1,720,993 research outputs found
A Global Overview of Potable Water Resources Availability and Accessibility In Southern Africa
Get PDFThis paper argues that there is sufficient freshwater in the world for everyone’s essential personal and domestic needs. However, lack of distribution networks and working systems to extract groundwater or harvest rainwater; exclusion from these services or facilities; inequitable allocation of water resources; and pollution, limit people’s access to sufficient clean water. In rural areas, many people collect water of dubious quality from unprotected wells, often a great distance from their homes, deterring them from collecting sufficient water. Toilets are often seen as unnecessary or unaffordable. In urban areas, low-income groups often lack access to adequate water supply and sanitation. Piped water supplies and sewers seldom cover informal areas. Water stress and scarcity are symptoms of sub-standard governance of public and natural resources. Lack of basic services is often because of mismanagement, corrupt and apathetic officials and financial limitations. Water shortages and increasing pollution are socially and politically induced challenges. The water crisis is increasingly about how we, as individuals, and as part of a collective society, govern the access to and control over water resources. Key words: potable water, availability, accessibility, governance, corruption, mismanagemen
Human Rights, Dignity and Well Being: The Plight Of Zimbabwean Refugees And Displaced People In Southern Africa
Get PDFIn this paper we looked at the various reasons why refugees, economic migrants and IDPs leave their countries / home areas, how the foreign migrants manage to cross borders into other countries and the lives they are experiencing in foreign countries. More importantly, the focus of this paper has been their treatment by the nationals of the host countries as well as other foreigners. We argue that there has not been enough humanitarian attention given to the people displaced by their home country economic downturn and political mayhem by South African authorities because South African legislation regards them as economic migrants who do not qualify for a refugee status. It is only recently that Zimbabweans got a sympathetic ear from the South African authorities as the process of leagalising their stay in South Africa is now less cumbersome. Our conclusion is that the international community, Southern Africa, and South Africa in particular have not treated refugees and economically displaced people especially those from Zimbabwe with a human face. Keywords: Human rights; refugees; IDPs; migration; Zimbabwe; plight; southern Africa; foreigner
Sex, Intimacy and Reproductive Rights for Women with Disabilities in Zimbabwe: A Snapshot of the Views of Women with Disabilities in Harare
Get PDFThis paper is derived from study on sexual and reproductive rights of women with disabilities in Zimbabwe. The paper explores the sexual and reproductive rights (SRR) and practices vis a vis women with disabilities in Zimbabwe. This is done with the view of drawing insights and policy recommendations on sexual and reproductive rights for women with disabilities in Zimbabwe. The study argues that there are serious gaps in SRR policies and their implementation for WWDs. While the availability of acceptable and supportive public policy and legislation indicates the beginning of a commendable process of services delivery to all stakeholders, this alone is not sufficient unless supported by effective systems and processes for effective delivery. Formulation and adoption of a policy or piece of legislation does not automatically translate to its implementation and/or enforcement. The study recommends change of mind-set for both the cultural environment and law with regards what is acceptable and legal sex; domestication and enforcement of international and regional disability laws; redesign of national laws to clearly address SRRs for WWDs; communication and advocacy of disability laws to the people. follow-ups and performance evaluation of families and communities on how they treat WWDs vis a vis their SRR; and involvement of WWDs in policy formulation. Keywords: Sex, women, disability, rights, reproductive, disability. DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/51-03 Publication date:September 30th 201
Advocacy for the Development and Survival of Library and Library Services: A Roadmap for Zimbabwe.
Get PDFThis paper deals with the advocacy for the library and library services. The objective is to raise public awareness by appealing to the various sectors of the community so that this cause can gain support socially, politically, economically and technologically. It has been discovered that for the library and library services to achieve stated goals and objectives given the dynamic environment in which these offer their products and services as open systems, there is the major issue of limited scarce resources which need prioritisation at both grassroots and national level. In order for the advocacy to succeed, it is highlighted that marketing strategies in the form of models and tools in their various forms need to be communicated through media. Key words: Advocacy, development, survival, library services, roadmap
Munhu: Unlocking the Roots, Indigenous Knowledge for Development
Get PDFThis paper is based on both written academic literature and Shona oral traditions. The paper looks at the conceptual framework, practice, and understanding of the muntu / munhu philosophy. The lateral translation of muntu / munhu is person. Conceptually the word goes deeper than this individualistic western worldview. Munhu is complex, multifaceted and generally understood at two levels; the lower and higher level. At lower level munhu means the physical body of a human being. At higher level munhu becomes the physical body and a lot of other extras. This paper argues that the concept of munhu (humanity) is the foundation of life and the only key to stability and progress / development among Africans. Destroying the human body or even showing disrespect to that body is a punishable offence. Thus whether munhu is understood at lower (physical) or higher (spiritual plus) level, munhu is sacred and has to be treated with respect for progress, wellbeing and development of the humankind. If respected, munhu will contribute towards both personal and communal development. In fact, in Africa the personal is communal
Sex Slaves: The Plight Of Women In Civil Strife Zimbabwe
Get PDFThis study was prompted by media reports that talk of rampant sexual abuse in youth camps during elections preparations in Zimbabwe, especially since the ‘famous constitutional no vote’ which triggered the controversial fast track land reform programme driving the country into chaos. The researchers thus embarked on a qualitative research based on documentary analysis and unstructured interviews with female cross border traders plying the Harare-Johannesburg road. The study established that because of the civil strife and the economic meltdown women are exposed to risk of sexual violence, forced marriages, coerced sex, and loss of homes, families and social support. These developments force women into transactional sex in order to secure their lives and those of their husbands and children, or to gain access to shelter or services. In transit to South Africa, they are exposed to differing levels of HIV infection. Throughout the journey from home women are harassed, gang-raped by male counterparts, abused by truck drivers and forced into sexual relationships with the South African police. This situation makes the probability of women getting HIV/AIDS very high. Most of them are already ill and have the burden of looking after children they get unwillingly. Keywords: Sex slaves, civil strife, women, gender, sexual violence, rape, HIV/AIDS
A Portrayal of the Sexual and Reproductive Perceptions of Women with Disabilities Using An Overarching Critical Feminist Disability Lens
Get PDFThis paper is developed from our study on sexual and reproductive rights of women with disability in Zimbabwe, The paper demonstrates how the social model, human rights-based and feminist approaches combine to come up with an overarching critical feminist disability studies lens (CFDSL) to guide studies on disability and feminism using sexual and reproductive rights of women with disabilities. The paper argues that gender and disability are not only complex, but very dynamic and fluid problems. They cannot be adequately investigated using the lens of one simple theory. Hence the need for theory triangulation to come up with some hybrid theory like CFDSL. From the perspectives of the CFDSL, therefore, this paper argues that women with disabilities are not any special case who should be simply pitied without access to human rights which are mandatory to every human being. They are different, but this difference does not imply denial of human rights, in this case sexual and reproductive rights. Keywords: women, disability, theory, sex, framework, gender. DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/9-18-03 Publication date:September 30th 201
Challenges and Prospects for School Based Mentoring in the Professional Development of Student Teachers in Zimbabwe: Academics, Mentees and Mentors Perceptions
Get PDFIn this qualitative study we sought to establish the usefulness of school based mentoring in the professional development of student teachers in Zimbabwe using schools in Masvingo urban as case studies. The central question guiding us in this study focuses on what student teachers and their mentors felt towards the current school based student teachers practicum supervision. Many contemporary authorities believe that an effective teacher training programme can be ensured when both the school and the college (department of teacher’s training) work in tandem. They argue that whereas the college plays a leading role during the days of classroom-based theory exposition, this leading role is subsequently ceded to the field or school-based mentor. In the college, students are fed with theoretical concepts of the teaching and learning process. But these theories mean nothing if they do not guide practice. How then can we ensure that theories guide practice? Traditionally teaching practice (without mentors as we know them today) has been believed to be the best way of attaining this goal. In this study, most participants felt that both the college lecturer and an experienced and knowledgeable person in the school compound should supervise students on teaching practice. They agreed that school based supervision is of great value as it plays a critical role in the development of student teachers, but still it requires enough resources and the complementary role of the college professional supervisor
The Role of Public Libraries in Promoting Literacy in Zimbabwe
Get PDFIn this paper we argue that literacy is critical for socio-economic development. A literate nation makes positive contributions to the general development of a country. Zimbabwe now has the highest literacy rate in Africa at 92% having surpassed Tunisia which is at 87%. In this paper we seek to establish the strategies that public libraries have employed to promote and sustain high literacy rates in the country. We investigate the innovative strategies like story telling sessions and explain how they have helped Zimbabwe achieve Africa’s highest literacy level despite the socio-economic challenges. We also probe the public library services that are available for children, youth and adults and how they contribute towards higher literacy rates. We explore the challenges that public libraries face in Zimbabwe. We seek to establish the strategies in place to promote literacy in an information technology driven society. We end the discussion by making recommendations on how public libraries can contribute toward sustainable higher literacy rates. Keywords: literacy; illiteracy; development; public libraries; education; information technology; cultur
The Efficacy of Health Education and Condom Distribution in Combating HIV and AIDs at Unilever Harare (2004-2005)
Get PDFThis study explores the efficacy of health education and condom distribution as corporate responses to combating HIV/ AIDS at the workplace using Uniliver Zimbabwe as case study. The study established that the HIV/AIDS epidemic destabilises labour, the psychosocial environment and organisational activities. This study reveals that the Unilever corporate health education and condom distribution programme is not meshed in socio-structural pillars and thus remains largely less effective in combating HIV/AIDS at the workplace. We therefore recommend integration of bio-medical and socio-structural approaches to increase the effectiveness of the responses to HIV/AIDS; involvement and participation; co-management of programmes between management and employees; and context based programmes. This study shows that beneficiaries should be treated as active participants to ensure success of the intervention programmes. Otherwise it remains sheer wastage of resources and energy. Key words: health education, condom, HIV/AIDS, Uniliver, Harare, corporate response
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