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Nollywood Cinema as a Tool for Pro-Lesbian Advocacy: A Feminist Reading of Unaiedu Ikpe-Etim’s Ife
Get PDFIn spite of the homophobic nature of Nigerian society, the LGBTQ+ rights movement has been very visible in Nigeria. A number of local pro-LGBTQ+ initiatives have sought to challenge the conservative myths and homophobic stereotypes that prevail in the society. One method used for such advocacy has been avant-garde cinema, particularly lesbian or gay films. A case in point is Ikpe-Etim’s 2020 romantic film titled Ife. As an unusual Nollywood movie, Ife strongly makes a case for the human rights of lesbian, bisexual, and queer women in Nigeria. Its very positive representation of what Nigerian legislation and censorial forces consider deviant sexualities has fueled a huge controversy in the Nigerian socio-cultural sphere. This controversy has been understudied. Using Anthonio Gramsci’s concept of hegemony and the feminist film theory as interpretative tools, this paper examines how Ikpe-Etim’s film is both a counter-hegemonic and queer feminist initiative. The paper argues that although Ife contributes to proselytism for LGBTQ+ rights and feminism in Nigeria, it has serious weaknesses and limitations. Despite the producer’s and director’s sexual identities and work as activists, straight Nollywood filmmakers have remained reluctant to join the LGBTQ+ rights movement
Women’s Empowerment and Modern Contraceptive Use: Evidence from Four Southeast Asian Countries
Get PDFModern contraceptive prevalence rates differ across Southeast Asian countries due to the different levels of socio-economic development, cultural practices, and women’s empowerment. This study investigates the relationship between women’s empowerment and modern contraceptive use in Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines, where Demographic and Health Surveys data are available. The main study variables include modern contraceptive use (as measured by the percentage of married women aged 15-49 currently using a modern contraceptive method) and women’s empowerment measures, which include asset ownership, household decision-making, and attitudes towards spousal violence. Binary logistic regression is used to assess the association between modern contraceptive use and women’s empowerment, controlling for the effects of women’s age, education, work status, exposure to mass media, exposure to family planning via media, place of residence, wealth index, age at marriage, and number of living children. Results show that pills and injections were commonly used across the countries under study. Multivariate analysis reveals that women with greater empowerment were more likely to use a modern contraceptive method, but the effect varied across women’s empowerment indicators. It is important to empower women in the household as disempowered women tend to neglect their rights to access primary health care, which could jeopardize their health. Hence, empowering women remains an important agenda for improving modern contraceptive use within Southeast Asian countries
Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation through Livestreaming in Indonesia: Unequal Power Relations at the Root of Child Victimization
Get PDFChild sexual abuse and exploitation through livestreaming is a rising phenomenon of online child sexual abuse and exploitation in Indonesia. This phenomenon takes place in both offline and online spaces. Moreover, due to the active involvement of the viewers, these content viewers can also be considered as offenders. Thus, it is necessary to recognize this phenomenon as a crime against children, instead of merely a sexual act. By using a criminology perspective, this research explores the roots of this phenomenon, the impact on survivors, and the child protection system’s actions against it. This qualitative study used secondary data analysis, derived from a total of nineteen Indonesian news articles as well as five cases of child sexual exploitation and abuse through livestreaming. Power relations theory by Michel Foucault is used to explain the power relations and victimization in this phenomenon. The analysis shows that unequal power relations between adults and children contribute to the phenomenon. The unequal power relations include how societies perceive children, victim-blaming, gender inequality, and the existing situation of the porn industry, which places the children in vulnerable positions. The child survivors in these case studies were found to experience multiple victimizations, including sexual abuse in real life and online in conjunction with economic victimization. These victimization processes are prolonged due to the fact that sexual content is rapidly shared by the offenders; thus, the situation can be described as chronic revictimization. Indonesian systems for protecting children against such crimes were found to be inefficient due to the absence of legal terminology to define child sexual abuse and exploitation through livestreaming and the lack of laws that can be used to punish the viewers
Research Trends in Cybercrime and Cybersecurity: A Review Based on Web of Science Core Collection Database
Get PDFStudies on cybercrime and cybersecurity have expanded in both scope and breadth in recent years. This study offers a bibliometric review of research trends in cybercrime and cybersecurity over the past 26 years (1995-2021) based on Web of Science core collection database. Specifically, we examine the growth of scholarship and the expanded scope of subject categories and relevant journals. We also analyze the research collaboration network based on authors’ affiliated institutions and countries. Finally, we identify major topics within the fields, how each topic relates to – and diverges from – one another, and their evolution over time. Overall, we illustrate the scientific landscape of cybercrime and cybersecurity scholarship by quantitatively synthesizing major components of existing literature. This study offers actionable insights to help researchers identify key research resources, establish/expand collaboration networks, and investigate emerging research topics in this increasingly important domain in criminology and criminal justice
Introduction to the Special Issue: Celebrating Unheard Voices of Charismatic Women in Indian Writing in English
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Understanding Quantum Field Theory and Standard Model to Explore Beyond Standard Model Physics
Get PDFMotivated by the goal of participating in astroparticle physics research in graduate school, we aimed to understand the Standard Model of particle physics and the Feynman diagrams through which particle interactions are described, so that we could learn about the properties of certain astroparticles. The axiomatic principle that governs fundamental physics is manifest covariance, implying that the mathematical forms of the physical laws are the same to all observers. Maintaining covariance requires 4-vector representation using group theoretical techniques based on symmetries, as well as a transition from single-particle quantum physics to many-particle quantum field theory (QFT). The Standard Model of particle physics (SM) accounts for all known particles and three of the four known forces. In this project, we first examined the Standard Model using group theory to preserve covariance. This approach led to particle and force content of the SM. Second, we explored the Standard Model manifestly using quantum field theory and 4-vectors. Going from 1st to 2nd quantization of field theory made it possible to study indistinguishable n-many particles while preserving Special Relativity. Using quantum field theory, we built operator valued relativistic fields where particles were seen as local excitations of the relevant quantum field. We then defined Feynman propagators which represented impulses that we later described as particles. LSZ reduction and Wick’s contractions, together with the Feynman propagators, allowed us to trace up to second-order particle interactions using Feynman diagrams. We followed the canonical approach to QFT in our exploration. Once we built a working understanding of the SM and QFT, we were able to briefly investigate exotic particles such as axions using their Feynman diagrams
A Cross-Cultural Exploration: Global Methods of Contraception and Family Planning
Get PDFIn today\u27s world, women are attempting to take control of their reproductive choices. Some have been met with roadblocks that may prohibit or limit access to women\u27s healthcare centers and family planning services. This research explores women’s reproductive health and contraception usage and the impact of cultural influences globally. Cultural adversities may overshadow the benefits of having access to healthcare facilities along with contributing to the circulation of inaccurate information. This may prevent or deter women from accessing healthcare facilities and methods of family planning. Understanding variation in the United States and in other cultures will contribute to the global understanding of women\u27s reproductive healthcare, and how different societies view family planning. This is an opportunity to explore the global processes and methods that are implemented cross-culturally that contribute to women\u27s reproductive health and family planning techniques