Showing papers by "Sakiko Fukuda-Parr published in 2021"

Gender and Covid-19: Workers in global value chains

Abstract: This paper presents a framework to analyse the gendered impact of Covid-19 on workers in global value chains using the business process outsourcing, garments and electronics industries. We analytically distinguish between the health and lockdown effects of the pandemic, and the supply and demand-related impacts of the latter. Our gendered analysis of these pathways focuses on multi-dimensional aspects of well-being, understands the economy as encompassing production and social reproduction spheres, and examines the social norms and structures of power that produce gender inequalities. We find that the pandemic exposes and amplifies the existing vulnerabilities of women workers in GVCs.

Emerging Consensus on ‘Ethical AI’: Human Rights Critique of Stakeholder Guidelines

Abstract: Voluntary guidelines on ‘ethical practices’ have been the response by stakeholders to address the growing concern over harmful social consequences of artificial intelligence and digital technologies. Issued by dozens of actors from industry, government and professional associations, the guidelines are creating a consensus on core standards and principles for ethical design, development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI). Using human rights principles (equality, participation and accountability) and attention to the right to privacy, this paper reviews 15 guidelines preselected to be strongest on human rights, and on global health. We find about half of these ground their guidelines in international human rights law and incorporate the key principles; even these could go further, especially in suggesting ways to operationalize them. Those that adopt the ethics framework are particularly weak in laying out standards for accountability, often focusing on ‘transparency’, and remaining silent on enforceability and participation which would effectively protect the social good. These guidelines mention human rights as a rhetorical device to obscure the absence of enforceable standards and accountability measures, and give their attention to the single right to privacy. These ‘ethics’ guidelines, disproportionately from corporations and other interest groups, are also weak on addressing inequalities and discrimination. We argue that voluntary guidelines are creating a set of de facto norms and re‐interpretation of the term ‘human rights’ for what would be considered ‘ethical’ practice in the field. This exposes an urgent need for action by governments and civil society to develop more rigorous standards and regulatory measures, grounded in international human rights frameworks, capable of holding Big Tech and other powerful actors to account.

Pandemic treaty needs to start with rethinking the paradigm of global health security.

Abstract: The Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness1 released on 11 May adds to the mounting calls for a new Pandemic Treaty that would address gaps in the global governance of threats to global health security. The emerging debate has quickly turned to focus on questions of structure and forms—a United Nations treaty or a framework convention under the auspices of the WHO, and verification and enforcement mechanisms—as well as on issues of process regarding who will have voice and how the negotiations will proceed.2 3 But we must not lose sight of its purpose and key objectives, and what we mean by ‘global health security’. Indeed, the treaty discussions provide an opportunity and an imperative to rethink the paradigm of global health security that has shaped the current international response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevailing paradigm is antithetical to the core purpose of global pandemic preparedness and response for five reasons. First, global health security needs to focus on the security of people, not national borders. The concept of ‘global health security’ emerged with the increasing transnational spread of disease in the late 20th century in the context of neoliberal economic globalisation, the rise in biosecurity threats, and increased migrations due to climate change, instability and armed conflicts.4 5 It led to a reframing of infectious diseases as a national security threat, bringing the language and thinking of the security sector, concerned with defending national borders, not human health. As Senators …

Gender and Covid-19: Workers in global value chains

Abstract: This paper presents a framework to analyse the gendered impact of Covid-19 on workers in global value chains, illustrating the channels of transmission using the business process outsourcing, garments and electronics industries. Keeping the wellbeing of workers as a central focus, we analyse the impacts of the pandemic through health effects and lockdown measures. Our gendered analysis of these pathways focuses on multi-dimensional aspects of well-being, understands the economy as encompassing both production and social reproduction spheres, and examines the social norms and structures of power that produce gender inequalities. As the pandemic accelerates automation in GVCs, we also examine the likely consequences for women workers who are expected to lose out as a result. The paper argues that the pandemic exposes and amplifies the existing vulnerabilities of women workers in GVCs. The distinctive nature of the pandemic is likely to alter the course of the GVC model with its effects on labour varying by industry, geography, and the structural position of workers.

Digital Technology and the Political Determinants of Health Inequities: Special Issue Introduction

Abstract: This special issue introduction makes the case for analyzing the rise of digital health technologies within global public health within the framework of political determinants of health and identifying how digital technologies impact, both positively and negatively, inequities in health. This special issue brings together diverse perspectives from academics, policy makers, practitioners and activists from around the world, most of whom participated in a 2019 conference Political Origins of Health Inequities: Technology in the Digital Age. The contributions engage with empirical data and practical experiences from Africa (Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Sierra Leone), Asia (India), Europe (Germany, Norway, the European Union), and North America (the United States and Canada). Taken together and individually, the six research articles, seven ‘policy insight’ commentaries and three ‘practitioner commentaries’ identify and critically interrogate the political dimensions that link digital technologies and health equity.