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.

This thesis is focused on the integration of women after maternity and parental leave into the labour market. It is concerned with the specifics of women's employment, an important area of harmonization personal and professional life and finally facilities for children up to 6 years. In the theoretical part I outlined exactly these findings and compared with the situation abroad. The following section described the empirical research methods and interviews with mothers with children, questionnaires with workers of contact offices of the Labour Office and questionnaires with workers of the Directorate of Labour Office. In this section there is also an analysis of the findings and the final interpretation of the results. In the discussion I introduced the concluding observations in the context of the writers mentioned in the theoretical part and suggestions for improvements. In conclusion, I summarized my entire work and evaluated achievement of goals. Key words Unemployment - Labour market - Women's employment - Maternity and Parental leave

Introduction: Bihar ranks among the most socio-economically disadvantaged states in India, and its public health system had long suffered from structural deficiencies which contributed to poor health outcomes. In November 2013, the Bihar government, with funding from Gates Foundation and technical support from CARE India, launched the state-wide Bihar Technical Support Program (BTSP) – seeking to address gaps in infrastructure, supply chain, and human resources, as well as the quality of service delivery, so as to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) and nutrition service provision. BTSP adopted a two-pronged strategy – conducting (i) periodic comprehensive facility assessments (CFAs) to identify and address the structural gaps; and (ii) nurse-mentoring programs to develop competency among nursing cadres in providing basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC/ CEmONC) services. Through three inter-linked papers, the dissertation aimed to conduct an evidence-based assessment of this health system strengthening program. “Facility readiness” (structural readiness of public health facilities) was operationalized in terms of infrastructure, essential supplies, and human resources, while “facility performance” was operationalized based on the direct observation of normal vaginal deliveries and newborn care (including management of immediate complications if needed) and infection prevention practices in the labor rooms. The first paper describes the evolution of BTSP, and examines the initial progress made in facility readiness between 2015 and 2016. The second paper: (i) conducts a comparative assessment of facility readiness between 2017 (at end of the first four years of BTSP) and 2019, and describes the continuation of progress or lack thereof; (ii) quantifies facility readiness through a scoring system that reflects the readiness to provide maternal and newborn care (MNC) services; and (3) compares the change in this score over time (2015, 2017 and 2019) across different districts and levels of health facilities in Bihar. Thus, the first and second papers together examine the extent to which Bihar’s public health facilities were structurally strengthened in terms of physical infrastructure, supplies and workforce by utilizing data from all four rounds of CFAs conducted till date. The third paper asks the next logical question in a health system strengthening process – was facility readiness positively and significantly associated with facility performance? This is an important query, as it aims to provide evidence of synergistic progress, as envisioned under BTSP. First, the paper examines whether the facility-level performance changed, by comparing baseline (May-December, 2018) and endline (October-December, 2019) assessment data from the nurse-mentoring program (locally called AMANAT Jyoti). Second, it assesses the association of facility readiness (based on CFA 2019 data) with endline facility performance in providing MNC services. Methods: The first paper utilizes a structured, narrative review of scientific and grey literature to describe evolution of the BTSP since 2014, based on programmatic learnings through prior years (2011-2013) of collaborative vertical interventions. Subsequently, the paper measures the tangible change in select facility-level characteristics, utilizing quantitative data generated through two rounds of CFAs conducted by CARE India in 2015 (n=534 facilities) and 2016 (n=550 facilities). The second paper utilizes quantitative data generated through two rounds of CFAs conducted by CARE India in 2017 (n=550 facilities) and 2019 (n=552 facilities). Each CFAs covered all Level 2 (primary health centers) and Level 3 (higher-level facilities) public health facilities in Bihar that conducted at least 100 deliveries in the preceding year. Subsequently, the paper constructs a “facility-level MNC structural readiness score” – henceforth referred to as facility readiness score, based on a common set of indicators from CFA 2015, 2017 and 2019, to reflect human resources, infrastructure and essential supplies related to delivering MNC services. The paper uses this score to map the change at 2-year intervals, from 2015 to 2019, at both facility and district levels. The third paper utilizes quantitative data generated through two separate assessments conducted by CARE India – the 2019 CFA, and the 2018-2019 assessment of AMANAT Jyoti (nurse-mentoring program), which involved direct observation of normal vaginal deliveries, newborn care, and infection prevention practices in the labor rooms. The paper constructs baseline and endline facility-level MNC performance scores – henceforth referred to as facility performance scores based on data from AMANAT Jyoti assessments, and examines the association between endline facility performance and facility readiness scores. While descriptive statistics was used to present findings from the CFAs and AMANAT Jyoti assessments, paired t tests were used to test the mean change in scores over time and between the different levels of facilities. The association between endline facility performance and facility readiness scores was tested using simple as well as multiple linear and multinomial logistic regression modelling. Results: With a demonstrated intent to improve the ailing public health sector, the Bihar government in 2010 forged a collaboration with Gates Foundation to accelerate progress across RMNCH and nutrition programs. Through the Integrated Family Health Initiative program (IFHI, 2011-2013), outreach-based and facility-based solutions were implemented in eight programmatically-prioritized districts to address the stated goals. However, over this period, it became apparent that long-term success of such initiatives remained critically dependent on strengthening the foundational components of Bihar’s public health system –physical infrastructure, supply chain for drugs, consumables and equipment, and the skilled health workforce. These programmatic learnings motivated a re-think and consequent state-wide launch of the BTSP – characterized by a novel structure of health governance that was deeply embedded within the public health system, and a robust information management system that could generate, analyze and disseminate data on community- and facility-level services to support decision making. The quantitative analyses of CFA data (in first and second papers) provided an assessment of the changes that happened at the level of health facilities, likely supported by the policy-level modifications. There was a clear sense of prioritization of the limited resources – with constant focus on structurally preparing health facilities to deliver basic MNC services, more so at Level 2 (primary health centers). By 2019, at least 99% facilities at either level provided 24x7 delivery services and had designated labor rooms, 97% had designated newborn care corners which were mostly located inside the labor rooms, 70% or more had at least one functional fetal doppler, baby weighing machine, radiant warmer, and AMBU bag with neonatal oxygen masks. The improvement in availability of essential supplies like oxytocin, misoprostol, magnesium sulphate, antibiotics, and reproductive health commodities (condoms, intrauterine contraceptive devices, sanitary napkins, iron-folic acid tablets, contraceptive pills) were particularly notable during the 2017 and 2019 CFAs. However, the supply chain variably faltered for a number of other essential supplies like oral rehydration solutions, functional oxygen cylinders, normal saline and ringer lactate solutions. The data revealed that facility-level inefficiencies in utilizing the electronic inventory management system to accurately reflect actual status of supplies within the facility, likely compromised procurement and distribution. With regards to human resources, while a large number of auxiliary and general nurse midwives were available for service during CFA 2019, the BTSP faced continuing challenges (2015-2019) in recruiting and/or retaining physicians, especially the specialist physician cadres. By CFA 2019, these structural changes were also supported by remarkable improvements in two related services areas –availability of emergency transport, and laboratory services. The comparison of facility readiness scores (second paper) based on CFA 2015, 2017 and 2019 showed that while the mean scores increased sharply for both Level 2 (increase=1.51 (95% confidence interval: 1.39, 1.63)) and Level 3 (1.39 (1.1, 1.69)) facilities between 2015 and 2017, the progress was less pronounced at both levels between 2017 and 2019. 25 of the 38 districts in Bihar demonstrated a continuous increase in mean scores over the 3 CFAs. As for the remaining 13 districts, their 2019 mean scores remained higher than that during 2015. The analysis of AMANAT Jyoti assessment data (third paper) revealed improvements across 36 (80%) of the 45 performance parameters assessed through direct observation of deliveries between the baseline and endline. However, at least 80% compliance was observed for only 11 of 45 (24%) assessed parameters at baseline, and 16 of 45 (36%) at endline. The mean facility performance score increased significantly among both types and levels of facilities – but the increase was higher among Level 3 (mean increase = 1.56, p=0.0005, n=13) and CEmONC (1.82, p=0.0029, n=9) facilities, than among Level 2 (0.32, p =0.0288, n=121) and BEmONC (0.33, p=0.0168, n=125) facilities. The regression analysis failed to identify any linear relationship between facility readiness and performance scores. However, a significant positive association was observed between facility readiness score and the middle tertile of endline facility performance score (vs. lowest tertile as reference) in multiple multinomial logistic regression modeling (n=132 facilities). With increasing facility readiness score, the odds of a facility being in the middle tertile of the endline facility performance score relative to the lowest tertile was 1.68 (95% CI = 1.02, 2.76), after controlling for baseline facility performance score, mean delivery volume, and the facility level. Conclusion: The BTSP can be best described as a diagonal health system strengthening initiative –one that starts with a focus on specific programmatic (RMNCH) outcomes, but strives to achieve these through identifying and addressing bottlenecks across the health system. The efforts made to revamp health governance through creating structures for technical support from the state- to block-levels is particularly laudable, as is the remarkable capacity building in collecting and using facility-level data to inform programs and policies. The dissertation identified that BTSP has made appreciable progress in structurally preparing Bihar’s public health facilities to deliver basic MNC services – with improvements in related infrastructure, essential supplies, and supportive services like referral transport and laboratory facilities, as well as through recruitment of large number of ANM and GNM nurses. However, the process encountered a number of challenges, and it may be worthwhile to adopt a targeted approach to address some of these concerns. For example, it is important that the BTSP works to equip all facilities with electronic inventory management systems, while simultaneously training the personnel using such systems. To circumvent the chronic shortage of specialist physicians, a “task shifting” approach may help maximize utilization of existing health workforce to strengthen service delivery capacity. Further, the overall level of facility performance of MNC service delivery remained low at endline despite improvement from the baseline scores, and there was limited evidence of a significant positive association between facility readiness and performance scores. As these scores reflect the minimum essential requirements for a MNC service delivery setting, the BTSP clearly has challenges ahead. They must continue to address the persistent challenges in facility readiness and facility performance so that these two facility-level interventions will complement each other and influence outcomes. As the onus of this diagonal health system strengthening program incrementally shifts from development partners to the government, it will be important to recognize the significance and complexity of this effort.

The master thesis called "Harmonization of maternity and professional life of high- income women in Prague" is focused on usage and evaluation of maternity leave promotion. The main research hypothesis is that women are more interested in promotion from the employee side (in flexible forms of work) than from the state side (finance). The author mainly considers theory of rational choice due to the author Gary S. Becker who explains changes in reproduction through this theory. As another theoretical perspectives are used relevant researches and Czech and foreign literature review. In order to fulfill the aim of the master thesis were analyzed qualitative half- structured interviews between women from a base population. The conclusion, based on this research is that women from the base population are more interested in promotion from the employee side (in flexible forms of work) than on the promotion from the state side (finance).

This diploma thesis deals with the topic of voluntary childlessness, which, among other things, with regard to the low birth rate, resonates by our society. Its aim is to describe the concept of voluntary childlessness from a sociological point of view, to summarize existing sociological researches on this topic, and primarily to analyze the opinions and motives of women who have opted for voluntary childlessness. For the practical part is used qualitative method of Grounded Theory. The research itself takes the form of in-depth semi-structured interviews, which, thanks to the possibility of responding to specific communication partners, offer the opportunity to look into the lives and values of voluntarily childless women. The conclusion summarizes and interprets knowledge about the opinions and motives of voluntarily childless and offers the professional public a better understanding of this issue.

The possibility to earn a living and support a family independently is still a utopia for many women all around the world. Many organizations are constantly fighting for awareness of these issues and strive for an improvement in women’s economic equality. One of these organizations is the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) which in its preamble acknowledges that "discrimination violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity".By the tenth anniversary of the CEDAW, almost one hundred nations have agreed to be bound by its provision. Some governments have achieved their goals by replacing discriminatory laws and policies in order to guarantee gender equality. Others have even gone the extra mile by promoting legislation which in turn would make it easier for women to be able to develop their careers. For instance, some have provided longer maternity leave, and in a few exceptional cases, some others gave the possibility of joint parental leave, creating a co-responsibility between men and women. Nevertheless, some governments have not done enough to balance the gender gap. Some even keep discriminatory laws on the books despite having come to powerlifting the flag of social justice and gender equality. This has been the case of many of the so-called “Pink Tide governments” that ruled in the majority of South America during the first two decades of the 21st century. Despite the left turn of these governments, women in the region are still exposed to segregation and jobs with lower status or a lower payment. This paper focuses on this particular period of South American political history, with a focus on the government policies issued to fight the increasing gender gap on women's economic participation and opportunities. In order to account for the actions taken by these governments towards gender equality policies, we will analyze the maternity and parental leave laws implemented during this period, as we understand that women’s social and economic rights are closely related to their status and conditions at work. Finally, we argue that in this case, the color pink has not been representing women in Latin America.

Synopsis Professionalization of non-profit organizations means basically hiring of paid staff . Maternity centre is social space especially for mothers and their children, that rely mainly on mothers' voluntary work and is based on non-professional rather than professional principle. This case study reflects situation in which non-professional, amateur work is being replaced by hiring of paid staff and paid attention especially to an impact on internal organization's atmosphere and position of the main participants of maternity centre - mothers. The situational analysis is a partial goal of this thesis, served as a basic step not only for strategic planning but mostly for considering of accessing to professionalized organization.

Thesis "Motherhood during university studies" deals with the the topic of motherhood among undergraduate women, whose attitude towards having children whilst studying differs from that of their schoolmates. The author asks questions about how these women interpret the fact that they have children during their university studies and how they harmonize their studies with childcare. She did a qualitative research among undergraduate women who had a baby during their studies. In the theoretical part, the author deals with current trends in demographic behaviour, with structural and institutional conditions connected with parenthood and cultural trends of parenthood in Czech Republic. Because of the research, the author concludes that within undergraduate women there is a group of students that plan to have a baby during their studies because they are against the majority age norms of having babies at the age of thirty. They can harmonize studies with childcare because of the support of their families. If these women are motivated to finish their studies, they can develop many strategies to accomplish it.

Background: Breastfeeding protects against a variety of adverse health outcomes for mothers and babies. Global best practices, known as the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), have been developed to support the initiation and exclusivity of breastfeeding during the post-delivery hospital stay. The aims of this study were to explore the literature related to the impact of the BFHI on breastfeeding disparities in the U.S.; compare the impact of exposure to these best practices on exclusive breastfeeding rates in Appalachian and non-Appalachian hospitals; and to understand knowledge, perceptions, and barriers to breastfeeding of postpartum mothers receiving care in a Northeast Tennessee OB/GYN clinic and regional International Board Certified Lactation Consultants’ (IBCLCs®) knowledge, perceptions, and barriers to implementation of the BFHI. Methods: A scoping review was completed to explore literature related to exposure to the BFHI and breastfeeding disparities using the Levac, Colquhoun, and O’Brien methodology. A linear regression analysis of Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) breastfeeding best practice scores and breastfeeding rates at discharge was conducted comparing this relationship in Appalachian and non-Appalachian hospitals. Finally, a qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to gather information from postpartum mothers and regional IBCLCs®. Results: The BFHI has been found to reduce both geographic and racial/ethnic disparities in the U.S., but there are limited studies examining this topic. While there was a significant negative relationship between Appalachian hospitals and exclusive breastfeeding rates at discharge (p=0.0003), there was no significant difference in the relationship between total mPINC scores and exclusive breastfeeding rates at hospital discharge between the two designations (0.4539). Furthermore, both postpartum patients and regional IBCLCs® reported that support, education, and self-efficacy were all necessary to assist mothers on their infant feeding journey. Implications: These findings highlight the need for studies examining the impact of the BFHI on breastfeeding disparities. Research also needs to be conducted to better understand breastfeeding rates in economically distressed, rural areas of the country. Ultimately, risk-stratified interventions supporting the specific needs of a population should be identified or developed to support and empower postpartum mothers to achieve their infant feeding goals.

Fertility struggles interact with our careers and emotional wellbeing in ways we might not ever fully recover from. This research explores how women navigate their careers and maintain their wellbeing when the goal of biological parenthood is complicated in ways we didn’t expect and we can’t control. This study compares the cases of a small cohort of white women in their thirties, living in Britain who have struggled with fertility (myself included), in an attempt to understand how our fertility struggle shapes our careers and wellbeing. This research strives to interrogate the usefulness of the Job Demand Control Stress model to understand work-stress and wellbeing, the Common Sense Model of health regulation to explore how women self-manage fertility struggles and wellbeing and a New Materialist approach to understand the role and power of non-human actors, such as medical apparatus and policy. I also employ an intersectional lens to better understand the cohort and review the shortcomings of the models and limitations of this research. / <p>Due to Covid-19 Defences took place online </p>