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Women in Microfinance and its Social Effects on the Community: A Case Study in Hue, Vietnam
Get PDFMicrofinance, a form of micro lending with no collateral, has been used as a way to finance the poor since the foundation of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh by Muhammad Yunus in 1983. Since the Doi Moi period, the Vietnamese government has showed great interest in microfinance and has made this loan system available to both its rural and urban citizens through organizations like the Women‟s Union. Through detailed surveys and semi-structured in depth interviews of both women in the Union as well as related parties in Hue, I was able to study how microfinance is used by these women and the social effects that come along with it. My initial hypothesis based on review of literature on microfinance in both Vietnam and around the world was entirely different than the results I found. Women in the Women‟s Union in Hue and the surrounding wards use microfinance opportunities in a very casual manner and the social effects of borrowing money and participating in microfinance seem more subconscious than conscious
Pelear por la Dignidad: La lucha de las mujeres trabajadoras sexuales voluntarias por derechos laborales en un clima estigmatizado políticamente / To Fight for Dignity: The fight of female voluntary sex workers for labor rights in a politically stigmatized climate
Get PDFArgentina is a country with a rich history of social movements and popular mobilization. Currently, the issue of women’s equality is highly prevalent in the national and political dialogue. An area that is frequently referenced as a divide in the feminist movement is sex work. Argentina has adopted a series of laws and regulations that have created an ‘abolitionist’ political atmosphere, outlawing the sexual exploitation of individuals and persecuting ‘pimps’, per se. The politics surrounding sex work, on paper, are meant to eliminate human trafficking rings and lower the amount of victims exploited through trafficking. However, the application of the laws surrounding sex work in Argentina has homogenized the concept of sex work and created the image of female sex workers as victims of exploitation, which makes the sector of sex workers who voluntarily engage in the practice largely invisible. According to Ley 26.364 and Artículos 125, 125 bis, 126, and 127 in Argentina’s Código Penal, all sex work is considered to be a form of sexual exploitation and all those who identify as prostitutes are victims of sexual slavery. The laws and their application have adopted a victimizing narrative in order to homogenize sex work as one cohesive concept. The popular perception of sex workers is that of a fallen individual, either morally disgraceful or forced into exploitative labor practices.
It is clear from the application of abolitionist laws that the current political atmosphere does not recognize sex work as a legitimate form of labor, due to the socially unaccepted sexual practices of female sex workers. These individuals embody a type of sexuality that is considered distasteful and disrespectful, for it goes against the norm of a married, child-bearing, motherly, monogamous woman. As a result of this stigma, there is no recognition of sex work as legitimate work, which leaves these women without economic, medical, or personal security. There are no laws which protect the rights of women who voluntarily choose to sell sexual services as a form of income. This lack of recognition means that these women are essentialized by the application of anti-trafficking laws, which paint female sex workers as victims and remove their agency, and also increase the likelihood for the experience of institutional violence.
This project aims to deconstruct the political stigma that exists towards voluntary female sex work and how the current application of anti-trafficking laws has affected the livelihoods of individuals who identify as voluntary female sex workers. The evidence for this project is qualitatively drawn from personal interviews with academics about female sex work in Buenos Aires and with activists from the advocacy networks of AMMAR (Asociación de Mujeres Meretrices de la Argentina en Acción por Nuestros Derechos) and RedTraSex (Red de Mujeres Trabajadoras Sexuales de Latinoamérica y el Caribe). AMMAR and RedTraSex have created a connection with the Central de Trabajador@s Argentinos, and AMMAR has adopted the title of a formal labor union for voluntary female sex workers in Argentina. This project aims to analyze how the application of abolitionist politics by the state of Argentina have infringed on the human rights of voluntary female sex workers, and how female sex workers are creating strategies in order to combat the political stigma that exists. This project intends to reveal the intentional targeting by the state of voluntary sex workers, under the veil of abolitionist application of laws, in order to control and subvert the sexuality of women in Buenos Aires. The concepts of machista, patriarchal culture will be used as a method to examine the roots of current application of abolitionist politics, and the social stigma of female sexuality will be used to analyze why voluntary female sex workers suffer discrimination in the political sphere of Argentina. The analysis of these dimensions allows for an insight as to how the current laws surrounding sex work are essentializing and removing agency from an entire sector of workers who are being denied legal protections of economic rights in the Argentine economy as a result of their defiance of heteronormative sexuality
Actually, Let’s Not Talk About Sex: The Value-Laden Sex Education Received by China’s Young Women
Get PDFA Study of Defensive Mechanisms Employed by Two Species of Nudibranchs using Toxicity and Unpalatability Analyses
Get PDFNudibranchs are marine invertebrates that have developed an intriguing defense mechanism, including warning coloration and the use of chemicals accumulated through their sponge diet. The goal of this study was to determine whether the strength of chemical defenses differs between dietary and accumulated secondary metabolites for two species: Glossodoris vespa and Ceratosoma brevicaudatum. First, NMR spectroscopy was used to not only identify specific compounds in the mantle (outer covering) and the viscera (gut) but also to analyze the possibility of nudibranch species transporting more toxic compounds for defensive purposes. Next, toxicity (brine shrimp) and palatability (Palaemon shrimp) assays were used to examine whether accumulated compounds differ in anti-predator activity. The results of this study show increased toxicity in the mantle compared to the viscera for both species. and while both species exhibited the possibility of selective sequestration, Glossodoris vespa hinted that nudibranchs may have other methods of chemical sequestration including chemical modification that would explain why more toxic and unpalatable compounds are found in the mantle. However, there was no significant change in unpalatability between the mantle and the viscera. Finally, comparisons between genera that have mantle dermal formations along the mantle rim (Glossodoris) and those that have mantle dermal formations concentrated in the mantle horn (Ceratosoma) show that despite varying classes of dietary chemicals and selectivity of sequestration, both species exhibited a chemical arsenal in the mantle that was more toxic than dietary metabolites, suggesting that toxicity is an important part of their defensive strategy
Developing Nations and Disadvantaged Populations: How the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic Exacerbated Disparities and Inequities
Get PDFThe 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, although not as deadly or long lasting as initially projected, demonstrated that the world was and is ill prepared to handle a mass pandemic. As the first pandemic of the twenty-first century, the pandemic revealed global health insecurities and asymmetrical disease burdens for disadvantaged individuals and countries. This paper will analyze why both developing countries and disadvantaged individuals suffered disproportionately from the pandemic. Using the framework of structural violence, this paper will investigate how socioeconomic and political disparities encountered before and during the pandemic caused differential health, societal, political, and economic outcomes. These preexisting disparities will be shown to be compounding and will be used to explain the true and unequal burden of disease. Finally, this paper will offer recommendations that can be used by policymakers to mitigate impacts faced by disadvantaged populations and to improve global health security
What is the Taste of CO2? The sustainability of Icelandic food systems in the face of climate change
Get PDFFood security in the arctic and subarctic is an area of growing research and concern as climate change continues to alter the availability of traditional foods eaten in remote areas, especially as shipping food has questionable sustainability and contributes to rising CO2 levels. Previous research has noted changes in the Icelandic diet making it more reliant on foreign imports, although there is still strong localized agriculture. Because of its geothermal activity, Iceland has a unique advantage over other highlatitude countries in growing food with a minimal carbon footprint, although that potential is unequal throughout the country. This study utilized available data for current food imports and domestic production, as well as the energetic costs of food production in greenhouses in Iceland in order to assess the maximum sustainability of meeting current food needs on the island nation. Interviews were also conducted with local farmers and local food experts to assess Icelandic farming techniques, struggles, and production. As climate change is likely to cause drastic changes to the limits of sustainability, the sustainability of food imports and production were placed within the context of local climate changes in Iceland. Based on estimates for the emissions related to local and imported vegetables and their path from farm to consumer, Iceland should continue to build farming infrastructure and increase reliance on local produce as a way to increase food sustainability. This will also increase the food security of the country by relying on systems that will not as easily be thrown into disarray by world conflict or natural disasters. In order to further improve the sustainability and security of food systems, Iceland can also implement local changes to limit farm and food transport emissions
Solid Waste Management of Disposable Diaper Sanitation and the Connection to Environmental Awareness for Women in Zanzibar
Get PDFThis project examined the solid waste management of disposable diapers in three locations, Stone Town, Mangapwani and Vikokotoni, within Zanzibar, Tanzania. Its methods included field observations of the solid waste disposal system in Zanzibar and interviews with women about their rationales for buying and using disposable diapers. For one of the first times, the data collected during this project will further assist to educate women about the benefits of cloth diapers and the negative effects disposable diapers create for Zanzibari families and the environment. This study has observed one of the most growing concerns regarding excess solid waste contributing to unsanitary living conditions and the lack of landfill space in Zanzibar. Recommendations were made to local hospitals interacting with perspective mothers and mothers with young children, along with methods to raise public awareness on the subject of household waste and sanitation
Self Sufficiency in Refugees
Get PDFThe Syrian refugee crisis has taken the world by storm as it is not only a Jordanian issue or a Middle Eastern issue but rather it is a humanitarian crisis. The intent of this research is to study Syrian refugees living in Jordan whom are living outside of refugee camps and their level of self-sufficiency. A few ideas the researcher has kept in mind throughout this study are: Are refugees working in the same fields as they did in Syria? Does Jordan really invest in these workers? What is the Syrian point of view? What is the Jordanian government point of view? What are the barriers and obstacles in terms of Syrian self-sufficiency? What about legal barriers and resource barriers and availability? Through various methods, the researcher took initiative to study this topic through interviews and material culture. If Syrian refugees are living outside of camps and living within Jordan then they are struggling with self-sufficiency which may be difficult to reach due to barriers and obstacles living in Jordan. This study contributes to the modern day Syrian refugee crisis specifically in the borders of Jordan. By analyzing the results in this study on how Syrians are struggling to be self-sufficient, these issues can be taken into consideration and changes can be made to increase sufficiency for Syrians living in Jordan. This can be done through awareness, changes in the system, and reaching out to Syrians by providing more resources and educating refugees on what is available
Migrant Education in Morocco: Cross-Cultural Competence Favored Over Integrative Reform. An analysis of the Moroccan government’s migrant integration efforts through education.
Get PDFIn 2014 the Ministry in Charge of Moroccans Abroad and Migration Affairs, adopted the National Policy of Immigration and Asylum detailing efforts to realize an adaptive education system, sensitive to migrant education and inclusive of teaching and learning strategies directed towards children of foreign heritage. As migrant networks grow more and more fortified, and people all over the world experience improved mobility, destination countries are finding multicultural and inclusive education systems integral to the wellbeing of its new residents, and the tolerance of its native citizens. Based on the national strategy for immigration and asylum put forth by the Ministry of Migration, this paper aims to explain what ideology/framework is fueling current integrative educational efforts, and how this ideology is influencing the experiences of teachers and students in Morocco. Results were gathered mainly through current reports concerning the state of migrant education published by children’s rights NGOs, and through a series of interviews with the Ministry of Migration, National Center for Human Rights (CNDH), a Moroccan public school teacher, and a site visit to a Moroccan school. Large discrepancies were found in how the Moroccan government approaches migrant education, and current literature on best practices in this field. Integration in this context is often confused with cross-cultural competence; cultural performances like food and dance exhibits suffice in terms of cultural promotion and cross-cultural understanding. And, that educational actions detailed in the National Strategy for Immigration are majorly hindered in Moroccan governance by post-colonial attitudes and development. Suggestions for forwarding migrant education in Morocco include: comprehensive educational reform, especially in the field of teacher training, and a movement away from a national security based education system
An Interpersonal Exploration of Zen Buddhism: A Case Study of Thiền Viện Trúc Lâm
Get PDFThrough ethnographic research, I plan to examine the institution of Zen Buddhist education. I study how the applied socio-cultural meanings of what it means to be a “Buddhist” affect individual and shared meanings of Zen Buddhism. I focus on how pedagogy and practice of Zen Buddhism influences personal interpretations of Buddhist thought and tradition.
Over the years, many Buddhist scholars have brought to light several methodological issues with the study of Buddhism via examination of the canon. These concerns range from issues of objectivity and intention to interpretation and creativity; while also including other complications regarding politics and power. Scholars also question the role of written text in general due to the multifaceted nature of Buddhism. Critiques of the traditional historical-philological approach towards studying Buddhism suggest studying alternative semiotic forms of oral and vernacular traditions. For this reason, I investigate patterns of students’ personal, ritual, social and institutional interaction with Zen Buddhism, as well as their evolution within the monastic order.
For the purpose of this study, curriculum should be thought of not as the physical texts, but rather the flow of knowledge among Zen educators and practitioners. Though many of the ancient texts are treated as intellectual history, Buddhism itself is composed of the living interaction between the text and the students’ learned interpretation of the religion. Monastic students and teachers should therefore be thought of as scholars and practitioners who are constantly seeking knowledge of Buddhism, rather than those who possess it. Monastic education reveals that Zen Buddhism should be studied not as an object with particular features, but as a series of integrated processes which aid its practitioners in mastering their minds and thoughts to attain the peaceful natural state of the Buddha, or the True Mind.
Buddhism, in practice, is a production of the learned interpretations of a student. This definition allows for a more full bodied examination of the Buddhist religion, since it is a practice based heavily on subjective analysis; students negotiate meaning within the context of lived experience. In Buddhism, tradition and pedological methodology are adaptive; they reflect the trajectory of one’s interpretive process. Referring to oneself as a ‘Buddhist’ is primarily a function of the individual’s conception of Buddhism. As this conception develops, so too does the user’s practice and holistic experience of the Buddhism as a mode of being, as well as his/her conception of what it means to ‘be’ Buddhist.
I choose to conduct ethnographic research at Thiền Viện Trúc Lâm supplemented with in-depth interviews of the nuns and monks who practice there due to the nature of Buddhism; this decision is founded on the expectation that meaning, for Zen Buddhists, is produced on the local level in contextual circumstances. Local production of meaning is crucial for the study of Zen Buddhism, and this paper, since it reveals the interaction between the Dharma and its students; thus connecting the real life and practice of Zen Buddhist practitioners to the institution’s theoretical teachings