12 research outputs found
Reproductive rights approach to reproductive health in developing countries
Research on reproductive health in developing countries focuses mostly on the role of economic development on various components of reproductive health. Cross-sectional and empirical research studies in particular on the effects of non-economic factors such as reproductive rights remain few and far between.This study investigates the influence of two components of an empowerment strategy, gender equality, and reproductive rights on women's reproductive health in developing countries. The empowerment strategy for improving reproductive health is theoretically situated on a number of background factors such as economic and social development.Cross-national socioeconomic and demographic data from a number of international organizations on 142 developing countries are used to test a model of reproductive rights and reproductive health.The findings suggest that both economic and democratic development have significant positive effects on levels of gender equality. The level of social development plays a prominent role in promoting reproductive rights. It is found that reproductive rights channel the influences of social structural factors and gender equality on reproductive health
Gender in Politics
Womenâs political participation and representation vary dramatically within and between countries. We selectively review the literature on gender in politics, focusing on womenâs formal political participation.
We discuss both traditional explanations for womenâs political participation and representation, such as the supply of women and the demand for women, and newer explanations such as the role of international actors and gender quotas. We also ask whether women are distinctiveâdoes having more women in office make a difference to public policy? Throughout the review we demonstrate that a full understanding of womenâs political representation requires both deep knowledge of individual cases such as the United States and broad knowledge comparing womenâs participation across countries. We end with four recommended directions for future research: (a) globalizing theory and research, (b) expanding data collection, (c) remembering alternative forms of womenâs agency, and (d ) addressing intersectionality