This article describes how traditional leaders play important developmental, administrative and political roles in rural areas, despite modern state structures. They regulate rural life, control... Show More

This article describes how traditional leaders play important developmental, administrative and political roles in rural areas, despite modern state structures. They regulate rural life, control access to land, and settle various disputes. They are respected leaders in their communities. The existence of traditional leaders means that both the decentralisation and the strengthening of local governance are not taking place in a vacuum. Documentary sources such as the Constitution of Zimbabwe; the Traditional Leaders Act (2000) and Chiefs and Headmen Act (1982); newspapers and unpublished non-governmental organisations (NGOs) evaluations and reports were used in this article. Traditional leaders have played a pivotal role in ensuring that the ZANU-PF government remains in power since 1980. In principle, traditional leaders should not be drawn into party politics and their role should remain one of the neutral leadership. If the traditional leader assumes a party-political role, one should appoint a substitute to handle their traditional role to avoid a conflict of interest.

To cause change at practice level people need to translate what they know into concrete instructional policies and practices to be more productive and ensure organizations, organizational and... Show More

To cause change at practice level people need to translate what they know into concrete instructional policies and practices to be more productive and ensure organizations, organizational and thereby social development. Development Studies reflect that there is disconnect between knowledge acquired especially in the area of management education. This disconnect creates a gap and lessens organizational and social development. Action research and learning can fill this gap. This article addresses a simple question: does action learning and research lead to development? If so, what is it that people need to know about action learning and action research that alludes well to this crucial aspect? Adopting a grounded theory approach and in-depth literature review, the core of the study is to promote understanding of action learning and research, connection between knowledge to practice and how this makes organizational and social development more possible. Further attempts are to provide a framework to adopt action research to enhance holistic development in these societal driven economies.

The objectives of this article was to understand the causes, effects and measures to reduce child marriages in rural Zimbabwe. Child marriages have serious social, economic, health and political... Show More

The objectives of this article was to understand the causes, effects and measures to reduce child marriages in rural Zimbabwe. Child marriages have serious social, economic, health and political implications on young girls and their communities. Young girls are also robbed of their locally and internationally recognised rights. Ending child marriages demands a multi-sectoral approach where all actors, such as parents, national governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), local culture, and religion are involved. This article relies on qualitative methodology to gather data. Purposive sampling and snow ball sampling methods were used to identify key informants and women who were victims of child marriages. Stakeholders involved in children's rights should provide reproductive health and education services to local communities in order to end child marriages.

Studies encompassing media-effects are a prime subject for social science scholars worldwide. The dilemma lies in the very fact that in Pakistan this issue of great significance has not been paid... Show More

Studies encompassing media-effects are a prime subject for social science scholars worldwide. The dilemma lies in the very fact that in Pakistan this issue of great significance has not been paid proper attention. Juvenile delinquency is one of the major issues that cause a great hindrance in the social progress of any society. It not only creates anxiety and aggression in youth, but also turns productive humans into a destructive force against family, society and nation. This research endeavors to discover the consequences of violence in movies with respect to Pakistani youth and uncovering a connection between subjection to such type of content and consequently criminal propensities. Publicized research has examined media effects with a variety of consequences; this research has empirical evidence that exhibits the very fact that violence in the media causes delinquency, thus promoting criminal behavior, especially within the context of Pakistani society.

Smart city deals with the problems of rapid urbanization and population growth by optimal utilization of all available resources. There are other driving factors such as clean energy programmes, a... Show More

Smart city deals with the problems of rapid urbanization and population growth by optimal utilization of all available resources. There are other driving factors such as clean energy programmes, a low carbon economy and distributed energy resources that are included in a smart city concept. Therefore, in this article, the authors proposed a clean energy generating model by utilizing the kinetic energy of vehicles over a speed breaker. The article focused on the design, modelling, and simulation of an electromechanical system for generating electrical power from the kinetic energy of vehicles passing over speed breakers. To facilitate simulation, a model of the electromechanical system is developed in MATLAB/Simulink. Further, MULTISIM 14 software is utilized for power electronic device modelling and simulation. Simulation results for power generation are obtained considering four units of rotational induction generators and two units of translational induction generators.

This article determines children's nutritional status of (1-5) years in a rural setting in Karachi, i.e., Gadap. It also analyzes the impact of socioeconomic factors on nutritional status of... Show More

This article determines children's nutritional status of (1-5) years in a rural setting in Karachi, i.e., Gadap. It also analyzes the impact of socioeconomic factors on nutritional status of children. Nutrition has a deep influence on well-being all the way through the individuals' lives, which is connected inextricably with their social as well as psychological development, especially in earlier childhood. In environments with inadequate social and material resources, they are unable to attain their optimal development. The higher level of fatalities as a consequence of malnutrition is undesirable. The present article examines whether the rural area's parents exhibit a positive and favorable attitude towards their children's nutritional status as a result of increasing awareness regarding nutritional foods through endeavors and macro level initiatives.

The present article is on the role of language in education. This article collected opinions of respondents about the role that language plays in the process of learning and education. Subjects were... Show More

The present article is on the role of language in education. This article collected opinions of respondents about the role that language plays in the process of learning and education. Subjects were asked about their preferred mediums of instruction and their feelings about studying in a particular medium of instruction. The study also focused on the reasons why the respondents opted for a certain medium of instruction. Relationships between proficiencies in the first and second language, i.e., Urdu and English were evaluated. Other findings were related to their proficiency in the first language, gender, place of residence, social pressure, the medium of instruction and quality of education. At the end, recommendations developed by researchers are to clarify the issues regarding the role of language in education.

The study aimed to assess the profile of volunteerism in Saudi Arabia, particularly the Al-Jubail Volunteer Club and its impact to community. One-hundred ninety (190) members of the club are the... Show More

The study aimed to assess the profile of volunteerism in Saudi Arabia, particularly the Al-Jubail Volunteer Club and its impact to community. One-hundred ninety (190) members of the club are the respondents of the study. Descriptive research design was utilized to gain accurate profile of situation. It is found out that the demographic profile of volunteers coincides with some previous studies in terms of age bracket and occupation. Community concern motivated volunteers to participate. Volunteers perceived volunteering as a worthwhile activity. It is something that can improve and imply positive impact on their personal development. It is further concluded, volunteering can help in over-all development of its members and community as well.

Farmer distress has been increasing to such an extent that this has led many of them to give up life and commit suicides. There are no signs of relief for farmers. This is despite the government... Show More

Farmer distress has been increasing to such an extent that this has led many of them to give up life and commit suicides. There are no signs of relief for farmers. This is despite the government granting a decade of financial aid packages in drought prone areas of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra and Kerala with heavy rainfall. Insufficient rains or floods have increased the number of farmer suicides in the recent years and are likely to increase if proper and effective solutions are not carved out. The issue is critical and hence needs quick action to find a stable solution. Adopting a mixed method approach, this article aims to identify the challenges faced by the farmers in India, on the basis of framing strategies to alleviate farmers' issues, understanding the choice of agro-business strategies and recommending solutions to overcome these challenges.

One of the most direct methods of exposing corruption in corporate or public institutions is whistleblowing. Quite a number of countries, including Nigeria, have introduced a whistleblowing policy.... Show More

One of the most direct methods of exposing corruption in corporate or public institutions is whistleblowing. Quite a number of countries, including Nigeria, have introduced a whistleblowing policy. Among its provisions is to deter corrupt behaviours and guide formal investigations into them. However, Nigeria still lags far behind in this respect, perhaps out of structural inertia in dealing with corruption cases. In this article, the author argues that Nigeria can benefit from the institutional, educational and spiritual framework embedded in whistleblowing in Islam through ‘amr bi-l-ma'rūf wa-naḥy ‘an al-munkar i.e., enjoining good and forbidding wrong. The article, through historical and descriptive approaches, explains the policy of whistleblowing from the Islamic perspective, hence, clarifying some Muslims misconceptions. This study, therefore, presents Islamic principles on the whistleblowing policy and explains some pivotal approaches to addressing whistleblowing policy in Nigeria.

The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda is a key part of the international, continental and regional programme for attaining sustainable and durable peace. Conflict and post-conflict situations... Show More

The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda is a key part of the international, continental and regional programme for attaining sustainable and durable peace. Conflict and post-conflict situations have a different impact on women, men, boys and girls. During conflicts, women and children are more vulnerable to sexual violence and exploitation, displacement, a change to household relations and poverty. There have been concerted efforts to identify and address the impact of conflict on women and children and to provide for more responsive, representative and inclusive peace and security structures and processes. SADC countries have made great strides in enacting gender sensitive legislations, representation of women in cabinet, parliament, local government, and security sector institutions. Women have not adequately been represented in mediation and peace-building efforts and most peace agreements lack gender sensitivity. Peace agreements do not include reference to specific needs or interests of women.

In Pakistan, in spite of upsurge in per capita food accessibility, subsequent increases in per capita calorie and protein intake, the occurrence of undernourishment has not been enhanced for last... Show More

In Pakistan, in spite of upsurge in per capita food accessibility, subsequent increases in per capita calorie and protein intake, the occurrence of undernourishment has not been enhanced for last twenty years. Nutrition has intense effect on health during every course of human life and is intimately connected with mental and social progress, particularly in the initial stages of childhood. In situations like a short supply of material and social means, children would be unable to complete their full progression and development. Despite the improvement in the nutritional state of children in recent years, the magnitude of malnutrition with relation to fitness circumstances remains high with serious health concerns. The present study targets the attitudes of parents towards their children's (age 1-5) nutritional status. Socioeconomic factors include the marriage age of the mother, education of mother, number of children, household income and knowledge about nutritional food.

The concept of female criminality is complicated and exhibits itself with diversified attributes in various countries. In Pakistani society, women have been largely involved in brutal criminal acts... Show More

The concept of female criminality is complicated and exhibits itself with diversified attributes in various countries. In Pakistani society, women have been largely involved in brutal criminal acts with the change in social aspects, such as economic conditions, illiteracy, violence against women, family environment, customs and traditions; which indicates an alarming situation in the country. The deprivations, desires, burden, and lack of the respective needs turn a woman into a criminal in the expression to release an outburst. The findings reveal that education plays an important role in the socialization and character building of women. Most of the illiterate and young females who belonged to the urban background are involved in crime. Female criminals reported that they have committed a crime due to a financial problem, unemployment of the husband and the need of money for the upbringing of their children. These socioeconomic conditions made them compulsive to involve in criminality.

The study sought to understand the expectations of the people of Zimbabwe after the 2017 coup, especially in view of prevailing situation where the economy is down and the political environment is... Show More

The study sought to understand the expectations of the people of Zimbabwe after the 2017 coup, especially in view of prevailing situation where the economy is down and the political environment is depressing. The study is motivated by the promises made and the hopes that subsequently developed in the minds of the masses during the period of the coup. The study anchors on good governance; a social contract between the people and the regime. The study is a product of a desk analysis conducted qualitatively. The study established that it may be too early to condemn the social contract though there are already signs of a failed delivery of the services as per the people's expectations. It is becoming apparent that like any other election manifesto, the messages by the coup sponsors might have been baits for the support of the masses in the power takeover project by the military.

In this study, the definition of poverty and the determinants of poverty are discussed in detail. After examination of the poverty situations of all income groups according to World Bank... Show More

In this study, the definition of poverty and the determinants of poverty are discussed in detail. After examination of the poverty situations of all income groups according to World Bank classification have been analyzed separately by the method of regression. According to the analysis conducted by the method of dynamic panel generalized least square regression, impact on current poverty from the previous year and the current growth of poverty has been observed, yet the effects of inflation on poverty are controversial. The exchange rate is not included in the regression because the two-main macroeconomic discussed determinants of poverty in the literature are used in the regression as control variables that there is multicollinearity between exchange rate, growth and inflation. This study points out that in the struggle against the poverty, the most important contribution is gained with economic growth. Since high volatility in price level and exchange rates prevents the growth, inflation and exchange rate policies assessed in the perspective of the importance of growth policy.