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Understanding GBV in Uganda

GBV in UgandaAccording to the European Commission, gender-based violence (GBV) targets individuals based on their gender or disproportionately affects certain genders, often impacting women and children the most. In Uganda, GBV remains a significant issue, with statistics between 2018 and 2020 indicating an average of 5,000 new cases reported annually. This figure likely underrepresents the true extent of the problem. The violence affects not only Uganda’s national population but also the roughly 1.5 million refugees who have sought safety within the country.

GBV Uganda Projects

GBV Uganda Projects, an organization that provides funding in the form of loans, supports projects and small businesses that pay back their loans upon becoming profitable. These ongoing initiatives often focus on sustainability and include practical training for individuals to start their businesses. A key partner, SUP Community Initiatives Africa, began as a Community-Based Organization in 2013, targeting vulnerable individuals and communities in rural and slum areas. It registered as a Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) in 2022, with a mission to empower individuals and communities to address their vulnerabilities effectively.

Empowerment Through Tailoring Projects

GBV Uganda Projects has established a tailoring training initiative that includes building a training center and offering year-long courses in fashion design for 20 women and girls who had to leave school due to abuse. As of June 2024, these participants are taking exams, with a new group set to start in July 2024 and continue until December. This project underscores the organization’s belief that tailoring could be a viable path out of poverty, which often intersects with gender-based violence.

Youth Sport Uganda offers a six-month tailoring program that includes internships, helping 71 participants so far to launch their businesses and support their families. Similarly, The Followings Foundation runs the BEC Tailoring program, equipping individuals with not only tailoring skills but also essential business skills like machine maintenance, record-keeping and financial management, further enhancing their ability to be self-sufficient.

The Importance of Funding

GBV Projects Uganda successfully launched its tailoring initiative, funded by a £14,000 grant from the Welsh Government’s Wales and Africa Grant Scheme/Hub Cymru Africa. This financial support from international donors has enabled 20 participants to acquire crucial life skills, providing opportunities that would have otherwise been inaccessible. Despite these successes, the World Bank notes that prevention programs for gender-based violence in Uganda remain fragmented and limited in scope. This fragmentation often leads to less effective programming, as funding sources like the Wales and Africa Grant Scheme vary by project.

Recommendations and Global Efforts

In 2020, significant strides were made as the United Nations (U.N.), Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the Office of the Prime Minister collaborated to enhance systems addressing gender-based violence (GBV), focusing particularly on the vulnerabilities of refugee populations. This initiative was informed by findings from the Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project. By 2023, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported the successful implementation of the “SASA! Together model” and “the Girl Shine approach” in Uganda. These programs are part of a broader international effort to mitigate GBV. Since 2019, the Spotlight Initiative has also been instrumental, training more than 900 individuals to assist GBV victims, marking a significant advancement in local and global efforts against gender-based violence.

Looking Ahead

Efforts to address gender-based violence in Uganda are making strides through targeted initiatives and international collaboration. Programs like those run by GBV Uganda Projects provide essential training and support, empowering individuals to achieve financial independence and stability. Support and funding could be essential in expanding these ongoing initiatives and enhancing their effectiveness. This can potentially ensure progress in combating gender-based violence in the region.

– Rachael Denton-Snape

Rachael is based in High Wycombe, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Strides for Gender Equality in Sierra Leone

Strides for Gender Equality in Sierra LeoneSierra Leone, located along the West African Atlantic coast, boasts fertile landscapes that support prosperous agricultural systems. Despite this, the nation has grappled with severe women’s rights issues. A significant change occurred in January 2023 when President Julius Maada Bio enacted the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act (GEWE). This law marks a transformative moment for women in the country, heralding a new era of enhanced equality and rights.

Historic Legislation for Gender Equality

The Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act (GEWE) mandates that public and private sector employers allocate 30% of job openings to women, including leadership roles. It also requires political parties to ensure that 30% of their candidates for parliamentary and local elections are women. Additionally, the act provides for 14-week maternity leave, mandates equal pay for equal work and grants women equal access to financial support and training. Noncompliance with GEWE carries significant penalties. This legislation represents a significant advancement toward gender equality in Sierra Leone, where women make up 52% of the population but hold fewer than 20% of elected positions. The implementation of GEWE aims to correct this imbalance, empowering more women to assume leadership roles.

Educational Challenges for Women

In Sierra Leone, literacy among women remains a significant issue, with educational opportunities limited from an early age. Among girls aged 15 to 24, 41% have not finished primary education and girls are more likely to drop out of secondary school than boys. A major factor contributing to this educational gap is the high rate of early marriage; nearly 30% of girls marry before the age of 18, severely curtailing their educational pursuits. Consequently, only 2% of girls between the ages of 15 and 19 are both married and attending school, leading to a female illiteracy rate of 57.65%.

Legislative Advances in Education

In April 2023, Sierra Leone’s parliament enacted the Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act, significantly advancing educational access for married women and young mothers. Previously, until 2020, the government prohibited pregnant women and mothers from attending school. This new legislation guarantees their right to continue education, a vital step toward keeping young women and their families out of poverty by ensuring they can pursue schooling regardless of marital or parental status.

Sierra Leone’s Commitment to Educational Reform

The enactment of Sierra Leone’s Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act marks significant progress in educational equality for women. Starting in 2018, the government prioritized education, implementing several key legislations such as the Free Quality Education Programme and laws supporting the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Rights and Welfare of the Child. These ongoing measures have made education more accessible by reducing financial barriers and guaranteeing free, compulsory education for all children. Recently, the focus has expanded to include specific protections for women’s education, a major advancement for women’s rights in Sierra Leone.

Hope for the Future

The Gender Equality and Empowerment Act, along with the Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act, signify a pivotal shift in women’s rights in Sierra Leone. Before the enactment of these laws, no legislation explicitly protected the educational, political and civil rights of women in the country. These legislative measures, aiming to secure women’s job security and educational opportunities, offer a hopeful outlook for the future of women in the country, providing them with new opportunities to succeed.

– Ellie Buss

Ellie is based in Vancouver, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women’s Workforce Participation in Chile

Women's Workforce Participation in Chile In Chile, poverty among women is notably high relative to surrounding countries. In 2006, roughly 19% of the female Chilean population— more than one million women—lived in poverty. By 2016, aid efforts and governmental initiatives lifted 400,000 women out of poverty; and in 2019, a wave of women’s rights protests spurred the government to enact a law protecting women from gender-based violence. While a smaller percentage of the overall population currently suffers from poverty, women experience its devastating effects in greater numbers than men. In addition, legal and social barriers still hinder women from participating in the workforce and securing economic autonomy. Workforce participation in Chile reflects these ongoing challenges, with women facing significant disparities in opportunities and conditions compared to men.

Workforce Participation

In 2002, 74% of men and only 37% of women participated in the workforce. By 2023, statistics reveal that approximately 50% of women in Chile are working, either part-time or full-time. Although these numbers are encouraging, women’s workforce participation in Chile remains among the lowest in Latin America. Women in the workforce often face unequal opportunities compared to men. They are more likely to hold part-time positions, rarely occupy high-level leadership roles and typically earn less than their male colleagues. The World Bank notes that Chilean law does not require equal pay for work of equal value nor does it prohibit gender discrimination in accessing credit, which puts women at risk for financial insecurity.

Care Labor and Conjugal Society

The low rate of women’s workforce participation in Chile is largely due to the prevalence of a traditional household structure. In the majority of Chilean households, the husband earns wages and the wife takes care of domestic tasks. Women are expected to perform unpaid care labor: caring for children and elderly parents and cleaning and cooking for their families. Because they are burdened with the tasks of a domestic caretaker, women inevitably have little time to earn money — if they participate in the workforce at all, part-time positions are the only feasible option. 

The default legal marital arrangement in Chile declares men as the head of the household and prevents women from making financial decisions without the permission of their husbands. According to The United States (U.S.) Department, in Chile “a husband has the right to administer joint property, including his wife’s property, without consultation or written permission from his wife, but a wife must demonstrate that her husband has granted his permission before she is permitted to make financial arrangements.” Consequently, women have almost no financial autonomy within their marriage, which puts them at risk for financial insecurity, particularly in the event of divorce or if their husbands refuse to allocate money toward women’s needs. 

Women’s Rights Movement

In 2019, a wave of feminist protests spread throughout Chile, acting as a catalyst for change. Protestors called on the Chilean government to act on issues like income disparity, gender-based violence and the persistence of traditional gender roles.  A 2023 survey revealed that 74% of the Chilean population recognized that women face inequality and discrimination. This percentage is higher than the global average, which suggests that the movement successfully raised awareness and focused national attention on women’s rights. 

In response to the growing movement, the Chilean government passed the Comprehensive Violence Against Women Act in March of 2024. Historically, gender-based violence has caused women to quit their jobs or drop out of higher education. According to the World Bank, “the procedure established by [Chilean] law to investigate and punish [sexual assault] can oftentimes lack transparency and result in humiliation for victims, proving that it is virtually ineffective.” The 2024 Violence Against Women Act marks a hopeful turn toward more legal rights, less restrictive gender roles and greater society-wide respect for women. 

Mujeres Emplea

Mujeres Emplea, an online platform created in collaboration with several global NGOs, including United Nations (U.N.) Women is a promising new initiative that provides excellent resources to Chilean women. The platform offers digital skills training, matches female candidates with employers and provides information about available childcare. A participant reflected, “In this world, more women are needed to join the workforce and these trainings are needed for our wellbeing, for our lives, for our families.” This platform provides invaluable resources, encourages women’s workforce participation in Chile and supports women in becoming economically autonomous. 

Global Alliance for Care

The Chilean government is also a member of the Global Alliance for Care, which is the first global community that facilitates and fosters spaces for dialogue, analysis, exchange of experiences and learning about care, its recognition as a need, as work and as a right. The organization considers its mission central to accelerate the pace toward achieving women’s economic autonomy. Participation in this alliance raises awareness of the importance of women’s contributions to society and helps to emphasize the urgent need to reduce gender inequality.

Looking Ahead

Despite significant strides in reducing poverty among women in Chile, challenges in achieving gender equality persist. Legislative advancements, such as the 2024 Comprehensive Violence Against Women Act and initiatives like Mujeres Emplea, underscore ongoing efforts to improve women’s economic participation and autonomy. Chile’s involvement in the Global Alliance for Care highlights the commitment to recognizing and valuing women’s contributions. Continued focus on these ongoing issues could foster greater gender equality and enhance the economic prospects of women across the country.

– Maren Fossum-Wernick

Maren is based in St. Paul, MN, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty and the Gender Wage Gap in Peru

Gender Wage Gap in PeruPeru struggles with high national poverty rates and an economy that inflation and political and financial uncertainty further hinder. While Peru was one of the most prominent performers in Latin America in the last 25 years, COVID-19 hit the nation especially hard. Its economy contracted by 11% in 2020, accompanied by a 10 point rise in its national poverty rate (from 20.2% in 2019 to 30.1% in 2020) as a result of the pandemic. The nation is recovering from this setback, but several obstacles are in its way. One major obstacle is gender inequality — or, more specifically, the gender wage gap in Peru.

Gender Inequality in Peru

Gender inequality in Peru originates from an adherence to traditional gender roles. Women are less likely to work full time for pay, for example, occupied instead with unpaid work such as household chores and child care. Women in Peru spend around 24 more hours per week on unpaid tasks than men, while men spend roughly 21 more hours per week on paid tasks than women. The prevalence of these gender roles affects economic participation and wages for women — the median full-time female worker in Peru earns 17% less than the median full-time male worker.

The labor force participation rate for women in Peru was 65.9% in 2023, compared with 79.5% for men. The effects of motherhood intensify this gap, with 41% of women in Peru stopping working after their first child, a percentage that remains after 10 years. Women with children often seek more flexible occupations such as part-time or informal jobs to accommodate their added responsibilities, according to the OECD. Traditional gender roles reinforce these effects of motherhood and may discourage the full-time participation of women in the workforce.

Bridging the Gap

Increasing the participation of women in the workforce could both strengthen efforts to reduce the gender wage gap in Peru and bolster the nation’s economy. Women represent a large portion of the population — their contributions to the workforce could help Peru’s formal economy grow, especially after COVID-19. Addressing this gap could be key to restoring and revitalizing the nation’s economy in the wake of the pandemic.

Education level is an important step towards achieving these goals. Women who graduated from upper secondary school and university have 80% and 90% labor market participation rates, respectively, while those with lower levels have under 50% participation, according to the OECD. Encouraging higher education could thus stimulate Peru’s economy by incorporating more people into the workforce, while simultaneously addressing gender inequality.

However, while reducing gender inequality in Peru still needs more work, education rates have increased for both genders in recent years. Rates of enrollment for boys and girls from pre-primary to upper secondary education are virtually the same, and illiteracy has essentially vanished among older teenagers of either sex, at a rate of about 0.5 percentage points. By contrast, among 60+ year-olds, women tend to be more frequently illiterate, with the gap between genders reaching roughly 18.7 percentage points, according to the OECD.

Encouraging higher education and economic participation among women could help bridge the gender wage gap in Peru — heightened labor participation and education provide girls with a stronger political voice and representation. Bridging this gap in itself could incentivize more women in Peru to work, including those in disadvantaged communities. Thus addressing gender inequality could gradually reduce the national poverty rate and bolster Peru’s economy.

Addressing Poverty and Gender Inequality in Peru

Organizations such as Peruvian Hearts, a nonprofit that focuses on educating girls and women in Peru, encourage the independence and economic participation of women. This organization’s PH Scholars program offers university scholarships and psychosocial support to disadvantaged girls to empower and educate women. It focuses specifically on girls from low-income families and has raised $666,072, as of June 2024, to address gender inequality and the interconnected problem of national poverty.

Globalteer’s Women’s Empowerment Project also aims to educate disadvantaged women in Peru and encourage their participation in the workforce. Concentrated in rural villages near Cusco, this project provides resources, financial backing, market knowledge and support to women in these areas to encourage economic independence and address poverty in Peru. This organization has currently raised $5,759, as of June 2024, to bridge Peru’s gender divide.

Peru has undoubtedly made significant progress in addressing gender inequality. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the gender wage gap can encourage more women to participate in the workforce and thus bolster Peru’s economy.

– Lana Swindle

Lana is based in Princeton, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women for Gaza: Gender Poverty and Aid in Gaza

Women for GazaGender significantly influences poverty in Gaza, with data indicating that female-headed households in Palestine are 30% more likely to fall below the poverty line. The recent increase in hostilities has further worsened the already poor living conditions for Gaza’s female population. Since the recent escalation of conflict in Gaza and the West Bank, more than 10,000 women have died.

Gender-Specific Needs Neglected in War

In 2023, Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of the United Nations (U.N.) Women, declared, “Women and girls pay the highest price when armed conflict erupts.” Documentation consistently shows that the specific needs of women during conflicts, such as sanitary products, antenatal care and safe, private facilities, often go unmet and are typically excluded from conflict prevention and resolution efforts.

Gender Poverty in Gaza

Gaza’s history of political instability, prolonged occupation and entrenched poverty has left deep scars. Amnesty International argues that the lack of clear governance and leadership often results in the re-emergence of traditional structures that reinforce patriarchal values. The hardships endured by women and girls in Gaza extend beyond recent events. Even before the latest escalation of hostilities, the female population of Gaza disproportionately experienced poverty. UNICEF highlighted that malnutrition among pregnant women was already high before Israel’s recent occupation of the area.

The impact of poverty on Gazan women has also threatened their sexual and reproductive rights, issues that existed even before the recent escalation of the Israeli-Hamas conflict. Records show that 94,000 women were already lacking access to sexual and reproductive services before Oct. 7, 2023. In the five months following, this number soared to over one million.

The Current Situation for Women in Gaza

Since Oct. 7, 2023, women have accounted for 70% of the fatalities. Miscarriages have increased by 20% and seven mothers are killed every hour, with more than a million women displaced. In April 2024, the U.N. issued a ‘Gender Alert’ for Gaza’s female population due to the disproportionate impact of recent hostilities. The dire living conditions and crumbling civilian infrastructure have worsened to the point of near nonexistence.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that critical care remains largely inaccessible to women who are sick, injured, breastfeeding or pregnant; only one-third of Gazan hospitals are still functional. The conflict has caused unusually high rates of mortality among women and children. Tess Ingram, UNICEF’s communication specialist, stated in a Jan. 2024 press conference that an infant is born into a ‘horrendous war’ every 10 minutes. Save the Children further highlighted the emotional suffering of families, reporting that more children died in Gaza in Oct. 2023 than in global conflicts annually since 2019.

Aid for Women and Women-led Aid

Reports indicate that five women-led organizations employ a network of 1,575 staff members on the ground. These groups lead humanitarian operations in Gaza:

  1. U.N. Women. U.N. women support gender-specific needs and requirements in Gaza. The organization leads the national gender coordination efforts, lobbying for women’s rights to be incorporated into international emergency responses. 
  2. Women’s protection and empowerment, Gaza and Lebanon, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). MAP promotes maternal, neonatal and child care through an integrated approach to improving quality care for Palestinian and Lebanese women affected by the prolonged conflict.
  3. Women for Women International. Working closely with local women’s rights organizations, including the Wefaq Society for Women and Child Care, this group aims to address urgent humanitarian needs of women through essential service provision such as meals, clothing, hygiene kits and trauma-informed counseling.
  4. Relief Web. With five teams of doctors, nurses and midwives on the ground in Gaza, this organization is providing life-saving and dignity-maintaining medical aid to Gaza’s women and girls; including the distribution of UNFPA menstrual hygiene kits.
  5. Women Against Violence. A Palestinian-Jewish women’s forum that provides shelter for female Jewish and Palestinian survivors of conflict. The group makes efforts to alleviate the mental burden of female experiences by providing a safe space for dialogue between Israeli and Jewish women.
  6. ISRA-United Kingdom (U.K.). A group of women from Birmingham, U.K., operates under the slogan “Women for Gaza.” This NGO provides life-saving provisions to preserve the dignity of women caught amid the Israeli-Hamas conflict.

The intense struggles faced by women-led organizations on the ground in Gaza highlight their steadfast commitment to saving lives. Bahous recognizes, their work transcends mere survival: “It is about maintaining hope, dignity and the possibility of a better future.”

Looking Ahead

In Gaza, the disproportionate impact of conflict on women remains a critical issue, exacerbating their already vulnerable conditions. Since Oct. 2023, women have represented a significant majority of the fatalities and have faced severe disruptions in access to essential health services. Humanitarian organizations, including several women-led groups, continue to make efforts to provide crucial aid.

– Thea Carter

Thea is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Give a Future: Fighting for Gender Equality in Ethiopia

Gender Equality in EthiopiaEthiopia is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa. It is Africa’s oldest independent country and holds the second-largest population on the continent, with a population of 113.6 million. It has sentiments of a Marxist past, with highly restrictive media environments and tensions within the government. Notably, in October 2018, Sahle-Work Zewde was elected as president, marking a historic milestone as Ethiopia’s first female head of state since Empress Zawditu. With her inauguration came a pledge to champion gender equality in Ethiopia, aiming to translate rhetoric into tangible progress.

Gender Equality in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has committed to improving gender equality, especially with Zewde, who made women hold half of the positions in her cabinet. Nevertheless, when it comes to female education, the improvement does not seem so drastic. Similarly, despite women’s significant contribution to the agricultural sector in rural regions of Ethiopia, their contributions often go unrecognized and they face restrictions in accessing resources and community participation.

Recent findings by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) found that one in three women experience physical, emotional, or sexual violence and only 50% of girls who enroll in primary schools ever make it to grade five. This seems to be an issue in Ethiopia, where many girls are unable to transition to secondary and tertiary school due to distance, personal security and economic challenges. Women often face more constraints in regard to less access to credit and limited market access and 30% of Ethiopian women do not make decisions on individual and family issues such as birth control methods.

Give a Future and Gender Equality

Give A Future is a nonprofit run by a group of dedicated individuals who believe in sustainable change through cost-effective programs. It was founded almost 20 years ago by Stephanie Ferrario and her team. The initiative started with homes for street children, which then turned into many homes, three schools, a large scholarship fund for girls, a large microfinance program for women and family programs to help families with their responsibilities. Its ethos builds upon providing knowledge, training and access to credit to create changes that last a lifetime and carry on into the next generations. As they say, “Educated women make the world a better, safer, more resilient place and are good for business.”

All of Give A Future’s programs are run by Ethiopians who are motivated to make their country a better place. Recognizing the vital role education plays in shaping the future, particularly for girls, Give A Future emphasizes the classroom as a sanctuary, providing not just learning opportunities but also a haven of safety and empowerment. The Borgen Project spoke with founder Ferrario, who highlights that “education is the one thing nobody can ever take away from you” and it is always the way to build the foundations for a better life. Therefore, Give A Future provides support for girls and women who want to finish university and supports women in its microfinance program, enabling them to create and run small businesses.

This has a ripple effect and contributes toward dismantling gender inequality once and for all, one woman at a time. The small number of women in business and politics, which Ferrario tells us has remained relatively the same since Zewde was appointed head of state, is a testament to this and highlights the importance of increasing female representation and empowerment at a higher level.

Impact

Recently, Give A Future created shecan.world. On this platform, women have a voice and can tell their stories to others, creating a plethora of role models for women who have overcome challenges and tackled the obstacles in front of them. Ferrario explains how this began during lockdown by telling Ethiopian women’s stories and has now grown into a large online library of women role models with more than 400 women, 100,000 listeners and 600,000 views. The aim is to inspire other women and create a log of powerful and incredible women.

What Can We Do?

When asked what people in the Global North could do to help combat poverty not only in Ethiopia but in the Global South as a whole, her response was insightful. Central to Ferrario’s approach is the cultivation of trust, a vital component in empowering local communities to drive their own development trajectories. Rather than imposing external solutions, she advocates for investing in understanding the root causes of poverty and collaborating closely with local stakeholders and organizations. By prioritizing local expertise and perspectives, interventions can be tailored to address the specific needs and challenges faced by communities, fostering sustainable, long-term change.

– Cordelia Moore

Cordelia is based in Exeter, UK and focused on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Tonga Empowers Gender Equality in Leadership

Gender Equality in LeadershipTongan women are severely underrepresented in political leadership positions, both at local and national levels. This is a reminder of the gender disparities that persist in society and a reflection of deep-seated social norms that perpetuate the idea that women are less suited for leadership than men. However, through initiatives like the Balance of Power and Tonga Youth Leaders, Tonga is empowering gender equality in leadership, breaking down barriers, challenging traditional views and promoting women’s participation in political decision-making.

Barriers to Tonga’s Women in Political Leadership

While women’s leadership within the public sector and family and community life has had successive progress, political leadership progress is still limited. No more than two women have been elected to the national Parliament in a general election, which was in 2017. In the most recent election, in 2021, no women were elected. Women’s underrepresentation in political leadership is a result of barriers that are often rooted in cultural, social and institutional factors that perpetuate gender inequality and limit women’s opportunities to participate actively in political decision-making processes.

Some key barriers to Tonga’s women in political leadership include:

  • Cultural and social norms are deeply ingrained. These norms perpetuate the view that men are inherently better in leadership positions than women and that women don’t have the “right” skills and experience for political leadership roles that men do. Such norms can deter women from pursuing careers in leadership positions, as they may face societal pressures to conform to traditional gender roles.
  • Gender stereotypes can undermine women’s credibility as political leaders. Women who pursue careers in politics face scrutiny, discrimination and bias based on gender, with their qualifications, capabilities and decisions questioned or dismissed due to stereotypes about women’s competence in leadership roles.
  • A lack of media representation of women’s voices. Media plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions, influencing opinions and circulating information about political candidates and issues. Underrepresentation in the media can reinforce gender stereotypes and traditional gender roles.
  • Institutional and legal frameworks can limit women’s political participation. Women do not have the same financial resources as men. The practice of voters expecting reciprocal gifts from candidates creates challenges for women, as they may have limited resources or face societal pressures that prevent them from meeting these demands. While bribery is illegal under Tongan electoral law, voters do not classify it as bribery and this makes it harder for women to compete effectively in elections.

The importance of gender equality in leadership is crucial as men and women often have differing needs and viewpoints, highlighting the significance of ensuring women are represented. With women constituting half of the population, it is pivotal that their interests are effectively addressed. A balanced participation of both men and women in decision-making is essential.

Balance of Power

Balance of Power is an Australian Government funded, locally-led approach to supporting women in political leadership. It is an initiative aimed at addressing gender disparities in political representation by shifting social norms and attitudes that impede women from being recognized as credible leaders. It focuses on promoting gender equality in leadership by empowering women to participate actively in political leadership roles.

The Balance of Power initiative employs adaptive management and politically informed approaches to drive change. Through training, mentorship and advocacy, the Balance of Power seeks to challenge social norms, traditional views and barriers that hinder women’s engagement in politics. The initiative executes this with media collaboration to increase women’s leadership visibility, strengthening the Women in Leadership Coalition, research and advocacy to address negative perceptions and regional engagement to change social norms.

Tonga Youth Leaders

Tonga Youth Leaders is a “youth-led organization that empowers and develops Tongan youth to become catalysts for positive change in their own communities.” The organization was set up in 2017 by Elizabeth Kite to give a voice to the Tongan youth and encourage their participation in community development through small projects and fostering leadership skills.

The Tonga Youth Leaders organized an initiative called Girls Takeover Parliament, which offers 26 young women and girls the chance to participate in a parliamentary setting, enabling them to express and share views on national issues. The Girls Takeover Parliament initiative helps young women and girls realise their potential, develop leadership skills and allow them the opportunity to pursue a career in politics.

About 90% of participants expressed their interest in pursuing a career in politics after they attended the Girls Takeover Parliament initiative. The initiative has had a significant impact on empowering young women and girls and raising awareness about youth engagement and gender equality in leadership.

Tonga’s commitment to empowering gender equality in leadership is evident through innovative initiatives like the Balance of Power and Tonga Youth Leaders. These initiatives not only challenge social norms and traditional views and break down barriers but also foster inclusivity and encourage youth engagement, as well as women’s active participation in decision-making roles. Through targeted programs, media collaborations and community engagement, Tonga is paving the way for a more equitable and representative political landscape.

– Isabella Green

Isabella is based in Aylesbury, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Gendered Wages and the Gender Wage Gap in Barbados

Gender Wage Gap in BarbadosWhen picturing Barbados many people imagine golden beaches and sunny skies, yet this is not always the reality. Barbados, located in the Caribbean Sea, is one of the many places in the world that still experiences gender inequality. According to the World Economic Forum, in Barbados, “women earn about 86.8% of their male counterparts.” This means that even in today’s modern age, women are still experiencing a huge pay difference from men. Due to experiencing a larger pay difference than men, women in Barbados are more likely to experience poverty. As well as this, according to the U.N., “more women than men tend to fall below the poverty line.”

The Issue

The gender pay gap seems to be something of the past, but the evidence in places such as Barbados shows that this is not the case at all and that the gender wage gap remains. Women are continually experiencing negative stigma and inconsistencies in working conditions such as wages and this statistic only serves to highlight this problem. Women who are experiencing a gender wage gap are experiencing this due to, “a population’s cultural beliefs and attitudes toward women.” This means that many countries are still harboring negative and sexist attitudes towards women, which needs to change for the gender wage gap in Barbados and around the world to fully close.

Tackling the gender pay gap in places like Barbados could create better living conditions as well as more opportunities for jobs around the world. The gender wage gap in Barbados highlights the inequalities that are still prevalent between men and women, and studies show that “countries with more gender equality tend to be happier.” Improving gender equality and the gender pay gap benefits both men and women.

The Future

Mother’s Union is fighting for gender equality across the globe and support women who are in these places striving for equality as well as providing a safe space for women to talk. Since 1913, the Mother’s Union has more than 2,000 members who help reach out to women and support them in Barbados. The Mother’s Union has many different outreach programs in Barbados such as counseling services and skills training. In 2023 it also celebrated its 110th year anniversary.

– Kiera Egars

Kiera is based in Leeds, UK and focuses on Politics and World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Udaan’s Efforts in Nepal: Giving Girls a Second Chance

Udaan's Efforts in Nepal: Giving Girls a Second ChanceWomen constitute more than half of Nepal’s population, yet they reside in a society where traditional norms frequently restrict girls’ access to education. However, Udaan’s efforts in Nepal aim to change this reality. The Udaan project, translating to flight or soar in Nepali, represents a transformative effort to educate and empower girls.

The Challenges Girls Face in Nepal

According to the Educational Equality Institute, societal norms, affordability issues and a lack of parental motivation hinder girls’ access to education in Nepal. Notably, 5.1% of Nepal’s population lived on $1.90 a day in 2022 and 20.27% lived below the poverty line in 2023. Poverty increases the likelihood of children, especially girls, dropping out of school. Approximately 18% of Nepalese children do not complete primary education, with girls making up 49% of this group. Parents often prioritize marriage over education for their daughters, believing they cannot secure jobs to support their parents in the future, unlike their sons. This mindset leads to many girls leaving school early, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.

Transformative Education through UDAAN

Udaan has become a driving force for change, offering girls a chance to overcome societal barriers and chase their dreams. The project delivers comprehensive support through scholarships, mentorship programs and community engagement efforts. These scholarships pay for tuition, books, snacks and other educational expenses, eliminating financial hurdles and allowing girls to continue their education without interruption. Aimed at girls aged 9 to 14, Udaan features an intensive 11-month curriculum designed to challenge damaging social norms and provide a stable, secure environment for girls’ education. This enables them to catch up on missed education and rejoin the public school system within a year.

Udaan’s Efforts in Nepal: Shaping the Future

Beyond offering education to girls, Udaan also aims to prevent child marriage by providing quality education. This empowers them to make informed life decisions, secure sustainable jobs and support themselves and their families. As Udaan expands its impact, the outlook for girls in Nepal is bright. Empowering each girl to follow her dreams and contribute to her community, Udaan’s influence reaches well beyond the classroom, fostering a more equitable and inclusive society for future generations.

Looking Forward

Udaan’s comprehensive approach promises a brighter future for girls in Nepal, breaking the chains of poverty and gender bias. Udaan’s efforts in Nepal are pivotal to this mission. Through education and empowerment, this initiative paves the way for young women to achieve their potential and contribute significantly to their communities. The ripple effects of their success are bound to foster greater gender equality and economic development across Nepal. As these girls soar to new heights, they exemplify the transformative power of education in shaping societies.

– Erika David

Erika David is based in Union, NJ, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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What Is Being Done To Alleviate the Gender Wage Gap in Austria

Gender Wage Gap in AustriaDespite high female employment rates, Austria grapples with one of the European Union’s largest gender pay gaps. Women’s economic independence is hindered by a prevalence of part-time work and unpaid care responsibilities within families, leading to career breaks and financial repercussions. This is compounded by gender segregation in lower-paying service industry jobs, with women significantly underrepresented in leadership positions across sectors such as economy, science, politics and public service. However, two of the most important ways that the gender wage gap in Austria has been addressed are through the National Action Plan (NAP) on Gender Equality in the Labor Market and the Pay Transparency Law.

Action Plan on Gender Equality in the Labor Market

Published in 2010, the NAP outlined strategies for the period spanning from 2010 to 2013 with the goal of eliminating existing gender disparities in the workforce and promoting the strategic and coordinated implementation of diverse initiatives and policies. Notably, the NAP highlighted the fact that women who are not fully integrated into the labor market or are marginally employed face a heightened risk of poverty in their later years. Especially because, in 2007, more than 70% of women who received a net income from the widow’s pension received pensions that fell below the poverty risk threshold, set at 60% of the median income.

During the period spanning 2019 to 2020, the EU-co-funded initiative known as “TRAPEZ – transparent pension future – securing women’s economic independence in old age” conducted an in-depth investigation into Austria’s Gender Gap in Pensions (GGP). The project’s objective was to thoroughly analyze the GGP and recommend practical strategies to mitigate its effects, ultimately bolstering the financial independence of older women.

The strategies outlined in the NAP likely provided important insights and data that informed the direction and focus of the TRAPEZ project. Additionally, the NAP’s emphasis on coordinated implementation of initiatives and policies to address gender disparities in the workforce would have fostered a collaborative approach among stakeholders, including governmental bodies, research institutions and advocacy groups. Overall, by recognizing the heightened risk of poverty faced by women with limited labor market integration or marginal employment, it seems that the NAP laid the groundwork for subsequent initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s financial security and narrowing the gender wage gap in Austria.

The Austrian Pay Transparency Law

Introduced in 2011, the transparency law ensures that if a company has more than 1000 employees, they are required to publish an annual income report detailing information about men’s wages and women’s wages as well as a clear statement of the minimum wage in job vacancy advertisements. Fortunately, there was a more significant wage increase among newly hired women in large firms following the reform compared to newly hired men, indicating a narrowing of the gender wage gap among recent hires.

However, according to results from a regression discontinuity design, the transparency law did not alter wages or the gender wage gap because the law’s impact on employment growth or turnover was small and lacked statistical significance. Notably, for larger firms, the transparency law correlated with a decreased percentage of women employed in treated firms. It seems that the implications for the gender wage gap in Austria, based on the transparency law, are mixed. On the one hand, the transparency law’s requirement for larger companies to disclose wage disparities and minimum wage information in job advertisements has potentially contributed to a reduction in the gender wage gap among recent hires. However, the overall impact of the law on income inequality is limited, as it did not significantly alter wages or the gender wage gap across the board.

Concerns

Transparency law advocates assert that disclosing pay information is crucial in closing the gender pay gap in Austria, as it enables women to confront discriminatory wage practices. However, skeptics express concerns regarding potential administrative burdens and fear that men might capitalize on the disclosed information more effectively than women. Some suggest that the policy’s ineffectiveness could be attributed to the fact that it does not require firms to act upon revealed wage differences. Additionally, the policy’s limited scope, which does not address factors such as firm sorting, may have contributed to its lack of effectiveness.

However, the transparency policy did result in a reduction in the rate at which individuals leave their employment at a treated firm within a given period. This suggests that the policy may have alleviated concerns about unfair pay schedules among workers, leading to higher job satisfaction and reduced turnover.

Final Remark

Currently, the gender wage gap in Austria has reduced from 23.5% to 18.8% from 2011 to 2021. Although this gap remains above the EU average, it is clear that progress has been made in reducing the wage gap over the past decade. Further initiatives focusing on transparency, equitable pay practices and broader gender equality measures will be crucial in achieving lasting change.

– Avery Fuller
Photo: Pexels