East African Journal of Arts and Social Sciences

Community Engagement Strategy for Coping with Effects of Flood Disasters: A case of Bor in Jonglei State, South Sudan

2024-01-08T20:10:53+00:00

The occurrence of flooding in the East African region has increased over the past twenty years. This has come with a lot of public health risks and loss of lives and livelihoods among the communities affected. South Sudan is one of the African countries prone to flood disasters. Jonglei State is one of the states that are frequently hit by flooding because of its proximity to river Nile. Bor County in Jonglei State is reported to be experiencing the highest rate of flooding in the country with devastating effects on the livelihoods and public health patterns. The study employed a qualitative study using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)to explore Community Engagement Strategies for coping with effects of flood disasters in Bor, Jonglei State. The study established that some of the coping strategies against the impact of flood disasters adopted by the communities in Bor were positive as they helped in improving the general wellbeing of the communities. These coping strategies include diversification of livelihoods, use of traditional knowledge to predict weather forecast, getting donations in terms of money and materials from funders such as NGOs and government and use of modern techniques of farming. However, some of the coping strategies were regarded negative and not effective. These include building temporary shelters, constructing dykes from mud instead of using concrete, and displacement of people

Linguistic Codes for Security and Social Stability in Urhoboland: Implications for the Translator

2024-01-19T09:09:06+00:00

This paper posits that every language is characterized by linguistic codes needed by speakers for their security, identity, and social stability in today’s doubtless several security issues. In Urhoboland, such codes manifest in spoken and extra-linguistic forms with varying degree of meanings to different people at various times and places. The paper explores, among other conceivable objectives, some salient linguistic codes which the forebears of the Urhobo people did not pass on the younger generations as well as their translatability. The theoretical framework underlying the discussion hinges on Bernstein (1971) sociolinguistic theory of language codes which is cognate with language use. Taking cognizance of Urhobo believe systems, their social-cultural and religious practices continue to exert considerable challenges in translation studies as well as their importance to the people in contemporary times. Moreover, a large corpus of interviews and participant observation methods subsist in gathering and analysing relevant data for the research. Finally, the paper concludes that all linguistic codes in Urhoboland manifest themselves in socio-cultural contexts through which the people gather experiences for concentration, attention, and as a panacea for staying out of trouble

Role of the Community in Influencing Enrolment of Children in Schools in Juba County, South Sudan

2024-01-19T17:03:30+00:00

The government of South Sudan introduced free primary education for all to ensure children go to school and attain basic education. This study assessed community involvement in children`s enrolment and learning. Through their responses using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, it was established that there were wide range of community members that influenced children’s schooling and learning. This was captured in past studies which typically focused on structured forms of community engagement that take place within the schools. The pupils’ reports on their perceptions of the community members’ influence on learning and schooling were mainly positive. They included: dispute resolution, health care, financial and material support, political advocacy, and infrastructure development. The negative influence by the community members were reported as holding back learning from attending school, insecurity, distractions such as noise; land disputes with schools. Although this study generated a lot of positive responses on the role of the community members in influencing children schooling and learning, resource mobilization as the key aspect of engagement is worth considering

Mothers` Attitudes on the Influence of Social Media on Parenting Styles of Adolescent Girls in Tanga Municipality, Tanzania

2024-01-19T17:12:57+00:00

This study aimed to assess the influence of mother’s attitude on social media towards parenting styles of adolescent girls. The study employed a mixed methods research approach with convergent parallel design. Questionnaires, interview, and documentary review were prominent methods used in data collection. 104 respondents were recruited to collect data which deem suitable for the study. The obtained data analysed by using free QDA Miner and SPSS for non- numerical and numerical data respectively. The findings show that mothers have either positive or negative attitude on social media use of adolescent girls. The positive mother’s attitude is influenced by such factors as screening time, learning and communication purpose. While negative mother’s attitude is influenced by factors as early sexual relationship and age of adolescent girls. Finally, the researcher recommended that adolescent should be emphasized on the positive use of social media to increase their performance in the educational carrier

Therapeutic Painting and Sexual Violence Expressed by Students in Selected Secondary Schools in Bundibugyo District in Uganda

2024-02-21T09:23:34+00:00

Sexual violence has often caused distress to many people, and a lot has been written proposing solutions to this vice. Restoring hope among people who have been affected by sexual violence in Secondary schools in Bundibugyo District requires concerted effort and adopting ways that help to relieve the affected people of stress resulting from their experience with sexual violence. The current study focused on how therapeutic painting can be utilised to describe in detail lived experiences relating to ever-increasing sexual violence in secondary schools in the Bundibugyo district. Despite the various forms of violence that affect secondary school students, sexual violence seems to be a vice that greatly affects school children, and young children are always shy to verbally express how they are affected. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between Visual art therapy and sexual violence expression by students in selected Secondary Schools in Bundibugyo District. The following objective guided the study: To examine the statistical relationship between therapeutic painting and sexual violence expression by students in selected Secondary Schools in Bundibugyo District. 400 S2 students participated in this study, these included; Semuriki High School-Izahura-163, Bukonjo Seed School-17, Bundikahungu Seed school-75, St Mary’s Simbya Secondary School-145. Methodology entailed methods such as in-session semi-structured interviews, observation methods, and focus group discussion. An explanatory sequential design was adopted in this study. The study established that there was a statistically significant difference in means; thus, there was a relationship between therapeutic painting and sexual violence expressed by students in selected Secondary Schools in Bundibugyo District (z =-6.736, p <0.0001). Hence, the null hypothesis was rejected. The findings led to the conclusion that therapeutic painting intervention helped to improve the expression of sexual violence among victims, helped them to gain relaxation, lost hope, and lessened the anxiety that had resulted from their experience with sexual violence

Predictors of Criminal Involvement by Teenagers Living in Informal Settlement in Nairobi, Kenya: A Case Study of Kibera Slum

2024-02-05T11:49:15+00:00

Crime is a multifaceted phenomenon caused by a myriad of factors, including social, economic, and psychological factors. This study examined the predictors of criminal behaviour among teenagers in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya. Kibera is the largest slums in Africa and is characterized by high poverty levels, high crime rates, unemployment rates, and limited access to basic amenities. The prevalence of crime in Kibera slum is marked by theft as the most reported crime and has drawn many teenagers into engaging in illegality as a way of earning a living. Notably, understanding these socio-economic and individual factors that contribute to teenage delinquency in Kibera is instructive in developing effective intervention and prevention strategies. This study was based on two objectives: examining the socio-economic factors and the individual-level factors that influence the adoption of criminal behaviour amongst teenagers in the Kibera slum. The strain theory was used to understand the relationship between the socio-economic and individual-level factors in the Kibera teenagers' context and the adoption of criminogenic behaviour. The case study design was adopted in which data was collected and analysed using qualitative methods. The data was collected from 19 participants, including teenagers, teachers, parents, guardians, and local administration officers. The sample was generated using purposive and snow-balling sampling with the questionnaire and focus group discussion used to collect the data. The study concluded that socio-economic factors influencing criminal behaviour amongst teenagers included access to education, economic instability, family dysfunction, peer pressure, community support, and school policies, while the individual-level factors included mental health issues, genetic variations, and prenatal and perinatal factors. The study recommended the establishment and implementation of programs to cater to economic impoverishment, educational access, role modelling, and mental health issues as necessary for tackling criminality amongst the teenagers in the Kibera slum

Choice and Use of Sangu Language Among Sangu Speakers of Mbarali Mbeya Region, Tanzania

2024-02-22T06:11:33+00:00

This article aims to analyse the domains of language choice and use of the Sangu language among Sangu speakers in Tanzania in relation to its endangerment. The study used quantitative approach to assess the four domains of sangu language of home/family, religion, market, and traditional functions. The study was guided by domain analysis theoretical framework by Fishman (1972). Data were collected through questionnaire method from 50 Sangu speakers and were computed and analyzed quantitatively by the assistance of SPSS programme. The research outcomes portrays the domination of Swahili, the national language in almost all domains along with a noticeable interference of it in the intimate domains of Sangu language use. The choice and use of Sangu language have turned out to be minimal in almost all domains. The research results points towards one conclusion that Sangu language is in the danger of disappearing because the presence of Swahili in the intimate domain indicates that the coming generations will lack intergeneration language transmission and become endangered

Creation of Indoor Sculptures Using Metal and Glass Inspired by Selected Swahili Kanga Inscriptions

2024-02-27T09:49:58+00:00

The ‘Kanga’, a colourful printed cloth wrapper, is one of Kenya’s coastal region’s most well-known cultural items and has deep cultural, historic and economic significance. In their creation, the Kangas contain inscriptions on them that propagate sayings, proverbs, and pithy phrases in Kiswahili. The inscriptions are located on the lower border and are frequently surrounded and highlighted by various patterns or background colours. The Swahili inscriptions not only impart specific messages to the viewer but are also used to convey feelings, thoughts, and inspire. Despite sculptures being traditionally used as avenues for artistic expression based on many sources of inspiration, this study found no evidence to indicate that Swahili Kanga inscriptions have been used as inspirations in the creation of sculptures in Kenya. It is envisaged that it is possible to extract meaning from inscriptions and interpret the embedded meaning through a three-dimensional artistic genre such as sculpture from which viewers can draw meaning and visually subscribe to. In view of this gap, this study sought to develop the creation of indoor sculptures placed in public spaces that derived their creative inspiration from selected Swahili inscriptions printed on the Kanga. The sculptures were executed using a combination of metal and glass. The proverbs used in this study were already documented and published and the inherent meaning was therefore already transcribed. Creativity of the artist was applied to generate ‘visual meaning’ based on visual interpretation derived from and responsive, as much as possible, to the meaning contained in the proverb itself. However, the proverbs were purposively selected to best navigate and demonstrate the interpretation process from written to visual. Hence, this study applied an exploratory research design in exploring Swahili inscriptions on Kanga. The paper presents data on sculptural idea development and creation of indoor sculptures

Socio-Demographic Factors Influencing Knowledge, Attitude, and Reported Practices Regarding Taenia Solium Cysticercosis Taeniasis in Tanzania

2024-03-04T11:38:09+00:00

Taenia solium Cysticercosis/Taeniasis (TSCT) is a neglected zoonotic disease with significant public health and socio-economic impacts. TSCT is endemic in areas with low socio-economic development. This study examined the influence of socio-demographic factors on community knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding TSCT control in Mbulu, Mpwapwa, Mbinga, and Rungwe districts of Tanzania. The study employed a cross-sectional design, and. data were collected using a questionnaire, which was administered to 483 randomly selected households in the study districts. In addition, qualitative data were collected using key informant interviews (KIIs) from 38 purposively selected respondents and 12 focus group discussions (FGDs). Quantitative data were analysed in SAS 9.4 using binary logistic regression with education, location, gender, age, occupation, source of income, the duration of residence (years), savings and credits cooperative society (SACCOS) membership, and household size included in the model as predictors of knowledge, attitude, and/or practices related to TSCT control. The qualitative data were analysed in ATLAS.ti 8. Findings show that respondents with post-primary education were more likely to have heard of tapeworm (P = 0.0071), be aware of T. solium transmission (P = 0.0396), aware of T. solium health effects (P = 0.0212), and be be knowledgeable on human cysticercosis (HCC) health effect (P = 0.003) compared to respondents with no formal education. With regard to practices, respondents from Mpwapwa district were more likely to report washing their hands with soap before eating (P = <0.0001). It is, therefore, recommended that strategies involving health education intervention should consider the inclusion of socio-demographic, cultural, economic, and location factors for effective and sustainable control of the parasite

Women and Patriarchy in Post-colonial Kenya: A Critical Interrogation of Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye's Coming to Birth and The Present Moment

2024-03-04T12:25:06+00:00

Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye's Coming to Birth and The Present Moment, published just over two decades after Kenya's independence, explore the country's post-colonial inclination towards patriarchy. This paper is hinged on the premise that the post-colonial Kenya is replete with patriarchal tendencies, these tendencies permeate all spheres of its political and economic structures, thus leading to gender inequality. Contextualizing patriarchy within the socio-economic and political structure of the post-colonial Kenya, this paper seeks to highlight the challenges to women’s women's participation in Kenya's public sphere as depicted in Macgoye's novels. Informed by feminist theory, the paper seeks to demonstrate the various ways women seek to claim their agency as active participants in the society despite the challenges. The paper concludes that female characters in Coming to Birth and The Present Moment rise above the limitations brought about by the post-colonial patriarchal constructs

The Beneficiary's Perception of their Awareness of Delay in Payment in Social Security Benefits in Tanzania

2024-03-25T08:08:35+00:00

The study investigates beneficiaries' perceptions of their awareness of social security benefit delays, the relationship between employers' responsibility and social security benefit delays, and the effects of persistent NSSF bureaucracy on social security benefit delays in Tanzania. An explanatory study design was employed in this study with the use of a mixed quantitative and qualitative approach. The study included 150 NSSF customers and 5 key informants from employers. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire and interview guide, respectively. This study examined NSSF beneficiaries' perceptions in Tanzania regarding delays in social security benefit payments. It reveals that a substantial proportion of customers attribute delays to employer actions, such as failures in timely contributions and inactivity in following up. The study underscores shared responsibility among customers, employers, and the system. It is concluded that addressing customer views through increased communication, employer engagement, and streamlined processes is critical for improving NSSF system efficiency and customer satisfaction. The study recommended that to improve the efficiency of benefit payments within Tanzania's National Social Security Fund (NSSF), it is advised to increase employer engagement and education, strengthen communication with stakeholders, revise policies to hold employers accountable, streamline bureaucratic processes, modernize operations, and investing in employee training

Determinants of Child Abuse in Arusha Region

2024-03-25T08:08:19+00:00

Although there are enormous efforts towards alleviation of child abuse worldwide, it still persists. It is estimated that between 500 million and 1.5 billion children worldwide bear some form of violence annually. That being the case, this study conducted research to find out the determinants of Child Abuse in Arusha. The research employed a descriptive research design. The sample size was 100 children. Structured and semi-structured questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions were employed as data collection tools. Quantitative and qualitative analysis was used to interpret the data, and inferential statistics was used to analyse the data. The study established that the age of the respondent, employment status of parent or guardian, income per month of parent or guardian, age of parent or guardian, and drugs and alcohol abuse by parent or guardian were individually useful in the prediction of Y (Experienced child abuse) which is the dependent variable. It is concluded that the risks of experiencing child abuse increase in the communities as a result of financial dependence, employment status, economic status, age at marriage, and parent or guardian tendency to substance abuse

Indigenous Pedagogy for Developing Essential Life-Skills of Children in Masaka District, Uganda

2024-04-05T08:40:39+00:00

Contemporary education practice is widely seen as practices that blend conventional approaches with either new innovations or culturally tested practices. In a situation where being cultural or modern has its own drawbacks, towing the middle position becomes an inevitable choice. The paper presents findings from an exploratory sequential study that examined the influence of Indigenous Pedagogy (IP) on developing children's life skills in Masaka District, Uganda. It was anchored on Lewin's (1922) change theory; likened to Manion and Cohen's (1975) reinvention theory and adopted as a restoration theory. Snow bowling, purposive and stratified random sampling were used to select 44 participants. Twenty (20) key informants including 6 parents, 2 elders, 6 religious, 2 District Education Officers; 2 Ministry officials and 2 local council leaders were interviewed. Twenty-four (24) other respondents participated in three-eight-member Focus Group Discussions (FDGs). The findings portray replicable practices of skilling based on deep-rooted beliefs set on standards that are supported by aspirations in harmony with nature. The study found that methods used by Masaka parents combined theory and practice daily; in lessons that happen where knowledge was situated, mainly through apprenticeship, attachment, heart-to-heart and one-to-one encounters. They also embraced global citizenry based on firm principles of what Africans value. The study concluded that indigenous methods were still useful in grooming children with life skills of productive work, character, positive attitudes, mental acuity and social orientation. It recommends that teacher education institutions require academic programmes blending contemporary with indigenous methods anchored on core African values to prepare pro-cultural-modern teachers. To link the valuable past to the inevitable contemporary ways of knowing, the application of hybrid pedagogy becomes imperative

Dramatization of Agency and Ecological Consciousness in How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue and Oil on Water by Hellon Habila

2024-04-15T17:02:36+00:00

This paper interrogates how authors deploy characters to represent ecological consciousness. The paper draws illustrations from Imbolo Mbue’s How Beautiful We Were and Hellon Habila’s Oil on Water to examine how agency is dramatized through characterization. The paper explores character agency within the subversive space of Bakhtin’s carnival laughter to represent their ecological consciousness. To ground the paper into an analytical perspective, the discussion identifies and discusses the distinct characterizations the two texts' authors employ to represent the characters’ ecological consciousness. The article argues that the writers of the chosen texts effectively use characterisation to create compelling ecological narratives that teach about the need to address environmental degradation. Additionally, the discussion reveals how the two writers depict ecological awareness via the characteristics of carnival shown by the characters. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that characters have a crucial role in delivering sermons about the gruesome consequences of environmental degradation. As a result, the components of carnival, such as craziness, clowns, and heroic characterizations, are used to undermine and challenge the impact of environmental degradation

Effects of Insecurity on Social Activities of Pastoralist Communities, A Case Study of Mandera County

2024-04-15T17:02:28+00:00

The presence of an imminent threat to people's lives and property is referred to as insecurity. It might represent a threat, posing difficulties, and risks, and raising anxieties, which would have an impact on a nation's socioeconomic progress. The purpose of this study was to examine forms of insecurity among pastoralist communities and evaluate how insecurity affected the social activities of pastoralist communities in Mandera County, Kenya. A descriptive survey study design was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data using questionnaires, interviews and content analysis. A total of 399 household heads, 4 chiefs, 6 sub-chiefs, 10 religious leaders, and 6 members of civil society. A stratified method was used to ensure all the sub-counties were included in the study. Household heads, chiefs, sub-chiefs, religious figures, and members of civil society were sampled using purposive sampling. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS Version 25) computer software program to yield descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Verbatim quotes were used to analyse qualitative data. The findings of the study were presented using tables, figures, pie charts and bar graphs. The findings of this study indicated that Mandera experiences a variety of kinds of insecurity, such as livestock rustling, banditry, border conflicts, terrorism attacks, and inter-clan disputes. The study concluded that there was heightened insecurity in Mandera County caused by terrorism and cattle rustling. Based on the findings above, the study recommended that the county government of Mandera to provide adequate amenities and intensify security in the county in order to ensure the pastoral communities have access to social services

Use of Elements and Application of Principles of Art and Design in the Creation of Pictorial Compositions among Fine Art Students at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

2024-04-15T17:02:25+00:00

In the creation of any work of art, whether in two or three dimension, the use of elements and principles is fundamental. It has been acknowledged across ages that the purpose of the creation of any work of art is to create some form of defined meaning or express some artistic phenomenon. It has also been acknowledged that elements and principles have a symbiotic relationship. In examining the paintings and drawings presented by students, this study seeks to explore the relationship between elements and principles as they are applied in the paintings and drawings to determine the effectiveness of this synchrony in terms of visual enhancement and the eventual creation of meaning. The study features students' work at various levels where they spontaneously created their paintings and drawings with focus on the use of elements and principles. However, their usage and application were spontaneous and not geared towards specific responses, which was necessary for the outcome of the study. From preliminary enquiry, it emerged that although students had received adequate tutorials about the use of elements and principles in the creation of artwork, they did not apply them from an academic perspective but instinctively. It was therefore envisaged that focusing on the quality of their work would ultimately yield better results about their comprehension of the use of elements and principles as featured in their work. This study, therefore, used the execution and analysis of their practical work as testimony to their comprehension. The selection of 35 presentations, including black and white pencil drawings, provided a wide spectrum and depicted how students used and understood the application of both elements and principles and were deemed adequate for the study. The paintings featured the use of colour as an integral element, and the pencil drawings were strong in depicting textural effects and using value. The presentations featured different subject matter which was important for the creative essence of work

The Evolution of Community Development thorough Ubuntu Perspective in Tanzania

2024-04-17T08:06:48+00:00

Through the lens of Ubuntu, this study examines the historical development of community development practices in Tanzania's mainland from prehistoric and post-colonial periods to the present. By utilising a literature review technique and secondary data in addition to the author's personal observations, the study provides insights on indigenous community development practices. The analysis explores the contextual understanding of community and community development in relation to post-Arusha Declaration of 1967 through Ujamaa policy and Ubuntu of pre-colonial Tanzania. One of the tenets of Ubuntu, Ujamaa evolved into a human-centered approach to community and national development. According to the study, Tanzanian communities are dynamic and change over time as a result of their experiences, history, environment, conscious efforts, and shared vision. Tanzania's history of community development dates back to the pre-colonial era, when the Ubuntu idea and group support networks were prevalent. On Tanzania's mainland, colonialism brought in Western-style community development. After independence, however, traditional African methods were revived, with an emphasis on community participation in social, political, cultural, and economic spheres. Ubuntu and Ujamaa go hand in hand, but they have also been successful in helping the community's members develop a sense of unity and shared responsibility that has allowed them to work together towards shared objectives and support one another through trying times. This has had a positive effect on the nation's modern community development, and the government is still committed to upholding other Ubuntu values that are essential for fostering an environment that is supportive of community development initiatives. The comparable viewpoint is reflected in the presence of community development officers in every community. Reviewing community development policies, indigenizing training, developing competency-based curricula, and incorporating the African Ubuntu model are among the recommendations made by this study for community development

A Fictional Depiction of the Peculiarities of the African Female Gender Experiences in the Diaspora

2024-05-14T16:27:21+00:00

The issue of Africans in the Diaspora stretches historically to the time when Africa began having contact with the outside world, particularly the Arabs, Chinese, Turks, and others. Beginning with the 16th to the 18th C, the contacts heightened during the Trans- Atlantic Slave Trade. Thereafter, Africans have found themselves in the Diaspora for many reasons. This has elicited a myriad of reactions to their experiences in the Diaspora. Therefore, the study sought to investigate the fictional depiction of African immigrant experiences in the Diaspora. It was guided by two objectives namely: to establish the fictional depiction of the peculiarities of the African female experiences in the Diaspora, and to investigate the narrative styles adopted to convey these experiences. The focus was on four novels: Americanah (2013), Minaret (2005), We Need New Names (2013), and The Seasons of Thomas Tebo (1986). The study was library-based research. Its significance is in the fact that it gives a snapshot of the two sides of migration- positive and negative. The results revealed that the African female gender faces indescribable discrimination, undergoes the pain of assimilation into the foreign culture, has to work two jobs in order to sustain life in the Diaspora, is always haunted by the fear of aging and having nothing to show for it, plus several other challenges. The diasporic spaces also catalyse character changes in these migrants. As a result, they adopt confusing mannerisms, fail to wish away homesickness, become two-faced hypocrites, are subdued, submissive and in extreme cases – go through a mental breakdown. It was discovered that migrant fiction is narrated through humour, flashback, irony, detailed description, suspense and other stylistic techniques. The study concluded that migration is now a contemporary and central theme in much of African fiction, especially by a new generation of African writers

An Investigation of the Determinants of Child Sexual Abuse in Tanzania: A Case of the Kilwa District-Lindi Region

2024-04-25T12:26:02+00:00

Child sexual abuse (CSA), which includes assault and rape, encompasses all sexual activities involving a child. Internationally, there has been a recent surge in reports of CSA and other forms of violence against children. This substantiates the global significance and gravity of the matter, given its magnitude and impact on children. The current study on assessing CSA determinants in Tanzania for the Kilwa–Lindi region is presented as a case study, intending to uncover the socioeconomic determinants of CSA. The primary data were collected from 32 parents/guardians, who were systematically selected from 384 individuals who had reported CSA to social welfare offices. The presented findings were based on the observed meanings and realities that family members and the community ascribed to CSA through the lens of social construction theory. The qualitative data were analysed using Atlas.ti, and the quantitative data was analysed using Microsoft Excel. The following factors influenced CSA in the study area of Kilwa district: the socioeconomic status of women; the belief of community members in witchcraft as a method of purging misfortune and acquiring wealth; the use of remedies for HIV and other incurable diseases; the excessive workload and passivity of parents or guardians; the apathy of community members; the prevalence of myths and sexual taboos among parents or guardians; the ignorance of parents or guardians regarding indicators of CSA; and the scarcity of parental competence. Having the presented findings, it is therefore timely for the government to consider investing in prevention measures such as the early warning signs of CSA among children and parents and the reporting points, among others. The study recommends a comprehensive study on the awareness of CSA warning signs among children and parents in Tanzania

Land and Conflict in Qardho District: Study of the Root Causes and Solutions

2024-05-01T12:42:42+00:00

Land conflict poses a significant challenge to sustainable development and peace in many districts, including the Qardho district of Puntland state, Somalia. This paper explores the root causes, effects, and potential solutions to land conflict in the Qardho district. The study was guided by three objectives, which included, A) To assess the root causes of land conflict in the Qardho district, B) To investigate the effects of land conflict in the Qardho district, and C) To propose possible solutions to the land conflict in the Qardho district. A total of 399 interviews and ten key informant interviews were conducted to gather insights from various stakeholders, including local council members, land brokers, court judiciaries, and community groups. Quantitative and qualitative research designs were both used in this study. Significant demographic characteristics of the research respondents indicate that 51.88% were male and 48.12% were female. This data presents the distribution of respondents across different age groups. The majority of respondents (61.15%) fall within the age range of 31 to 40 years, indicating a significant presence of individuals in this demographic category. Additionally, a substantial proportion of respondents (15.54%) belong to the 21-30 age group. The remaining respondents are distributed across older age categories, with 10.78% aged 51-60 years, 7.52% above 60 years, and a smaller proportion (5.01%) falling within the 41-50 age range. Overall, the data reflects a diverse age composition among the respondents, with a notable concentration in the 31-40 age group. The findings reveal that private land ownership, lack of a land registration system, weak institutional capacity, and ineffective regulations are among the primary causes of land conflict in Qardho. These conflicts manifest in various adverse effects, including mistrust among communities, clan conflicts, hindrance to investment and development, and exacerbation of natural disasters' impacts. Respondents proposed several solutions to address land conflict, such as implementing a land registration system, strengthening government institutions, utilizing geographical information systems, and fostering cooperation between local government and courts. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, local authorities, and stakeholders to develop effective strategies for resolving land conflicts and promoting sustainable development in the Qardho district and similar contexts

Perspectives and Practices of Constructive Journalism in Mainland Tanzania

2024-05-04T15:59:09+00:00

This article offers a comprehensive examination of constructive journalism practices on the Tanzanian mainland, with the primary goal of redefining news framing. By analyzing the interplay between negativity and positivity in news coverage, the study explores its execution and its impact on news consumers. The research methodology encompasses a survey involving 169 respondents, complemented by in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 30 participants. Furthermore, an extensive analysis of 240 news items from eight media outlets scrutinizes editorial perspectives on news framing and presentation, particularly the integration of negative and positive elements. The findings uncover a notable dissonance: while the media and journalists predominantly gravitate towards negative narratives, the audience clearly prefers positive content. These results underscore the urgency for Tanzanian media and journalists to reevaluate their approach to defining news and their portrayal of it, emphasizing the imperative for a more balanced and constructive narrative

Factors Driving Exclusion and Discrimination of Elmolo in Kenya: A Case of El Molo in Turkana County

2024-05-07T11:47:42+00:00

The indigenous peoples in Kenya face a huge hurdle in protecting their fundamental rights and freedoms due to lack recognition as distinct groups with specific needs, cultures, and ways of life. This study sought to address to identify and map the El-Molo community in Turkana County, documenting varying levels of marginalization among different demographics and understanding the structure through which the community coordinates and advocates for their rights and development. The study focused on 1,104 El Molo residents in Kalokol, Longech, and Kapua, and utilized a descriptive research design. The researcher employed key informant interviews as well as Focus Group Discussions to collect primary data. To ensure the reliability of the findings, a triangulation of methods was utilized, including interviews with local chiefs, ministry officials, and representatives of faith-based organizations in Central Turkana. During public Baraza and FGD, a checklist was used to guide the discussions. The El-Molo community, the smallest ethnic group in Kenya, is at risk of losing their distinct identity through intermarriage and the adoption of Western practices from neighbouring tribes. Without intervention, their traditional food, clothing, housing, and cultural practices will disappear. Therefore, it is crucial to expose the community to methods of preserving their heritage, including material culture, music, and dance

When Will It Be Our Turn to Lead? An Evaluation of Women's Perceptions on Barriers to Access the Top Positions in Educational Institutions' Leadership in Kenya

2024-05-10T08:32:36+00:00

This study evaluated women's perceptions of barriers to accessing the top positions in organisations' leadership in Kenya. The study had 3 specific objectives: to determine the women leaders' perceptions of the barriers to accessing top organisational leadership in Kenya; to establish how much support women leaders get in their attempt to access top organisational leadership in Kenya; to investigate the barriers women leaders face in their attempt to access top organisational leadership positions in Kenya. The research was a descriptive study preferred because it provides a comprehensive and accurate picture of the study subjects and to describe the inherent relationships, patterns, and trends demonstrated by the data analysed. The study findings were: women progression to top offices has not been easy, for example over 55% of the female Deputy Principals had stagnated for over 10 years in the same position without promotion. According to the study, about 22% of the respondents blamed patriarchy and gender stereotypes for their lack of promotion. Finally, the study found that family roles remains critical for the respondents. For example, 44% feared that promotion may result being sent far from home, while 39% did not apply for promotions due to family roles

Examining the Impact of Social Workers on Overcoming Rehabilitation Challenges for Individuals Undergoing Community Service Sentences in Butimba Central Prison, Tanzania

2024-05-24T13:21:49+00:00

Globally, there is an increasing outcry on the congestion of prisoners on their welfare and human rights. To deal with such congestion, the government of Tanzania introduced the community service, intending to reduce the number of prisoners and, ultimately, the congestion of prisoners. This study aimed to examine the Impact of Social Workers on Overcoming Rehabilitation Challenges for Individuals Undergoing Community Service Sentences in Butimba Central Prison, Tanzania," The specific objectives were to investigate the specific rehabilitation challenges faced by individuals undergoing community service sentences in Butimba Central Prison, Tanzania, and to explore how social workers address these challenges. Social cognitive theory guides the study, and the study design is qualitative. Data was collected using interviews with 20 participants, observations, and document analysis. Findings highlighted pervasive stigma, discrimination, reintegration struggles, and employment difficulties among individuals in community service sentences. Social workers' interventions included counselling, family mediation, advocacy for societal acceptance, successful reintegration, reduced recidivism rates, and a more inclusive environment not adequately addressed. Social workers' challenges, including limited resources, community resistance, and legal barriers, hindered rehabilitation programs' effectiveness. The study recommended developing targeted training programs, enhancing stakeholder collaboration, and implementing evidence-based practices. The conclusion emphasised ongoing support, policy reforms, and holistic interventions in correctional settings for positive outcomes during the transition to community life

Relationship Between Substance Abuse and Sexual Violence among Women in Informal Urban Settlements in Nairobi City County, Kenya

2024-06-04T06:39:23+00:00

Sexual assault is against the law in Kenya. Yet many people, particularly women and girls, continue to experience Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) without receiving much assistance, suggesting that the regulations in place are ineffective. Drug and substance abuse has also become prevalent, especially among persons living within informal urban settings. This with the attendant rise in cases of domestic and SGBV means that there is a growing need for a deeper understanding of the nexus between drug abuse and sexual violence against women, and in particular, within Nairobi's informal urban settlements. Many women in Kenya have experienced sexual or physical assault. The research sought to determine the relationship between substance abuse and sexual violence among women in Nairobi City County's informal urban settlements; The Social Learning Theory guided this research adopting a correlation study design with a target population of 139 women in the groups who have experienced GBV and SGBV. Using stratified selection and proportional sampling approaches, the Yamane formula was utilized to calculate the sample size of 106 respondents. Information was gathered through questionnaires. Descriptive statistics as well as inferential statistics like Pearson moment correlation and chi-square analysis, were used to analyse the data. From the study, it was indicated that both substance abuse and sexual violence have tremendous negative consequences on the health, socioeconomic, emotional, and psychological disposition of a person. The study also demonstrated the rise in drug and substance abuse led to an increase in cases of sexual violence. This shows that efforts to combat drug use and substance abuse have not been successful. Therefore, the study suggests that the government develop more potent methods of combating drug use and substance abuse

The Current Amhara Fano Resistance: Viewed from the Historical Military Tradition of the Amhara People

2024-05-28T08:10:50+00:00

This paper explores the contemporary Amhara Fano resistance in line with the historical military tradition and warriorhood culture of the Amhara people. Its purpose is twofold: presenting historical facts about Fano's origin and challenging misguided and incomplete portrayals of Fano from media outlets and political commentators concerning Ethiopia’s contemporary politics. The study employs qualitative method, and secondary sources of data from the literature, such as books, journal articles, government and international organization reports, newsletters, and other credible internet sources, are obtained and contextualized for analysis through the qualitative data analysis technique. The paper postulates that the current Fano resistance group originated from the Amhara people’s historical military tradition and warriorhood culture, though it has significantly evolved from a volunteer fighters’ group to a politico-military force with the aim of overthrowing the existing government and changing the country’s political system. In its current resistance movement, initially, Fano's organizational structure consisted of several autonomous fighter groups; however, attempts have recently been made by different Fano groups to avoid fragmented structures and establish military commands for organizational cohesion. The paper contextualizes the Amhara Fano’s resistance within the post-1991 political space of Ethiopia, marked by anti-Amhara narratives and systemic identity-based attacks, as the root cause. Recent developments, such as denying Amhara farmers fertilizer or barring travellers from their region in Addis Ababa, contribute to immediate catalysts. The Ethiopian government's decision in April 2023 to disband regional forces and disarm the Amhara Fano groups escalated the conflict in the Amhara region

The Economic Efficiency of Android Phone Enabled Modems and Standard Modems in Nigeria: The Case of Abuja

2024-06-04T06:39:09+00:00

This study examined the economic efficiency of Android phone-enabled modems and standard modems in Nigeria. A sample of 388 commercial (cybercafe) and private internet service users were selected using random sampling. The data were analyzed using frequency and percentage calculations to identify patterns and trends as well as ordinal logit regression analysis. The research study revealed that the odds for higher economic efficiency rise when subscribers or commercial (cybercafe) and private internet service users’ monthly internet subscriptions is lower. Similarly, the study revealed that the odds for higher economic efficiency rise when subscribers or commercial (cybercafe) and private internet service user’s daily internet access time increases. Regarding connectivity issues while using an Android-enabled modem, the study showed that the odds for higher economic efficiency fall when connectivity challenges increase. The odds for higher economic efficiency increase when connectivity challenges arise while using a standard modem. The research study also showed that the odds for higher economic efficiency increases when more expensive Android phones are used. The study further revealed that the odds for higher economic efficiency will fall when subscribers or commercial (cybercafe) and private internet service users use less expensive standard modems. The study also revealed that the effect of the explanatory variables or predictors is different across the levels of the dependent or explained variable. Thus, the study recommends that regulatory agencies and operators should come up with a price per megabyte of internet access that will reduce the initial cost of services rendered by private and commercial internet users in a bid to drive economic growth. Regulators and service providers must ensure minimal or no interference with the service provided to end users in a bid to promote the economic efficiency of Internet services. Efforts must be made by the government to the efficient devices affordable, and an embargo must be placed on the importation of internet devices (phone and standard modem) with poor efficiency

Evaluation of Hypochlorite Concentration in Household Bleaches as Colour Removal Agent on Coloured Cotton Fabrics

2024-06-04T14:31:30+00:00

Bleaches are known to remove stains from fabric. This study evaluates chlorine-based household bleaches as effective fabric colour removal agents and was conducted in the Chemistry and Textile laboratories of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta using experimental design. Five common household bleaches were collected from markets in study areas. The concentrations of Sodium hypochlorite in each bleach sample as indicated by the manufacturer were: A (3.85%), B (3.5%), C (not available), D (4.3%) and E (5.3%). To confirm the concentration of sodium hypochlorite in each bleach sample, Redox titration was conducted. One-minute Spot Test was used to determine the time taken for each bleach sample to remove colour (black, brown, navy blue, purple and army-green) from fabrics samples and similar test conducted with pure sodium hypochlorite (7.21% Chlorine) as control. The L*a*b* values for fabric colour change were obtained from images of the fabric samples using Fiji-Image J and Corel Photo-Paint 17. The laboratory analysis and evaluation revealed the concentration of hypochlorite in the bleaches samples as A: 0.36% (3.56 g/dm3), B: 3.5% (34.00g/dm3), C: 1.15% (11.48g/dm3), D: 4.29% (42.92g/dm3), and E: 0.06% (0.57g/dm3); therefore, established the information on bleaches B and D product package. The average time (seconds) to remove colour from fabric samples by bleach samples were A- 80.37; B- 19.60; C- 30.36; D- 20.10; E- no vivid colour change after 120.00 sec while colour change was obtained 7.00 sec by the control. Furthermore, Image J analysis and L*a*b* values show colour changes on fabric samples with Bleach B ((x ̅= 75.74) and D ((x) ̅= 61.22) most effective in colour removals. In conclusion, Chlorine base household bleaches containing above 1.0% V/v hypochlorite are suitable colour removal agents on coloured fabrics and not stain removals only. Consumers must be careful how to handle Chlorine household bleaches and coloured fabrics

Migration and the Anxieties of Belonging: Diasporic Identity in Ike Oguine’s a Squatter’s Tale and Cristina Farah’s Little Mother

2024-06-08T19:43:01+00:00

This article examines the aftermath of the movement of Africans to the West. Many Africans have continued to migrate from their African countries to Western countries for a variety of reasons; employment, education, exiles seeking asylum. Basically, the diaspora has morphed from involuntary or forceful migration to voluntary. By and large, this movement, which in a way is a self-displacement and forceful displacement, impacts the diasporans’ attachment to their homelands and hostlands. The attachment or lack of it brings out the unbelonging and belonging to the homelands and hostlands. Diasporans are people who have migrated from their home of origin. These are people who are trying to assimilate and or attempting to settle in their new lands. This article is a qualitative and library-based research which aims to discuss Ike Oguine’s a Squatter’s Tale and Cristina Ali Farah’s Little Mother. The study employs post-colonial and psychoanalytic theories within the interpretivist approach. This approach focuses on the meaning attributed to attitudes, relationships and occurrences. The interpretive method assumes that social phenomena are constructs that are negotiated and widely shared. This study focuses on the characters’ sense of belonging and unbelonging to the homelands and the hostlands as well as their otherization. This study explores the prejudices, discriminations and racism the diasporans are subjected to which culminates into the unbelongingness. Consequently, the diasporans are subjected to alienation, which is a prime catalyst for otherization, marginalization, exclusion and segregation in Western countries. Besides, the people in the homelands might erase the diasporans from their memories

Euphemising Strategies Underlying Sex Euphemisms Used in Selected Radio Talk Shows in Kenya

2024-06-29T19:01:19+00:00

Language is essentially a tool for communication, a means through which we pass information and express our attitudes, emotions, and worldviews. We argue in this paper that as an integral part of human social interaction, there is more to the communicability of language. We do not just communicate but do so in the ‘right’ way; this paper explores sex euphemisms as an effective tool for enhancing interpersonal communication in love and relationship radio talk shows. Radio talk shows form a common meeting point for people from different backgrounds and realities. It is our interest to study how these interlocutors manoeuvre the taboo topic of sex on Classic 105’s Maina and King’angi in the Morning Show. Using the cooperative principle and Warren’s euphemisms interpretive maxim, we extracted our data using the reading and note-taking technique. The paper adopted the descriptive research design, and the results showed that sex euphemism is an effective discursive strategy for discussing the taboo topic of sex. Further, the analysis revealed that Warren’s model of euphemism formation processes accounts for most of the euphemizing strategies deployed by interlocutors in the show, except for instances where participants borrow grammatical features from more than one language to form euphemisms. The model did not also account for euphemisms formed through the reduplication processes. Our data also showed that participants in the selected shows did not use blends and acronyms