This study investigates black women´s participation in the economy and financial decisions oftheir life. This in order to analysis the outcome of economic rights and empowerment specificallyin townships of Cape Town, South Africa. The economic vulnerability in South Africa iswidespread and black woman are most affected. A field study was conducted through semistructuredinterviewing with 20 women where they shared their experiences in economic rightsand empowerment. The purpose of this study is to provide an understanding of attitudes abouteconomic empowerment and rights for black women. The analysis was made within a theoreticalframework based upon Western and African feminism as well as Sally Engle Merry’s studyregarding the practice of how human rights is affected by culture. The field study resulted in threeidentified themes that affect woman's financial position. Firstly, the labor situation in the countrywith high unemployment. Secondly, the traditional gender roles and thirdly the economic violence.The study will show that these three themes prevents the possibility of black women havingeconomic rights and economic empowerment. Further on, lack of knowledge and the time frameof making changes in culture something that also will be discussed.

The intent of this thesis is to explore the role religion has played in the Puerto Rican society. Growing up in this culture entails a deep and implicit connection with the religious world. Religious values, beliefs, and attitudes are firmly entrenched and amplified through the family, culture, and schools. Because it is so deeply entrenched, it is difficult to find a place to leverage a critique of its impact. Thus, in order to understand the societal matters and challenges the island faces, an in-depth study that explores the beliefs, attitudes, and behavior of Puerto Ricans is necessary.

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In Saudi Arabia women are legal minors who need permission from a male guardian in, among others, matters concerning education, employment and health care. Despite the obvious subordination of women in the country, Saudi Arabia has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, with a reservation saying that in cases of contradiction between the Convention and Islamic law they do not obligate themselves to follow the rules of the Convention. Respecting the culture, tradition and religion of non-western societies is important in the work with implementing international human rights. However, in the case of Saudi Arabia, it seems like the cultural and religious claims merely function as justification of an institutional oppression of women. This institutional practice of oppression is unique and taken to the extreme, but oppression of women in itself is a global phenomenon, which is not connected to a specific culture.

With the rise of new information and communication technologies, advocacy campaigns in development have experienced a resurgence of video as an instrument to enrich outreach efforts and build bridges, to empower marginalised groups and rescue the culture and heritage of indigenous people, and to reach decision-makers – and ultimately change policies and laws. The use of “humanising” elements through film, such as the oral testimonies of individuals, allows practitioners to transport the realities and conditions of specific localities to audiences otherwise unable to experience them directly. The present study examines the mechanisms through which video advocacy reaches audiences, looking specifically at trade-offs and knock-on effects among key stakeholders, based upon the case study of the Our Voices Matter advocacy film. The video features oral testimonies of local women survivors of rape from the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is employed to campaign for justice for women victims of sexual violence and to mobilise social change to alter the role of women in the region. In light of the multifaceted nature of video advocacy use in development, the study utilises a composite of three analysis techniques, employing the collection and critical examination of information both qualitative and quantitative in nature: A content analysis of the case study, examining the narrative and semiotic elements used by the film’s producers, was designed to complement interviews with stakeholders of the campaign. An international survey of women was conducted to shine light on how vulnerable groups across the world relate to the video in question and evaluate the effectiveness of video advocacy. The composite discussion reveals insights into video advocacy conception, strategy, and implementation, with particular emphasis on stakeholder mapping, while underscoring the potential for trade-offs and knock-on effects among stakeholder groups. The case study also provides a theoretical and practical basis for similar communication for development campaigns.

The story of the rise and fall of the German woman abounds with interest to those who understand her battle for emancipation from traditional bondage. In the earliest days, her life was one of semi-slavery and subjugation to domestic duties. The World War added new and heavy responsibilities; the organization of the Weimar Republic brought a new-found freedom; but Hitler's regime meant a return to subjugation. This study is a brief resume of her journey.

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The effects that Women's political participation in the Middle East has on political parties and regimes have been investigated by the political science community. However, how women's political participation and changing societal roles affect women's lives has not received adequate attention. This is a comparative historical analysis that investigates how women's societal roles and political participation in Iraq changed from 1968 to the present. It examines how factors such as social conservatism, party ideology, war, sanctions, religion, and international pressure during different periods in Iraq's modern history influenced changes in Iraqi women's roles and participation over time. These changes in societal roles and political participation are used to analyze the restrictions and expansions in Iraqi women's civil rights in areas such as family, work and mobility, political and cultural expression, health and sexual control, and education. / by Gina Marie Longo. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2008. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Bakgrund: Forskning visar att valet av födelseplats har betydelse för kvinnans förlossningsupplevelse. Hemförlossning vid en lågriskgraviditet är ett säkert alternativ till att föda på sjukhus dock är intresset för hemförlossning låg i Sverige. För att kvinnor ska kunna göra ett aktivt val krävs en medvetenhet om de alternativ som finns. Författarna ställer sig frågande till om kvinnor i Sverige vet om att hemförlossning existerar. Syfte: Att belysa kvinnors kunskap och förståelse för hemförlossning i Sverige. Metod: Nitton kvinnor har fått besvara en frågeguide om hemförlossning. Svaren analyserades med en kvalitativ hermeneutisk textanalys. Resultat: Kunskapen om hemförlossning har visat sig variera. I resultatet framkommer 4 huvudteman och 8 underteman. Huvudteman består av ”Kvinnors intresse för hemförlossning varierar”, ”Informationens betydelse för beslutstagande”, ”Hinder för hemförlossning i Sverige” och ”Hemförlossning som en rättighet”. Konklusion:Studien påvisar att det finns en risk att kvinnor inte känner till att hemförlossningen existerar. Det påvisar även större hinder för möjligheten att göra ett aktivt val av födelseplats samt att genomgå en hemförlossning. / Background: Research shows that the choice of place of birth is important for the woman's birth experience. Home birth in a low-risk pregnancy is a safe alternative to giving birth in a hospital, however, interest in home birth is low in Sweden. In order for women to be able to make an active choice, an awareness of the alternatives available is required. The authors ask themselves whether women in Sweden know that home birth exists. Aim: To shed light on women's knowledge and understanding of home birth in Sweden. Aim: To shed light on women's knowledge and understanding of home birth in Sweden. Method: Questionguide analyzed with a qualitative hermeneutic text analysis. Results: Knowledge about home birth has been shown to vary. The result shows 4 main themes and 8 sub-themes. The main themes consist of "Women's interest in home birth varies", "The importance of information for decision-making", "Obstacles to home birth in Sweden" and "Home birth as a right".Conclusion: The study shows that there is risk that women do not know that homebirth exists. It also shows greater obstacles to the possibility of making an active choice of place of birth and undergoing a homebirth.