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Prior to the introduction of democracy in South Africa in 1994, gender equality did not receive the attention it deserved; however, the mandate for gender equality is now enshrined in the 1996 Constitution of South Africa. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of cultural practices on gender equality as well as the current state thereof, in the democratic dispensation in South Africa. The study employed a survey design and the sample consisted of 74 third year students in a rural South African university. Data was collected by means of a self-constructed questionnaire while the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 25) was used to analyse data. The findings reveal that traditional and cultural practices tend to impact negatively on the implementation of gender equality, especially in the rural areas of South Africa. Stereotypical beliefs about gender traits and abilities are some of the barriers to women's advancement to senior positions in the workplace.

The world's attention to the countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has often been dominated by headline issues: conflict, sanctions, political turmoil, and rising oil prices. Little of this international attention has considered the broad range of development challenges facing this diverse group of countries. Breaking the Barriers reflects the collected thinking of the World Bank's Office of the Chief Economist for the MENA Region on the long-term development challenges facing the region and the reform priorities and strategies for effectively meeting these challenges. It is a comprehensive reform agenda to “break the barriers” to higher economic growth, to ensure sufficient jobs can be created for the region's rapidly growing labor force. At its core, it requires the region's public sector-dominated economies to move to private sector-driven economies, from closed economies to more open economies, and from oil-dominated and volatile economies to more stable and diversified economies. This book examines some of these reforms and the complex issues surrounding their successful implementation. In order for the countries of the MENA region to successfully implement the reforms needed for higher growth and job creation, they will also need to address the fundamental weaknesses in governance throughout the region.

Empowering Women in Vanuatu: Analyzing Challenges to Economic Participation Women in Vanuatu examines the barriers hindering women's full economic participation in this traditional, patriarchal society.Despite increasing involvement in the private sector, women face limited government support and discriminatory legal frameworks.

Although HIV prevalence in South Asia is relatively low, the epidemic is growing among marginalized groups, including sex workers, injection drug users, men who have sex with men, and transgender communities. Despite prevention and other efforts to reduce high-risk behaviors such as unprotected sex, buying and selling of sex, and injecting drug use, HIV vulnerability and risk remain high. This problem is partly due to a widespread failure to respond adequately to key social drivers of HIV: stigma and discrimination. Stigmatizing attitudes in the general population and discriminatory treatment by actors ranging from health providers to local policy makers intensify the marginalization of vulnerable groups at highest risk, driving them further from the reach of health services and much-needed prevention, treatment, care, and support. Daily harassment and abuse also cause health problems and adversely affect mental health, thereby leading to depression, social isolation, and an array of adverse socioeconomic outcomes related to HIV and AIDS. The South Asia Region Development Marketplace1 (SARDM) took an innovative and unique approach to addressing these gaps and needs through its 2008 development marketplace, \"tackling HIV and AIDS stigma and discrimination.\" Part one of this reports describes key findings and lessons learned that emerged across the 26 implementers. Part two contains case studies for six of the implementers, offering a more in-depth look at the lessons and challenges of intervening against stigma and discrimination. Part three provides summaries of all 26 projects.

This chapter focuses on the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which led the court battles for civil rights. The chapter explains the NAACP's work of fighting against discriminatory laws and policies throughout the United States. The Supreme Court began recognizing a qualified First Amendment right to anonymity following the turmoil of civil rights battles in the 1950s. Meanwhile, the NAACP safeguards the anonymity of its members following concerns of facing the threat of severe physical harm or harassment. The chapter explains how NAACP v. Alabama protects a wide range of political and religious groups from being forced to disclose their membership rosters. It also notes how the rules for anonymity shaped anonymity online and offline decades later.

Unlocking the Potential of Women Entrepreneurs in the MENA Region The Environment for Women's Entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa reveals that female-owned firms in the region are as established, productive, and technologically advanced as their male counterparts. This insightful analysis challenges common perceptions and highlights the untapped potential of women in the MENA business landscape. This report is for policymakers, researchers, and anyone seeking to understand and promote women's economic empowerment. Discover how to: * Identify and address the unique challenges facing women entrepreneurs. * Reform the business climate to foster greater inclusivity. * Mitigate social norms and legal barriers that hinder women's progress. By addressing these issues, the MENA region can unlock significant economic growth and diversification, empowering a new generation of women leaders.

This report on voice and agency, which builds on the 2012 World Development Report, focuses on several areas key to women's empowerment: freedom from violence, control over sexual and reproductive health and rights, ownership and control of land and housing, and voice and collective action. It explores the power of social norms in dictating how men and women can and cannot behave, deterring women from owning property or working even where laws permit, for example, because those who do become outcasts. The report distills vast data and hundreds of studies to shed new light on constraints facing women and girls worldwide, from epidemic levels of gender-based violence to biased laws and norms that prevent them from owning property, working, and making decisions about their own lives. It highlights promising reforms and interventions from around the world and lays out an urgent agenda for governments, civil society, development agencies, and other stakeholders. Among its keys findings: girls with little or no education are far more likely to be married as children, suffer domestic violence, live in poverty, and lack a say over household spending or their own health care than better-educated peers, which harms them, their children, and communities.

In looking at the latest trends when it comes to symbolism, the authors show that organizations are moving beyond simple brand and logo use and now to a concept of movement symbolism that reflects the story and narrative of the movement for the people. Robert Heath, in his book Realism and Relativism, describes the power of symbolic actions in literature that can be applied to social movements. Some social good movements have used symbolism as part of an act, an outward sign of not mere association but an activity for the movement participants to partake in to show their support for the values of the campaign. The roots of the Human Rights Campaign go back to 1980 when it was founded to support pro‐fairness to congressional candidates and legislatures that supported discriminatory laws and beliefs.

Kenyan women are making a large - although frequently unseen - contribution to the country's economy, particularly in the agricultural and informal business sectors. But women face more severe legal, regulatory, and administrative barriers to starting and running businesses than do their male counterparts. Gender and Economic Growth in Kenya examines the barriers that are preventing women from contributing fully to the Kenyan economy and makes recommendations for addressing these barriers. Addressing these constraints will not only help women make a full economic contribution, but will also improve their livelihoods and those of their families and will help create a more enabling environment for all Kenyan businesses, regardless of the gender of their founders.