Incorporating Women: The Path for the Future
Two clinic staff members, Aidah and Aidah
The Principle of Indivisibility: The Need for a Concerted Approach
The principle of indivisibility describes the interrelated nature of education, health care, and economic empowerment (Petchesky 2000). It is important to consider the intertwined character of these sectors in terms of development policies and programs. It becomes apparent that merely providing a service may not truly lead to access of this service, as demonstrated by family planning services and education. There are often other factors that can preclude or limit access to these services, such as a husband's disapproval of family planning services, the high drop out rates for young girls needed to help at home, and poor attendance rates due to prevalent sicknesses. Keeping this in mind, it is clear that a concerted approach is needed to truly promote positive change. While it may seem nearly impossible to tackle so many issues simultaneously, Petchesky (2000) presents a case of NGOs providing programs that include literacy training, access to a health center, gender equity education, and other community based components. This comprehensive implementation helped create a rights-based vision amongst adults in the community and promoted reproductive and sexual health rights for women. This type of approach seems to be the best way to adequately address the needs of a community.
Increased Participation of Women in Education: The Way Forward
Many scholars argue that educating women is important, and consequentially, failure to educate women can be detrimental to countries. Abu-Ghaida and Klasen (2003) identify many positive outcomes of educating women, including the following:
The principle of indivisibility describes the interrelated nature of education, health care, and economic empowerment (Petchesky 2000). It is important to consider the intertwined character of these sectors in terms of development policies and programs. It becomes apparent that merely providing a service may not truly lead to access of this service, as demonstrated by family planning services and education. There are often other factors that can preclude or limit access to these services, such as a husband's disapproval of family planning services, the high drop out rates for young girls needed to help at home, and poor attendance rates due to prevalent sicknesses. Keeping this in mind, it is clear that a concerted approach is needed to truly promote positive change. While it may seem nearly impossible to tackle so many issues simultaneously, Petchesky (2000) presents a case of NGOs providing programs that include literacy training, access to a health center, gender equity education, and other community based components. This comprehensive implementation helped create a rights-based vision amongst adults in the community and promoted reproductive and sexual health rights for women. This type of approach seems to be the best way to adequately address the needs of a community.
Increased Participation of Women in Education: The Way Forward
Many scholars argue that educating women is important, and consequentially, failure to educate women can be detrimental to countries. Abu-Ghaida and Klasen (2003) identify many positive outcomes of educating women, including the following:
- Higher national GDP
- Decreased fertility rates
- Lower child mortality rates
- Lower rates of under-nutrition
Microfinance
A Community Health Educator visiting a client
Microfinance is a type of lending that provides members with very small loans. They are common in developing countries and can provide a valuable financial resource for individuals in times of crisis (i.e., need expensive medical care), economic struggle (i.e., cannot afford school fees with approaching deadline), or investment (i.e., to buy raw goods to make a product). Research supports microfinance as a means to development, and it even indicates that women are a lower-risk investment group for microfinance institutions (D'Espallier, Guerin, and Mersland 2011). Research shows that women are better at repaying their loans on time, providing evidence in support of microfinance institutions that target females in the developing world.
Women become empowered through access to credit provided by microfinance institutions. Microfinance empowers women by providing them with the opportunity to contribute to their household economies, own assets, and reduce domestic conflict (Haile, Bock, and Folmer 2012). Despite the empowerment created by access to credit, there are some drawbacks to the increased burden on women it creates. These challenges are discussed in detail here.
Women become empowered through access to credit provided by microfinance institutions. Microfinance empowers women by providing them with the opportunity to contribute to their household economies, own assets, and reduce domestic conflict (Haile, Bock, and Folmer 2012). Despite the empowerment created by access to credit, there are some drawbacks to the increased burden on women it creates. These challenges are discussed in detail here.
Incorporating Boys and Men
In order to promote gender equality in rural Uganda, it is important not to forget about an important target group: males. Since cultural norms and gender roles contribute to gender inequity, it is important to consider these structural factors when addressing gender inequality. Educating boys and men on gender equality can help equalize opportunities for both sexes. Men are an especially important target population, as men are the "gatekeepers" for reform in gender norms that can help promote gender equality (Connell 2005). Men possess greater control economically, politically, and culturally, giving them the most power to promote the role of women in society.
Connell (2005) also
emphasizes that men should not be seen as the opposition, as they are also
victims of societal norms and social structure that create and propagate gender
inequality. Despite the importance of men in this process, Connell acknowledges
that some men have demonstrated a resistance to change in their dominant
positions in society.
Similarly, women in a rural Ugandan district advocate for the inclusion of men in educational programs on family planning services (Rutakumwa and Krogman 2007). Educating men on the need for family planning services, supporting their wives and children, and other behaviors currently rejected by men can provide a valuable resource for the empowerment of women.
Similarly, women in a rural Ugandan district advocate for the inclusion of men in educational programs on family planning services (Rutakumwa and Krogman 2007). Educating men on the need for family planning services, supporting their wives and children, and other behaviors currently rejected by men can provide a valuable resource for the empowerment of women.