In contemporary politics it is argued there exists a friction and contradiction between the right-wing, conservative parties that are gaining prominence around the world, among them BJP in India, and the feminist movement; one movement striving for the preservation of traditions and the other for change. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate and compare differences in how a political party with strong affiliation and background in a nationalistic ideology communicates laws which affect women’s opportunities for societal advancement, doing this by analysing the religious, cultural and symbolic aspects of Hindutva ideology. Do they contradict each other? Through qualitative discourse analysis a comparative case study is performed on the Maternity Benefit Amendment Act of 2017, BJP political manifestos, excerpts from books and statements made by BJP leaders and affiliated key persons. The thesis presents the argument that the two discourses present contradicting ideas of women’s societal participation when analysed through a theoretical framework based on gender ideals; one set of material pointing to the importance of their economic and societal integration, and one on the importance of women’s role as mothers, and her protection. The study adds a different perspective on the friction between nationalistic Hindutva beliefs and contemporary, progressive legislation by analysing key concepts of gender ideals drawn from Hinduism and the Hindutva movement.

Digital Financial Services (DFS) such as mobile money apps, have become increasingly recognized as a tool to increase Financial inclusion. Access and usage of mobile money services are expected to be beneficial in more ways than one, but one desirable outcome is enabling women to have greater control over their own finances, and thus enhance Empowerment through increased participation in household decision-making. With data collected through a phone survey distributed to 189 women in Jordan, we attempt to investigate if E-wallets are effective in achieving Financial inclusion and, if we as a result, might see a positive effect on Women’s Empowerment. Impacts on Financial inclusion are measured through a description of how women use their E-wallets, along with an OLS-regression on the likelihood of saving. Empowerment effects are analyzed through a regression on different indicators meant to reflect decision-making in the household. We find some evidence that indicates that E-wallets users might be slightly more likely to have saved money in the last year, however, results regarding empowerment indicators are more unclear. When performing regressions on subsamples of unmarried women, and only employed women, we see some indications that the e-wallet might lead to an increased control of her own finances and expenditures, but this does not seem to translate significantly to other household purchases.

There is a growing recognition that community-based organizations (CBOs) show greater success than other development organizations in promoting empowerment. It has also been acknowledged that information and communication technology (ICT) can be a powerful tool for development. In pursuit of empowerment of women, there is an interest to further study CBOs and ICT, and how they can be combined to take further steps forward. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how mobile phones can be utilized in women's community-based organizations to promote empowerment, conducted as a case study on a women's CBO in Bangalore, India. The study shows that the main organizational characteristics that promote empowerment in CBOs are the participatory approach and the fostering of sense of community. Mobile phones constitute a valuable tool for enhancing these characteristics. However, the study also shows that the digital gender divide and ICT related risks that women face also have organizational implications that have to be considered by CBOs when utilizing ICT.

The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and neonatal mortality rate (NMR) have been persistently high in South Africa, with black, poor, rural women and neonates mostly affected. The MMR and the NMR are indicative of the health of the population and reflect deeper issues such as inequitable distribution of the country’s resources, social exclusion, deprivation, and lack of access to quality public services. The purpose of the study was to develop a model to meet the overall health needs of the socially excluded, the deprived and the vulnerable women by listing those factors that influence maternal and child health outcomes. From the point of view that individual reproduction and health decision-making takes place in a milieu comprising multiple socio-economic and cultural factors, this study attempts to add to the body of knowledge on maternal and child health in order to influence policies and interventions. Data was collected through a multi-staged, qualitative research design. The results show how structural factors result in high risk for poor maternal and child health outcomes, suggesting that the high rates of poor health outcomes are evidence of deprivation of women’s needs due to poverty leading to an inability to cope with pregnancy and childbirth. The results are used to develop a model that proposes pathways for policy action to confront both the structural and intermediary determinants of maternal and child ill health and mortality. These pathways operate through integrative and inter-sectorial mechanisms intended at empowering women and enhancing female reproductive health care activities. / Sociology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Sociology)

This thesis examines the role self-help microfinance Saving Groups play in women’s empowerment in villages in Mbale district, Uganda. Central for the study is to identify the challenges and opportunities that participation in Saving Groups brings in women’s everyday life. The thesis is a result of a qualitative field study in Uganda, where eleven mothers attending Saving Groups in the villages Nashikhaso, Bubuyera and Mulyuli were interviewed. The findings show that loans from the groups have allowed the interviewees to improve their farming and thereby gain an annual income which has led to several life-changing opportunities. The ability to pay for children’s education is recognized as most valued for the women’s self-esteem, self-confidence and hope for a better future. Moreover, the findings show that even though the Saving Group’s function as a financial instrument is important, their function as a center where women can socialize and find support and knowledge may be even more vital for women’s empowerment. Patriarchal structures are affected since the Saving Groups have given women that want to make a change an arena in which to do so. Thus, through the group, women have entered a traditionally men-only zone where they redefine roles and norms.

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In Kenya, 69 percent of populations depend on biomass fuels to meet their cooking needs. The incomplete combustion of biomass is performed in insufficiently ventilated settings thus exposing human health and environment to toxic pollution. To date, women and children in resource limited settings have been most vulnerable to severe respiratory infections. The promotion of the Improved Biomass Cookstoves has become a popular issue in policy, research and practice. Community Based Organizations have however faced serious challenges in increasing sustainable use of the cookstoves among users. This qualitative study investigates the role of Community Based Organizations in promoting the Improved Biomass Cookstoves through women’s empowerment initiatives. It applies focus group interviews, questionnaire and formal interviews. 11 interview forms were administered to 30 women, 2 key informants and 3 implementing Community Based Organization representatives in Dunga wetland community. A combination of previous research and this empirical study show that economic resources, small diameter stove designs as well as insufficient policy support hinder effective stove programmes. While there is general adoption, women lack sufficient income and ownership of land which is a significant resource to empowerment. Women informal financial networks are instrumental in driving behavioral change towards clean cooking in the community. Sufficient gender sensitive policy intervention and support can provide effective channels to ensure sustainable incomes of women, livelihoods and stove use.

The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and neonatal mortality rate (NMR) have been persistently high in South Africa, with black, poor, rural women and neonates mostly affected. The MMR and the NMR are indicative of the health of the population and reflect deeper issues such as inequitable distribution of the country’s resources, social exclusion, deprivation, and lack of access to quality public services. The purpose of the study was to develop a model to meet the overall health needs of the socially excluded, the deprived and the vulnerable women by listing those factors that influence maternal and child health outcomes. From the point of view that individual reproduction and health decision-making takes place in a milieu comprising multiple socio-economic and cultural factors, this study attempts to add to the body of knowledge on maternal and child health in order to influence policies and interventions. Data was collected through a multi-staged, qualitative research design. The results show how structural factors result in high risk for poor maternal and child health outcomes, suggesting that the high rates of poor health outcomes are evidence of deprivation of women’s needs due to poverty leading to an inability to cope with pregnancy and childbirth. The results are used to develop a model that proposes pathways for policy action to confront both the structural and intermediary determinants of maternal and child ill health and mortality. These pathways operate through integrative and inter-sectorial mechanisms intended at empowering women and enhancing female reproductive health care activities. / Sociology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Sociology)

La publicidad social ha sido partícipe en el enfrentamiento y solución de diversas problemáticas sociales a lo largo de los años, moldeando las conductas y los comportamientos de la humanidad para lograr el bienestar común. En el siglo XXI, uno de los problemas más latentes es la desigualdad de género, frente a la cual nace como respuesta el empoderamiento femenino como causa social. En el Perú, entidades públicas y privadas luchan por cerrar las distintas brechas existentes entre hombres y mujeres, entre ellas, la brecha digital; mediante campañas de publicidad social que buscan empoderar al género femenino y fomentar la igualdad en el país. Entre estas campañas, se puede mencionar “Giving Tuesday” de Laboratoria, organización que promueve la participación de mujeres en el sector tecnológico. Esta campaña busca donaciones monetarias para poder solventar los gastos de capacitación que reciben las mujeres y así impulsar su inserción laboral como programadoras, UX designers, desarrolladoras web, etc. El presente trabajo analiza que elementos de esta campaña social contribuyen en la construcción del empoderamiento en mujeres entre 18 a 28 años interesadas en el sector tecnológico peruano. La metodología que se plantea para la presente investigación tendrá un carácter cualitativo, se tomará una muestra de 20 estudiantes mujeres de las carreras Ingeniería de sistemas, software, de la información, empresarial e industrial para ser entrevistadas a profundidad. / Social advertising has been a key factor in confronting and solving diverse social issues over the years, shaping human behavior to achieve common well-being. In the 21st century, one of the most latent problems is gender inequality, against which female empowerment arises in response as a social cause. In Peru, both public and private institutions fight to close the existing gaps between men and women, among them, the digital one; through social advertising campaigns that seek to empower women and promote equality in the country. Among these campaigns, we find the case of “Giving Tuesday” from Laboratoria, an organization that promotes women participation in the Technological industry. The campaign seeks for donations to cover the training expenses that women receive and thus boost their employment as programmers, UX designers, web developers, etc. This paper analyzes how the Giving Tuesday social campaign from Laboratoria contributes to empower women between 18 and 28 years interested in the Peruvian technology sector. The methodology proposed for this research will be qualitative, it will be taken a sample of 20 female students from the careers of Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Business Engineering, for the conduction of interviews. / Trabajo de investigación

Empowerment is a process or a mechanism of individuals, organizations and communitiesacquiring control over their lives (Rappaport (1987), and there is a sustained effort by nationsand the international communities across the globe in search of pragmatic agendas and policyframework in achieving women’s empowerment. The purpose of this study was to understandthe experiences of immigrant women who participate in multicultural festivals, and how suchexperiences impact their empowerment. Guided by the ladder of empowerment theory byElizabeth Rocha in 1997, a phenomenological qualitative study was conducted with fifteenimmigrant women residents in Uppsala, and with heterogeneous description, the women weremainly from west African, South American and the European sub-regions.Drawing on the interviews, exposure to different cultures, making friends and interactingwith people from different cultural origins, opportunity to have fun, happiness and socialnetworking were the sailing experiences revealed by the study. While the women are able toachieve the first three levels – atomistic, embedded and mediated empowerments – ofindividual empowerments as espoused by Rocha (1997), the study further showsSocio-political and Political empowerment were not felt by the women, though theirgroupings into groups and organizations could influence decisions, legislations andprogrammes underlying the celebration of multicultural festivals in the Uppsala municipality.