10322 research outputs found
Sort by
Democratic Debate: A Comparative Study of Presidential and Parliamentary Systems in Southeast Asia
No full textWith the rapid rise in democracies around the world, the debate over the structure of government has become increasingly relevant and more complex. The dominance of the presidential and parliamentary democratic systems has given rise to a dispute regarding public representation over governmental efficiency and vice versa. As the very essence of democracy is “rule by the people”, the effectiveness of a democratic state can theoretically be measured through factors that are conducive to the people’s ability to effectively give their opinion on political matters. These factors include the political rights that allow a person to vote and to what degree elections are free and fair, civil liberties such as freedom of expression and the press, and access to information, most often through the internet, and to what degree this information is censored. This study will analyze the effectiveness of these two main styles of democracy through these factors by using data from the non-profit organization Freedom House
Children as Legacy: Fostering a Viable, Interracial Future in Chesnutt’s The Marrow of Tradition
No full textCharles W. Chesnutt believed The Marrow of Tradition (1901) would be his magnum opus. In a letter to Booker T. Washington, he described it as “by far the best thing I have done” and in another, described how he sent it to Theodore Roosevelt, hoping it might help the president understand the race problem (McElrath 159; 169). The novel details the events of and leading up to a race riot in the fictional Wellington, North Carolina. Inspired by the 1898 coup d’etat and massacre in Wilmington, North Carolina, Chesnutt wrote The Marrow of Tradition with “the hope that it might create sympathy for the colored people of the South in the very difficult position they occupy” (McElrath 234). Much to Chesnutt’s shock and disappointment, the novel did not sell well and was not well-received by critics. Yet, in the twenty-first century, scholars are returning to the book with an increased appreciation for the succinct image of Reconstruction-era Southern society that he created to address his concerns for the future
Strategies to Promote the Participation of Mauritian Women in the Artificial Intelligence Sector
No full textThis exploratory study investigates strategies to promote the participation of Mauritian women in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Using a mixed-method approach, the research evaluates the current state of AI in Mauritius, identifies challenges faced by women in pursuing AI careers, and proposes evidence-based strategies for fostering gender inclusion in the sector. Primary data were collected through surveys administered to Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) professionals, and quantitative analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 27.0. Additionally, qualitative insights were derived from an open-ended question in the survey, allowing respondents to share their perspectives. Secondary data were gathered from existing literature, policy reports, and relevant studies. Key findings highlight the need for mentorship initiatives, AI-focused curriculum reforms, and policy interventions aimed at improving women’s representation in AI-related roles. This study contributes to the discourse on gender equity in AI by offering policy recommendations and practical interventions to bridge the gender gap in the Mauritian AI sector. The findings serve as a foundation for future research and inform strategies for building an inclusive and sustainable AI ecosystem
The Power of Language to Devastate or Restore the Environment in Atwood’s Oryx and Crake and Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass
Full text linkPindi Boys: The Cultural Production of Urban Masculinity in Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Full text linkThis article seeks to understand and analyze the formation of urban masculinities in Rawalpindi, Pakistan by focusing on a subculture known as “Pindi boys,” who are young men aged 17-22. In doing so, this research offers an understanding of what it means to be a teen or young man from a low-income household in the urban city of Rawalpindi. How does sociocultural context influence boys and young men to embody a specific type of masculinity? Following the daily lifestyle of Pindi boys, this research avoids generalizations that result in an ahistorical analysis of men and masculinities in urban spaces. Considering how cities—in this case, the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad—can simultaneously be spaces of exclusion and inclusion, this research offers a feminist reading of men and masculinities in present-day Pakistan. Adopting a feminist ethnographic methodology, the paper demonstrates that these boys and young men form bonds and affiliations among themselves to resist and revolt against the Westernized, elitist, liberal, classist sensibilities of their immediate neighbors of Islamabad. In this process of differentiating themselves from the “Burger boys” of Islamabad, they have constructed a distinctive identity rooted in their socio-cultural and economic contexts. Exploring the lives of Pindi boys from Rawalpindi reveals the intersectional nature of their masculinity. In reaction to the stigmatization and othering they have experienced in terms of class and location, they find power in a masculine identity anchored in patriarchal structures. This work contributes to theorizing masculinities in urban spaces by addressing how urban masculinity is imagined, embodied, and received in a particular sociocultural milieu
Antecedents and Measures of Women’s Financial Empowerment: A Comprehensive and Global Literature Review
Full text linkWomen’s financial empowerment has garnered greater interest in recent years, and numerous articles have highlighted gender disparities. In existing literature, antecedents and measures of economic empowerment are fragmented, with limited research that provides a comprehensive assessment framework. This systematic review aims to identify the determinants affecting women’s financial empowerment to develop a comprehensive framework to measure financial empowerment based on insights derived from an examination of 101 selected research articles published from 2001 to 2023 and exclusively sourced from the Scopus database. The search followed a comprehensive and systematic approach involving identification, selection, appraisal, and synthesis of the existing literature. The most common themes include microfinance and economic empowerment, the role of self-help groups (SHGs) in empowering women financially, and gender disparity regarding financial empowerment. The identified antecedents or themes have been organised into four categories: individual, household, institutional and community, and other factors. Key antecedents include socioeconomic factors, demographic factors, unpaid care work, SHG membership, microcredit, and family care. Additionally, the assessment of financial empowerment has been classified, following Kabeer’s (1999) model into three categories: financial resources, financial agency, and financial achievements of women. The gaps identified in the existing literature suggest various potential opportunities for future research. This study’s practical implications involve equipping women with proper knowledge, skills, and resources by developing targeted financial inclusion programs, financial empowerment initiatives, and public policies to bridge the gender gap in financial empowerment. The findings underscore the requirement for gender-responsive policies, integrating financial literacy and technology to promote inclusive growth. This study distinguishes itself by presenting a comprehensive review of factors influencing women’s financial empowerment and developing a comprehensive framework for assessing it
Advancing Gender-Inclusive Financial Systems: A G20 Policy Agenda for South Africa
Full text linkThis policy brief calls for comprehensive reforms of South Africa’s financial systems to broaden women’s access to capital. Women’s economic empowerment is critical to inclusive and sustainable development in Africa. Despite ongoing global commitments to gender equality, systemic financial exclusion continues to marginalise women—particularly in South Africa—thereby impeding their full economic participation. Microfinance has emerged as a pivotal strategy for fostering financial inclusion among women, especially those in rural and economically disadvantaged urban areas. International models, such as the Grameen Bank, have illustrated that women from low-income backgrounds often exhibit higher loan repayment rates than their male counterparts. Institutions specifically designed to serve women frequently operate as financial intermediaries and as platforms for socio-political empowerment, facilitating investment in children’s education, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting the assertion of women’s rights. Inclusive development models that engage men as allies—such as the Association of Dalit Women’s Advancement of Nepal (ADWAN)—underscore the importance of holistic, community-based approaches to empowerment. As the global community marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, policymakers must prioritise transnational collaboration and adapt proven international frameworks to align with Africa’s diverse socio-economic and cultural realities. Such reforms should include addressing regulatory barriers, enhancing digital financial inclusion, promoting gender-responsive investments, and fostering international partnerships—mainly through South Africa’s leadership in the G20. The G20 presidency presents a strategic opportunity for South Africa to champion gender-equitable financial mechanisms and catalyse transformative change across the continent
