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Lack of Parental Gender Socialization of Children at Family Level and its Effects on Adulthood Gender Discrimination in Rwanda
Get PDFThe paper discusses holistic integration of gender concepts at tender ages. This study aimed toinvestigate parents’ participation in socializing children to gender equality and assess the effect of lack of parental socialization of children to gender equality. Three hundred and fifty (350) respondents were purposively selected from Kicukiro, Bugesera, Musanze, Nyanza and Nyamasheke. Data were collected through questionnaire, interviews and focus group discussion and qualitatively analyzed using content analysis. Findings revealed that there is lack of parental gender socialization of children as it is negatively perceived in Rwandan families. Gender equality is perceived by 75 % of respondents to be the cause of family conflicts and violence. Furthermore, 69% of all respondents accuse the theory of gender equality to divert females from their responsibilities which results in family dysfunctionality. In addition, 42% of respondents consider gender equality as a way of western people to disorganize developing countries. Lack of parental gender socialization of children at family level affects children's adulthood. It presents enormous and long-lasting consequences to both females and males. Respondents confirmed that there is a considerable number of females who did not attend school because fees were reserved to boys. On the other hand, male respondents confirmed that being overpowered in childhood negatively affects adulthood relationship with their wives. Socializing children to gender equality at family level from their tender ages would be one of the best strategies to eradicate Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and discrimination
Reasons for Patronage of Traditional Bone Setting as an Alternative to Orthodox Fracture Treatment A case of Muleba District, Kagera Tanzania
Get PDFThe study examined the factors for the preference of Traditional Bone Setting (TBS) in the treatment of fractures among Tanzanians. It sought to unfold other reasons for consulting TBS practitioners besides poverty, ignorance and inaccessibility to modern orthopedic services which are commonly associated with the pull factors. From the available literature, though very popular, TBS is associated with complications like malunion, non-union of the fractured bones, and limb gangrene. In order to find out why there is a paradox, the investigation was mainly done in Muleba, a district of Kagera Region where the treatment is most common according to the Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine, at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences. The study revealed that the therapy management groups were often more vocal than their fractured individuals in deciding the model of treatment. And, the fractured people who are financially able, formally educated and geographically closer to orthopedic services are among the adherents of TBS. Besides, the respondents unanimously expressed their dislike of orthopedic amputation, Plaster of Paris (POP), internal and external fixation let alone the length of time spent in hospital for treatment. All these have significant implications including continued use of TBS by rural and urban people for themselves and livestock. Combining X-ray reading and alternative medicine makes TBS sustainable. Thus, in future, it is suggested TBS services be integrated to orthodox treatment so as to control its negative aspects while harnessing its positive aspects
Gender Discrimination in Politics: A Critical Review of Liberalism
Get PDFLiberal political theory assumes that the separation of the public from the private sphere is natural and therefore woman’s subordination to man is inherent. The backdrop of this dichotomy appears to reinforce gender stereotyping since it constructs woman to reflect an apolitical nature of a subject in a political system. Man’s behaviour, on the other hand, is portrayed as the standard political behaviour against which a woman is supposed to measure. Viewed from the perspective of the dichotomy, politics is reduced to “man” and hence its masculinisation. Camouflaging its exclusionary tendencies, liberal theory purports to employ “universal”- neutral static language which is “sexual-blind” such as “individual”, “citizen”, “worker”, “equality”, and “representation”. Liberalism therefore makes universal rationality the essence of humanity and the basis of its epistemology and politics. This article examines the core of liberalism as one of the sources of gender discrimination in politics
Constitution-Making Process in Tanzania (2011-2014): A New Era for Women Political Participation?
Get PDFConstitution-making as a public policy process requires substantive participation of all citizens in determining the content of the constitution. In Tanzania, unlike the colonial and post-colonial constitution-making legal framework and processes, the 2011-2014 constitution-making process was a critical juncture for it was governed by the Constitutional Review Act, CAP 83 R.E 2012 which for the first time contained provisions allowing citizens including women to participate and influence the content of the 2014 Proposed Constitution. This article examines two interrelated questions notably the extent to which women were involved in the constitution-making process, and how such participation impacted the content of the Proposed Constitution in terms of protection and promotion of women political participation in the country. It is argued that the legal framework facilitated meaningful participation of women in each step of the constitution-making process. Consequently, women managed, for the first time in history, to secure constitutional guarantees of equality and non-discrimination in political life
Implication Analysis of Pre and Post-Harvest Losses of Maize to Household Food Security in Kongwa and Kondoa Districts-Tanzania
Get PDFThe contribution of food losses occurring in the food system to reduced household food security is undoubted. This study therefore investigated the status of the pre- and post-harvest losses in maize and their implication on household food availability, utilization and access in Kongwa and Kondoa districts. The study sites were selected because of their potential in maize production and losses. A mixed method approach was used to collect data for the study including secondary and primary data. Secondary data collection was achieved through literature review of published papers, reports, proceeding, policy documents and strategies relevant to agriculture. Primary data collection was achieved through discussion with key informants (14 people), focus group discussion (6 groups from each village comprising of 4 males and 4 females). A total of 376 (5.9%) households were surveyed and Transect Walk was also done to verify information obtained. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically using NVIVO software whereas quantitative data was descriptively analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The cumulative pre and post-harvest losses estimates were compared against provided pre and post-harvest losses threshold values. The comparison between pre and post-harvest losses was confirmed by two ways ANOVA analysis using Levene test. Findings showed that status of maize pre and post-harvest losses are below the thresholds of 31.2% and 40% whereby maize post-harvest losses are significantly (p = 0.015) higher than pre harvest losses. Pre harvest losses in maize were also significantly (p < 0.011) associated with reduced food availability while post-harvest losses are significantly (p < 0.000) associated with reduced food utilization. The study recommends increased awareness among farmers on the implication of food losses to household food security through trainings and seminars from agriculture extension officers
Factoring the Trust in the Regulatory Relationships: A Reflection from Tanzania’s Mining Sector
Get PDFThis paper argues on the complementarities between regulatory structures and relationships which stems upon the reciprocated trust between the mining regulators and operators. One key question addressed by this paper is how can trust relationships better complement the regulatory structures towards improving the natural resource governance for socio-economic development and transformation? Drawing mainly on the case of Tanzania, the paper indicates the trust gaps and offers some perspectives on the role of trust in the regulation of mining activities in a resource-rich lower-middle-income economy. The paper looks at both the cause and effects of trust relationships within a regulatory system in the mining sector of Tanzania and sheds light on the practical challenges and opportunities of building the trust. In the light of the increasing allure of collaborative regulation, the paper also takes a brief navigation into the manner in which trust relationships are established or destroyed by various regulatory stakeholders. Conclusions are drawn by underlining the importance of trust relationships for effective regulation in less developed resource-endowed countries like Tanzani
Efficacy of Tutoring Modes in enhancing the Development of Study Skills among Students at The Open University of Tanzania
Get PDFStudying in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) setting is challenging as students tend to encounter a number of challenges, as a result of the nature of the environment in which teaching and learning is set-up. However, literature reveals that provision of healthy tutoring support which enhances the development of study skills tends to address most of the encountered challenges. This is because when students in educational setting, ODL in particular, are adequately equipped with study skills, they become self-directed, independent and autonomous; the aspects which are essential for successful learning in ODL context. This study, therefore, sought to explore the efficacy of tutoring support provided via different tutoring modes, in enhancing the development of essential study skills among students at the Open University of Tanzania. The study employed survey research design to gather data from 270 undergraduate students from eight regional centres through a closed-up questionnaire. Composite and correlation analyses were employed to analyse data. The findings revealed that the available tutoring modes had limited ability to enhance the development of essential study skills among students. This observation came as a result of low mean scores that most of the items rated; indicating students’ disagreement to have been assisted to acquire essential study skills. The study recommended that serious measures need to be realised at OUT, in order to ensure that the available tutoring modes meet their goal by equipping students with essential study skills for successful learning
Determinants of Pension Uptake in the Informal Sector of Tanzania
Get PDFPension is important for persons in both formal and informal sectors of the economy. In developing countries, formal sector is much covered in terms of pension compared to informal sector though people employed in the two sectors are equally in need during retirement age. This study aimed at determining the factors for pension uptake in the informal sector in Tanzania, secondary data collected by FinScope Tanzania in 2017 were used. To determine the factors for pension uptake in the informal sector, the binary multiple logistic regression model was applied. The dependent variable is pension status and the independent variables include age, gender, highest education level, income, location, and main income generating activity. Individuals working in farming and fishing, trade, service provision, and casual work are less likely to uptake pension compared to informal salaried. Likewise, females are less likely to uptake pension compared to male category in the informal sector. Individuals at age forty and above are more likely to uptake pension compared to those aged less than 20 years. Middle and the two highest quintiles of income are more likely to uptake pension compared to those in the two lowest quintiles of income. Persons in urban are more likely to have pension compared to rural residents. Pension uptake is common to individuals with above secondary education, at least middle-income quintiles, urban residents, males, and those aged forty years and above in the informal sector
Assessment of Beekeeping as an Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change in Iramba District
Get PDFThe effects of climate change in Tanzania affect rain fed agriculture and reduce the productivity in most parts of Tanzania. Indigenous knowledge and different agricultural strategies, on how to diversify to other agricultural activity like beekeeping has been adopted by different communities in Tanzania, especially in semi-arid areas. This paper focuses on assessing potentials of beekeeping as an adaptation strategy against impacts of climate change in Iramba District. The research used different methods in collecting information such as key informants’ interviews, focus group discussions and observation methods. Secondary data were collected through documentary review, while the questionnaire was administered to 150 heads of households from four villages namely: Kyalosangi, Galangala, Mdonkolo and Songambele. The results show that over a period of 30 years, about 77% of respondents reported decrease in maize and 78% decrease in sunflower productivity. In interviews, the respondents indicated that they have shifted to beekeeping which contributes more to household’s income than land tilling which is rain-fed. This is supported by 33.1% who were attracted in beekeeping for income purposes. The average honey production per hive ranges from 10 – 15 Lts/hive in top bar hives and frame hives, while traditional hives ranges between 5 – 10 Lts/hive. This study therefore recommends provision of appropriate capacity building and financial support to beekeepers in order to optimize production of bee products in the study area
Investigation on The Level of Insecticide Resistance to Malaria Vectors in Ruangwa District Lindi Region Tanzania
Get PDFHigh malaria prevalence remains a major problem in Ruangwa District, despite the high coverage rates of malaria control interventions. The objective of this study was to assess the level of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors in southern, Tanzania. The study was conducted in three villages of Likangara, Nandagara and Chienjere. Resistance level to insecticides in An. gambiae s.l was evaluated using a standard WHO Susceptibility Test Kit. These mosquitoes were reared from larvae collected in varoius breeding sites in a major rice, vegetable and leguminous plant cultivation area in which pesticides use is intensive. Each test was run in four replicates of 25 adult non-blood fed female Anopheles gambiae s.l mosquitoes per tube. In total, 100 specimens were exposed for standard concentration of 1% fenitrothion, 0.1% bendiocarb, 0.75% permethrin and 0.05% deltamethrin using WHO susceptibility test kit. The number of knocked down mosquitoes were recorded at 10,15,20,30,50 and 60 min and mortality rates were determined after 24 hours and results were classified according to WHO guidelines, as susceptible (97-100%), possible resistance (90%-98%) and resistance (<90%). The results indicate suggestive levels of mosquitoes resistance to Bendiocarb at (75%), possible resitance levels of Deltamethrin at (95%), Permethrin at (97%) and Fenitrothion at (96%) (p < 0.05). This implies that there is reduced effectiveness of insecticides used in vector control interventions in the district. Superior insecticides should made available and introduced in order to promote the sustainable management of malaria vectors and elimination malaria transmission in the district