The research was a Minor Field Study conducted in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The purpose of the study was to explore and analyze Cambodian women's experiences of leadership. A qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews was conducted with a targeted and snowball selection. Seven female leaders from different organizations and from both the private and public sector were the source of our empirical findings. We discovered in our research that the participants had both intrinsic and extrinsic sources of motivation. First, women that were unsure of what motivated them, second motivation grew out of hard work and third motivation was to demonstrate female capacity. The research found that success, challenges, and the benefit of being a female leader were essential components for positive experiences. Important factors for leadership were family background, education and self-confidence/belief in herself. These factors coincided with previous research from Cambodia. The research displayed three types of barriers for Cambodian women -traditional values, higher demands, and personal factors. Most commonly the female had either a democratic or transformational leadership style, but authoritarian and situational leadership styles were also used. The result displayed that one side saw a difference between the genders in their way of leading and the other suggested that leadership is based on personal attributes.

Of all human identity categories such as race, religion, culture, class and gender that a person might belong to, race and gender are arguably two of the most contentious in the world. This study takes gender as its main focus, exploring how gender, gender oppression, patriarchy and resistance are negotiated in selected dramatic literary works emanating from Africa’s two literary giants, Nigeria and South Africa. It thus aims to bring two distinct literary traditions into dialogue with one another in order to clarify our understanding of how gender is articulated and inscribed across different contexts. Selected works from Nigeria include Aetu (2006), Little Drops (2011), Abobaku (2015) all by a single playwright, Ahmed Yerima, who has been described as one of the most outspoken feminist playwrights in the country. Other plays from South African context include So What’s New? (1993) by Fatima Dike, Weemen (1996) by Mthali Thulani, Flight from the Mahabarath (1998) by Muthal Naidoo and At Her Feet by Nadia Davids (2006). Of particular interest in this study is the question of how these plays explore the specific forms of gender discrimination which arise in the context of religious, traditional and cultural practices such as domestic violence against women, child marriage, wife inheritance, polygamy and property-sharing after the death of a husband or father. These texts, all written from a feminist perspective, foreground different understandings of what a woman and a mother is in the African context. They also offer differing articulations of gender-based resistance. The study employs an eclectic blend of western and African feminist/womanist frameworks in order to decipher how these plays comment, and reflect, on the issue of gender inequality. In so doing, the aim is to bring these distinct theoretical and ideological traditions into dialogue with one another. A further aim is to assess to what extent these plays draw on, or are aligned with, various strands of western and African feminist theorizing whilst also offering an understanding of literary texts as sites of theory-making in their own right. The study further explores the echoes, conjunctions, entanglements and disparities that are revealed by bringing these texts from different contexts into dialogue with one another. In this process, the chapter also explores the extent to which these plays can be aligned with the often polarized discourses of western and African feminist theories, thus contributing to a broader understanding of gender, gendered societies and gender-based oppression in African contexts. Finally, this study seeks to arrive at a new theoretical feminist framework for reading these texts: what I have called ‘Consequentialist feminism’ is an approach which seeks to transcend the binaries between western and African feminist theorizing by focusing on the consequences of women’s choices in particular contexts of engagement and response. / Thesis (DLitt (English))--University of Pretoria, 2019. / English / DLitt (English) / Unrestricted

Thesis (MTech (Business and Information Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019 / Various efforts have been made to address the issue of gender equality at the workplace. It can be noted that even though equal opportunities between men and women may exist, the discrimination of women is still immanent in the workplace for example gender bias, unequal opportunities and underrepresentation. Previous research has failed to give a clear picture on the impact of information, communication, and technologies on gender gaps. It is mostly generalised. This study evaluates the role of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in promoting gender equality in the workplace. The research explores different theoretical perspectives namely Gender Glass Ceiling, Equity Theory, Technology Acceptance Model, Gender Inequality and Discrimination, Critical Information Systems Theory and the Feminist Theory. The study used a qualitative research method and a case study design in order to fulfil the study’s objectives and aim. It was carried out at a selected higher education institution in South Africa. Purposive sampling was used and 19 research participants were interviewed both men and women. The data that was collected was transcribed, coded using open coding, analysed and interpreted using thematic analysis to make sense of the findings. Ethical codes of conduct such as truthfulness, confidentiality, anonymity, beneficence and data protection were employed due to the sensitive nature of the study. Results show that ICTs play a vital role in promoting gender equality. ICTs enable employees to become educated, skilled and knowledgeable becoming aware of their rights and fair practices in the workplace. ICTs also enhance both men and women empowerment in independency, decision making and self-actualisation. Fundamental recommendations are given by the researcher regarding ICTs and the promotion of gender equality in the workplace to enhance organisational performance. Organisations need to view ICTs as an integral part of business and enhance its use to promote gender equality.

This thesis attempts to answer the question why there are so few female founders of startup companies in the Czech Republic. In order to identify the main roots of gender inequality in this field and obtain a detailed understanding of the gender culture of Czech startups, biographic-narrative interviews were conducted with women in managing positions as well as female founders of Czech startups. Through in-depth analysis of these women's narratives, key areas were identified which contribute to the reproduction of gender segregation in this field. The research found that the inequality is mainly caused by gender stereotypes towards women in the field of technology, which even the interviewed women reproduce through identification with a specific type of masculinity. In an attempt to fulfill the gendered expectations from an ideal startup founder or manager women often find themselves in conflict with the traditional role of women in the Czech Republic. The second group of women on the other hand emphasize the importance of femininity and indentify themselves against this type of masculinity. The analysis also showed the importance of the gender inequalities in the technical field of education, that are also reflected in the startups. The author recommends a further research into the following areas...

The focus of this research was to describe gender role experiences and gender transformation from a systems psychodynamic stance. Women have fought to overcome past oppressions but society intended to label women continually as traditional homemakers. In organisations, women are still subjected to receiving certain non-challenging jobs, such as administrative tasks, secretarial and office assistant duties as compared to men who fulfil professional and managerial roles. Men, on the other hand, experience the daily pressures of living up to societal brandings, which regard them as tough bosses and breadwinners. Hermeneutic phenomenology enabled participants to share their lived gender role experiences. Furthermore, the hermeneutic paradigm assisted the researcher with an in-depth understanding of participants’ phenomenological experiences. The researcher therefore explored, analysed and described the phenomenological gender experiences of male and female employees and a transgender employee from a systems psychodynamic stance. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four male and four female participants. Men and women often projected positive behaviours onto each other that would result in them challenging and breaking the obsolete, stereotypical thinking handed out by society. The isolation and loneliness experienced by transgender persons manifest in unauthentic and false living. The organisation created high levels of anxiety in its employees’ which contributed towards male, female and transgender role experiences. Individual defence mechanisms were used as a method of addressing anxieties. Men, women and v transgender persons were affected by their constant need for recognition and advancement in the organisation but refused to show any concerns for fear of consequences from the leaders of the organisation. Men, women and transgender persons became containers and shared the emotional burdens of the organisation and their family life in different ways. Recommendations for gender transformative approaches are discussed to address issues of inequality in the organisation. / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Background: Gender inequality is widespread throughout Latin America, in large part due to a ‘machista’ culture in which women tend to be regarded as inferior to men. In Colombia, especially in low-income areas, women and girls are consistently excluded and marginalized. As a result of this, adolescent girls are susceptible to gang recruitment, teen pregnancy, and substance abuse. In similar settings globally, sport has been shown to be an effective tool for development and for the socialization and inclusion of youth. Few studies have taken place in Latin America, however, and hardly any of them have focused specifically on marginalized girls. This study aims to address this gap in literature by exploring how sport can break down barriers of exclusion and promote inclusion of marginalized, adolescent girls in Colombia. Methods: This qualitative, multi-methods study involved the analysis of data collected from semi-structured and key informant interviews, as well as participant observation sessions. All data collection was conducted in Cazucá, Colombia with participants from local NGO Tiempo de Juego (TDJ). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescent girls between the ages of 11-18 who were participating in at least 1 sport at TDJ. Key informant interviews were conducted with TDJ staff and a guardian of several girls who participate in TDJ. Interview transcripts and participant observation memos and reflections were reviewed and coded to identify themes through thematic analysis. Results: All participants interviewed indicated that sport had a positive impact on their day to day lives. Three main themes and two sub-themes were identified during data analysis: 1) ‘Machismo’ in Colombia with sub-themes: i) Gender Roles and ii) Gender Norms, 2) Exclusion and marginalization, and 3) Empowerment through sport. Most participants spoke about the prevalence of machismo in Colombian society and how gender roles and norms limit the types of opportunities that are available to them. Participants expressed how, although they are marginalized based on where they live, sport provided them with a healthy activity to engage in as an alternative to the negative behaviours that they are susceptible to in their neighbourhoods. Sport provided them with an outlet to escape from their daily problems, and they felt that through sport, they were able to realize their self-worth and gain confidence in themselves. Conclusion: These findings suggest that sport can become a useful tool for promoting the inclusion of marginalized girls through empowerment. While sport was shown to break down some barriers of exclusion, further work must be done to explore its potential role in breaking down gender stereotypes that remain prevalent in Colombian culture. These results highlight the need for more sport programs that focus on marginalized girls in Latin American countries where women and girls remain a neglected population.

Women accounted for 20% of the cumulative AIDS cases in the United States as of 2015. Although their incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has declined in recent years, the rates of new infections and AIDS diagnoses for women of color have remained high. Women with HIV tend to be more vulnerable than men with this disease. They are more likely to be poor, uninsured, depressed, and homeless; to have experienced interpersonal violence; and to be caregivers. Attention to psychosocial needs and building trust are fundamental to engaging HIV-positive women in care and helping them attain optimal health.

This thesis examines the pop cultural representation of white-collar migrant women (WCMW) through the popular Chinese TV series Ode to Joy. Focusing on various aspects of their lives, this TV series raises many issues about the experiences of WCMW, including perceptions of them as “outsiders” in the megacity, gender inequality, and the tensions between female migrant identity and urban status. This study analyzes those issues by drawing on intersectional theories which examine structural inequalities from the perspective of the interactions of multiple axes of social categories. This thesis asks three major questions: In what way does Ode to Joy represent the experiences of WCMW?; To what extent do issues raised in Ode to Joy impact the wellbeing of WCMW in large cities?, and; What are the “joys” in Ode to Joy for WCMW? In addition to collecting data from the TV series, this study interviewed WCMW informants to provide first-hand accounts of their experiences in an urban culture. By critically analyzing the representation of WCMW characters’ experiences in Ode to Joy, this thesis provides insights on understanding the status of those women in a contemporary Chinese urban setting, thereby filling a gap in academic literature on the pop cultural representation of China’s white-collar migrant women in a Chinese megacity. / Graduate

In Nigeria, gender inequality significantly impacts women's knowledge and awareness of the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the proliferation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Early marriage, traditional beliefs, religion, and polygamy all contribute to gender inequality. This study explored the role of these and other sociocultural practices in the gender inequalities that increase vulnerability of contracting HIV/AIDS among women in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The study employed a phenomenological design, collected data through a semistructured interview approach, which was managed using NVivo software. The purposive sample comprised 20 female students from a college in Port Harcourt. This study's key findings correlated with other studies highlighting the interconnectedness of sociocultural practices responsible for increasing HIV/AIDS among Port Harcourt women. Other underlying findings included women's lack of economic power to achieve personal needs, such as access to HIV treatment, and the lack of skills to negotiate safe sex, which contributed to increased HIV/AIDS among women. Recommendations for further research include programs for reduction of gender inequality related to this HIV/AIDS outbreak. The implications for social change included adequate government funding to help provide available and accessible health services to women, promote safe sex conduct and education among the most vulnerable (women), and reduce HIV transmission from mother to child.

Despite enormous research on the experience of living with HIV, many questions remain regarding self-disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners by people living with HIV (PLWHIV), which is essential to reducing further infection. In this study, a phenomenological approach captured the experience of self-disclosure among South Africans living with HIV in Louwsburg, South Africa. The health belief model served as a theoretical framework, and in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 PLWHIV (8 women, 4 men) who self-disclosed their HIV status to their sexual partners. Their experiences were explored, discovering their illness, motives for self-disclosure, feelings regarding disclosing, responses of their sexual partners, their emotional reaction, and about their medical care. The themes rose from interviews showed that (a) many PLWHIV are reluctant to self-disclose until they actively experienced health issues; (b) motives for disclosure include the wish to ensure fairness; support and to empower other PLWHIV to prevent further infection; (c) feelings of disclosure are primarily relief and liberation, even though risks remain, especially for families separated by labor migration laws; (d) the response of sexual partners to disclosure varies widely; some are motivated to get tested and use condoms, decline and respond only with anger, blame, even abandonment; and (e) after accessing medical care, most PLWHIV reported support and appearing less sick, which reduces social stigma. The women were more open, forthcoming, and transparent about disclosing than men participants. Findings will assist with the creation of future health education programs aimed at creating safe environments to disclose HIV status, which may reduce community risk of contracting the virus.