Preface

In my opinion, women and society is an essential area of study that seeks to understand the intersection of gender and society. It encompasses a range of disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, political science, economics, and psychology, among others. The study of women and society is essential because it seeks to understand the various ways in which gender roles, norms, and expectations impact individuals, families, communities, and societies as a whole. Gender inequality remains a significant challenge in many parts of the world. Women often face discrimination, violence, and limited opportunities for education, employment, and political participation. These challenges have far-reaching consequences, not only for women but also for their families, communities, and societies. For instance, research has shown that investing in women's education and economic empowerment can lead to improved health outcomes, higher productivity, and greater economic growth.

Moreover, women's empowerment and gender equality are fundamental human rights. The United Nations has recognized gender equality as one of the Sustainable Development Goals, and many countries have taken steps to promote women's rights and opportunities. However, much work remains to be done to achieve true gender equality, particularly in developing countries and marginalized communities. Individuals and organizations are dedicated to the women and society domain because they recognize the importance of promoting gender equality and empowering women. This dedication takes many forms, including research, advocacy, policy development, and community engagement. By studying the ways in which gender impacts individuals and societies, these individuals and organizations seek to promote greater understanding and awareness of the challenges facing women and to identify solutions that can help promote gender equality and women's empowerment.

This book is a compilation of essays written by academics and scholars in social sciences. It comprises five chapters, each exploring different aspects of women's lives and experiences in contemporary society. The authors bring to light various challenges and opportunities that women face, highlighting the need for continued efforts to promote gender equality and empower women.

Chapter 1, "Contribution of Government Support in Promoting Women's Entrepreneurship" by Dr. Handaoui Mahfoud, examines the crucial contributions made by government support agencies in fostering women's entrepreneurship. This chapter highlights the diverse range of policies and programs that governments have implemented to empower women and create an enabling environment for their business ventures to flourish. A central focus of this chapter is the examination of government initiatives aimed at developing women's entrepreneurship, with specific attention given to the support bodies established to address the unique needs of different segments of women. These bodies consider factors such as social status, age group, and project size, ensuring inclusivity and tailored support for women entrepreneurs across the spectrum, from small-scale enterprises to medium and

large projects. The ultimate goal of these initiatives is to facilitate project success, foster independence, and contribute to sustainable economic development.

Chapter 2, "Feminisms in Social Sciences" by Medani P. Bhandari, provides an overview of the development, theories and practices, major scholars, and future of feminism in the field of social sciences. The chapter highlights the importance of understanding the role of feminism in shaping social science research and practice. The chapter begins by defining the term feminism and providing a brief historical overview of the feminist movement. It then discusses the different theoretical frameworks that feminists have used to analyze and understand gender inequality, such as liberal feminism, socialist feminism, and radical feminism. The chapter also explores the concept of intersectionality, which acknowledges that different forms of oppression, such as racism and classism, intersect with gender to create unique experiences of inequality. It also elaborates on the feminists in social sciences, including Simone de Beauvoir, bell hooks, Judith Butler, and Patricia Hill Collins. It provides an overview of their major contributions and the ways in which they have influenced feminist thinking. It notes that while the field has made significant progress in terms of understanding gender inequality and advocating for social change, there is still much work to be done. It calls for continued efforts to challenge the gendered assumptions and biases that underlie much of social science research, and for more intersectional approaches that acknowledge the complex ways in which different forms of oppression intersect with gender.

Chapter 3, "Decolonizing Female Genital Mutilation: A Harmful Yet Identity-Affirming Practice" by Dr. Reham ElMorally, provides a nuanced understanding of female genital mutilation (FGM), exploring the social, cultural, and political factors that perpetuate the practice. The chapter also sheds light on the untold realities of mutilated women, highlighting the impact of FGM on their physical and mental health. Dr. Reham states that globally, women have been systematically and periodically disadvantaged. In most cases, women are the target of violence, especially in the situation of social flux. Subsequently, countries that experience some form of social uprising/change/distress should see an increase in Violence Against Women (VAW), in general, and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), in particular, as a form of VAW. A long-standing debate in the epistemic community revolved around the rationality of people performing the practice. This chapter investigates the historical context within which the practice developed, examines the culturally significant facts and myths encouraging its continuation, and concludes with a philosophically charged discussion regarding the morality and ethicality of FGM.

Chapter 4, "Perspective Chapter: Exploring the Role of Female Characters to Fights Their Rights against Male Domination in the Selected Literary Works of Buchi Emecheta and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie " by Dr. Haruna Alkasim Kiyawa, critically examines the role of female characters in literature as agents of resistance against male dominance. The chapter specifically explores the literary contributions of Nigerian authors Buchi Emecheta and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, focusing on how their works shed light on the struggles faced by women and their fight against domestic violence and subordination. The chapter identifies key themes, including forced/arranged marriage, gender inequality in education, psychological abuse, and physical abuse, which reinforce the relevance of global feminism as portrayed by these influential African feminist writers.

**V**

significant issue.

world.

women's empowerment.

supported these scholars to produce their work.

Chapter 5, "New Women Identities Created by Feminist Alternative Media: Inspecting Türkiye " by Dr. Zeynep Banu Dalaman, sheds light on the influential role of feminist alternative media in forging new women's identities. It investigates how feminist media outlets challenge conventional narratives surrounding women's roles and identities, emphasizing their potential to foster gender equality and empower women. The chapter highlights the emergence of a progressive women's identity in Turkey, driven by the ideals of gender equality and social change, as a result of the use of alternative media publishing organizations. By examining the interconnectedness of women's identity, alternative media, feminist organizing, social media, and the unique Turkish context, this chapter offers a comprehensive and insightful analysis of a complex and

*Women and Society* offers a diverse and insightful collection of essays that explore various aspects of women's lives and experiences in contemporary society. The authors draw on various theoretical frameworks and methodologies to shed light on the complex ways in which gender intersects with other social categories. The book highlights the importance of continued efforts to promote gender equality and empower women, both at the individual and structural levels. We hope that the book will be a valuable resource for students, scholars, and practitioners in the field of gender studies and contribute to ongoing efforts to create a more just and equitable

This book encompasses a wide range of topics, from the history of women's rights movements to contemporary issues of gender inequality and discrimination. It brings to light the ways in which gender affects every aspect of society. Women's experiences and contributions have often been marginalized or overlooked in

mainstream narratives, and women and society studies aim to correct this imbalance. By examining the ways in which gender intersects with race, class, sexuality, and other factors, the field provides a more nuanced understanding of social phenomena and helps to promote social justice and equality. This helps to foster a more diverse and inclusive academic community and provides a more accurate reflection of the diversity of human experience. This book explores women's experiences and perspectives and provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that women face in different societies and cultures. This book can help raise awareness about issues such as gender inequality, gender-based violence, and discrimination and can contribute to ongoing discussions about how to promote gender equality and

I would like to thank the contributors to this book, Dr. Handaoui Mahfoud, Dr. Reham ElMorally, Dr. Haruna Alkasim Kiyawa, Dr. Zeynep Banu Dalaman and those who

Most importantly, I would like to thank the staff at IntechOpen, especially Author Service Manager Ms. Ana Javor who has been my primary contact and who offered me the editorship of this book. Thank you, Ana, it has been a pleasure working with you.

I would also like to thank my wife Prajita Bhandari and daughter Manaslu Bhandari for providing insight into the meaning of being women in a patriarchal society. My mother, Heema Devi Bhandari, who remains suppressed in the family, has a different story. I think listening to the experiences and perspectives of one's own circumstances Chapter 5, "New Women Identities Created by Feminist Alternative Media: Inspecting Türkiye " by Dr. Zeynep Banu Dalaman, sheds light on the influential role of feminist alternative media in forging new women's identities. It investigates how feminist media outlets challenge conventional narratives surrounding women's roles and identities, emphasizing their potential to foster gender equality and empower women. The chapter highlights the emergence of a progressive women's identity in Turkey, driven by the ideals of gender equality and social change, as a result of the use of alternative media publishing organizations. By examining the interconnectedness of women's identity, alternative media, feminist organizing, social media, and the unique Turkish context, this chapter offers a comprehensive and insightful analysis of a complex and significant issue.

*Women and Society* offers a diverse and insightful collection of essays that explore various aspects of women's lives and experiences in contemporary society. The authors draw on various theoretical frameworks and methodologies to shed light on the complex ways in which gender intersects with other social categories. The book highlights the importance of continued efforts to promote gender equality and empower women, both at the individual and structural levels. We hope that the book will be a valuable resource for students, scholars, and practitioners in the field of gender studies and contribute to ongoing efforts to create a more just and equitable world.

This book encompasses a wide range of topics, from the history of women's rights movements to contemporary issues of gender inequality and discrimination. It brings to light the ways in which gender affects every aspect of society. Women's experiences and contributions have often been marginalized or overlooked in mainstream narratives, and women and society studies aim to correct this imbalance. By examining the ways in which gender intersects with race, class, sexuality, and other factors, the field provides a more nuanced understanding of social phenomena and helps to promote social justice and equality. This helps to foster a more diverse and inclusive academic community and provides a more accurate reflection of the diversity of human experience. This book explores women's experiences and perspectives and provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that women face in different societies and cultures. This book can help raise awareness about issues such as gender inequality, gender-based violence, and discrimination and can contribute to ongoing discussions about how to promote gender equality and women's empowerment.

I would like to thank the contributors to this book, Dr. Handaoui Mahfoud, Dr. Reham ElMorally, Dr. Haruna Alkasim Kiyawa, Dr. Zeynep Banu Dalaman and those who supported these scholars to produce their work.

Most importantly, I would like to thank the staff at IntechOpen, especially Author Service Manager Ms. Ana Javor who has been my primary contact and who offered me the editorship of this book. Thank you, Ana, it has been a pleasure working with you.

I would also like to thank my wife Prajita Bhandari and daughter Manaslu Bhandari for providing insight into the meaning of being women in a patriarchal society. My mother, Heema Devi Bhandari, who remains suppressed in the family, has a different story. I think listening to the experiences and perspectives of one's own circumstances is an important part of understanding the ways in which gender inequality operates in society. By being open to their insights and learning from them, we can help create a more inclusive and equitable world.

#### **Medani P. Bhandari, Ph.D.**

Professor, Senior Vice President, Akamai University, Durham, USA

Professor, Sumy State University, Sumy, Ukraine

**1**

**Chapter 1**

**Abstract**

Contribution of Government

Entrepreneurship

*Handaoui Mahfoud*

Support in Promoting Women's

Nowadays, the practice of entrepreneurship in many countries is no longer restricted to men only but has opened wider areas for women's participation. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Annual Report 2021 indicated that participation rates in entrepreneurial activities are close between men and women in 49 countries, and the reason for this convergence is due in large part to government support. In this context, we try in this chapter to highlight the importance of women's entrepreneurship and its impact on economic development, and then to determine the extent to which government support contributes to the promotion of women's entrepreneurship in Algeria. In this chapter, the various supportive bodies established by the Algerian state to stimulate entrepreneurship, especially women's, are addressed, where we find the Microcredit Agency, the National Agency for the Development of Entrepreneurship, the National Fund for Unemployment Insurance, and the National Agency for Investment Development. It should be noted that these bodies work in integrated coordination with each other to identify the different women's projects, whatever their specificities and areas of investment in them. A conceptual model has

**Keywords:** government support, women's entrepreneurship, development economic,

Most economies are currently seeking to pay attention to entrepreneurship because of its positive effects on various aspects of economic and social life [1]. Therefore, countries are trying at every stage to take several measures to improve the business climate and urge more young people to enter this field, as it has become known to be unacceptable. It is possible to talk about sustainable economic growth without integrating women, who represent half of society. Particularly about her role in the field of entrepreneurship, studies in some countries have shown that there is a strong correlation between the level of entrepreneurial activity of women and growth, as they have become one of the poles of the economy and the locomotives of its growth. They are interested in the phenomenon and seek ways to help them exploit

also been designed to simplify understanding of the topic.

entrepreneurship, sustainable development

**1. Introduction**

it and how to benefit from it.

Director, Atlantic State Legal Foundation, New York, USA

#### **Chapter 1**
