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

Dr. Mohammad Rehan, Dr. Sohrab Ansari, Aparna Biswas — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

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, Dr. Minal Ali Mia, Dr. Samaresh Barman, Dr. Sumita Sinha — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

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, Bonaventura Ngarawula, Catur Wahyudi — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

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, Sukardi,, Dodot Sapto Adi — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

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

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

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, Dr. Omboto John Onyango, Dr.Ochieng' George Oyombra — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

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

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

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

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

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.

Assessing Sustainable Development Interventions by Non-Governmental Organizations in the Gushegu Municipality of Ghana

Baba Alhassan, Issah Mahamudu, Mary Asumpta Agamba — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In the development world, there is little doubt that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play a crucial role in improving the lives of recipient communities. In the delivery of support to developing countries such as Ghana, these organisations are perceived as more credible and transparent. All development practitioners are increasingly emphasising the importance of project sustainability. A development intervention is considered sustainable if it continues to have positive effects and lasts longer than the initial timeframe, transcends the original spatial dimensions, and is independently adopted or adapted by the local population. The sustainability of NGO-led interventions in the Gushegu Municipality has undoubtedly been questioned due to the influx of NGOs operating in the Municipality, as more than 20 NGOs operate within the Municipality. Many of these institutions are faced with challenges such as socio-cultural, economic, and national regime issues, as well as donor circumstances. Therefore, the study assessed the Sustainability of Development Interventions by Non-Government Organizations in the Gushegu Municipality. To achieve the research goal, the mixed method approach was adopted. Research tools and techniques, including questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, were employed as data-gathering instruments. Respondents, on the other hand, were observed and engaged using open-ended questions in open dialogues in order to get further insights and draw inferences about their viewpoints and conclusions.

Findings show that the efforts of Non-Governmental Organisations within the research area's authority have not produced the expected results, as some have even collapsed a few years after the project organisers' departure. Also, Non-Governmental Organizations are concerned with sustainability; however, the government institutions, such as decentralized agencies, led by the District Assembly, and other parastatal agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Water and Sanitation, Health, among others, have had no substantial impact on sustainability, considering the wanton duplication of initiatives in most of the rural communities. The attitudes and socio-cultural values of political regimes toward NGO-led development activities were not entirely neutral. It was determined that current economic conditions, donor strings attached, and the way NGOs create groups all hinder the sustainability of development activities. The study recommends a synergy among NGOs to avoid duplication of initiatives in communities and to foster stakeholder participation across all dimensions of the transformation agenda, and the avoidance of extreme government interference and partisanship in the discharge of their duties.

Community Workshops and Implementation of Road Maintenance Projects by Kenya National Highways Authority in South Rift Region, Kenya

N.K. Kiprop , D.M. Wanyoike — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Effective engagement of the community in road maintenance projects promotes local needs and preferences, leading to more relevant and responsive initiatives. In particular, the community workshops cultivates a sense of ownership and collaboration among community members. This fosters trust between stakeholders and contributes significantly to the success and sustainability of road maintenance efforts. However, road maintenance projects in Kenya have continually demonstrated inadequate implementation with delays in repairs leading to extended road deterioration and increased safety risks. The present study examined the effect of community workshops, as a strategy of community engagement on the implementation of road maintenance projects in South Rift Region, Kenya. The study was grounded on stakeholder theory. A descriptive research design was adopted. The target population consisted of 28 road maintenance projects by KeNHA, South Rift Region. Both descriptive and inferential methods were applied in the analysis. In the descriptive analysis, means, percentages and standard deviations were employed. On the other hand, correlation and regression analysis were used in inferential analysis. The Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) aided data analysis, and the findings were presented through tables. The descriptive findings indicated that community workshops play a vital role in the implementation of road maintenance projects by Kenya National Highways Authority. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive relationships between community workshops (r = 0.744**, p = 0.000) and implementation of road maintenance projects. Regression analysis further demonstrated a strong overall relationship between community workshops and implementation of road maintenance projects. The coefficient of determination R² value of 0.554, indicated that 55.4% of the variation in road maintenance project implementation is explained by community workshops. The study concludes that community workshops enhance collaboration and coordination. They improve communication, accountability, and sustained involvement, ultimately strengthening the implementation of road maintenance projects. The study recommends Kenya National Highways Authority embed community workshops into operational framework to boost stakeholder alignment, and improve implementation of road maintenance projects.

Procurement Risk Control and Supply Chain Performance among Manufacturing Firms in Nakuru County, Kenya

Mideva. V, Mwaura P — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Procurement risk control within the domain of sustainable procurement enhances risk reduction within the supply chain. It supports the overall organization’s strategy upon which it drives its operations on sustainable policies to gain social and economic benefits among manufacturing firms. However, manufacturing firms in Kenya are grappling with inadequate supply chain performance. Some of the challenges facing the sector include high costs, improper procurement planning, and slow adoption to process innovation in procurement. Therefore, this study assessed the effect of procurement risk control on supply chain performance of manufacturing firms. The study was anchored on transaction cost theory. The target population was the manufacturing firms operating in Nakuru County. Questionnaire was used in data collection and adopted descriptive and inferential data methods in analysis Findings were presented through tables. The descriptive research findings show that procurement risk control affect supply chain performance. Correlation analysis reveals significant relationship between procurement risk control and supply chain performance (r=0.617**, p=0.000). Regression results indicate that sustainable procurement practices explain 38.1% (R²=0.381) of the variation in supply chain performance. The study concludes that procurement risk control within sustainable procurement improve order fulfillment cycle time and workflow efficiency, thereby enhancing supply chain performance.

Participatory Budgeting and Performance of National Government Constituency Development Fund Projects: A Case of Molo Constituency, Kenya

Mohamed Hassan Abdi, Solomon Ngahu — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Participatory budgeting within integrated financial planning is crucial for enhancing efficiency in government-funded projects. However, NGCDF projects face challenges including delays, cost overruns, stalled developments, poor quality, and local community dissatisfaction, revealing a gap between project goals and actual outcomes, which raises significant concerns about overall effectiveness and performance at the constituency level. The current study assessed the effect of participatory budgeting on performance of NGCDF projects in Molo Constituency, Kenya. The study was anchored on Musgrave theory of public finance. A descriptive research design was applied. The target population for the present study was the 39 Ongoing NGCDF projects in Molo Constituency. The researcher involved the project manager from each project, 3 project management committee (PMC) members, and 10 NGCDF committee members, who forms the unit of observation. Therefore, the total population of interest was 127, comprising 117 committee (PMC) members, and 10 NGCDF committee members. Data collection was done using questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were employed for data analysis. For inferential analysis, Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analyses were conducted. The analysis was aided by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). As per the descriptive research findings, the performance of NGCDF projects is affected by the participatory budgeting. The correlation analysis showed that participatory budgeting (r = 0.618**, p = 0.000) had positive and significant relationship with the performance of NGCDF projects. In the regression analysis, the beta coefficient was found to be 0.313 with a t-value of 7.654 and a p-value of 0.000. This result indicates that participatory budgeting had a significant effect on the performance of NGCDF projects. The study concluded that effective participatory budgeting improves project prioritization, accountability, and timely execution, which enhances performance. The study recommended strengthening budget structuring to ensure that NGCDF projects are guided by realistic financial frameworks that align available resources with project priorities. Budgets should be developed based on accurate cost estimates, transparent allocation criteria, and clearly defined timelines. This will enhance overall financial efficiency and performance in NGCDF projects.

Effects of Dusk-to-Dawn Curfews on Spatio-Temporal Crime Displacement in North-Rift Counties of Kenya

Sigu Pavel, Kiboro Christopher, Omboto John — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The use of dusk-to-dawn curfew to contain insecurity in the bandit-prone North-Rift Counties of Kenya has been a common and preferred hotspot policing strategy by law enforcement, yet its outcome has been moderate at best. The study utilized the geometric theory of crime and the theory of state society relations. This study used both quantitative and qualitative research methods. A three-level sampling procedure was used to select the respondents. First, purposive sampling was used to select the counties worst hit by crime and gazetted as hotspots based on legal notices no. 9, 10, 11, and 12 of 2023 and their subsequent extensions vide legal notices no. 167, 168, and 169. These counties were Turkana, Baringo, and West Pokot. Second, two divisions of within each county were randomly selected. Third, proportionate sampling was utilized to distribute the sample population (384) across all the divisions taking into consideration gender balance. Data collected using questionnaires and focus group discussion guides were analysed using both inferential, descriptive, and thematic analyses. The study established significant association between dusk-to-dawn curfew and spatial crime displacement; ?²(140, N = 378) = 1839.638^a , p = .0001, Cramér’s V = . 698, and temporal crime displacement; ?²(120, N = 378) = 1195.452^a, p = .0001, Cramér’s V = . 562. In conclusion, curfew displaced rather than reduced crime, indicating the need for comprehensive security strategies. The study recommends to law enforcement and policing experts an integrated policing system that incorporates community-led policing initiatives together with hotspot policing strategies such as dusk-to-dawn curfew to minimise crime displacement.