International Journal of Research in Social Science and Humanities (IJRSS) ISSN:2582-6220, DOI: 10.47505/IJRSS

Women’s Empowerment: A Comparison of Major Indian States

Mohammad Rehan — 2025-09-09

Gender inequality persists globally, but in India it presents unique complexities due deeply rooted entrenched patriarchal structure intersects with rapid economic development. This study compares women’s empowerment across major Indian states using NFHS-5 (2019-21) data. It focuses on employment, decision making, and financial autonomy to highlight gender disparities. The Study highlights the uneven realization of women’s economic and social agency. States like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat exhibit higher level female workforce participation, largely in non-agricultural sectors, correlating with greater cash earnings and increased decision-making power. In contrast, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh lag, with women primarily in low paid informal agricultural works and facing limited financial and social autonomy. Although financial inclusion initiative have increased women access to banking services and microcredit schemes, it does not inherently guarantee empowerment, as patriarchal norms and educational barriers often hinder true agency. Women’s decision making autonomy remains uneven across states, Punjab and Haryana show higher rates of women’s participation in critical household decisions, states such as Madhya Pradesh reflect significant exclusion. These findings advocate the need for state specific strategies to bridge gender, thereby advancing toward SDG 5’s commitment to gender equality.

Beyond the Veil of Numbers: Understanding the Social Reality of SC and ST Women in Bakalir Chhara Enclave

Dr. Prosenjit Ray — 2025-09-09

Paschim Bakalir Chhara (enclave) was one of the 51 Bangladeshi chhits /chits (enclaves) in India geographically located in Dinhata Sub-division, Cooch Behar district prior to the ratification of the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) in 2015. This article examines the social status of SC and ST women in Paschim Bakalir Chhara, tracing its demographic characteristics, and the challenges faced by its concerned Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) women residents under a stateless existence and after enclave exchange in 2015. It also highlights the impact of the 2015 enclave exchange on the social condition after this enclave became an integral part of the Indian state.

The Performance of Wilayatul Hisbah in the Context of Islamic Shariah Implementation in Simeulue Regency

Reza Kartika — 2025-09-09

The enforcement of law in Aceh Province reflects the special autonomy the central government grants to implement Islamic Sharia. Qanun is a form of legislation equivalent to regional regulations, established by several specialized agencies to oversee the implementation of Islamic Sharia, one of which is Wilayatul Hisbah or Sharia police. Wilayatul Hisbah is a key factor in the success of the implementation of Qanun on Islamic Sharia. As time progresses, it is evident that the responsibilities of Wilayatul Hisbah have increased due to a rise in violations. Various phenomena of violations against Islamic Sharia rules within the community create the perception that Wilayatul Hisbah has not performed optimally in fulfilling its duties. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the extent of Wilayatul Hisbah's performance in implementing Islamic Sharia. This research employs a quantitative approach, with data collection conducted through a questionnaire via Google Forms and statistical data analysis. The results indicate that Wilayatul Hisbah's performance in implementing Islamic Sharia has not yet been fully realized in Simeulue Regency. To maximize the performance of Wilayatul Hisbah, considerations must be made regarding effectiveness, efficiency, adequacy, equity, responsiveness, and accuracy.

Implementation of Policy Regarding the Program Desa Sarjana in Malinau District

Ezham Ahmal Alpansyaf'ri — 2025-09-09

Higher education is a strategic pillar in human resource development, especially in rural areas with limited access to education, such as Malinau Regency, North Kalimantan Province. To overcome educational disparities and expand access to higher education for rural youth, the Malinau Regency Government established the Program Desa Sarjana policy through Regional Regulation Number 7 of 2022. This study aims to examine the implementation of this policy and identify the supporting and inhibiting factors. This study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive research type. The policy implementation theory used is the Van Meter and Van Horn model, which includes six main variables: policy standards and objectives, resources, characteristics of the implementing organization, attitudes of implementers, inter-organizational communication, and the external environment. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation of informants from the Community and Village Empowerment Agency (DPMD), program implementation staff, and Program Desa Sarjana (PDS) participants. The results show that the Program Desa Sarjana has been implemented per the established regulations, but still faces various challenges in the field. Supporting factors in implementing this program include political commitment from the local government, regulatory and budgetary support, and high enthusiasm among village communities for higher education.

On the other hand, the dominant inhibiting factors include limited scholarship quotas, a lack of higher education infrastructure, and low awareness among some communities of the importance of continuing their education to the undergraduate level. This study concludes that the Sarjana Village Program is a progressive and relevant affirmative action in the context of development in remote areas such as Malinau. However, for its implementation to be more optimal, continuous evaluation, expansion of targets, strengthening of implementing institutions, and improvement of educational literacy among the village community are needed.

Fostering Cultural Awareness via English Movies

NUR HAZIRAH MOHD FUAT — 2025-09-09

In today’s globalised world, intercultural awareness is essential for effective communication and mutual understanding. Language education extends beyond grammar and vocabulary to include cultural competence, which enables learners to navigate diverse social and cultural contexts. This study explores the role of English films as a pedagogical tool for fostering intercultural awareness among language learners. By exposing students to authentic cultural representations, films can enhance their ability to recognize, analyse, and appreciate cultural differences. The study employs a quantitative survey with university-level English as a Second Language (ESL) learners. A selected group of students engage with carefully chosen English-language films that depict various cultural perspectives. A questionnaire measures changes in students’ intercultural sensitivity, while thematic analysis of questions provides insights into their perceptions of cultural diversity. Findings indicate that students exposed to English films demonstrate greater intercultural awareness, improved critical thinking regarding stereotypes, and increased motivation to explore other cultures. However, challenges such as difficulty in understanding cultural nuances and the influence of media portrayals on perceptions were also noted. The study concludes that integrating English films into language education is an effective strategy for developing intercultural competence. It recommends structured classroom discussions and guided analysis to maximise learning outcomes. These findings contribute to the growing body of research on intercultural communication in language learning, highlighting films as an engaging and impactful educational resource.

The Role of Economic Intelligence Components on Economic Security in Ghana

Kofi Amanin Oduro-Kwarten — 2025-09-09

Ghana, like many nations, has faced economic security challenges since the post-2008 global economic downturn and the period following the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this, like other governments, the country has prioritized the utilization of economic intelligence to enhance its economic security. A cross-sectional survey design study, conducted to investigate the implications of economic intelligence sharing on economic security in Ghana, sought to analyse the essential components of economic intelligence crucial for enhancing economic security. The study established that these economic intelligence components have a positive and significant relationship with economic security, with an odds ratio of 1.97. The study was guided by economic security theory, just intelligence theory, and general systems theory. It had a target population of 1168 officers from the government and the West Africa Security and Intelligence Network (WASIN), an NGO. The sample size comprised 298 purposively selected officers. Questionnaires, key informant interviews, and documentary analysis were used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data, which were respectively analysed using ordinal logistic regression and thematic analysis. This paper is a detailed presentation of the study findings on the importance of economic intelligence components on economic security.

Adolescents Risky Sexual Behaviour: The Role of Health Education

Veronica N. Imakwu — 2025-09-09

Risky sexual behavior (RSB) among adolescents is a pressing public health concern globally with significant implications for adolescent’s sexual health and overall well-being. While there are reports on RSB from different locations in Nigeria, there is dearth of information in the literature among Nigerian adolescents hence, the need for this paper. This paper delves into the risky sexual behavior (RSB) among adolescents. It focused on the adolescents’ risky sexual behaviours like include early sexual debut, unprotected sex, having multiple sexual partners, and engaging in transactional sex. The paper further discussed the role of health education in mitigating adolescent’s risky sexual haviours like increasing knowledge, developing Skills, addressing specific behaviors and comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) amongst others. The paper concluded that health education has a significant role to play to reduce and/ or eradicate sexual risky behaviours in the society. Thus,educating young people about their sexual health isn’t about corrupting them it’s about protecting them. Moreover, when we get it right, we don’t just prevent problems in our society, we nurture a generation that is informed, confident, and equipped for a healthier future and contributing member of the society.

Methamphetamine Use and its Associated Psycho Socio/Economic Impact: The Need for Drug Education

Dr, Patrick Eni Eluu — 2025-09-09

Methamphetamine (MA) is a powerful and addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. MA use/abuse among adolescents and adults has become a significant social and public health concern globally. However, despite the increased knowledge and awareness of methamphetamine use among the population, research is still sparse on the psycho social impact of MA use. This paper examines the methamphetamine use/abuse and its associated psycho social/economic impact among adolescents and adults in Nigeria. The paper focused on methamphetamine use among adolescents/adults, the psycho social/economic impact and the role of health education intervention. Based on the review, the paper recommended among others that Government through its policies should ensure that jobs are created, social services are rendered, and above all, its policies should be feasible and capable of implementation. Moreover, individuals, families, communities, and the entire society should ensure that moral values are inculcated in the youths. This will help governments in the fight against the menace. Further, the Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) should encourage the sensitization campaigns against drug abuse/abuse among adolescents and adult as well as engage them in the rehabilitation programs.