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Abstract This study investigates the challenges and opportunities in infrastructure development, inequality, and employment in Sub-Saharan Africa. There is a critical gap between infrastructure planning and execution, exacerbated by inadequate funding, bureaucratic hurdles, and a lack of technical expertise, leading to profound inequality in infrastructure and employment opportunities, particularly affecting rural and marginalized communities. The study aims to identify the mismatch between current job market needs and the workforce's skills, analyse the impact of rapid population growth and insufficient educational initiatives, and propose solutions for integrated infrastructure planning and equitable policy development. This research employs qualitative semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis using NVivo to gain in-depth insights into the institutional characteristics influencing infrastructure development, inequality, and employment. Findings reveal significant disparities in infrastructure and employment opportunities, with rural and marginalized communities being disproportionately affected. There is a notable mismatch between job market needs and the available workforce skills, further complicated by rapid population growth and inadequate educational initiatives. The study recommends an integrated approach to infrastructure planning that encompasses sustainability, accessibility, and equitable distribution. Policies should address inequality, ensure equitable access to infrastructure benefits, and align education and skill development with the evolving job market. Leveraging public–private partnerships is also suggested to accelerate infrastructure development efficiently. This paper contributes to the discourse on infrastructure, inequality, and employment in Sub-Saharan Africa, providing a roadmap for addressing these intertwined challenges through integrated policy initiatives.

Abstract E-governance has become a crucial element in transforming government institutions globally. In the digital era, governments are increasingly adopting information and communication technology (ICT) to improve efficiency, transparency, and public participation in decision-making processes. This article conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) of studies from 2018 to 2023, examining the intersection between e-governance and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through a rigorous inclusion and exclusion process, 52 articles were identified, focusing on the relationship between e-governance and SDGs. This study aims to highlight critical trends and knowledge gaps in the current literature and offers insights into how e-governance can contribute to achieving SDGs. Additionally, it provides policy recommendations and suggests future research directions to enhance governance practices. While this research significantly advances understanding of e-governance’s role in sustainable development, it is limited by its reliance on a single database and narrow search terms, which may constrain the comprehensiveness of the findings. Expanding the scope of future research to include multiple databases and broader search terms is recommended to provide a more holistic view of the field.

Abstract This article explores the profound macroeconomic consequences of forced migration on Lebanon's economy, with a specific focus on labor market dynamics. Drawing from extensive research and analysis, the study examines the factors driving migration, its impacts on the labor market, and the resultant economic challenges. It delves into the wage disparities, employment rates, and the informal sector's expansion due to the influx of migrants. The article also evaluates existing public policies and proposes strategic interventions aimed at fostering migrant integration and promoting sustainable economic growth. By addressing these critical issues, the forced aims to provide comprehensive policy recommendations to mitigate the adverse effects of forced migration and enhance Lebanon's economic resilience.

Abstract Child labor is defined as the exploitation of children in any form of labor that destructively affects the child's mental, social, and physical health and creates hurdles to obtaining a regular education. This study was conducted to investigate the main socio-economic factors contributing to child labor and barriers to education and analyze the practical implications of child labor laws in Pakistan. The study area in this study is Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, Pakistan. The primary data were collected through an online questionnaire survey from teachers, school administrators, government officials responsible for enforcing child labor laws and educational policies, and representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), while personal observations and interviews were used for the collection of data from child laborers, parents or guardians of child laborers. A total of 80 teachers or education experts, 70 children and their guardians, 30 policymakers, and 20 social workers were participants in the data collection process. The outcomes of this study concluded that about 78% of participants lacked awareness of these laws, while 71% perceived them as ineffective. The socioeconomic factors contributing to child labor are quantitatively assessed, with poverty identified as the primary factor (65%). The statistical analysis indicates that the socioeconomic factors have a significant contribution to the implementation of child education laws in Pakistan (a p-value lower than the level of significance (0.05). Discrimination based on gender or social status, high cost of education, and insufficient qualified teachers are significant barriers to providing quality education for children in Pakistan. This study recommends promoting inclusive education and strengthening social welfare programs to support their efficacy in combating child labor and ensuring access to quality education for all children in Pakistan.

Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019, focusing on its origins, objectives, and far-reaching consequences, particularly concerning its alignment with the constitutional principles of secularism and equality. The CAA facilitates the acquisition of Indian citizenship for persecuted religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, explicitly excluding Muslims. This has sparked national and international debate over its potential to undermine the secular fabric of the Indian Constitution, particularly concerning Article 14, which guarantees equality before the law. Through a legal and constitutional lens, the paper critically examines the broader implications of the CAA on religious minorities, its intersection with the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and concerns about statelessness. Drawing on scholarly critiques, it explores the Act’s impact on India’s inclusive identity, the potential marginalization of minority communities, and the socio-political challenges posed by its implementation. The paper advocates for re-evaluating citizenship laws to align with India’s democratic principles, ensuring social cohesion and protection of human rights.

Abstract Purpose The primary aim of this study was to investigate the role of attachment styles as intermediaries in the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and parenting styles among Iranian women. Methods Data for this study was collected between September and December 2020. The participants consisted of 102 women who had been referred to Social Emergency Centers in Isfahan due to their experiences with domestic violence. Participants filled out the Haj-Yahia Violence Questionnaire, Baumrind Parenting Styles Questionnaire (BPSQ), and the Attachment Styles Questionnaire (AAQ). To examine the hypothesized relationships, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used. Results Economic IPV victimization was negatively related to secure attachment (β = − 0.309, p = 0.019) and positively related with authoritative parenting (β = 0.422, p = 0.019) and avoidant attachment style (β = 0.563, p = 0.000). There was a significant, positive relationship between sexual IPV victimization with secure and avoidant attachment styles (β = 0.351, p = 0.011; β = 0.407, p = 0.000). Authoritative parenting style was related to avoidant attachment (β = − 0.524, p = 0.015) and secure attachment (β = 0.371, p = 0.000). Conclusions Iranian IPV victims with secure attachment style were more likely to utilize authoritative parenting and those who have avoidant attachment were less likely to use authoritative parenting. Attachment styles may influence the relationship between IPV and parenting styles in Iranian women who have experienced IPV.

Abstract This study aims to establish a basic definition for micromuseums. Research was conducted among twenty-one micromuseums on eight Mediterranean islands guided by semi-structured interviews with curators of independent, private, and state micromuseums on the Maltese Islands, the Ragusan Province of Sicily, and other islands for comparative purposes. All gathered information was analysed, and the findings indicate that there are specific factors which contribute to defining a micromuseum and differentiate it from traditional establishment museums. In comparison to earlier literature on micromuseology, the study revealed that micromuseums, among other characteristics, focus on specific themes and collections not typically found in larger museums, operate with minimal visibility, have staff members who perform multiple roles, cater to niche audiences, employ curators who are experts in their field, and prioritize interactions between curators and visitors.

Abstract Background Marriage is a significant milestone in one’s life, and the age at which individuals choose to get married can have various implications. By examining the age at marriage and its determinants in different regions, such as Kerala and Bihar, we can gain insights into Socio-demographic factors that influence this decision. Methods The National Family Health Survey (2019–2021) data was used. A total of 41,392 ever married women from Kerala (8, 579) and Bihar (32,813) were analysed using bivariate and multiple binary logistic regression approaches to meet the study aim. Result The significant association was found between explanatory factors and age at first marriage in Karala and Bihar. In Bihar, educated women from the poorest families had a higher rate of early marriages. Conversely, in Kerala, uneducated women from non-majority religions and larger households (more than 6 members) were more likely to be married before18. After accounting major effects of background characteristics, the adjusted odds ratio showed that In Kerala Muslim religion women have significantly higher odds of getting married before 18 (OR: 3.09, CI 2.67–3.57) then the Hindu women whereas in Bihar Muslim religion women has the significantly lower chance of getting married before turning 18 (OR: 0.87, CI 0.81–0.93) compared to Hindu. In both the states Kerala and Bihar General social group women had the significantly lower odds of getting married below 18 (OR: 0.73, CI 0.57–0.93 and OR: 0.88, CI 0.81–0.96) with respect to SC/ST social group women’s. Conclusion Women in Bihar usually marry in younger age due to socioeconomic and traditional reasons, whereas in Kerala reverse is true, because of a greater emphasis on education and a more progressive social outlook. These regional variations reflect different cultural norms and socioeconomic environments, shape different marriage age patterns between the two regions.

Abstract Stigma remains a strong barrier to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria’s healthcare system. Stigma is deeply embedded in cultures and historical contexts and has marginalized entire populations affected by HIV/AIDS, mental health disorders, disabilities, and ethnic minorities. It is propagated through social exclusion that aggravates health inequities with aversive expected social reactions, discouraging healthcare-seeking behaviors in time, compromising treatment adherence, and continuing to increase social exclusion for people from stigmatized groups. What has equally remained elusive is the implementation of legislative reforms, with targeted interventions by agencies like the National Agency for Control of AIDS, having policies such as the Mental Health Act. This has created discriminatory attitudes to healthcare settings and limited access to key services for these groups, affecting reproductive health and maternal care, including mental health services. There has been a double burden of communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases in Nigeria, exacerbating the current condition of limited resources and infrastructure gaps in health care. Combating stigma requires a multifaceted approach targeting individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and societal levels if the country is to effectively meet the challenge. This involves hard-hitting education campaigns, enhanced training in cultural competence among healthcare providers, ensuring confidentiality, and creating an inclusive healthcare environment. Indeed, societal perceptions can be changed through community-driven efforts and advocacy for fair access to health care and further, realize equitable quality health access toward full coverage and sustainable development in Nigeria.

Abstract This paper conducts a comparative and exploratory study on altruistic and pay-to-stay care systems, exploring the intersection of tradition and contemporary society. The research delves into the underlying mechanisms of both care systems, shedding light on the daily lives, challenges, and vulnerabilities of older women residing in care homes. Emphasising the state’s and market’s evolving role in the older care system, the study highlights the relatively recent market invasion. Employing an exploratory and descriptive research design, the sample comprises fifty-six women aged 60 and above in Lucknow city’s (Uttar Pradesh, India) care homes. Given the heterogeneity among women in care homes regarding social and moral values, the study utilises multi-stage random, stratified, and purposive sampling techniques as needed for the analysis. Data had been gathered from two care homes— one not charging residents and another a paid facility catering to lower-middle and middle-income groups. The researcher spent a year and a half working in these homes, conducting interviews with all respondents. The paper uncovers distinctions in care homes based not only on altruism and pay-to-stay but also on caste and class dynamics, contributing to social inequality and limiting social mobility. The stratification of the State and market results in varying quality of life for older women. While the market holds potential for innovation and improved service quality, economically dependent women often defer this choice to their family members. Socioeconomic status significantly influences the decision to lead a dignified life, with some women reluctantly relying on the state for survival after being abandoned by their families, leaving them hapless and hopeless.

Abstract Choice of trade route and destination by cross border traders is an important decision in today’s increasingly cross border trade of products including fish. The current study examined the geographical factors influencing choice of informal trade route and destination by fish traders. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were adopted for the study. These included semi-structured questionnaires through personal interviews and key informant interviews with fish border inspectors. Data was analyzed through various techniques for trader’s choice and destination. Specifically, principal component analysis and spearman correlation, and Huff’s gravity model were used to identify significant factors influencing choice of trade route and destination, and market attractiveness, respectively. Fish traders bypass official border posts using informal routes connecting the main route before and after the border post. Despite attempts and awareness about formal trade, stringent regulations forced fish traders to use informal trade routes. However, investigations into choice of trade routes and destination found that route distance, presence of alternative destination, mode of transport, demand of the fish product, and personal safety and risks were the factors influencing choice of both trade route and destination by informal fish traders. This geographic analysis provides a basis for addressing challenges in informal cross border trade in Malawi. It is recommended that strategic efforts and investments should be made in the development of transportation infrastructure, such as roads and railways to improve connectivity between secondary routes and one stop border post. The government should also intensify awareness initiatives on COMESA simplified trade regime (STR) to encourage informal traders to transition to the formal sector through use of formal routes.

Abstract The ongoing trade war between China and the United States has had a far-reaching impact on a global scale. This rivalry has been most obvious in the semiconductor industry. The two nations have found themselves in a tense geopolitical situation where any economic attack by either side would affect all parties involved. This paper aims to explore the origins of this conflict and highlight the key actions taken by each country, as well as the consequences of those actions. Additionally, it highlights the areas of interdependence between China and the US (i.e., American high-tech chips and Chinese rare earth materials). The study utilizes the theory of weaponizing independence and game theory’s Prisoner’s Dilemma to conclude that while both China and the US have suffered negative consequences due to this conflict, China's latest technological advancements in the 7nm chip and their supply of rare earth materials have given them a stronger hand in the game.

Abstract The main aim of this study was to examine how people think about problem gambling, i.e., persistent gambling despite its negative effects, through the social representations (SRs) that they share about this issue. SRs are organized collections of beliefs, opinions, and knowledge that members of a social group have in common, and past research highlighted them as significant predictors of people’s behavior, and therefore valuable for public health interventions. We investigated the content of the social representation (SR) of problem gambling in a sample of Romanians and we also aimed to examine the variations in this representation according to individuals’ involvement in gambling, and the relations between these variations and life satisfaction. Sex differences were also assessed. We approached the SR content using the free association technique with the inductive stimulus “individual with problem gambling” on a convenience sample of Romanians (N = 313). Results of the comparative statistical analyses indicate significant differences in the core of this SR between groups with different positions on the variables considered. They suggest several elements of social stigmatization of people struggling with problem gambling within the SRs shared by certain groups, specifically by individuals with no gambling involvement (mostly female) and by those with low life satisfaction. Our findings indicate that the SR of individuals with gambling involvement (mostly male) is as focused on the psychological dynamics that attract and keep one’s involvement in gambling, but also on its risks, including that of social exclusion. Finally, our findings indicate that individuals with high life satisfaction share a more empathic perspective on the struggles confronted by people with problem gambling.

Abstract This article analyses the indispensable role of sustainable agricultural intensification practices (SAIP) in meeting the needs of a burgeoning human population with limited planetary resources and examines the role of various stakeholders in the adoption of these practices by local farmers. The study setting is the Upper West, a semi-arid region of Ghana. The study employs a stakeholder salience theory and a mixed-method design. Firstly, qualitative data were collected and analysed as a basis for formulating a structured questionnaire administered to beneficiary farmers, which were then analysed using marginal effects from logistic regression. Notably, the study found four sustainable crop cultivation practices and three eco-friendly crop storage methods promoted in the area. Furthermore, the engagement of stakeholders like selected farmers, Traditional authorities, and implementing NGOs had statistically significant effects on the adoption of SAIP. However, these effects were smaller when compared to the direct involvement of all beneficiary farmers in the planning and implementation of the intervention. This suggests that while technocrats and authorities are important, they alone cannot achieve the desired impact of development interventions. Beneficiary farmers are the most critical stakeholders in adopting and promoting SAIP. The article further proposes a conceptual framework for implementing SAIP in agro-based rural communities. This research therefore underscores the importance of sustainable agricultural intensification practices in a resource-constrained world and emphasizes the central role of beneficiary farmers in driving the success of such initiatives.

Abstract Technology has brought about a radical change in the field of education. Today education has been made simple and accessible to all without any economic, geographical, or psychological barriers. Due to the falling learning outcomes of Indian students over the past few decades (Annual Status of Education Report, 2023), technology was added to the field of education with great hope. The central government has provided equal facilities to every school in the country through the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (2001), Right to Education (2009) to Samagra Shiksha Scheme (SSS 2018). Therefore, quality education can be provided to the students as per their need and students should have access to quality education without any barriers. However, the presented research has brought about on the basis of data from the (UDISE +) Unified District Information System for Education data (2021–22) that regional differences were found in the availability of computers and computer-related facilities and functional availability of Information & Communication Technologies’ facilities in all the states of India. Along with this, differences in computers and Integrated teaching Learning Devices were also found on the basis of the type of schools across different management and across the states in India.

Abstract Since the 2000s, the number of immigrants has been growing in Brazil, as well as the cases of xenophobia. There are multiple explanations in the literature on the drivers of attitudes towards immigrants, which vary at the individual, regional and national analytical levels. We discuss and situate the argument of societal integration within the debate on whether social trust can reduce negative attitudes towards immigrants. We argue that social trust is key to reducing negative perceptions towards immigrants and a good predictor of attitudes in environments with strong perceived threat and prejudice, as is the case in Brazil. We empirically test whether greater generalized trust and trust in foreigners are related to a more positive attitude towards immigrants. Although this relationship has already been studied in other countries, to the best of our knowledge no study has yet been applied to the Brazilian case. Using data from the World Values Survey wave 7, and applying a logit model, our results corroborate that social trust has a positive impact on perceptions towards immigrants.

Abstract Migration has become one of the most pronounced global issues of the twenty-first century. Migration has been recognised as an essential driver for accessing economic opportunities, development, social upward mobility and regional integration. Hence, under the aegis of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), concerted efforts have been directed to pursuing policies such as the Free Protocol Movement, visa-free and borderless economic communities towards deepened regional integration. However, despite ECOWAS laudable initiatives, migrants in West Africa are faced with migration securitisation and new nationalism from their host states. Securitisation of migration connotes that migration is perceived as an existential security threat to the host state and thus deserves at least some control and, at best, stopping. Also, a new form of nationalism has endangered immigrant (non-citizen) activities in their host countries, especially with the prism of “son of the soil” versus “immigrants or strangers.” Both have resulted in the expulsion, deportation, and harassment of immigrants from their host countries to their countries of origin. Using the Nigeria-Ghana relations problem, the article explores the causes and crises attached to migration securitisation and new nationalism. The article also interrogates the ECOWAS migration framework within the context of its appropriateness for addressing immigrants’ vulnerability.

Abstract Scholars have concerned with the possibilities of the independent cultural production in the educational field. In the schools, the educated are surrounded by the powerful diverse cultural influences. Those have been discussed in different issues from sociological, anthropological and semiotic perspectives. In fact, there is a gap between theoretical and practical research in cultural studies. Therefore, it’s necessary to explore the production and educational significance of student culture from the perspective of specific culture event. This paper chooses Taiwan folk song movement as a specific Chinese cultural event occurred in the mid-1970s to the early 1980s. It can be named as “student soundscape” because it is created by the high school and the college students. The slogan of this movement “Sing Our Own Songs” was initially to question the students’ cultural dependency on western pop music and the stereotype of Chinese urban songs named as “Era Music”. It is the ordinary students who seek for a cultural turn- a new native art form with authentic common experience. With their humanism ideal and complicated affection, emphasized as “nostalgia”, this generation of youth have experienced a trip in search for cultural roots and developed a cultural renaissance age.

Abstract This study investigates the current state of population aging in Sichuan Province, China, and proposes effective countermeasures to address this pressing issue. Through an in-depth analysis of data from the 2020 seventh population census, the research examines key aspects of population aging, including demographic profiles, self-reported health status of the elderly, primary livelihood sources, and old-age dependency ratios. The findings revealed that Sichuan Province has exceeded the national average in population aging, marking its entry into a deep aging stage. Notably, over half of the elderly population reported confidence in their overall health, and retirement pensions had become their primary income source. A comparative analysis with 2010 census data highlights evolving trends and challenges in Sichuan’s population aging. The study recommends practical countermeasures, including exploring smart aging solutions, to address these challenges.

Abstract This paper examines poverty and inequality in Pakistan's mountains, using nationally representative data. Our analysis reveals that, despite a slight decline in poverty rates, overall rates remain alarmingly high, with significant variations across provinces and regions. Rural and mountain areas exhibit higher poverty rates (31% in rural areas, 13% in urban areas in 2015/16) compared to urban centers. The national incidence of multidimensional poverty in 2014/15 was 41%, surpassing monetary poverty rates. Notably, rural areas (47%) experienced significantly higher multidimensional poverty than urban centers (12%), with Balochistan’s mountainous province recording the highest rates (63%). The four provinces display significant heterogeneity in multidimensional poverty, with district-level variations ranging from 10 to 90% in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The majority of districts with high poverty incidence are situated in mountainous regions, where people face multidimensional challenges in accessing basic facilities such as health and education, cooking fuel, and housing. To address this issue, Pakistan needs to prioritize mountain areas and implement targeted programs aimed at improving access to basic services, addressing gender inequalities, and promoting sustainable development.

Abstract The present study was conducted to understand the essence of the lived experience of the stateless erstwhile enclave dwellers in India and Bangladesh who later chose Indian citizenship during land and population swap between the two countries as per Land Boundary Agreement (2015). The study is phenomenological in nature and studies the phenomenon of living in statelessness in the Enclaves for generations, their emotions during transition and their pollyannaism after getting citizenship. The researchers conducted unstructured open ended interviews among the erstwhile enclave dwellers who were bestowed Indian citizenship and are living in India. Samples were taken both from the enclave dwellers who have been living in their own place and not displaced during land and population swap as per Land and Boundary Agreement (LBA) 2015, between India and Bangladesh and also from the enclave dwellers who had to move to the Indian mainland and are living in Permanent Rehabilitation Clusters (PRCs) provided by the Indian Authorities. All the participants of the study were male and their real names have been replaced by the pseudo names. The enclave dwellers reflected that the decades and generations of suffering from statelessness, lawlessness, lack of schools, hospitals and other civic amenities has cost their education, mental and physical health, dignity and identity. Though all the erstwhile enclave dwellers reflect on the statelessness and express their emotion on getting citizenship in the same way, but the pollyannaism of enclave dwellers who were not displaced by LBA 2015 and living in the ancestral place and those who are living in the PRCs are quite different.

Abstract The flaring of gas is a double jeopardy of wasting valuable energy resource and environmental degradation. That had been the experience with the Niger Delta area since 1956 when oil was discovered in commercial quantity in the region. Gas flaring is an active contributor of Green House Gases (GHG) emissions, global warming, climate change crisis and the consequent acid rain, rising temperature and sea level, flooding, agricultural and aquatic food chain disruption. The Niger Delta area as a global spot rich in oil, gas, aquatic and agricultural foods had remained a paradox of plenty, poverty and hunger. In view of this stack reality, it is the concern of this study to determine if zero hunger can be achieved in the area by 2030 and make recommendations that will serve as blue print for national and global actualization SDG 2. The study adopted documentary research method, leveraged on Public–Private Partnership (PPP) and Win–Win Concept as frameworks of interpretation and unveiled that ending gas flaring is associated with inherent economic growth, environmental preservation and sustainable livelihood in and beyond Niger Delta.

Abstract This paper explores the historical context and current dynamics of the transboundary water issues between India and China. Both countries share multiple transboundary river basins, with the Brahmaputra River being one of the most significant. The importance of the Brahmaputra River to both nations goes beyond just providing resources. It has implications for national security, regional stability, and human livelihoods. However, China's upstream control over the river and its extensive dam-building projects have raised concerns in downstream India and Bangladesh about potential impacts on water availability, agriculture, and livelihoods. The river system is critical for the socioeconomic well-being of millions of people, yet the competing demands for water resources have led to geopolitical tensions. The paper highlights China's strategic use of water resources, including plans for large-scale dams, which India views as a potential threat to its water security. It also underscores the importance of a nuanced understanding of hydropolitics, emphasizing the need for human security, particularly water security, in addressing these challenges. It argues that while "water wars" are unlikely, "water tensions" are significant and must be addressed through comprehensive bilateral agreements and collaborative efforts.

Abstract Self-Help Groups (SHGs), the credit based voluntary groups in India are widely known for their potential to alleviate poverty and empower women. This research article explores a lesser-known theme. It tries to analyze the possibility of utilizing the current SHG model of the Indian Government to build and strengthen resilience of the SHG members in case of an external shock like financial stress, food insecurity, dispute in home for joining SHG, and difficulty to repay loan amidst lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This article also focuses on their coping mechanisms and attitude towards these crises. By utilizing primary data collected from 320 SHG members in one of the aspirational districts in West Bengal, India, the present paper tries to fulfill its objective. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the problems faced by the SHG members by combining both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The findings reveal that from organizing vocational trainings to relaxing loan repayment, SHGs and its women members overcame various adversities with tenacity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the study findings, it is reasonable to conclude that the current SHG model in India presents a promising avenue for enhancing the resilience of its members in the face of external shocks.

Abstract Alcopops are malt-based or spirit-based sugary beverages whose consumption has led to numerous policies in different Western countries. This article examines the representational and socio-political dynamics surrounding the sale of alcopops that led to restrictive policies in Canada (2017–2020). Using qualitative methods during this period, including interviews with key players in the field of alcohol policy, analysis of press articles and review of legislative documents, we trace the evolution of public and political discourse on alcopops. We shed light on the role of social actors—mainly public-health organizations and the alcohol industry—defending their own interests to influence policy-making. A multi-theoretical framework is used to analyze how alcopops emerged as a public problem. This framework integrates Herbert Blumer's theoretical perspective on social problems, Serge Moscovici's social representation theory and Stevens and Zampini’s political constellation model. Through an analysis of the socio-political context in Quebec, we reveal the complex interplay between public health imperatives and the interests of the alcohol industry. This should serve as a model to study public problems that lead to public policies implementation.

Abstract Like many other countries in the Global South, the Philippines is in dire need of foreign investments and loans to develop its infrastructure. Former President Rodrigo Duterte (2016–2022) sought close cooperation with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to complement his ambitious Build! Build! Build! program. His successor Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continued many BRI projects, but canceled others, due to lack of funding from China and increased tensions in the South China Sea. Moreover, he deepened cooperation with the European Union (EU) in security and infrastructure, thereby benefiting from the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative (GGI). The findings of this study, which is theoretically located at the intersection of foreign, economic, and domestic politics, build strongly on a representative survey conducted in the Philippines in 2022. One of the major findings is the occurrence of perceptions of the Philippine citizens and elites of China and the EU that are strongly in line with each other. Another finding is the extent of the Filipinos’ ability to differentiate between “good”, “bad”, and “beautiful” effects of BRI projects despite their negative attitude towards China. Conversely, even though the EU is seen in a very positive light, the study concludes that the GGI can only then become an additional infrastructure offer, if the GGI projects bring tangible benefits to the Filipinos. Both the BRI and the GGI illustrate that offering infrastructure collaboration is strongly based on geopolitical and geo-economic reasoning, but that the recipient can utilize this fact to further its economic interests.

Abstract This review explores the pivotal role that American sociology plays in addressing professional concerns, ethical practices, and its broader societal impact. It provides an in-depth examination of the historical evolution of the discipline, its involvement with public sociology, and its significant contributions to social discourse and policy formulation. The review meticulously addresses professional concerns such as the division of labor within the field, the increasing corporatization of research endeavours, and the integration of advanced technology into sociological research. Ethical practices are scrutinized as well, focusing on research ethics, data privacy, and the principles of responsible conduct in research. Moreover, the review underscores the profound societal impact of American sociology in various areas, including medical sociology, internet research methodologies, and social welfare institutions. It also looks ahead to future directions for the discipline, highlighting the importance of public engagement, the growth of digital sociology, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and the continuous refinement of ethical frameworks. Through this comprehensive examination, the review aims to illuminate the essential contributions of American sociology to both the academic community and society at large, while also suggesting pathways for its future development and increased relevance.

Abstract This perspective paper synthesizes insights from social work research, Critical Race Theory (CRT), and Critical Whiteness Studies (CWS) to develop a strategy for preventing White supremacy and promoting racial justice. It examines the intricate feelings of White guilt and shame, advocating for introspection, comprehension, and active engagement by White individuals toward systemic reform. The paper underscores CRT principles like Interest Convergence and Critique of Liberalism to examine concepts such as Moral Injury, Perpetration-Induced Traumatic Stress, and White Shame Culture. Three main obstacles to racial justice are identified: perceptions of power, funding dynamics, and attitudes toward White identity. The paper argues that racial healing should not be solely the responsibility of people of color, emphasizing the crucial role of White people in anti-racism work within supportive settings that foster growth rather than stress and humiliation. Focusing on prevention, the paper argues for social work practices that eliminate conditions obstructing optimal social functioning while challenging oppressive systems. This includes implementing trauma-informed approaches and fostering group work centered on empathy, relationship-building, and reflection. Advocating a strategy that champions our collective liberation, it suggests social work praxis as central to applying interpersonal and group solutions to systemic racism. The paper stresses the need for preventative funding in social services—highlighting tangible action steps and reforming funding strategies to support long-term engagement and address root causes of marginalization and oppression. This integral strategy calls for a collective push toward an equitable society, significantly enriching the discourse on CRT and CWS within social work.

Abstract The desire to own a home is a common aspiration amongst many. The role of institutions either by enabling or constraining the achievement of the aspirations is very crucial. Unfortunately, the study investigating the impact of these institutional factors on homeownership aspirations was not adequately adequate. Thus, the researchers motivated to analyze the role of institutions for homeownership aspirations. Researchers used qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods to explore the relationship between mortgage access, housing market prices, and homeownership in Sheger City, Ethiopia. The study involved 384 participants, and the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multinomial regression. The findings suggest that mortgage access and housing prices play a significant role in shaping homeownership aspirations. However, it was apparent that banks prioritize the wealthy, resulting in the housing market neglecting the needs of low-income individuals and families, leading to unaffordable housing options and findings revealed institutions’ dynamics are accompanied by dysfunctions. The multinomial regression analysis revealed that the likelihood of owning a home over renting one increases when housing becomes more affordable which shows market dysfunctions affect aspirations to homeownership. Obtaining a mortgage is also critical, as it significantly improves the chances of aspiring to own a home. The authors suggest that the Municipality reconsider the affordability of mortgage services and housing prices to ensure that homeownership opportunities are distributed fairly.

Abstract This text presents some psycho-sociological comments on the social representation (or SR) of the object “hymen” and its practical counterpart of defloration. The main argument is based on the observation of the recurrence of fetishistic attitudes towards bodily objects and ritual behaviors associated with the initiation into sexuality and the idea of physical and moral purity. The SR of virginity is observed in a heterogeneous corpus: history books, short stories, novels, anthropological archives, secondary data on the conception of virginity among young people, essays, online press, ethnographic reports, etc. This social representation may also include other terms such as “chastity”, “purity”, “first time”, “sexual initiation”, “abstinence” or “continence.” First, the genesis of the objectified and anatomical meaning of virginity and defloration is analyzed as a scientifically and institutionally constructed imaginary process. Entering the world of sexuality, however, involves bodily techniques and behaviors that are less and less regulated today. The representational, semantic (connotations, effects of cultural matrices) and historical evolution of the purity associated with virginity are also examined. Various themes will be addressed in turn: the disjunctive structure (instrumentalization/idealization) of virginity; the proximity between puritanical and perverse attitudes towards these phenomena; certain mythographies and rituals (magic, novels) and the practice of bodily rituals, remnants of earlier practices. The interpretation of the social representation of the virginity and its anthropological logic are synthesized at the end of the article. Finally, the philosophical and psycho-sociological meanings of the purity fetish are presented. The couple virginity/defloration and more generally any form of bodily organization that conveys eroticism and sexuality, are seen as structures of protraction, quite very close to the notion of apparatus (or device).

Abstract The field of artificial intelligence (AI) is presently having a substantial influence on the advancement of career counseling education by enabling tailored guidance and evidence-based decision-making for learners. This paper aims to provide an overview about the utilization of AI in Bangladesh’s early career planning education. The utilization of AI has already been deployed in many first world country, however this is quite new to the third world country like Bangladesh. Significantly, artificial intelligence (AI) has surpassed its traditional function in professional growth and extended its reach to encompass social and emotional education. The examination of AI studies in Bangladesh requires the careful examination of several elements, such as cognitive advancement, parental engagement and oversight, and cultural heritage. This paper reveals overall all the facets of implementing AI in career planning in context of Bangladesh. Although there are several limits associated with the utilization of artificial intelligence for career assessment, it has undeniably yielded a multitude of benefits and discoveries. In the result, the two areas of data-informed making choices and career exploration are where the phenomena mentioned above are most frequently seen. Additionally, there is a growing need for cultural competency in the educational sector for both the delivery of individualized career counseling and AI-assisted employment suggestions.

Abstract We derive lessons for green public procurement (GPP) by examining it in the context of Canadian federal government expenditures in several sectors. These show that successful GPP is neither simple nor automatic but requires alignment of green policy visions between payers, purchasers and producers, and the existence of appropriate procurement frameworks to allow this alignment to persist. Attaining and maintaining this alignment longitudinally is especially difficult as priorities, and governments can change over time, ‘de-aligning’ any initial agreement on the merits of the strategy behind ‘strategic procurement’ of any kind. While less acute for short-term procurement, this problem exists for many longer-term green procurement projects and can lead to government attempts to downplay long-term efforts and seek less complex short-term purchases where alignment is easier to establish and maintain but where green efforts may be less impactful. These dynamics are illustrated in the case of green procurement efforts made in Canadian federal programmes including the little-examined but important defence sector.

Abstract Utilizing the theoretical lens of securitization and the Taiwan Democracy Ideology Securitisation conceptual framework (the TDIS), this article explains how the Tsai administration (Republic of China) transforms Taiwan democracy into the issue of security by conceptualizing Taiwan’s ideological security. In this study, I employ Tsai’s administration’s governmental discourses concerning the issues of democracy and national security to understand how political language and words support an interpretation of the social realities in which Taiwan democracy could be treated as a national security object. The findings show that the Tsai administration conceptualized ‘ideological security’ to bring the issue of democracy security to the public. The conceptualization was handled in three main ways: forming Taiwan democracy as a dominant political ideology; spiritualizing Taiwan democracy as a political asset and revolutionarily ‘hard-earned’ achievement; and shaping Taiwan’s ideological security. Furthermore, the paper quantitatively demonstrated that the majority of the Taiwanese public agreed with the government’s transforming Taiwan democracy into ideological security.

Abstract In this research, I examined the role of socioeconomic variations in the prevalence of stunting and underweight among children in Ethiopia. The study aimed to identify key health factors contributing to these disparities in child malnutrition by utilizing concentration indices, concentration curves, and regression-based decomposition analysis. Despite a notable decline in the average rates of stunting and underweight prevalence, the relative and absolute gaps between different demographic and socioeconomic groups have widened in Ethiopia. The empirical analysis revealed that higher levels of maternal education and household wealth significantly benefited children from better socioeconomic backgrounds, making them less likely to experience malnutrition. The disparity in socioeconomic status is the primary driver of inequalities in child malnutrition. The findings suggest that to reduce these disparities, national health policies should focus on promoting maternal literacy and targeting interventions for underprivileged groups.

Abstract This paper presents insights on conducting urban research amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the adoption of digital ethnography as an innovative and flexible approach. Drawing from an expanding body of literature on fieldwork among 'hard-to-reach' populations during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, we share our experiences from a study on the socio-economic impacts of mandatory lockdowns on poor urban residents in Harare, Zimbabwe. Our research highlighted several methodological benefits of digital ethnography, including its non-intrusive and non-intimidating nature, cost and time efficiency, ability to increase participant diversity, assurance of respondent safety, research flexibility, and the generation of impactful data. Unlike traditional immersive ethnography, digital ethnography proved adept at navigating the complexities of the 'global', 'local', and 'trans-local' dimensions of contemporary urban research subjects. However, this approach also presents several ethical challenges. These challenges include obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality and anonymity, participants' potential misunderstanding of the research context, the risk of exacerbating stress during crises, and respecting privacy in digital spaces. Urban researchers must carefully consider these ethical issues before undertaking their studies. In conclusion, virtual environments have become integral to modern life and represent essential avenues for urban researchers, particularly during periods of limited physical interaction and when studying populations that are difficult to reach in person but more accessible online. Further, the adoption of digital ethnography, extends beyond the necessity imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It reflects an ongoing evolution in ethnographic practices, adapting to the realities of a digitally connected world. We suggest that urban researchers should think of digital ethnographic ethics from the point of view of reciprocal and mutual collaboration with participants. With this thinking, urban research subjects become co-participants and co-researchers rather than subjects of exploitation in the expanding and complex digital space.

Abstract Diverse challenges plague the public health space in Africa. Although some of these issues have been explored, the disruptive effects of recurring coup d'etats on the fragile healthcare sector have received little attention. This review investigates the historical prevalence and public health implications of military coups in Africa. The study reviews the period after World War II and highlights the prevalence of coup attempts in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Since 1950, Africa has witnessed 109 successful coups. Despite a decline in coup success rates following the Cold War, attempts continue, fueled by a complex interaction of socioeconomic and political factors. The effects stem from the aftermath of these events and how they interrupt healthcare systems causing economic downturns and political instability. This review highlights the negative consequences of coups for maternal and child health, medical supply chain disruptions, and public health policy changes. Coups have also been demonstrated to aggravate poverty, unemployment, and healthcare professionals' emigration rates, worsening health disparities. Recent coups in Gabon, Niger, Guinea, and Burkina Faso have had implications on the long-term viability of democratic institutions and they have consequently impacted public health programs. This necessitates investigations into coups' role in forestalling the development and implementation of long-term public health plans. The reported outcomes include socio-economic issues, disruptions in healthcare infrastructure, and the negative consequences on healthcare human resources management. Despite noteworthy advances in public health across Africa, the review argues that military coups constitute a substantial threat to the sustainability of these gains. It urges additional research, particularly longitudinal studies, to better understand the long-term impact on economic development and establish effective ways to prevent future coup attempts.

Abstract Objective To assess adolescent and young adult males’ perceptions regarding gender equity in La Romana, Dominican Republic. Methods We used the Gender Equitable Men (GEM) scale among males aged 15–24, who reported level of agreement with gender equity attitudes, establishing 0.01–0.5 = “low gender equitable”, 0.51–0.79 = “medium gender equitable” and 0.8–1 = “high gender equitable”. We established p

Abstract This work tried to demonstrate the persistence denial regarding the 1971 Bangladesh Genocide, outshined by other past atrocities. The study examines both Pakistani government views and developing denial narratives within Bangladesh, exploring justifications used to downplay the genocide, including politicization of tribunals and falsified casualty counts. The research argues that triumphalism is not a distinct phase of denial, but rather an intrinsic element of it. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the disturbing lack of recognition for the Bangladesh Genocide in academic circles, particularly in comparison to the focus on Western genocides. The study concludes by proposing for a more balanced approach to genocide scholarship, assuring proper recognition of all such disasters.

Abstract This study examined the causes, consequences, and strategies for managing organizational conflict among the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Akure, Nigeria, to achieve sustainable peace and harmonious relationships among union members, and actualize better transport service delivery to the larger society. A survey design was adopted to elicit primary data through questionnaires and in-depth interviews with NURTW members. Desk research was also used to gather relevant information from the literature. Hundred (100) questionnaires were purposively and randomly administered to commercial drivers who are members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Akure. The survey was done across three major parks in Akure: Cathedral Park, Ondo Road Park and Benin Garage Park. They were selected because they are mostly dominated by the members of NURTW, and mostly patronized by passengers. The data collected were analyzed using simple descriptive and inferential statistics; in the form of frequencies, percentages, bar charts, and logistic regression. The study found that most of the NURTW members were males, and were majorly in the economic productive year between the ages of 35 and 45. Findings further revealed that government or political interference is a major cause of conflict among NURTW members. The aftermath of conflict among the union usually resulted in disruptions of the union activities and destruction of lives and properties. The bargaining approach in managing conflict is the most effective strategy for addressing conflict among NURTW members in Akure, Nigeria.

Abstract This research explores Malaysia’s post-independence interaction between the government, civil society, and Islam, the majority religion in the nation. Many predicted that Islam would cause social and economic deterioration when Malaya gained independence from the British in 1957. The constitution declares Islam to be the official state religion, but it also guarantees non-Muslims the right to practice their faith freely and without hindrance. Since then, the state has continued to be in charge of everything related to religion, and Malaysia has been praised for many years as a haven of moderate Islam. However, for a variety of reasons, hate inspired by religion has grown more common and well-liked in Malaysia over the past several years. This research highlights the causes of the rise in hate crimes and the fall of Malaysia’s once-moderate form of Islam. It suggests that rather than attributing the radicalization of Malaysian Muslims to localized issues at the regional and national levels, it should be assessed in light of contemporary geopolitics and its implications for the welfare of the Muslim world. The study suggests that some of the best strategies for combating extremism and avoiding radicalization include ensuring that individuals’ rights are upheld and implementing good government.

At the beginning of the 2000s, the field of biotechnology saw the emergence of a new multidisciplinary field, that of synthetic biology. It consists of genetically modifying microorganisms, by combining molecular biology with genetic engineering and computer tools. What conception of life underlies these practices and innovations? Among the main ones, we find that which assimilates living things to a machine. This result comes from a survey carried out among around forty people working in the field of synthetic biology. In order to account for this machinic vision of a “programmable living organism”, the article first addresses the playful nature of this activity. Such a conception of life is more broadly linked to an evolution in biology granting a large place to mathematics and computer science. This movement towards “programmable living” ultimately reflects an increase in the instrumentalization of living organism.

In the wake of the global bio-hacker endeavour to appropriate biotechnologies for one’s own ends, this article looks into the relation of bio-hackers to living materials. My aim is to contribute to the discussion on living materials by perusing their technical existence as they appear in the form of biotechnological life (BL). At the crossroads of science studies and critical theory, the article builds on a discourse analysis of interviews conducted with bio-hackers, mostly Canadian. The analysis highlights the mode of existence of BL according to three main figures: the bio-hacker imaginary of a BL, conceived as the common bio-infrastructure of bio-hacking, synthetic biology, and bioeconomy; the challenge that biological normative purposes offer for the materialization of BL; and the creation of an unequal, often circumstantial, distinction between life forms that participates in the social legitimation of the mode of existence of BL.

The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is a promising alternative to reduce the need for insecticides against mosquitoes and agricultural pests. However, its implementation in France is difficult because the existing sociotechnical system is not yet compatible with this innovation. The use of SIT would imply rethinking and building a new pest management paradigm. This article studies the different organizations between humans and non-humans that characterize the stages of development of SIT inside and outside of the laboratories, from the birth of the insects to their possible commercialization. This article shows that the implementation of SIT requires a stabilized organization between actants such as sterile insects, scientists, farmers and residents, public actors, wild insects, and firms. As there is not yet such organization, SIT is developed by scientists trying to guess the needs and expectations of future users: these anticipations highly influence the sociotechnical choices made by researchers inside and outside the laboratories.

Since the end of the 20th century, the imaginary of living being reducible to its genetic information has been a decisive factor in the generalization of biotech considered as a set of new innovation practices associating the academic and industrial worlds, particularly in the medical sector. This article suggests that there multiple socio-technical imaginaries of the living that could be used to adapt the biotechnology innovation model beyond the medical sector. Based on the trajectory of a scientific and economic project aimed at getting microorganisms to produce a small molecule between the early 1990s and the mid-2010s in France and North America, this article argues two things. Firstly, it describes how the notions of platform molecules and metabolic pathways are at the heart of a biochemical imaginary of the living, updating an ancient vision of the living that has been erased by the rise of genetic engineering. On the other hand, the article shows how certain properties of this biochemical living are mobilized to adapt the biotechnology model to the industrial chemistry sector and to new territories.

The first French clinical trial using human embryonic stem cells for regenerative purposes was launched in 2014, using the I6 stem cell line that was imported from Israel. From Israel to France, national reproductive policies and practices inform how basic scientists produce, manage and circulate cells across countries. Building on an interdisciplinary co-production involving two social scientists and a life scientist, this article suggests that biobanks passage cells from in vitro fertilization to stem cell science and from country to country by modifying their reproductive meaning. Four passages are described: the absence of cells in 2005 when the research started in France; the presence of supernumerary embryos available for research in Israeli IVF biobanks; the production of the I6 stem cell bank in Israel; the importation and laboratory biobanking of the cells in France. Human embryonic stem cell lines can never be completely disentangled from reproduction.

The article explores the anthropological challenges of governing the living matter, particularly the collective ability to reach consensus in the regulation of genetic diversity. Based on European controversies related to recent plant selection techniques, it aims to analyze divergences in understanding biological stability. While disagreements between what is considered natural and what is not play a role in the perception of how to care for the living matter, the tensions remain structured by its inherent complexity. Several implicit conceptions of biological preservation and biodiversity coexist. Thus, the fragile governance of the living matter stems from differences in representations of what sustains it, rather than the announcement of a disruptive innovation. As a singular non-human actor, the living matter leaves traces that are irreducibly controversial.

The theoretical movement known as New Materialism, which emerged in the early 2000s, saw not only the return of ontology, but also the affirmation of a materialism in which all oppositions and contradictions would dissolve. New Materialist trends take the agency of non-humans, as suggested by Haraway and Latour in particular, a step further, and come to regard all the material components of our societies as active agents endowed, to varying degrees, with a form of vitality. In this essay I return to what I call the “ontologism” of New Materialism in relation to vital, mechanistic and dialectical forms of materialism, commenting on authors such as Jane Bennett, Karen Barad, and Elizabeth Grosz.

This article focuses on an artistic know-how that manifests itself in the manufacture of a type of traditional cage called the Sidi Bou Saïd cage. It covers the techniques used to create this object, mentioning the different stages of manufacture as well as the materials and tools used. It also shows the significant aspect of the cage which becomes a cultural symbol and an identity support. In fact, a cage can be an object rich in art and history, by imitating certain traditional architectural and craft components. Loaded with cultural specificities, the cage indicates a place of memory, where the Mediterranean mixes with the local, reflecting respect for human cultural diversity. The work will attempt to clarify the functioning of this object in identity recognition, based on field data as part of an ethnographic survey enriched with historical and anthropological indications.