-efficacy, a qualitative study explored views of selected female students on female underrepresentation in engineering at TVET Colleges, with reference to South West Gauteng College. Interviews with women in Engineering, Business Studies and Hospitality courses were undertaken. Findings indicated: engineering students' desire for equal career opportunities in engineering; recognition of the impact of gender stereotypes and differing ways of developing self-efficacy and capabilities as women to follow an engineering career; the barrier of gender stereotypes on secondary school girls’ choice of and achievement in Mathematics and Science and the information gap concerning career options in engineering; as well as benefits provided by TVET Colleges offering these courses. Some recommendations which are suggested are: TVET Colleges should ensure that more information about the engineering courses offered at these institutions be relayed to the public in a manner that is inclusive to everyone irrespective of gender. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Adult Education)

The plight of women who reside around the mining communities has not received the necessary attention from a research perspective. This concern prompted the researcher to compose a qualitative research aimed at exploring the experiences and challenges faced by these women. This was a case study research which was conducted among women who reside around the Driekop mining community in Limpopo province and designed from exploratory, descriptive, contextual and phenomenological in designs. The study was guided by the two theories: the feminist theory and the coping theory of Lazarus and Folkman. Relevant research ethical principles were upheld during the plenary phase wherein the research proposal was subjected to review by the Higher Degrees Committee of the UNISA’s Social Work Departmental Research and Ethics Committee and throughout the duration of the study. The data which was collected through the semi-structured interviews was analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six steps of data analysis, gave rise to several experiences and challenges which are presented in a form of nine themes and 13 subthemes. In striving to assure research quality, Guba and Lincoln’s trustworthiness principles were adopted. Some conclusions are drawn from the process of qualitative research as an approach adopted to guide the study as well as the findings based on the collected and analysed data. Based on the conclusions of the research process and the research findings, the reader’s attention is drawn to some recommendations which are proposed to inform practice, training and policy development. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)

Qualitative and quantitative research designs were employed to assess the influence of religion on gender equality and women empowerment in Mulanje district in Malawi. Qualitative data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires through interview with 18 key informants who were sampled by judgmental sampling and 4 FGDs with men and women belonging to different religions who were sampled by stratified random sampling. Quantitative data was collected using a self administered questionnaire to 130 participants sampled by stratified random sampling. Quantitative data was analyzed by using SPSS computer program version 16.0 in order to reach to a valid conclusion. The analysis of the data involved descriptive statistics. For qualitative data, themes were induced from the interview with key informants and FGD. Findings have revealed positive religious teachings and beliefs that have empowered women and promoted equality between men and women. Nevertheless, the study has also revealed that discriminatory religious teachings and attitudes are a reality in religious institutions and these have influenced not only the way women are treated in religious institutions but also the way women look at themselves. In light of the findings, recommendations have been made to the government of Malawi, religious institutions, religious leaders and CSOs to take appropriate actions to promote gender equality and women empowerment in Mulanje district. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Varje dag gifts 33 000 barn bort globalt, sammanlagt beräknas 650 miljoner av världens kvinnor ha gifts bort innan de uppnått myndighetsålder. År 1981 undertecknade Sverige konventionen om avskaffandet av all slags diskriminering av kvinnor (CEDAW) och konventionen började gälla samma år. CEDAW fastställer rätten att själv få välja med vem man vill ingå äktenskap samt att parterna ska vara minst 18 år vid tiden för giftermålet. Den 1 januari år 2020 inkorporerades barnkonventionen i svensk lag som ett steg i att stärka barns rättigheter. Barnkonventionen fastslår att konventionsstaterna är skyldiga att avskaffa skadliga sedvänjor, dit barnäktenskap hör. Som ett steg i att utöka skyddet för barn som riskerar bli bortgifta i utlandet infördes den 1 juli år 2020 ett utreseförbud i 31 a-i §§ (1990:52) med särskilda bestämmelser om vård av unga (LVU). Uppsatsen utreder vilken skyddsnivå Sverige, utifrån sina människorättsliga åtaganden, ska ge barn som riskerar att bli bortgifta i utlandet samt hur skyddsmekanismerna är utformade. Vidare utreds processen för att tillämpa utreseförbudet och vilka utmaningar som följer. För att skapa förståelse för det eventuella förtryck ett barn kan uppleva i samband med tillämpningen av utreseförbudet tillämpas Iris Marion Youngs teori om förtryckets fem ansikten i analysen.  Sverige ska enligt barnkonventionen och CEDAW till sin yttersta förmåga skydda barn från skadliga sedvänjor såsom barnäktenskap. För att vidareutveckla skyddet har bland annat ett utreseförbud införts i LVU. Resultatet visar att Sverige förvisso arbetar aktivt för att minska antalet barnäktenskap men att undantag gjorts för vilka resor som omfattas av förbudet. Frivilliga utlandsresor, där båda parter är minderåriga, omfattas inte vilket riskerar reducera barnens rättsliga skydd. Analys av förvaltningsrättens domar i mål rörande utreseförbud påvisar att barn som riskerar bli bortgifta i utlandet kan uppleva flera olika typer av förtryck, både från sin hemmiljö och staten. När staten fattar beslut som inskränker ett barns fri- och rättigheter för att skydda denne från att utsättas för skadliga sedvänjor är det av vikt att utreda hur det påverkar barnet. / Every day, 33,000 children are married off globally. In addition, a total of 650 million of the world's women are estimated to have been married off before reaching the age of majority. In 1981, Sweden signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the convention came into force the same year. CEDAW establishes the right to choose with whom you want to marry and that the parties must be 18 years or older at the time of the marriage. In 2020, the Convention on the Rights of the Child was incorporated into Swedish law as a step in strengthening children's rights. It states that States Parties are obliged to abolish harmful practices to which child marriage belongs. As a step in increasing the protection for children who are at risk of being married off abroad, a travel ban was also introduced in 2020 in 31 a-i §§ The Care of Young Persons (Special Provisions) Act. According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and CEDAW, Sweden must do its utmost to protect children from harmful practices such as child marriage. This thesis investigates what level of protection Sweden should provide children who are at risk of being married off abroad and how the protection mechanisms are designed. Furthermore, the process for applying the travel ban and the challenges that follow are investigated. To create an understanding of the possible oppression a child may experience in connection with the application of the travel ban, Iris Marion Young's theory of the five faces of oppression is applied in the thesis' analysis.  The results show that Sweden certainly works actively to reduce the number of child marriages, but that exceptions have been made for which trips are covered by the ban. Voluntary trips abroad, where both parties are minors, are not covered, which risks reducing the children's legal protection. Analysis of the Administrative Court's rulings in cases concerning travel bans shows that children who are at risk of being married off abroad can experience several different types of oppression, both from their home environment and the state. When the state makes decisions that restrict a child's freedoms and rights to protect him or her from being exposed to harmful practices, it's important to investigate how it affects the child.