Embedded Files
Women OFWs dominate migration, bear higher risks abroad
Women now make up 55.6% of OFWs, yet they are structurally steered into high-risk, low-visibility domestic roles. While they fill the global "care deficit," they often face isolation, contract substitution, and abuse. Data shows that 75% of abuse complaints in the Gulf involve women, highlighting a stark safety gap. We must move beyond reactive assistance to ensure that care work is recognized and protected as work deserving of dignity and safety.
Image: AFP file photo
Four decades of change: The unfinished fight for gender equality at work
From 1980s patriarchy to 40% of executive roles today, the journey for Filipino women has been one of resilience. While landmark laws like the Safe Spaces Act and Telecommuting Act have laid the foundation, gaps remain. With female labor force participation still trailing at 52.9% and women often hitting "glass walls," the next 40 years must focus on making inclusion operational, not just aspirational.
Can ‘toxic masculinity’ be measured? Scientists try to quantify controversial term
New research is moving beyond the buzzword to quantify "toxic masculinity." A landmark study of over 15,000 men in New Zealand found that only 3.2% fell into a "hostile toxic" category, while the largest group (35.4%) was "atoxic." Crucially, the study found that "manly" men are not necessarily toxic; a strong sense of masculine identity did not predict socially damaging views. Instead, extreme toxicity was more closely linked to social marginalization and economic deprivation rather than a simple desire to feel masculine.
Image: Getty
A decolonial feminist perspective on gender equality programming in the Global South
Are international NGO programs truly liberatory? This paper examines 17 global programs, revealing how Western narratives can inadvertently silence local knowledge, "culturalize" violence, and depolitize poverty. The authors argue that unless gender equality initiatives delink from neoliberal and colonial assumptions, their success will remain limited. It is a vital call to integrate decolonial feminist perspectives to ensure health and well-being initiatives empower rather than overlook.
Health for all begins at the frontline: a lady health visitor's journey to keep Pakistan polio-free for 25 years
For 25 years, Bhawalnagar, Pakistan, has remained polio-free thanks to the relentless work of Lady Health Visitors (LHVs). This journey shows that polio workers do more than vaccinate; they build the trust and community links essential for Universal Health Coverage. By listening to mothers and leading on the frontlines, these women have transformed a narrow campaign into a gateway for maternal and child health. When women lead, health systems become stronger, fairer, and truly universal.
The reanimation of normative manhood acts in schools: Teachers’ accounts of boys’ manosphere-aggravated misogyny
Australian researchers have identified a troubling shift in how boys perform masculinity in schools, coinciding with the rise of the "manosphere" since 2022. The study analyzes 107 teachers’ accounts of explicit misogyny and defiance, identifying five "normative manhood acts" including backlash misogyny and sexualization of women. This research underscores how online ideologies translate into offline gendered power dynamics, reflecting a renewed model of masculinity rooted in anti-establishment and far-right politics.
Ending technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) for gender equity in global health
TFGBV is a rapidly escalating threat that silences women leading change in health. From online threats to harassment, this violence undermines safety and discourages women from leadership roles. Women in Global Health calls for collective action to Protect, Promote, Prevent, Respond, and Partner. We must build a digital world where every woman can lead and advocate safely, free from violence and discrimination.
Re-evaluating recommendations on the impact of extreme heat on pregnant women and babies
Current climate recommendations for pregnant women are often too simplistic, placing the burden of safety on the individual. A new re-evaluation argues that advising women to simply "stay hydrated" ignores the structural vulnerabilities and intersectional factors that shape their lives. To truly protect mothers and babies from the rising threat of extreme heat, we must shift toward societal responsibility and gender-responsive policies that address exposure across the lifespan.
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