#Mobile Gender Gap Report 2023

[coochiequeens]

Let’s start with a few facts about “The state of digital in India in 2023” Here There were 692.0 million internet users in India at the start of 2023 when internet penetration stood at 48.7 percent. India was home to 467.0 million social media users in January 2023, equating to 32.8 percent of the total population. A total of 1.10 billion cellular mobile connections were active in India in early 2023, with this figure equivalent to 77.0 percent of the total population,With better access to information online, let’s explore some of the benefits this revolution has brought for women’s empowerment.This internet penetration and expansion of digital reach has helped women in multiple ways — women have developed a greater sense of awareness, Feminist digital platforms, online educational media, instructional blogs and videos, safety apps, and the like, have opened up women to a virtual space that gives them avenues for self-assertion.Let us look at some of these points in greater detail-

Rural Education

To seek real change we must build from the bottom up, as we say, “Real India resides in villages”. mobile technology has brought the world to [women’s’] fingertips, which in turn allows them to stay ahead of current affairs and encourages financial independence by facilitating online transactions (a large number of UPI transactions per month is an example of the same). We must collectively as a society encourage these trends. We do not need to o very far from our home to promote and create awareness about these, something as simple as teaching your domestic helpers to use a smartphone can go a long way in empowering them and their families. Access to information and education is now just a click away. Women do not have to leave their comfort zones or withstand the worst of traveling distances to attend a skill-building program or a workshop they are interested in. Online education has proven to be far more convenient and flexible for women everywhere. Google Meet, Zoom calls, Teams, and several other popular communication technology platforms have made this possible.

Having A Voice

Digital media has encouraged women to speak up and discuss issues that are crucial to their very survival. This has brought topics such as sexual harassment, domestic violence, female sexuality, and the gender divide front and center instead of hidden away behind closed doors with largely men deciding the narrative. Many campaigns have gathered steam thanks to this digital amplification, with the #metoo movement being a prime example of this around the world. This medium has also helped them to spread positive & affirmative initiatives as well

Entrepreneurship

The age of the Internet and e-commerce has created numerous opportunities for women to come into their own and explore business opportunities they never had before. Today women sell their artwork, homemade food, painting, etc across India or the world through marketplace applications, these businesses don’t consume large capital as well, therefore, becoming a nutshell including women with all kinds of unique business ideas, they are executing to perfection from more economical and acceptable within society. In their own homes.

Bringing mothers back into the workforce

Many women voluntarily chose to give up their careers in favor of raising children & other household responsibilities, With digital becoming the primary mode of communication including in the business world, women can more readily balance the demands of motherhood and their jobs from the privacy of their homes, a fine balance between Work from Home and Work from Office. Therefore, longevity & Participationof women in the workforce have increased.

Building community (Feminist digital platforms)

There are women-specific communities on different social platforms be it Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc. These communities connect has given a big boost and freedom for women to share each other’s ideas, raise any concern and create a helping eco system to support. Digital platforms have helped women to also articulate their experiences in words or artistic forms, and share them with the other women of the world.Gender equalityIt is said that if you want to succeed in any field, get that project accepted among women (applicable in most cases) as women form almost ~50% of the world’s population. With digitization increasing, many opportunities are being created in every field for women, some are explained in the above topics, therefore, we have started to see equal participation of women in all walks of life. One of the biggest examples in Tennis is, prize money in all the grand slams has been made equal for both men and women, which used to have a huge disparity. Organizations have been working to bridge the pay gap and become gender-neutral in compensation. Large corporates have already announced equal gender participation in board representation/ composition

Safety apps

Finally yet important is the introduction of safety apps. Technology has made it possible to track the physical and emotional safety of women all the time through the use of safety apps. In times of potential dangers or violence, these safety apps have time and again enabled women to seek the help of family members, neighbors, friends, and even the police. Therefore, these apps have given some assurance to family members, thus allowing women to move around more freely.

Let me play devil’s advocate, it’s not all as rosy as it seems, there are many challenges in empowering women through digitization. Internet penetration among women is low — According to the Mobile Gender Gap Report 2023, compiled by global not-for-profit telecom body GSMA, the gender gap in mobile internet usage in India stood at 40 percent in 2022, as against 41 percent in 2021. Three main reasons for this gap were identified as — Handset cost, Ability to read & write, and awareness to use the internet. As a society, we all need to work toward solving these issues.

#Women and technology #India #Mobile Gender Gap Report 2023

[ruralwomenday]

2023 International Rural Women's Day Commemoration Seminar.

According to the latest FAO report, women play a crucial role in agricultural and non-agricultural activities, which emerge as agrifood systems develop and economies change. There, women work as farmers, retailers, wage laborers, entrepreneurs, among other tasks. However, gender inequalities in agrifood systems cause women to be disproportionately affected by food and nutritional insecurity, monetary and time poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In view of this situation, the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, in the framework of the Commemoration of the International Day of Rural Women and the strengthening of its program for the economic empowerment of this group, invites counterparts from government, civil society, academia, private sector and UN agencies to discuss and propose strategies for closing gender gaps in agrifood systems, during a seminar to be held in hybrid format on October 10, 2023, in Santiago, Chile.

Objectives

The seminar will seek to provide a regional overview of the advances and challenges that promote or obstruct the economic empowerment of rural women in all their diversity, and will make recommendations to strengthen the economic empowerment program for rural women and generate inputs for the FAO Regional Conference -LARC 38, the Regional Conference of ECLAC-UNWomen, among other initiatives within the framework of the rural women's agenda in the region.

During the seminar, examples of legislation, policies and programs will be presented with a focus on what has worked and specific recommendations will be shared on how to make more and better interventions with and for rural women. From a vision of collective action, the seminar will seek to generate alliances and identify strategies and interventions with scalability potential, based on the agenda of rural women in the region, to accelerate their economic, social and political empowerment.

Methodology

The Seminar will begin with welcoming remarks by FAO, followed by thematic talks that will delve into the central aspects of sustainable rural development from a transformative gender equality approach, followed by a space for guided reflection, and ending with a session of agreements and closing. The interventions will incorporate success stories and review the strategies mobilized to bring about the necessary change towards an egalitarian welfare state.

The seminar will be simultaneously interpreted from Spanish into English and Portuguese.

#agrifood systems #rural women #seminar #rural development #rural workers #rural farmers #economic empowerment #social empowerment #political empowerment #ruralwomenrights #IDRW23 #International Day of Rural Women #Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) #FAO

[remittancesday]

Statement from the GSMA on International Day of Family Remittance 2023.

Mobile Money International Remi1ances – Saving the Day Amidst Economic Woes. As the world began to recover from the economic ramifications of COVID-19, 2023 saw further turmoil and even recession. In fact, the OECD projects global GDP growth in 2023 to be 2.7%, which is the lowest annual rate since the global financial crisis, except for the 2020 pandemic period. This low growth is expected into 2024 with projections for next year being 2.9%. Soaring food and energy costs have fuelled the highest rates of inflation, with Low-and middle-Income countries (LMICs) being the hardest hit. However, mobile money can offer customers a secure, accessible and affordable option for millions of families struggling to earn a livelihood.

The mobile money industry, now with over 1.6 billion registered customers, was able to move 21 billion worth of interna6onal remiYances (IMT) in 2022. This represents a 28% Year-on-Year growth. According to the World Bank, total remiYances transferred in 2022 to LMICs amounted to US$626 billion and it is projected that by 2030 US$5.4 trillion in remittances will be sent to LMICs. Interna6onal remiYances are here to stay! With an average fee of 3.73% to send $200, using mobile money is 37.9% cheaper than the global average remittance cost.

Challenges Despite the significant benefits of mobile money for digital remittance and financial inclusion for migrant families, several challenges s6ll hinder its widespread use. Foreign exchange controls present a huge challenge, not just to mobile money driven IMT, but for all forms of international remittances. A significant number of countries still have restrictions on outward remittances and permit only inward remittances. There has been little to no change on the issue over the past several years. Regulatory harmonisation is also an obstacle. As it stands, the disparities of KYC regulations across different countries creates complexities in meeting necessary AML/CFT checks for cross border money transfers. The lack of clear regulatory frameworks for IMT makes it difficult for mobile money providers to determine regulatory requirements for mobile money driven IMT services. Some countries are yet to drai provisions for provision of international money transfer services for non-tradi6onal IMTOs. Without a framework in place, regulators lack a blueprint against which they can issue approvals. Despite the significant uptake of mobile money in LMICs, some migrant families s6ll have cultural preferences or trust-related concerns that favour informal, cash-based transfers. Cash is, in many regards, the biggest competitor of digitally driven alternatives for IMT. More can still be done to drive financial literacy through shared responsibility. While significant strides have been made to narrow the gender gap, the journey is s6ll far from over. According to the 2021 MobileRemit Africa report, women comprise about half of all remittance senders (100 million). They are digitally excluded in LMICs and particularly in rural areas. This hinders further growth and access for families that depend on these remittances for basic needs. Policy Considerations As we commemorate the International Day of Family Remittances this year, we urge stakeholders to take into considerations the recommendations outlined below in order to tap into the full potential of mobile money driven international remittances.

Driving an enabling environment Policy makers should aim to create an enabling environment for driving the adoption of digital financial services. Over 15 years since its inception, several countries are yet to adopt a non-bank-led approach to mobile money. Compared to traditional banking, digital financial services are shall in their formative years and shall need to be nurtured. Regulations should focus on growing the sector sustainably. Regulators should pay close attention to affordability by ensuring cost of compliance and related fiscal policies are aligned with financial inclusion aspirations. Additionally, regulators should aim to provide clear guidelines for licencing of interna6onal remittances based on global best practices. Exclusivity clauses restric6ng mobile money providers and other non-tradi6onal IMTOs need to be reviewed.

Harmonising regulatory frameworks There is plenty of room to harmonise regulatory frameworks across different countries. This harmonisa6on should seek the alignment of, at least customer due diligence checks, to ensure AML/CFT concerns are addressed. Regional knowledge exchange can beneficially lead to harmonization of requirements. Regulators may consider allowing for mutual recognition of cross-border sandboxes as a first step. Regional trading blocs and other regional formations present low hanging fruits.

Adopting a risk-based approach With increased globalisation, regulators should adopt a risk-based approach to mobile money international remittances. They should explore a balanced approach against their legitimate needs to manage capital flows, ensuring consumer protection, crime preven6on and to act within existing capacity constraints.

Improve financial literacy Educational initiatives that promote financial literacy and raise awareness about the benefits and usage of mobile money are essen6al in addressing informality challenges. Financial literacy is not a partisan issue. It requires a multi-sectoral approach to be effectively addressed. As countries navigate economic headwinds globally, affordable international remittances are the only means of sustenance for many households in LMICs. Governments need to make a concerted effort to broaden the scope of domestic services to include seamless and affordable IMT services. Mobile money is uniquely posi6oned to support this worthy cause.

#international day of family remittances #16 june #statements #financial inclusion #familyremittances #GSMA

[moremarketresearch]

Mobile money transactions exceed expectations, reaching $1.26 trillion in 2022 as per GSMA

Mobile money transactions exceed expectations, reaching $1.26 trillion in 2022 as per GSMA The GSMA’s State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2023 shows adoption rates are even more significant than expected, with registered accounts, transaction values, and deployments exceeding industry predictions. April 18, 2023, London - Mobile money services are growing faster than predicted around the globe, as digital services continue to rise in popularity, according to the GSMA’s annual ‘State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2023’, published today. The report, published annually by the GSMA and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, demonstrates that rates of adoption are even quicker than expected, with the number of registered mobile money accounts growing by 13% year on year, from 1.4 billion in 2021 to 1.6 billion in 2022. While it took the industry 17 years to reach the first 800 million customers, this is extremely significant growth as it has taken just five years to reach the next 800 million. In 2022, daily transactions via mobile money reached $3.45 billion, exceeding the $3 billion amount predicted in 2021. The total transaction value for mobile money grew by an incredible 22% between 2021 and 2022, from $1 trillion to around $1.26 trillion. However, in many areas worldwide, more work is still needed to help give underserved communities access to safe, secure, and affordable financial services. With 1.4 billion people worldwide remaining unbanked, the GSMA Mobile Money Programme is working with mobile operators and industry stakeholders worldwide to create a robust mobile money ecosystem, increasing the relevancy and utility of these services and ensuring their sustainability. The 2023 report shows there are now 315 live mobile money deployments across the globe, with peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers and cash-in/cash-out transactions still among the most popular use cases. Bill payments using mobile money grew by 36% year-on-year – faster than any other use case – and the industry continues to focus on use case diversification, playing an important role in digitizing economies.

Pandemic-driven uptake

As the world increasingly moves on from COVID-19, mobile money services have continued to show resilient growth that was instigated during the pandemic. Up to 400 million accounts were added during the pandemic alone. This rapid uptake is largely due to the technology’s role in enabling millions of people across low- and middle-income countries to access digital financial services. This upward trend continues, with the number of accounts active on a 30-day basis also growing by 13 percent year-on-year to 401 million in 2022. The report also shows that, during 2022, mobile money-enabled international remittances grew by 28% year on year – to $22 billion. During the pandemic, many diasporas sent more funds via mobile money to friends and family than ever before. As a result, international remittances grew significantly in both 2020 and 2021, as many senders favored mobile money for its efficiency, speed, safety, and cost-effectiveness. The trend continued in 2022, albeit at a slower rate.

Closing the gender gap

Mobile money is also continuing to drive financial inclusion for the world’s unbanked, particularly amongst women in rural communities, where access to mobile money can play a transformational and empowering role. However, according to the latest GSMA data, there is still a mobile money gender gap that has shown signs of widening over the last year, particularly in India, Indonesia, and Pakistan. Mobile phone ownership is one of the main drivers of the mobile money gender gap, however, a number of other barriers and cultural norms also prevent women from adopting mobile money. As a result, women in low- and middle-income countries are currently 28% less likely than men to own a mobile money account.

Growing agency networks

The number of mobile money agents also increased significantly last year, with a 41% increase between 2021 and 2022. The overall number of agents went from 12 million in 2021 to 17.4 million in 2022. The number of active agents increased by 25% to 7.2 million in 2022. A lot of this growth came from Nigeria, where a more liberal regulatory regime meant an increase in mobile money providers. Agents continued to prove to be an invaluable part of mobile money services and were responsible for two-thirds of all cash-in transactions in 2022. “It is promising to see the continued growth of mobile money worldwide. Mobile money has afforded millions of unbanked and underserved people in low- and middle-income countries access to digital financial services, for the first time,” said Max Cuvellier, Head of Mobile for Development, GSMA. “However, even with this significant growth, there is still a long way to go to bring those services to over a billion people worldwide who remain unbanked. The GSMA is therefore encouraging governments worldwide to keep developing the enabling policies that can support mobile money deployments and further boost the growth of this crucial ecosystem. Doing so helps accelerate the digitization of national economies and build financial resilience, allowing communities to support themselves in uncertain times.” To find out more, download the 2023 State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money here Read the full article

#gsma #mobilemoney #technology #technologytrends

[esglatestmarketnews]

Leading Players Prioritize ESG Investments In The Edtech Industry: Astra ESG Solutions

Edtech industry or Education Technology Industry players are gearing up to plan, report and monitor their ESG performance amidst an exponential rise in digitization. Notably, the prevalence of online learning against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted industry leaders to achieve ESG goals. AI-based learning tools forayed into the mainstream education landscape, encouraging investors, venture capitalists and other stakeholders to prioritize ESG goals. Lately, education technology has witnessed skyrocketing demand across advanced and emerging economies. A host of global organizations expects their vendors to adopt ESG goals, while stakeholders are demanding that startups define and focus on ESG strategy.

Investors are bullish on the prospect of edtech providing an immersive learning experience to K-12 students (kindergarten to 12th grade). High-profile and emerging players continue investing in tech and tools that boost online and digital learning. A slew of private equity funds has ESG-themed funds, alluding to stakeholders growing interest in society and the environment. For instance, in March 2022, Cakap, an Indonesian online language learning platform, secured fresh funding from IIF (Indonesia Impact Fund). The infusion of funds is reported to be the first ESG-compliant private impact fund under the aegis of Mandiri Capital Indonesia. Buoyant investments will propel access to high-quality education, especially in lower-tier cities, and play a pivotal role in bridging the language proficiency gap. 

Discover more regarding the practices and strategies being implemented by industry participants from the EdTech Industry ESG Thematic Report, 2023, published by Astra ESG Solutions

Environmental Perspective

Edtech companies are responding to climate change to invest in an environmentally sustainable future. Digital learning companies have furthered their efforts to propel UN Sustainable Development Goals and take a giant stride toward decarbonization. Stakeholders are expected to be on the same page on global net zero emissions and use technology and operations to foster the change the world needs. Microsoft aims to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions to near zero by 2025 and is contemplating removing more carbon than it emits by 2030. Moreover, in July 2021, it also rolled out the Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability to render automated, integrated and comprehensive sustainability management. 

Stakeholders are likely to take a robust approach to reporting and recording emissions with automation and data collation. Industry players could use a secure cloud to tackle e-waste across schools with startups investing in the advanced technology. In December 2020, Karo Sambhav used Microsoft Azure, engaged with over 22,700 schools, and collated around 12,000 metric tons of e-waste for responsible recycling in India. Furthermore, Microsoft also emphasized bridging the skill gap in data center communities through investment in technical training programs at vocational schools, community colleges and other educational institutions. 

Social Perspective

Edtech companies are promoting the values of gender equality, inclusion and a safe work environment. Companies are likely to complement UN Sustainable Development Goals with an emphasis on quality education and boosting workers’ health and safety. Several edtech companies have sought state-of-the-art technology to bolster inclusion, diversity and access. For instance, in September 2021, SP2 Mentor Collective suggested that it connects students, targeting first-generation learners, including those of color, students from low-income backgrounds and other underrepresented students. 

Stakeholders have added fillip to their ESG goals by investing in new-age skills and focusing on talent mobility. Companies are gearing up to upskill talent pools to keep up with global digital transformation. Cisco is expediting the way it develops, attracts and promotes diverse talent. It has joined forces with OneTen Initiative, that is gearing to hire, upskill, and promote one million African American/Black (AA/B) Americans over the next ten years. It witnessed a 60% surge in the representation of all employees who identified themselves as AA/B from entry level through the manager.

State-of-the-art technologies, including ML and AI, have witnessed an uptake. To illustrate, as of June 2022, Coursera reported around a 50% surge in the number of business learners in India. The trends have prompted technology-oriented startups to inject funds into advanced solutions and services to help bolster the digital skills of their employees. In August 2021, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) announced an infusion of funds into ApplyBoard through Equity 253 fund—a diversity-dedicated fund—aimed at companies leveraging diversity and inclusion initiatives and promoting them as business priorities. 

Is your business one of participants of the Global EdTech Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices.

Governance Perspective 

As sustainability becomes mainstream, governance and accountability have become instrumental for prioritization and alignment across the industry. Microsoft has formed a Climate Council with business leaders from every business group to foster alignment, offer sustainability advice, review progress on commitment, prioritize resources and funding and collaborate. Its Board of Directors offers feedback, insights, and oversight across environmental and social aspects.

With companies targeting pre-K to 12, post-secondary and workforce education portfolios, stakeholders have prioritized governance structure to foster their ESG profile. For instance, Cisco asserted in its Purpose Report that audits covered 390,000 supply chain workers during fiscal 2022. Cisco’s compliance and ethics organization reports all allegations and cases of ethical violations to the Audit Committee of the BoD and the Compliance Steering Committee. 

Poor ESG practices may be detrimental to environmental, reputational and legal risks that can dent an organization’s prospect on the bottom line. Companies with strong ESG performance could stay ahead of the curve with a lower cost of capital, a loyal investor base and better access to financing. According to the U.S. financial services company Morningstar, ESG investment strategies surpassed USD 1 trillion in 2020, largely fueled by sustainable investment funds amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

In December 2022, Skillsoft’s corporate social responsibility report found that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), participation in fair trade, and enhancing labor policies were top priorities in the CSR program. The research noted that 46% said ESG efforts were replacing CSR efforts. Prevailing trends suggest the global edtech market could register a 16.5% CAGR from 2022 through 2030. The growth trajectory is expected to gain ground as companies focus on creating long-term value by creating ESG strategies. 

About Astra – ESG Solutions By Grand View Research

Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. – a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.

Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.

For more ESG Thematic reports, please visit Astra ESG Solutions, powered by Grand View Research

#EdTech Industry ESG Study #EdTech Industry ESG #edtech industry sustainability #EdTech Industry #EdTech Market #Edtech sustainability

[pennsylvaniaprelawland-blog]

Healthcare Discrimination And Its Legality in the United States

By Lauren Beizer, Villanova University Class of 2023

June 27, 2020

The harsh reality of the American healthcare system is that marginalized populations experience large disparities in healthcare affordability and accessibility compared to the majority of the population, even though all individuals are considered equal under law [1]. These disparities have been ongoing for decades on both a national and local level [2]. The task is to determine the cause of these disparities and once identified, to rework the legal system to eliminate these discrepancies entirely under the healthcare system.

The minority populations that experience the greatest disparities in healthcare outcomes in the United States today are low-income individuals, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community. Although these are not the only populations affected by gaps in healthcare, these communities suffer from structural features of the healthcare system like institutionalized discrimination and this is what results in the majority of negative health outcomes for these minoritized populations [1]. This is a very significant issue because minority populations are already at a higher risk for having substantial health problems in their lifetime, as opposed to the majority population [2].

Low-income individuals experience a lack of access to medical services primarily due to the excessive costs, including the cost of health insurance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that “ the number of Americans without health insurance is growing, affecting middle-income Americans as well as those living in poverty” [3]. Health insurance costs have risen substantially. As a result, lower-income people, and a growing segment of the middle-income population, fail to afford any health insurance at all. Additionally, the opportunity to live a healthy life, with sufficient nutrition, and clean communities and schools is not widely available to these low-income groups. This lack of access to adequate medical resources, combined with the effects of living in less healthy communities has a multiplier effect on healthcare outcomes.

Even though there are these rising costs of healthcare, some states such as: California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont have all passed individual mandates stating that citizens in those states must have health insurance [4]. This often hurts the low-income population because there may be no affordable options regarding health insurance available to them.

People of color are also faced with dangerous inequities when seeking and receiving medical care. For example, women of color are far less likely to have a healthy pregnancy than white women. The CDC reports that “African American, American Indian, and Alaska Native women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women” [5]. Among these populations, “nearly half of severe maternal morbidity events and maternal deaths are preventable” [6]. This is the result of various factors, including: socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, gender, behaviors, beliefs, and environment all playing into the institutionalized discrimmination built into the healthcare system [6]. The systematic bias creates a disproportionate number of preventable negative outcomes for people of color, especially women.  

The state of California has attempted to find a solution to this problem by launching the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative in 2006. That effort mobilized multiple health care systems to create data-sharing practices and protocols that could help reduce maternal mortality rates [7]. The state committed to use its resources and legal power to attempt to address this problem and reduce it as much as they can.

In February of 2020, California resident Charles Johnson, an African-American, sued Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for medical mistreatment of his wife. Kiara Johnson died while giving birth during a routine C-section. Johnson claims there was a substantial delay between the time when his wife’s contractions and pain began, to when the doctors actually took her up to surgery. Johnson alleges that he pleaded with medical staff saying “please look, my wife isn’t doing well right now!” and received the response that “his wife was not a current priority” [8].

The Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has refused to comment on the lawsuit to any news source, as they are facing discriminatory charges in their medical practice [8]. Under United States law, it is unjustifiable and illegal to recieve inferior medical care based on one’s race. Obviously, the Cedars-Sinai Medical center could face significant financial loss as a result of this case.

The LGBTQ+ community faces gaps in receiving adequate healthcare as well. LGBTQ+ individuals report avoiding medical care because of insufficient and inadequate care, increased scrutiny, and a lack of understanding and knowledge among healthcare providers [9]. The National Institute of Health has “made the [LGBTQ+] community a priority population for research into health disparities, which include an increased risk of adverse healthcare outcomes at two to five times that of the general population” [10]. Because of the mistreatment that these patients face, the LGBTQ+ community ultimately has a greater risk of negative health outcomes.

These individuals are discriminated against when it comes to health insurance insurance policies as well. Only 37% of the LGBTQ+ population lives in states with insurance protections that include sexual orientation and gender identity [11]. While the United States Constitution declares everyone equal under the law, this is another roadblock this community faces.

Marginalized populations suffer immensely in terms of accessibility and affordability of healthcare in America. As the causes of these discrepancies are identified, the next step is to focus on a local area and identify the critical gaps between healthcare providers, insurance companies, the law, and communities. Implementing multifaceted legal solutions is crucial to eliminating the serious discriminatory problems marginalized populations in the United States face when it comes to healthcare access, proper medical treatment, and affordability of services.

________________________________________________________________

Lauren Beizer is a rising sophomore at Villanova University. She hopes to pursue a JD after graduating with a degree in Political Science and Business.

________________________________________________________________

[1] Sciences, National Academies of, et al. “The State of Health Disparities in the United States.” Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 11 Jan. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425844/.

[2] Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Assuring the Health of the Public in the 21st Century. “Understanding Population Health and Its Determinants.” The Future of the Public's Health in the 21st Century., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Jan. 2002, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK221225/.

[3] “Access to Health Care.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6 Jan. 2020, www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/healthcareaccess/index.html.

[4] “Complete Guide to State Individual Mandates.” Tango Health, 5 June 2020, www.tangohealth.com/complete-guide-state-healthcare-mandates/.

[5] “Racial and Ethnic Disparities Continue in Pregnancy-Related Deaths.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6 Sept. 2019, www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/p0905-racial-ethnic-disparities-pregnancy-deaths.html

[6] Howell, Elizabeth A. “Reducing Disparities in Severe Maternal Morbidity and Mortality.” Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29346121.

[7] “Preventable Maternal Deaths Continue to Occur in the U.S.” The Pew Charitable Trusts, 2020, www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/01/06/preventable-maternal-deaths-continue-to-occur-in-the-us.

[8] Cbs. “Man Claims Cedars-Sinai Ignored Pleas For Help Before Wife Died During C-Section.” CBS Los Angeles, CBS Los Angeles, 18 Feb. 2020, losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/02/18/cedars-sinai-medical-center-los-angeles-lawsuit-black-woman-c-section-death/.

[9] Olding, M. N. & Li, S. (2020).  Barriers to healthcare and disclosure of LGBTQIA+ identity for transgender males in obstetrics and gynaecology. American Journal of Internal Medicine, 8(2), 78-83. doi: 10.11648/j.ajim.20200802.16

[10] Powell, Alvin. “Health Care Providers Need Better Understanding of LGBTQ Patients, Harvard Forum Says.” Harvard Gazette, Harvard Gazette, 23 Mar. 2018, news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/03/health-care-providers-need-better-understanding-of-lgbtq-patients-harvard-forum-says/.

[11] “Healthcare Laws and Policies.” Movement Advancement Project, 2020, www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/healthcare_laws_and_policies.

Photo Credit: Norbert Kaiser

[rickhorrow]

10 To Watch : Mayor’s Edition 62419

RICK HORROW’S TOP 10 SPORTS/BIZ/TECH/PHILANTHROPY ISSUES FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 24

with Jacob Aere

Ahead of the NHL Draft, the NHL Board of Governors unanimously approved billionaire entrepreneur Alex Meruelo to purchase a majority share of the Arizona Coyotes. The sale is expected to be "finalized in July," according to the Arizona Republic. Sources said that Meruelo’s focus will "remain on securing a permanent future in Arizona for the franchise." NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Meruelo is "committed" to finding a new arena in Arizona, adding that Gila River Arena in Glendale is "not viable long term.” The Associated Press noted that although the Coyotes "couldn't leave Arizona anytime soon due to NHL rules prohibiting new owners from immediately applying for relocation, Bettman pointedly didn't rule out the long-term possibility." As The Hockey News noted, one thing "working in the Coyotes’ favor” in this scenario is their Gila River Arena lease. That agreement runs season-to-season, and all the Coyotes have to do to renew it is “state their intentions" by December 31. If Meruelo is able to negotiate an arena deal elsewhere, extricating the Coyotes from their Glendale commitment will be relatively simple.

The Rays have "received permission" from MLB's exec council to "explore a plan in which they would play early-season home games in the Tampa Bay area and the remainder of the year in Montreal," according to sources. While the plan is in its "nascent stages, ESPN noted the Rays have embraced the two-city solution as the most feasible to saving baseball in the Tampa Bay area after years of failed attempts to build a new stadium in the region," according to sources. The Rays would play in new ballparks in "both the Tampa Bay area and Montreal," according to sources. The ability to play games early in the season in Florida "would preclude the need" for a domed ballpark, "cutting the cost of a new building.” The plan faces "several significant hurdles before being implemented," and it likely would not be in place until at least 2023. Reports of a potential schedule sharing plan have "surfaced several times in recent years from Montreal media." The Rays rank 29th in attendance only ahead of the Marlins, averaging 14,545 per game. While this bold plan is not likely to come to fruition, it is only the latest creative gambit by a pro sports team to strong arm its home city into ponying up funds for a new stadium.

Adidas is accused of discrimination by employee group. Adidas built its brand in the U.S. by embracing influential African-American athletes. However, fewer than 4.5% of the workers at the company's North American headquarters are African-American, per the New York Times, and members of that cohort say they feel ignored and sometimes discriminated against. This lack of diversity has led to multiple tone-deaf decisions that African-American employees say could put the entire brand at risk. One prime example of this is Adidas’ releasing all-white sneakers to commemorate Black History Month (which the company discontinued after an outcry). The European Union General Court also recently ruled against Adidas' claim that its famous three stripes, applied in any direction, deserve trademark protection. The case was a rare legal loss for Adidas, which has earned a reputation in the fashion world for aggressively litigating against anyone who uses a trio of stripes in their collections.

The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District board of directors held a public hearing on the proposed "special evening service to Warriors games" at Chase Center. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the proposed Chase Center ferry from Larkspur would "replicate an existing special event service to Giants games at Oracle Park, which costs $14 for each one-way ticket." Staff at the bridge district "recommend the board set the same fare for Warriors games to recover all operating costs." The Water Emergency Transportation Authority is "pursuing a separate ferry line to carry East Bay fans from its terminals in Oakland and Alameda.” While the Bay Area has long provided special ferry routes to sporting events, just as many other cities routinely provide expanded transit service for sports fans, New York and Seattle are among the only other major metropolitan areas in the U.S. to routinely get fans to games across the water.

Cubs considering sportsbook at Wrigley. According to Hashtag Sports, the Chicago Cubs have considered opening a sportsbook at Wrigley Field and at locations just outside of the Friendly Confines. Betting windows, automated kiosks, and even a full-blown sportsbook venue inside the stadium are among the options that have been considered by the Cubs and other Chicago professional franchises, as Illinois prepares to put it new sports gambling law into effect. MLB currently prohibits sportsbooks, including betting kiosks or windows, inside a club's stadium. The NBA has similar rules in place prohibiting retail sportsbooks from offering in-person betting inside arenas. The leagues are reviewing the Illinois legislation. If a bill is passed in Illinois, it would mean that other state-based teams, including the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox, could also apply for a masters sports wagering license, which is said to cost $10 million. Also heating up Chicago this month – the annual Association of Luxury Suite Directors conference, where Rick will serve as master of ceremonies June 30-July 2.

USWNT enters mediation over salary disparity. In the three years after they won the 2015 World Cup, the U.S. women's national team generated more game revenue ($50.8 million) than the U.S. men's national team ($49.9 million), according to audited financial reports acquired by the Wall Street Journal. The women's team's ability to match, and even exceed, the men's team in game revenue is a key factor in their ongoing gender-discrimination lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation. Last month, U.S. Soccer responded to the suit by emphasizing that any alleged pay differential is "based on differences in the aggregate revenue generated by the different teams and/or any other factor other than sex." But while men's games used to bring in far more money, the women's team has closed the gap. While our national teams also generate revenue from sponsorship deals and broadcast rights, as the WSJ points out, "U.S. Soccer sells broadcast rights and sponsorships as a bundle, not separately for each national team.” That makes it difficult to parse the value between the men's and women's teams. Here’s a fair solution: give the men and the women the same base salary and then allow them to earn bonuses based on ticket and merchandise sales and anything else that can be tracked.

Gatorade has a new media strategy to make video everywhere with an AR Snapchat lens. According to Digiday, Gatorade debuted a new augmented reality lens on Snapchat on June 20 as a follow up to the animated world of PepsiCo’s “Sisters is Sweat,” where the lens followed the journey of a young girl and her soccer ball. The upcoming AR lens, one of Snapchat’s portal lenses, allows the audience to get into the game and score the winning goal in AR. This is the latest Gatorade experiment with Snapchat, where the brand has found success with games like Serena Williams’ Match Point and filters. The brand had pivoted away from thinking about video in terms of linear, online, and premium channels to instead be wherever its athlete audience will be. That’s why the PepsiCo beverage brand is planning to spend 45% of its media budget on digital this year, an increase of 11% from 2018’s 34% on digital, with the majority of that spending focused on mobile.

NASCAR’s Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America raises $1.7 million for Victory Junction. 250 participants completed the charity’s longest route ever, nearly 3,700 miles – from Kent, Washington to Key Largo, Florida – to raise funds to provide a life-changing camp experience for children with chronic medical illnesses. According to Kent Reporter, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America celebrated its 25th anniversary with its funds raised directly to benefit Victory Junction. The ride’s donation supports maintenance programs, building projects, and summer camps. In addition to the more than $1.7 million raised by the ride, a $2 million donation was presented to the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Trust by the Andreas family in honor of a beloved Charity. Victory Junction has served as the Ride’s primary beneficiary since its establishment by Petty and his family in 2004 in honor of his late son, Adam. Since 1995, 8,650 riders have logged more than 12.4 million motorcycle miles and raised $18.5 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities. Getting together to cruise across America, this year’s Ride  featured several celebrity riders, including NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and NASCAR legends Harry Gant, Hershel McGriff, and Donnie Allison who helped to create a near $4 million change for children.

Murray and other honorees get WISE/R. Octagon’s Lisa Murray was recognized by Women In Sports and Events (WISE) as a 2019 Woman of Distinction, for her continued support of women in the industry and making a mark as a pioneer of the sports industry. WISE/R Symposium, held in New York City on June 18, was the first of its kind to focus solely on the personal and professional development of women in the business of sports, WISE/R Symposium offered the opportunity to hear from top experts, learn career strategies, connect with peers, and more. Confirmed speakers besides Murray included finance journalist Jean Chatzky and industry leaders Anita DeFrantz, Janet Fletcher, Michele Roberts, and Suzanne Smith. This annual one-day event was produced by WISE. The WISE/R vent joins SportsBusiness Journal’s annual Game Changers conference and other prestigious events now honoring the significant contributions women have made to the sports industry.

Former NFL official Mike Pereira helps military veterans through officiating. In 2015, the former NFL official forged a second career as a highly respected rules’ expert on Fox Sports’ NFL and college broadcasts. The ex-official then met some military vets in Los Angeles and realized that these men had acquired the same skill set through the military that it takes to be a good official. That’s when Pereira realized he could give scholarships to vets to become officials, and get them off of the streets. Since the inception of Battlefields to Ballfields in 2016, more than 220 vets have been given scholarships to get them started on a career in officiating in football, baseball, and basketball. According to the Democrat & Chronicle, the money covers the cost of their training, uniforms, equipment, and local and national association dues for a period of three years. One thing Pereira loves about getting vets into officiating is that of all the people who could ignore the abuse from fans and coaches, the former official realized that no one is better suited than veterans.

#isolate #10 #10towatch

[flipfundingstuff]

2020 Forecast for Retail: 5 Trends to Watch

Amid cries of a “retail apocalypse” for the past several years, new trends have emerged that make it clear that retail isn’t disappearing. Rather, it’s changing—drastically—and retailers that can’t keep up are shuttering their doors.

Business Insider reported on the “retail apocalypse” recently, listing over 8,600 stores that are closing in 2019. Big names include Sears, JCPenney, Abercrombie & Fitch, Party City, Payless, Charlotte Russe, Walgreens, Kmart, Barneys, Gymboree, Gap, Charming Charlie, Victoria’s Secret, and Forever 21. 

Yet the National Retail Federation reports that retail sales have been on the rise since 2015, with the month of August 2019 producing record numbers. Clearly, something is being left out of the picture when we talk about a retail apocalypse, and it’s this: for every company shutting down stores, 5.2 are opening new stores.

What sets these companies apart from those on the decline is an ability to adapt to trends, whether that’s incorporating mobile technology, catering to modern lifestyles, or listening to the demands of customers from younger demographics. In 2020, these are the top trends that will help retailers expand into the future.

1. Same-Day Delivery Is the New Express Shipping

The rise of Amazon ushered in an era where fast delivery is the norm rather than the exception. While 2-day delivery used to be the holy grail of e-commerce, the bar is now set even higher, with more than half of retailers now offering same-day delivery, including giants Amazon, Target, and Bed, Bath, & Beyond.

Part of this perpetual push for faster shipping services can be chalked up to the rapid increase in “instant delivery” services, such as Uber Eats and Postmates for food, Instacart for groceries, Drizly for liquor, goPuff for snacks and home essentials, and even Cleanly, a laundry pick-up and delivery service. Consumers expect their online orders, whether it’s food, laundry soap, or clothes for tomorrow’s work event, to arrive almost instantly.

However, small businesses can still compete against the likes of Amazon by offering personal experiences in place of hyper-convenience.

2. Style That Prioritizes Comfort

Whether you credit a few exhausting years in politics or juggling a long list of side hustles, one thing is clear: Americans are tired, and they’re prioritizing comfort now more than ever. This shift doesn’t mean that design takes a backseat, but it does mean that style has shifted to conform to ideals that are both cute and comfy, whether it’s clothing, shoes, or furniture.

Athleisure has been trending for several years, and in 2020, it’s poised to dominate the clothing market. Popular brands like Nike and Lululemon are still growing at staggering rates, while newcomers like Outdoor Voices and Girlfriend are taking the market by storm. A new trend—pajamas you can wear out in public as regular clothing—has emerged as the peak of fashion and comfort combined. Some of this year’s most buzzed-about shoe companies sell flats, including Rothy’s, which Forbes called one of the “next billion-dollar startups,” and Birdies, marketed as “the stylish flat that’s secretly a slipper.”

3. Goods That Are Sustainable and Ethical

Organic food and linen clothing is no longer a niche market. More than ever, consumers are looking to put their money where their mouths are by purchasing goods that are ethically-sourced and sustainably-made.

For retailers, this move means more than slapping a seal on your product. Straw bans are only the beginning. Excess packaging and the use of microplastics will come under fire in 2020, as will companies that produce large amounts of waste and fail to recycle. Fast fashion has already been a hot button issue in 2019 for the amount of waste it produces and for the use of sweatshop labor, with giants like Zara and Forever 21 closing stores and filing for bankruptcy.

In 2020, consumers will increasingly look toward purchasing locally-made, recycled goods, but they’re also interested in consuming less altogether. Quality will trump quantity going forward, allowing consumers to buy less because their goods last longer. Rental-based companies such as Rent the Runway and second-hand facilitators like Poshmark will continue to grow, with sales in the resale industry expected to double by 2023.

4. Experiential Shopping

Brick-and-mortar isn’t going anywhere in 2020. In fact, an ICSC report shows that opening up brick-and-mortar stores can increase traffic to a retailer’s website by 37%—known as the “halo effect.” To achieve this, though, companies need to turn shopping into an entire experience. Shopping should feel like entertainment, not an errand. The more personal the experience, the more you’ll build customer loyalty with your brand.

The Apple Store, which took the retail world by storm earlier in the decade, is the perfect example. They started several notable trends that made their stores a fun destination, even for folks with no intention of making a purchase. First, the floor plan was designed to highlight sample products rather than inventory, with one of every product out on the display for customers to play around with. They also allowed customers to take photos with the webcams on their computers, add fun effects, and then text the photos to themselves. 

IKEA became a popular destination store much in the same way, by putting the spotlight on their sample products, furniture that’s staged to feel like you’re walking through someone’s home. Sephora made a name for itself by allowing customers to sample every single makeup and hair product on the floor and even hiring makeup artists to show you how it’s done. Nike recently launched “Nike Live,” a members-only store that won Store Concept of the Year last year on Retail Dive for its innovative integration of mobile and local events.

Glossier, a hugely popular online makeup retailer, opened its flagship brick-and-mortar in New York, which now has lines wrapped around the block every day of the week. The “showroom” carries no inventory and instead showcases sample products for customers to try. They can then place an order with a sales clerk on an iPad and wait for their order to be filled in the waiting room. The interior of the store, covered in fun floral arrangements and its trademark millennial pink, has also become a hotspot for Instagram influencers to snap and post photos.

5. Customers Expect Real Inclusivity and Diversity, Not Meaningless Gestures

In every industry, consumers expect diversity, and not just for show. They want to see themselves—their gender, race, size, age, ability, and more—represented in a brand’s advertisements, but they also want to see products that cater to their individual needs.

Plus-size fashion is one area that’s experienced a huge renaissance in recent years, with an outpouring of new companies that focus on plus-size or offer inclusive sizing. Universal Standard, a trendy new clothing company offering elevated basics, takes it a step further: they want to usher in the end to the “sizing binary” in which companies offer separate and different plus-size sections—when they offer them at all. Instead, Universal Standard offers all of their clothing in sizes ranging from 00 to 40. 

However, some fashion retailers have come under fire for using plus-size models without actually offering plus-size clothing. Companies that promote unrealistic beauty and body standards have been under attack for several years. Moving forward, brands will be called upon to not just speak about diversity and inclusivity but to actually do the work of making their product, and boardrooms, more diverse and inclusive.

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