EANSO East African Nature and Science Organization Journals
Not a member yet
3828 research outputs found
Sort by
Boy-Child Sexual Abuse and Human Rights Violations in Mainland Tanzania
Get PDFThis Article analyses the legal protection of a boy-child against sexual abuse in Mainland Tanzania. This study also evaluates how sexual abuse infringes on the rights of the boy-child in Mainland Tanzania. Boys are regarded as seeds for the sustainability of future generations. Protection of boys from sexual abuse practices is very important and failure to do so insecure the sustainability of the present and future generations. According to the Tanzania Human Rights reports of 2022 and 2023, respectively, the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) reveals that, apart from female children's sexual abuse, male children are also victims of sexual abuse. The most common form of boy-child sexual abuse is sodomy. The report of 2022 documented incidents of boy child sexual abuse, which reached 78% of all recorded incidents. In 2023, LHRC documented 464 incidents of violence against children, increasing from 350 documented in 2022 through media surveys and human rights monitoring. Analysis of these incidents showed that sexual violence continued to account for the majority of reported incidents, at 79%. This study applied doctrinal legal research methodology to evaluate how boy child sexual abuse infringes on the rights of boys in Mainland Tanzania. Under doctrinal legal research, various statutes, child conventions and human rights reports were evaluated to examine the extent to which boy child sexual abuse infringes the rights of boys in Mainland Tanzania. The study found that contemporary boy child sexual abuse practices require comprehensive laws or provisions as well as modern legal mechanisms to combat the problem
The Effect of COVID-19 New Learning Strategies on Schooling Participation: A Pre and Post-COVID Study among Students in Public Secondary Schools in Tharaka Nithi County
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic brought about drastic changes in the educational sector, particularly through the implementation of public health measures such as school closures, remote learning, social distancing, and restrictions on gatherings. During COVID-19, some of the strategies and approaches used in providing education to the learners have been through homeschooling, radio, television, remote learning, online learning, distance learning, blended learning, gamification, and the like. Radio has been used to deliver education to most countries in Africa for a long time. There is still limited specific evidence on the extent of this harm in the Kenyan scenario. This study, therefore, seeks to establish the effects of COVID-19 learning strategies on schooling participation measures among students in secondary schools in Tharaka Nithi County. An ex post facto research design was used. The study population comprised 111 secondary school deans of studies and 2,000 teachers, leading to a target population of 2,111. The sample size was calculated using the Yamane formula, which is preferred when the sample size is known. The study sample size was 350 teachers and 20 deans of studies. Simple random sampling was used to select teachers and the dean of studies for the study. The Instrument for data collection was questionnaires, which were administered to the sampled teachers, and an interview guide for the dean of studies. Piloting of the instruments was done in Meru County, where 3 deans of studies and 34 teachers were sampled to establish the reliability of the instruments. Supervisors and other Education experts from Chuka University checked the instruments to ensure validity. The data was processed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26. Descriptive and inferential statistics were also used, while data was presented by use of frequency distribution tables, means, and chi-square for inferential statistics. The findings of the study show that online learning was introduced to ensure that learning was taking place during the lockdown. Learning opted for online learning, which occurred without appropriate readiness for learners to use the tools and a lack of digital devices, electricity, or internet connectivity, where digital devices existed, students and parents lacked digital competency and proper supervision. Schooling participation proved difficult without proper supervision and digital devices, especially in remote rural areas. This lowered the standard of teaching and eroded students’ affective affinity and commitment towards education. The findings would also help principals, deans of studies, teachers, students, and parents to address changes in students’ participation in school activities as affected by COVID-19 pandemic mitigation measures and any other future pandemic
Managing Student Activism in Higher Education Institutions in Neoliberal Times: A Case Study of Makerere University
Get PDFManaging student activism in neoliberal times presents a complex challenge for university governance, as institutions balance market-driven reforms with the rising demand for inclusive and democratic engagement. This study aimed to explore how student activism is managed at Makerere University, focusing on the perspective of university administrators and student leaders from six colleges of Makerere University using the Altbach Theory of student Activism. Employing a qualitative research design, the study gathered data through in-depth interviews with six university administrators and twelve student leaders involved in student affairs governance. Findings indicated that violent activism at Makerere is fuelled by limited student participation in decision-making, weak communication structures, politicisation of student leadership, and mistrust between administrators and students. Additionally, internal fragmentation among student leaders and the administration's reactive strategies have contributed to recurrent unrest. The study recommends the establishment of proactive and inclusive governance frameworks, capacity building for student leaders, and open channels of communication to foster trust and institutional cohesion. These measures are crucial for transforming student activism into a constructive force within university governance in the face of neoliberal pressures
Policy Gaps in Forest-Based Climate Change Adaptation and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: The Case of the Sengwer in Embobut Forest, Kenya (2009–2020)
Get PDFClimate change adaptation programs are increasingly presented as essential for sustainable forest management and resilience, yet their design and implementation often sideline Indigenous Peoples' rights. This study examined policy gaps in the implementation of forest-based climate adaptation measures that infringe on the rights of the Sengwer in Embobut Forest, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya (2009–2020). Guided by securitisation and constructivist theories, the study analysed three major programs: the Natural Resource Management Project (NRMP), the Water Towers Protection and Climate Resilience Program (WaTER), and the Miti Mingi Maisha Bora Program (MMMB), implemented under the Paris Agreement. Although designed to enhance environmental resilience, these initiatives revealed systemic gaps between policy intent and practice, particularly when Indigenous voices were excluded or superficially engaged during design and execution. Anchored in a mixed-methods approach combining questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and direct observations, findings showed that despite Kenya's strong legal instruments, adaptation measures were weakened by politicisation, poor enforcement, and inconsistency. Safeguards such as Article 7.5 of the Paris Agreement, which stress gender-responsive, participatory, and rights-based adaptation, were undermined by top-down planning, tokenistic consultation, and misuse of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). This perpetuated forms of “carbon colonialism,” where global climate agendas advanced at the expense of Indigenous rights and sovereignty. The research calls for inclusive, justice-driven, and community-led adaptation models that integrate FPIC, uphold Indigenous ecological knowledge, and recognise Biocultural protocols such as the Sengwer's 2020 Biocultural Community Protocol. It contributes to climate justice scholarship by reframing adaptation failures as outcomes of governance and policy gaps rather than the absence of legal provisions, and offers policymakers and practitioners practical insights on embedding tenure security and traditional knowledge at the heart of forest governance
International Public Sector Accounting Standards and their Effects on Enhancing Local Authorities’ Transparency and Accountability in Zimbabwe. A Case of Bindura Municipality
Get PDFThe study was undertaken to analyse how IPSAS adoption enhanced the transparency and accountability of urban local authorities in Zimbabwe. Bindura Municipality was used as a case study. Primary data was collected through questionnaires and interviews before it was analysed. A sample of 23 employees from Bindura Municipality was used in the research. The research concluded that transparency and accountability were enhanced by adopting IPSAS. This is to say that the adoption of IPSAS is expected to improve the transparency and accountability of local authorities in Zimbabwe. In addition, IPSAS adoption also helps local authorities to lure local and international investors. The study also concluded that the adoption of IPSAS will result in more meaningful information, which can aid management in decision-making. As a result, the researcher recommends that the government ensure that all local authorities in Zimbabwe adopt IPSAS. The municipality is advised to ensure early adoption of inevitable future developments on IPSAS, which is necessitated by changes in the operating environment. 
Effect of Institutional Practices on Education Rights of Girls: A Case of University Female Students in Hodon District, Somalia
Get PDFThis study investigates the effect of institutional practices on the educational rights of female university students in Hodon district, Somalia, utilizing a mixed-method approach that combines qualitative and quantitative data. Through a descriptive research design, the study targeted a population of 32,149 individuals, including district leaders, cultural leaders, university administrators, and female students from three universities. A sample of 395 respondents was selected, and data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. Findings reveal a significant correlation between institutional cultural practices and educational rights, with a regression coefficient of 0.315 indicating that these practices account for 31.5% of the variance in educational rights. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirms the significance of these institutional factors, highlighting the critical role they play in either facilitating or hindering girls' access to education. Despite the existence of potential government policies aimed at promoting girls’ education, the study uncovers a lack of established procedures within institutions to effectively support female students. Qualitative insights further reveal cultural attitudes and institutional inertia that undermine the realization of educational rights for girls. This study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions that address both institutional practices and cultural barriers to enhance gender equity in education. The study recommends that local educational institutions develop comprehensive gender-sensitive policies, the Somali government prioritize training for educators on gender equity, and community leaders engage in awareness campaigns to challenge cultural norms. By implementing these recommendations, stakeholders can create a more inclusive educational environment that supports the rights of girls in the Hodon distric
National Allegory Through Her Own Voice: A Reading of Wangari Maathai’s Unbowed: One Woman’s Story
Get PDFThis paper examines Wangari Maathai's Unbowed: One Woman’s Story as a national allegory, exploring its portrayal of Kenya's socio-political and cultural identity. Anchored on Hall’s theory of the nation as a site of inclusion and exclusion, the study foregrounds Maathai’s articulation of Kenya’s gendered nationhood. Further drawing on the theoretical postulations of Butler, McClintock, and Yuval-Davis, the paper interrogates how Maathai critiques patriarchal structures and the instrumentalization of women in national narratives. Her story intertwines personal struggles with national challenges. Her marriage and subsequent divorce reflect Kenya's tumultuous journey through independence and post-independence disillusionment. Through the lens of orature, Maathai revisits Kikuyu myths, colonial disruptions, and postcolonial challenges, revealing the interplay of gender, power, and nationalism. Maathai's leadership, grounded in her Anjiru clan heritage, underscores her unwavering commitment to national development through political, environmental, and social activism. Despite setbacks in politics and personal life, she emerges as a resilient figure, confronting issues such as ethnic division, governance failures, and environmental degradation. Maathai’s autobiographical reflections on identity, social justice, and environmental activism underscore her resistance against colonial and neo-colonial legacies. This allegorical reading posits Unbowed as a narrative of Kenya’s ongoing struggle for equality, inclusivity, and self-determination. Using metaphors such as the African stool with three legs (democracy, sustainable resource management, and peace), Maathai offers a blueprint for a just and sustainable Kenya. Her story celebrates persistence, hope, and collective responsibility in the quest for nation-building, providing a powerful feminist and nationalist perspective
An Examination of Insurgency and Terrorism in Nigeria: Analysing the National Security Framework
Get PDFThis study critically examines insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria, focusing specifically on the impact of Boko Haram on the national security framework. Using a mixed-method research approach, it combines qualitative interviews with key stakeholders and quantitative data on metrics such as attack frequency, casualty rates, and displacement figures from 2010 to 2023. The findings reveal systemic gaps between military strategies and their effectiveness, highlighting Boko Haram’s resilience and adaptability. Key factors such as corruption, poor governance, and socioeconomic deprivation in northeastern Nigeria, including poverty and unemployment are identified as drivers of extremism. The study concludes that Nigeria’s security response has achieved limited success due to an overemphasis on military tactics and insufficient socio-political reform. Recommendations include investment in long-term development projects, improved intelligence operations, and regional cooperation. The paper contributes to the academic literature by offering a context-specific, multi-dimensional model for counterterrorism policy in fragile states such as Nigeri
Exploring the Philosophy Behind Teachers’ Classroom Management Practices in Secondary Schools in Kayunga District, Uganda
Get PDFThere is a common prevalence of open-ended classroom management practices among teachers today which leaves many education stakeholders suspicious of such actions. Due to such unprecedented prevalence, this study explored the philosophy behind teachers' classroom management practices in view of enhancing effective teaching and learning in Uganda. While conducting the study, teachers' classroom management practices were conceptualized as controlling students’ behaviour and classroom space, the philosophy behind these practices was conceptualized as teachers’ beliefs on the reality about students' learning, the nature and sources of valuable knowledge, and the values they aim to instil in students. Danielson’s 1996 framework for effective teaching model informed this qualitative descriptive tripartite case study, underpinned by the interpretivist paradigm. Nine teachers from three schools (three from each school) in Kayunga district, participated in this study. Data was collected from the teachers, their Headteachers, directors of studies and students. The findings revealed that the philosophy behind teachers’ classroom management practices is a blend of pragmatism and essentialism. This is reflected in teachers tailoring their management approaches to their understanding of how students learn best, while also adhering to curriculum demands and stakeholder expectations. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education and Sports should design and implement a professional development program through its teacher training institutions to help teachers balance student-centred management with curriculum demand
Examining Compensation Management's Impact on Employee Performance: A Case Study of UNICOOPAGI, Rwanda (2019-2022)
Get PDFThis study investigates the impact of compensation management on employee performance at the Union des Cooperatives Agricoles Intégrées (UNICOOPAGI). By analyzing employee perceptions, service quality delivery, job satisfaction, and statistical data, the study evaluates the effectiveness of current compensation practices and identifies areas for improvement. A quantitative descriptive research design was employed, with data collected from 55 employees using universal and purposive sampling techniques. The data were gathered through questionnaires. The findings reveal generally positive employee perceptions regarding key compensation components such as incentives, salary, fringe benefits, and recognition, suggesting that compensation management is largely effective. However, statistical analyses also indicate areas needing improvement, including the diversification of incentive structures, enhancing service quality training, strengthening communication and feedback mechanisms, and revising compensation benchmarking. Furthermore, promoting work-life balance, improving performance measurement systems, and fostering a culture of innovation were identified as essential for optimizing employee performance. Based on these insights, the study recommends refining compensation management practices to create a more supportive work environment that enhances employee engagement, satisfaction, and productivity. By implementing these recommendations, UNICOOPAGI can improve its competitive edge and position itself for long-term success in the agricultural cooperative secto