African Journal of Gender and Women Studies

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (8), pp. 001-006, August, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Psychosocial consequences of sexual violence in South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo

Bartels, Susan A*^1,2, Scott, Jennifer A³, Leaning Jennifer^2,4, Kelly, Jocelyn T², Joyce, Nina R¹, Mukwege, Denis⁵, VanRooyen, Michael J^2,4,6

¹Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA

²Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Cambridge, MA

³Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA

⁴Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA

⁵Hôpital de Panzi, Bukavu, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo

⁶ Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA

Accepted 09 March, 2019

Abstract

Democratic Republic of Congo has been the site of an ongoing conflict for over a decade. Within this conflict, systematic sexual violence has been used as a weapon of war. This retrospective study of sexual violence survivors presenting to Panzi Hospital in 2004-2008 describes the psychosocial consequences of sexual violence within this context. 4,311 records were reviewed. Many sexual violence survivors report loss of the families’ valuables because these items were pillaged in the attack. To compound these losses, some women were unable to return to work because of injuries sustained during the assault. Not infrequently, survivors were left to grieve the deaths of close family members because these individuals were killed in the attack. Although spousal abandonment and pregnancy resulting from sexual assault were not as frequently reported, both these sequelae were particularly distressing to survivors. To confound the physical and psychological trauma experienced as a direct result of sexual violence, survivors faced multiple psychosocial stressors as a result of the attacks. It is critical that aid programs address the psychosocial needs of sexual assault survivors. The approach to survivor care must also involve men at all stages, allowing families and communities to recover together.

Keywords: Conflict, Democratic Republic of Congo, rape, sexual violence

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (8), pp. 001-006, August, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A survey on the role of gender differences in leadership style selection and its leading to organizational crisis-preparedness or crisis-proneness

MollaHosseini Ali

Associate Professor, Department of Management, Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran. Email: [email protected] Tel: +989133993911

Accepted 18 January, 2019

Abstract

One of the topics that has engaged the human mind all the time, is a major difference created among human beings in terms of gender. Perhaps one of the first questions a human being asked himself/herself has been that what these differences mean, and what has been the necessity of human beings being created in two or according to a more contemporary narrative in more than two sexes. Men and women, from a long time ago have recognized the world very differently compared to each other, and sometimes the distance between the two sexes has been so much that they have been referred to as two different planets. This article is written to understand this point whether the gender difference Have any effects on selecting a certain leadership style by managers or not? And whether this selection by managers leads to the crisis preparedness or crisis proneness in the complex under their order or not? This point can be useful to all those organizations, in some way, facing this question of what kind of management and which style of leadership to use for the success of their organization. This research is considered as an applied theoretical study .In this study, in order to find an answer to our question, a questionnaire has been designed and distributed among the managers of governmental Organizations in Kerman City. The sample size was extracted according to Cochrane formula and a final number of 180 questionnaires were determined. The results of this research indicate the fact that there exists a significant relationship between in Kerman city's governmental organizations managers' sex and the type of their leadership style and consequently their attitude toward the crisis. On the other hand, the managers' type of attitude toward crisis, may lead to crisis preparedness or crisis proneness within the organizational framework of their complex. This study confirms the fact that gender is an influencing factor in incidence or absence of crises and organizational crises in particular.

Key words: crisis, leadership style, gender, crisis preparedness, crisis proneness.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (7), pp. 001-013, July, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Gender differential in life expectancy: trends, determinants and empirical findings

*Abdulraheem I.S¹, Jimoh A.A.G², and Oladipo A.R³

¹Senior lecturer/Consultant, Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, College of Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

²Senior lecturer/Consultant, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

³Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.

Accepted 08 January, 2019

Abstract

Within populations, differences in life expectancy exist; that is, with regard to gender. The longevity gap between male and female has been in existence since the creation of man and the gap persists across the globe, from developed to developing nations. Females tend to outlive males in all populations, and have lower mortality rates at all ages, starting from infancy. However, the degree to which females outlive males varies; the difference is around three years in the less developed countries and approximately seven years in developed countries. The interaction of genetic and environmental risk factors and socialization are responsible for longevity difference by gender. A sex-specific consideration of risk behavior and quality of life suggests that a healthy lifestyle, relevant information and preventive measures particularly in males must be initiated before puberty if they are to have a positive effect on mortality and morbidity during the course of a person's life.

Key words: Gender, life expectancy, trends, determinants

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (7), pp. 001-007, July, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Sexual harassment in academia - perception, understanding and reporting of sexual harassment in a Southern African University

Menon J. A¹, Shilalukey Ngoma M.P², Siziya S³, Musepa M⁴, Malungo J⁵, Serpell R⁶

¹Corresponding author, Chairperson of the University Committee on HIV and AIDS, Lecturer Department of Psychology, UNZA

²Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University Teaching Hospital

³Professor of Biostatistics, Department of Community Medicine, UNZA

⁴Public Relations Officer, UNZA

⁵Lecturer, Social Development Studies, UNZA

⁶Professor of Psychology and former Vice-Chancellor, UNZA

Accepted 10 January, 2019

Abstract

The study was conducted to explore the perspectives, understanding and reporting patterns of sexual harassment, among staff and students at the University of Zambia (UNZA). The participants included 76 academic staff, 128 non academic staff and 885 students who were randomly selected from the different schools at UNZA. A self-reported questionnaire was developed and piloted for use in this study. The results indicated that sexual harassment occurred among different categories of the UNZA community, with 37% of all the participants reporting to have been sexually harassed. There was found to be a discrepancy in the understanding of the term sexual harassment with majority of the participants only recognizing overt acts such as “subtle or overt pressure for sexual favors” to be acts of sexual harassment. Reporting of sexual harassment was found to be minimal, with only a quarter of those who were sexually harassed having told someone about the act. The majority of those who were sexually harassed did not make a formal complaint because they were embarrassed or they did not believe any action would be taken. It may be concluded that sexual harassment at the UNZA is a challenge to be addressed seriously.

Keywords: Sexual harassment, University, HIV and AIDS, Academia, Students, Gender.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Review

The genesis of women in decision making: Some Hints and tips

A.S. Norman

Senior Lecturer, Tumaini University and Kampala International University in Tanzania Email: [email protected]

Accepted 05 April, 2019

Abstract

This paper is a review in nature and presents a discussion on the genesis of women in decision making. It traces the decision making of women from biological and historical point of view. The biological approach attempts to show the strength of women in deciding to conceive, taking care of pregnancy, and bearing the child or children. The historical approach attempts to reveal some decisions that were made by women through tracing religious books, and evidence of some ancient women leaders. The thrust of the paper is to indicate the unrevealed strength of women. The paper concludes that women are both biologically and historically decision makers. And that women should not be pushed to get into activities which are not of their choice such as political representation, rather politics of representation should be left to individuals who want to practice it, and that national policies should indulge into supporting women and men on productive activities such as farming, entrepreneurial and professional careers.

Key words: Decision making, historical, genesis, and biological.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 001-010, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of self help groups in economic empowerment of rural women in Andhra Pradesh

Dr. SR Padala

Faculty, Department of Management Studies, Andhra University Campus, Vizianagaram, (AP), India. E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +91 94403 23606

Accepted 05 February, 2019

Abstract

Women represent 50 percent of world population and receive 10 per cent of the world income and own even less than one per cent of the world’s property. They suffer many disadvantages as compared to men in terms of literacy rates, labour participation rates and earnings. The major strategies of women Empowerment include social empowerment, economic empowerment, political empowerment and gender justice along with demographical justice (rural and urban). For rural women economic empowerment the concept of self Help Groups (SHGs) based on group approach to rural development is indeed a boon to the rural poor women who undertake viable economic activities on their own. The SHGs are voluntary associations of people formed to attain some common goals. The present study highlights to evaluate the nature of business and its performance carried out by women through SHGs in Andhra Pradesh. A sample of 400 DWCRA members was randomly selected out of 133 Self-Help Groups from Srikakulam, East Godavari, Chittor, Kurnool Warangal and Khammam Districts of Andhra Pradesh and a schedule was designed and administered among the respondents. Poverty is the compelling force for the women under study to join in the group and to take up the income generating activity. The study revealed that the main reason for becoming a group member is to get eligibility for availing government schemes and for availing bank loan facility. The study also proved that though majority of the members are illiterates their savings performance, group loan, and bank loan repayment performance are satisfactory. By running a business activity the women members have been earning certain income thereby supplementing their family income. The role of wife in taking majority of the business decisions is much evident in the study. However the role of joint decisions of both husband and wife in business cannot be ruled out. The present study highlights experiences of the members of SHGs and the contribution of these groups in income generation and thereby enhancing women empowerment. It also highlights that it is only through SHGs rural women economic empowerment can be possible.