By using information from two national household surveys for Chile and Uruguay in 2003, this paper analyses the effect of economic and social policies to increase opportunities and social welfare for people with disabilities in the two countries. This paper would be of interest to those studying the socio-economic impact of disability
This brief paper explores the concept of social capital and its bearing on young people's lives. In particular it distinguishes between a static social capital (strong/static networks, immediate reciprocity, restricted sense of belonging and outlook in life) and dynamic social capital (diverse networks, generalised reciprocity and diverse outlook). It suggests that young people should be encouraged to embrace an enhanced version of dynamic social capital, and should be offered opportunities to do so. An enhanced dynamic social capital would enable them to cope with risks rather that avoid them, and would give them access to more power and opportunities
This paper looks at social capital in the context of migration. It challenges the view that critical processes of social changes such as migration undermine and weaken social capital assets. It shows how transnational networks are strengthened and maintained, and social norms enhanced and replicated as a coping strategy in times of social changes. The paper focuses in particular on family ties, ethnicity, gender, household, care and provision. Some of the conclusions may be applied to other contexts, such as emergency situations, conflict situations and contexts of particular hardship
This paper considers findings from EQUI-TB's work in China. Using a range of methods, researchers uncovered critical challenges facing TB control in China, including economic and social barriers, how to support vulnerable people including rural-to-urban migrants and delays in diagnosis and treatment
This paper explores the impact of globalisation and neo-liberalism policies on child care provision, with a special focus on Belgium. It provides an overview of the historical context, and shows how even in Belgium social democratic welfare state globalisation has stimulated privatisation and decentralisation of services, and forced parents to take direct responsibility for the care of their children. The paper suggests that policy makers need to balance competing demands: government responsibility versus autonomy; standardisation versus diversity; inclusion versus exclusion
This literature review provides an overview of the notion and practice of social capital and its impact on health. The study found significant relationships between health and social capital, irrespective of a country's degree of egalitarianism. However, in egalitarian countries, contextual social capital seems less relevant in explaining health differences across places
This working paper looks at how social capital may help mothers to know, think, do and feel more or differently, and how this, as a result, could impact positively on children's welfare. Young Lives have been involved in a cross-country review and measurement of social capital manifestations and this paper draws on some of the findings, reviewing current debates, describing YL's methodology and providing a comparative analysis of social capital in relation to various aspects of child wellbeing, including nutritional status, health performance and educational attainments
This paper outlines debates about social capital in the socio-politcal context of Indian society, describes patterns of social capital, explores the linkage between maternal social capital and chronic malnutrition and reflects on policy implications
Stigma is rife in many areas of health and healthcare and it has implicit impacts that are often overlooked. Due to the continued social construction of the stigma of leprosy, it is clear that a greater understanding is needed of how stigma is experienced. This study considers the experiences of marriage of those vulnerable to stigmatisation due to leprosy and more specifically identifies different experiences of leprosy-affected women and men and the possible implications.
[Author's abstract] This study explores the effect of stigma on the income generation of people affected by leprosy in the southeast Terai area of Nepal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore experiences of stigma and the effect on income generation. Results showed a negative effect on income generation - with employment being lost as a direct result of stigma in several cases. The negative physical effects of the disease were for many the main reason for lost income, or employment
This resource is an analysis of the Continuous Cash Benefit Programme, an unconditional cash transfer to disabled Brazilians and other vulnerable groups. The data used for this paper are based on court decisions and laws relating to this policy since implementation. The aim is to provide recommendations on the design, operation and future evaluations of the programme. This resource would be useful for anyone with an interest in social protection, disability and development
This resource analyses the participation and outcomes of disabled people in conditional cash transfer programmes. Relying on the limited data and anecdotal evidence that exist, this paper raises important structural and theoretical concerns related to the implementation of these programmes in Latin American countries. It concludes that increased attention to information gathering is required to improve programmes and policies that affect vulnerable groups
This resource investigates disability and social change in South Africa. Specifically, it asserts that the biggest barrier to the full participation of disabled people in South African society is discrimination. In line with the social model of disability, this work further claims that societal attitudes hinder access to safe, accessible and affordable transport, employment and HIV and AIDS programmes
This paper considers the short comings of the education sector and other factors affecting the demand for schooling in Ethiopia, which has one of the lowest primary school enrolment rates and one of the highest illiteracy rates in the world. It recommends educational and cross-sectoral policy reforms and how these might be financed
Using government audited accounts and Ministry of Education data, this paper presents the findings of a benefit incident analysis of the Ethiopian education sector, in order to assess how pro-poor public expenditure on education has been since 1995/96
The primary issues faced by people with disabilities are not only specific impairments but also the social stigma, reduced access to resources and poverty that limit their full potential. Social justice cannot be achieved unless people with disabilities - among the poorest and most marginalised - are fully included
This publication aims to provide a set of basic statistical indicators that illustrate the differences between women and men in terms of health status and its socioeconomic determinants. Graphs are presented for some indicators of priority gender and health issues for which information is available in only a limited number of countries
"The purpose of this article is to assess how an approach developed in economics to analyze issues related to the standard of living, the so-called capability approach, may help us understand disability at the conceptual level"
Journal of Disability Policy Studies, Vol 16, No 4
The timing of first union merits investigation not only because of the close temporal link between marriage and the onset of childbearing, but also because the age when men and women marry has implications for the organization of family life and for gender relations within society. This paper begins by reviewing the contributions of various social science disciplines to an understanding of the timing of marriage. Using current status data from 73 countries provided by the United Nations Population Division and retrospective data from 52 Demographic and Health Surveys conducted between 1990 and 2001, we then examine recent trends in the timing of first marriage or union for men and women in the developing world. With the exception of South America for both sexes and South and Southeast Asia for men, substantial declines have occurred in the proportion of young men and women who are married. Given the differentials in the timing of marriage by educational attainment and residence, we assess whether the decline in the proportion of young people who are married is related to increases in schooling and urbanization. Expansion of schooling for women has had some impact, but a considerable portion of the reduction in early marriage is not explained by changes in levels of education. We consider other factors that might account for the increase in age at marriage. Finally, we review what is known about the consequences of changing age at marriage with a particular focus on risk of HIV infection.