title: Engendering pensions: Gender assessment of pension system reforms in Mongolia

authors: Avirmed, Nyamaamaa

subjects: Gender

abstract: Gender equality is a key issue in the design of pension systems given the distinctive life courses of women, the unequal distribution of unpaid work responsibilities in the family that influence access to participation in gendered labour markets, the greater likelihood of broken work practices, part-time work, and lower rates of pay. When pension systems are based on contributions over time, women are more likely to be disadvantaged. Without specific attention to these dynamics, pension system design can be expected to systematically favour men over women. This research examines these dynamics through an analysis of the redesign of the Mongolian pension system as it transitioned from a socialist to a market system from 1990 onwards, focusing on the implications for women. The aim is to raise critical awareness of the issues of gender in Mongolia in relation to these pension reforms, grounded in a critical feminist policy theoretical perspective. 
The study reveals that the process and outcomes of the reform have been powerfully influenced by international organisations which have not appreciated the distinctive history, culture, demographic and economic profile of Mongolia. The reforms have prioritised the efficiency of the system at the expense of equality of coverage and the adequacy. Pension reform implementation has been hampered by limited governmental capacity, a lack of continuity in government and a tendency towards populist politics. There was no formal inclusion of women in the design process, and the design has failed to recognise the particular work practices and needs of women. Women have been affected most by new forms of vulnerability linked with the new economy and the emergence of a substantial informal sector. The pension system reforms have not contributed towards reducing that vulnerability.

text: Engendering pensions: Gender assessment of pension system reforms in Mongolia Gender equality is a key issue in the design of pension systems given the distinctive life courses of women, the unequal distribution of unpaid work responsibilities in the family that influence access to participation in gendered labour markets, the greater likelihood of broken work practices, part-time work, and lower rates of pay. When pension systems are based on contributions over time, women are more likely to be disadvantaged. Without specific attention to these dynamics, pension system design can be expected to systematically favour men over women. This research examines these dynamics through an analysis of the redesign of the Mongolian pension system as it transitioned from a socialist to a market system from 1990 onwards, focusing on the implications for women. The aim is to raise critical awareness of the issues of gender in Mongolia in relation to these pension reforms, grounded in a critical feminist policy theoretical perspective. 
The study reveals that the process and outcomes of the reform have been powerfully influenced by international organisations which have not appreciated the distinctive history, culture, demographic and economic profile of Mongolia. The reforms have prioritised the efficiency of the system at the expense of equality of coverage and the adequacy. Pension reform implementation has been hampered by limited governmental capacity, a lack of continuity in government and a tendency towards populist politics. There was no formal inclusion of women in the design process, and the design has failed to recognise the particular work practices and needs of women. Women have been affected most by new forms of vulnerability linked with the new economy and the emergence of a substantial informal sector. The pension system reforms have not contributed towards reducing that vulnerability.

year: 2019

title: Animals ethics and international law

authors: Gillespie, Alexander

subjects: international law

abstract: The purpose of this chapter is to give the reader an overview of where some of the ethical debates around animals and international law are found. In part, the chapter builds upon my earlier work in this area.  At the time of writing this text, I approached the issue of ethics and international environmental law, as most doctoral students do, in a very theoretical manner.  Accordingly, when I came to the topic of ‘animal rights’ I spent considerable time examining the work of the great thinkers in this area, such as Peter Singer and Tom Regan.

text: Animals ethics and international law The purpose of this chapter is to give the reader an overview of where some of the ethical debates around animals and international law are found. In part, the chapter builds upon my earlier work in this area.  At the time of writing this text, I approached the issue of ethics and international environmental law, as most doctoral students do, in a very theoretical manner.  Accordingly, when I came to the topic of ‘animal rights’ I spent considerable time examining the work of the great thinkers in this area, such as Peter Singer and Tom Regan.

year: 2009

title: From Darkness to dawn? A Forum for Kāpō Māori

authors: Te Momo, Ivan Prentus

subjects: Kāpō Māori

abstract: This thesis researches Kāpō Māori (Māori who are blind or sight impaired) and their pursuit of Te Reo Māori.  Te Reo Māori is a very significant cultural marker for Kāpō Māori to identify themselves as Māori.  Kāpō Māori face many challenges, challenges that are unknown to the mainstream.  The thesis surveys the fortunes of Te Reo Māori as it struggles to survive and find acceptance in Aotearoa/New Zealand, outlines attitudes towards disabled persons, who suffer discrimination and marginalisation, and summarises the story of the Blind in Aotearoa/New Zealand, especially through the history of The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, to provide context for the challenges faced by Kāpō Māori. For Kāpō Māori, discrimination and marginalisation is increased because all Māori suffer the disabilities that are a result of colonisation. The thesis sets out a methodology for field research, and draws from interviews with research participants to present the experiences of Kāpō Māori. This thesis provides an insight into the issues Kāpō Māori encounter when trying to engage Kāpō Māori , and draws those issues forward from darkness, where they are unknown, into the world of light by providing Kāpō Māori with a forum for discussion of these issues.

text: From Darkness to dawn? A Forum for Kāpō Māori This thesis researches Kāpō Māori (Māori who are blind or sight impaired) and their pursuit of Te Reo Māori.  Te Reo Māori is a very significant cultural marker for Kāpō Māori to identify themselves as Māori.  Kāpō Māori face many challenges, challenges that are unknown to the mainstream.  The thesis surveys the fortunes of Te Reo Māori as it struggles to survive and find acceptance in Aotearoa/New Zealand, outlines attitudes towards disabled persons, who suffer discrimination and marginalisation, and summarises the story of the Blind in Aotearoa/New Zealand, especially through the history of The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, to provide context for the challenges faced by Kāpō Māori. For Kāpō Māori, discrimination and marginalisation is increased because all Māori suffer the disabilities that are a result of colonisation. The thesis sets out a methodology for field research, and draws from interviews with research participants to present the experiences of Kāpō Māori. This thesis provides an insight into the issues Kāpō Māori encounter when trying to engage Kāpō Māori , and draws those issues forward from darkness, where they are unknown, into the world of light by providing Kāpō Māori with a forum for discussion of these issues.

year: 2007