Self Employment For Women Electronic Resource Policy Options That Promote Equality And Economic Opportunities

This study aims to identify potential policy options to promote equality and economic opportunities for self-employed women, particularly during periods when their businesses are interrupted by ill health or family caregiving. The report describes the research methodology used in the study and presents the results of a literature review. It then addresses the following points: characteristics of self-employed women; interruptions in business earnings; role of government in granting access to special benefits; Quebec's plan to extend parental and maternity benefits to self-employed individuals; a self-funded tax savings plan; private insurance; access to financing. It then presents recommendations that aim to increase accessibility to various forms of income protection for self-employed women.

Ensuring women's economic empowerment and access to and control over resources requires an integrated approach to growth and development, focused on gender-responsive employment promotion and informed by the interdependency between economic and social development. Social objectives need to be incorporated into economic policies. Economic growth strategies should give attention to the real economy and focus on creating a gender-sensitive macroeconomic environment, full employment and decent work, access to land, property and other productive resources as well as financial services, and full coverage of social protection measures. The Survey outlines a number of concrete recommendations in these critical areas, which if adopted, will facilitate women's equitable access to and control over economic and financial resources.

This innovative study reviews the remarkable economic and labor market recovery made by four small European countries: Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands. It analyzes their success and highlights the specific factors responsible, in particular the promotion of social dialogue and the institution of critical macroeconomic and labor market policies. While assessing the progress and examining the remaining problems in these four countries, the book compares their progress with that of other European Union countries and examines how similar policies and action could help combat unemployment and make progress towards full employment. The study presents a detailed comparative analysis of the labor markets of the four countries. It analyzes employment and unemployment developments in detail, covering gender gaps, the sectoral distribution of employment, and the shares of people which are dependent on social transfers. It shows the employment intensity of economic growth and gives readers a substantial, broad overview of the economic and labor market situation in each country. Finally, the book makes relevant policy recommendations for promoting further growth and social progress in these countries, as well as others across Europe.

Whilst workers' organizations and third-party analysts around the world commonly cite age as the most prevalent form of discrimination in the workplace, age discrimination has not had the same high profile as discrimination on grounds of sex or race. This book allows readers to better understand the issue of ageism and inequality. It examines the primary role of legislation and court process in combating age discrimination at both national and international levels. Including the role of NAFTA and the EU in this respect, it also provides a detailed examination of the relationship between age issues and the law, and will be an important resource for those involved in age discrimination and elder rights.