Journal articles on the topic 'Social indicators – Africa'
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1
Kyei, Kwabena A. "Social Indicators in the Contemporary South Africa." Journal of Human Ecology 42, no. 3 (June 2013): 303–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09709274.2013.11906605.
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Jinabhai, Champak C., Hoosen M. Coovadia, and Salim S. Abdool-Karim. "Socio-Medical Indicators of Health in South Africa." International Journal of Health Services 16, no. 1 (January 1986): 163–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.2190/jtnm-2d1h-8tk8-63dv.
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Socio-medical indicators developed by WHO for monitoring progress towards Health-for-All have been adapted to reveal, clearly and objectively, the devastating impact of state planning based on an outmoded immoral and unscientific philosophy of race superiority in South Africa on the health of the disenfranchised majority within the context of social and economic discrimination; Health policy indicators confirm that the government is committed to three options (Bantustans, A New Constitution, and A Health Services Facilities Plan) all of which are inconsistent with the attainment of Health-for-All; Social and economic indicators reveal gross disparities between African, Coloured, Indian, and White living and working conditions; Provision of health care indicators show the overwhelming dominance of high technology curative medical care consuming about 97 percent of the health budget with only minor shifts towards community-based comprehensive care; and Health status indicators illustrate the close nexus between privilege, dispossession and disease with Whites falling prey to health problems related to affluence and lifestyle, while Africans, Coloureds, and Indians suffer from disease due to poverty. All four categories of the indicator system reveal discrepancies which exist between Black and White, rich and poor, urban and rural. To achieve the social goal of Health-for-All requires a greater measure of political commitment from the state. We conclude that it is debatable whether a system which maintains race discrimination and exploitation can in fact be adapted to provide Health-for-All.
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Singh, Sachil Flores. "Social sorting as ‘social transformation’: Credit scoring and the reproduction of populations as risks in South Africa." Security Dialogue 46, no. 4 (July 6, 2015): 365–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0967010615582125.
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In this article, I show that credit scoring, although not explicitly designed as a security device, enacts (in)security in South Africa. By paying attention to a brief history of state-implemented social categories, we see how the dawn of political democracy in 1994 marked an embrace of – not opposition to – their inheritance by the African National Congress. The argument is placed within a theoretical framework that dovetails David Lyon’s popularization of ‘social sorting’ with an extension of Harold Wolpe’s understanding of apartheid and capitalism. This bridging between Lyon and Wolpe is developed to advance the view that apartheid is a social condition whose historical social categories of rule have been reproduced since 1994 in the framing of credit legislation, policy and scoring. These categories are framed in the ‘new’ South Africa as indicators of ‘social transformation’. Through the lens of credit scoring, in particular, it is demonstrated that ‘social transformation’ not only influences, shapes and reproduces historical forms of social categories, but also serves the state’s attempt to create and maintain populations as risks.
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Draper, Catherine, Susan Basset, Anniza de Villiers, Estelle V. Lambert, and _. _. "Results from South Africa’s 2014 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth." Journal of Physical Activity and Health 11, s1 (January 2014): S98—S104. http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2014-0185.
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Background:There is current concern for the health and well-being of children and youth in South Africa, including habits of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior. The 2014 Healthy Active Kids South Africa Report Card evaluates the current activity status of children and youth.Methods:The Research Working Group was comprised of 23 experts in physical education, nutrition, sport science, public health and journalism. The search was based on a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature (previous 5 years), dissertations, and nonpeer-reviewed reports (‘gray’ literature) dealing with the PA and nutritional status of South African children and youth 6−18 years of age. Key indicators were identified and data extracted. Grades for each indicator were discussed and assigned.Results:Overall PA levels received a D grade, as roughly 50% or more of children and youth were not meeting recommended levels. Organized sports participation fared better with a C, and government policies were promising, receiving a B. Screen time and sedentary behavior were a major concern and received a grade of F. Under- and over-weight were highlighted, but overweight is on the rise and this indicator was assigned a D grade. Most of the other indicators in South Africa remained the same or became worse so that grades declined from C- to D. In particular, sedentary behavior, soft-drink and fast food consumption, and an ineffectual regulatory environment to control advertising to children were a concern. There is need to engage parents and communities for advocacy and social mobilization.
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Matveevskii, Sergey. "African Development Bank: Experience in Assessing Inclusive Economic Growth in North Africa." Uchenie zapiski Instituta Afriki RAN 59, no. 2 (June 30, 2022): 35–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.31132/2412-5717-2022-59-2-35-48.
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The article discusses the African Development Bank (Bank), the features of its activities and the experience of assessing inclusive economic growth (IEG) in the countries of North Africa. The author reveals the structure of the EDI index (developed and tested for the countries of North Africa by the Bank’s specialists), based on the use of generally recognized social and economic indicators. The author concludes that the use of various indicators and weighting factors in the index will allow development banks (DBs) to objectively assess the impact of their activities on the EDI in regions and countries. The EDI index will complement the existing system for evaluating the activities of the BR, and will allow them to use their resources more efficiently, plan and implement projects and programs, considering current goals.
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Wang, Xiaoliang, Danlin Yu, and Chunhua Yuan. "Complementary Development between China and Sub-Sahara Africa: Examining China’s Mining Investment Strategies in Africa." Sustainability 13, no. 21 (October 22, 2021): 11678. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su132111678.
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China’s recent national and international regional development strategies emphasize both the deepening of the domestic market and the exploration of new markets and resource suppliers to support China’s industrialization. The cooperation with, and investment in, Africa has become an integrated part of China’s international regional development strategy. Investment in Africa is often the result of a decision process that requires balance among local complex political, economic, social, and geological conditions. Proper decision support analysis is the key for success or failure of complementary development. Based on location theories, the current study analyzes China’s mining investment in Africa and derives a set of indicators to form the basis for evaluating China’s investment strategies in the mining industries in Africa. A multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach, the VIKOR method, is applied to evaluate six African countries based on this set of indicators. Results suggest that while resource abundance and value are important factors for mining investment decisions, political stability and local legal system restrictions are weightier in the decision-making process. China’s outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) in mining industries in Africa is more inclined to countries with stable political environment, resource endowment and greater value advantage so that both parties can maximize the benefits from such investment.
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Van Den Heever, Gerhard. "On How To Be or Not To Be: Theoretical Reflection On Religion and Identity in Africa." Religion and Theology 8, no. 1-2 (2001): 1–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/157430101x00017.
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AbstractIn introducing this issue on 'Religion and Identity in Africa' the debates regarding African identity in religion here is placed within a wider theoretical framework of social constructivist theories of religion. Within the ambit of these social approaches to religion, it is argued that issues of identity and religion are essentially issues of mythmaking and social formation with a view to satisfying social interests. However, describing religion and explaining identity formation are not innocent scholarly activities, embedded as they are in the politics of conceptual manipulation and the rhetoric of identity creation. In light of this it can be argued that the contributions assembled in this issue represent both descriptions of processes, and appeals to or indicators towards the development of an African identity in conceptualising religion in the African context.
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Van Niekerk, Dewald. "Disaster risk governance in Africa." Disaster Prevention and Management 24, no. 3 (June 1, 2015): 397–416. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/dpm-08-2014-0168.
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Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to provide a retrospective assessment of progress in disaster risk governance in Africa against the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) since 2000. This assessment of progress achieved in disaster risk governance in Africa aims to identify achievements, good practices, gaps and challenges against selected HFA indicators (in particular Priority 1). Design/methodology/approach – This study mainly followed a qualitative methodology although quantitative data were interpreted to achieve the research objectives. Available literature (scientific articles, research and technical reports) on disaster risk governance was used as primary research data. This research used a selected number of African countries as its basis for analysis (Burundi, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Swaziland and South Africa). By investigating literature on disaster risk governance an analytical framework was developed which guided the assessment of the achievements, good practices, gaps and challenges in implementing disaster risk governance on the African continent since the inception of the HFA in 2005. Findings – The research found that African countries have been making steady progress in implementing disaster risk governance against theoretical indicators. The continent contains a few international best practices which other nations can learn from. Certain gaps and challenges are, however, still hampering better progress in the reduction of disaster risks. There is the need for multi-layered ownership and understanding of disaster risks and their cross-sectoral nature, with strong community engagement. Originality/value – An assessment of progress in disaster risk governance in Africa can assist greatly in shaping future international and national policy, legislation and implementation. The research provided input to the Global Assessment Report for 2015 and identified opportunities in disaster risk governance beyond 2015.
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Mbade, Sene Abdourahmane. "Fertility in Africa: Dynamics and Challenges of Development." European Scientific Journal, ESJ 18, no. 13 (April 30, 2022): 43. http://dx.doi.org/10.19044/esj.2022.v18n13p43.
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This research is interested in the links between the fertility of women and the economic and social development of their country. It is part of an African context marked by weak indicators of economic and social development but with high indicators of demographic growth. Methodologically, quantitative data relating to demographic, economic, social and health variables are analyzed using a Principal Component Analysis, evolution curves, and projections to the year 2100. The results show that some African countries, despite their high fertility rates, benefit from social progress related to health and life expectancy even if their economy seems to be negatively affected especially by the high dependency indices of young people. Strong inequalities in fertility rates are also noted between different countries and different geographic regions, making the geography of the African population plural. The various demographic projections made show real opportunities for the continent's economic development in the future.
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Akinboade, Oludele Akinloye, and Emilie Chanceline Kinfack. "Financial development, economic growth and millennium development goals in South Africa." International Journal of Social Economics 42, no. 5 (May 11, 2015): 459–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijse-01-2013-0006.
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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically report the findings on the relationship between financial sector development, economic growth and of millennium development goals (MDGs) for poverty reduction, education and health development in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach – The autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing technique was applied to two indicators of financial development, economic growth and four indicators of MDGs. Findings – Economic growth and MDGs jointly cause financial development. Similarly, economic growth and financial sector development jointly cause the attainment of MDGs. The attainment of MDGs such as increased per capita expenditure on food and education as well as economic growth jointly cause financial development. Practical implications – The findings highlight the complexity of the relationship between financial development, economic growth and MDGs. It is essential that the government of South Africa pursue a three track strategy of promoting financial sector development, economic growth and MDGs. The development of one strategy causes and is caused by the development of the other two. Originality/value – Relationships between financial development, economic growth and MDG targets are unsettled in the literature. This paper studies the link between the three variables in South Africa. Hence, the contribution of this study is to enrich the understanding of this important field in the context of an important African country.
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Hedquist, Aaron, Catherine M. Jones, Rhona M. Mijumbi, Joëlle Sobngwi-Tambekou, Justin Parkhurst, and Clare Wenham. "Mapping regional cooperation of state actors for health research systems in Africa: A social network analysis." PLOS Global Public Health 2, no. 10 (October 13, 2022): e0001142. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0001142.
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Regional bodies can potentially play an important role in improving health research in Africa. This study analyses the network of African state-based regional organisations for health research and assesses their potential relationship with national health research performance metrics. After cataloguing organisations and their membership, we conducted a social network analysis to determine key network attributes of national governments’ connections via regional organisations supporting functions of health research systems. This data was used to test the hypothesis that state actors with more connections to other actors via regional organisations would have higher levels of health research performance across indicators. With 21 unique regional organisations, the African continent is densely networked around health research systems issues. In general, the regional network for health research is inclusive. No single actor serves as a nexus. However, when statistics are grouped by African Union regions, influential poles emerge, with the most predominate spheres of influence in Eastern and Western Africa. Further, when connectivity data was analysed against national health research performance, there were no statistically significant relationships between increased connectivity and higher performance of key health research metrics. The inclusive and dense network dynamics of African regional organisations for health research strengthening present key opportunities for knowledge diffusion and cooperation to improve research capacity on the continent. Further reflection is needed on appropriate and meaningful ways to assess the role of regionalism and evaluate the influence of regional organisations in strengthening health research systems in Africa.
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Ogundari, Kolawole, Adebola Abimbola Ademuwagun, and Olajide Abraham Ajao. "Revisiting Environmental Kuznets Curve in Sub-Sahara Africa." International Journal of Social Economics 44, no. 2 (February 13, 2017): 222–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijse-02-2015-0034.
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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to revisit the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) model in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries by focusing on two indicators of environmental change (EC), namely rate of deforestation (RD) and all greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture (Agric_GHG) with aim of addressing two key objectives in the study. First, to investigate whether the EKC hypothesis exists for both indicators considered in the region. Second, to examine the effects of macroeconomic and institutional variables on both indicators in the study. Design/methodology/approach The authors employ a balanced panel data covering 43 countries from 1990-2009 in the study. Subsequently, the study uses serial correlation/autoregressive order one corrected cross-section time series model based on Feasible Generalized Least Square method. Findings The empirical results show that the EKC exists (i.e. as inverted U-shaped) only for all GHG emissions from agriculture. Agricultural production and trade openness increase significantly both indicators of EC considered in the study. Other results show that, population growth reduces significantly Agric_GHG, while economic growth increases significantly RD in SSA. Originality/value This is the very first study to investigate the applicability of EKC hypothesis to emissions from non-oil sector such as agriculture (i.e. all GHG emissions from agriculture) in the region.
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C Angoissa Minsoko, Pamela, and Selidji T Agnandji. "PO 8538 STRENGTHENING SOCIAL STRATEGIES TO ENGAGE SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN SOCIETIES TO VALUE CLINICAL RESEARCH: THE EXPERIENCE IN CONDUCTING CLINICAL TRIALS IN LAMBARéNé." BMJ Global Health 4, Suppl 3 (April 2019): A51.1—A51. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2019-edc.133.
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BackgroundOver the last two decades, clinical research activities have increased significantly in sub-Saharan Africa but societal engagement to make research socially and economically valuable is limited. Thus, engaging communities when designing clinical research and promoting social impacts of research are becoming key objectives among stakeholders involved in clinical research in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a need to define concepts and indicators to assess the strength of community engagement as well as the social impacts of clinical research.Here, we hypothesised that the social meanings of willingness to participate and compliance to clinical trial procedures are relevant indicators to assess community engagement.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, prospective case study of clinical trials conducted in CERMEL between 1995 and 2017. We performed a social meaning framework analysis of the following processes: protocol design, ethical and regulatory clearance, informed consent and medical study procedures. We identified the social meanings of each procedure according to the involvement of social components (actors, ideas, communication strategies).ResultsA total of 42 clinical trials were identified in the ClinicalTrials.gov and Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry databases and confirmed by the top management of CERMEL. Between 1995 and 2004, there was little social meaning connected to trial procedures. This period was associated with poor compliance to study procedures. Between 2005 and 2017, compliance to study procedures improved. Detailed results will be presented during the meeting.ConclusionThe rise in willingness to participate in clinical research and improved compliance with study procedures were associated with the introduction of social components to medical procedures. Both indicators may be relevant to assess the strength of community engagement.
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De Wet-Billings, Nicole. "Single motherhood, social independence and non-communicable disease (NCD) outcomes among young females (15-24 years old) in South Africa." AAS Open Research 4 (August 3, 2021): 31. http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13238.2.
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Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) acquired during youth follow into and affect adulthood. The association between young mother’s social independence and NCD status is of policy interest due to its effect on economic and social development. This study aimed to determine the causal relationship between social independence and NCD outcomes among young, single mothers in South Africa. Methods: Data from the South African National Income Dynamics Survey (NIDS) in 2008 and 2017 was used to determine if single mothers developed hypertension, diabetes or asthma by various indicators of social independence, including highest level of education and employment status. The sample was initially made-up of unmarried females (15-24 years old) without any children in 2008. Both fertility and social independence was followed-up to 2017. Results: In total, 66 young females developed an NCD by 2017 and 87% (n=57) of these women had a child in the interim period. Employment of young females increased from 4.78% in 2008 to 37.79% in 2017, but completion of secondary or tertiary education declined from 67.94% in 2008 to 56.01% in 2017. In addition, half (50.88%) of the young females were partially independent by 2017, with only 11.03% being fully independent at this time. Finally, logistic regression results showed that the likelihood of developing an NCD increased if young females with children were not socially independent. Conclusions: The relationship between social independence and NCDs suggest that policies and programmes in South Africa need to incorporate socioeconomic status as a determinant of disease and in particular, need to address socioeconomic indicators as additive measures and not autonomous indicators.
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De Wet-Billings, Nicole. "Single motherhood, social independence and non-communicable disease (NCD) outcomes among young females (15-24 years old) in South Africa." AAS Open Research 4 (June 14, 2021): 31. http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13238.1.
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Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) acquired during youth follow into and affect adulthood. The association between young mother’s social independence and NCD status is of policy interest due to its effect on economic and social development. This study aimed to determine the causal relationship between social independence and NCD outcomes among young, single mothers in South Africa. Methods: Data from the South African National Income Dynamics Survey (NIDS) in 2008 and 2017 was used to determine if single mothers developed hypertension, diabetes or asthma by various indicators of social independence, including highest level of education and employment status. The sample was initially made-up of unmarried females (15-24 years old) without any children in 2008. Both fertility and social independence was followed-up to 2017. Results: In total, 66 young females developed an NCD by 2017 and 87% (n=57) of these women had a child in the interim period. Employment of young females increased from 4.78% in 2008 to 37.79% in 2017, but completion of secondary or tertiary education declined from 67.94% in 2008 to 56.01% in 2017. In addition, half (50.88%) of the young females were partially independent by 2017, with only 11.03% being fully independent at this time. Finally, logistic regression results showed that the likelihood of developing an NCD increased if young females with children were not socially independent. Conclusions: The relationship between social independence and NCDs suggest that policies and programmes in South Africa need to incorporate socioeconomic status as a determinant of disease and in particular, need to address socioeconomic indicators as additive measures and not autonomous indicators.
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De Wet-Billings, Nicole. "Single motherhood, social independence and non-communicable disease (NCD) outcomes among young females (15-24 years old) in South Africa." AAS Open Research 4 (February 15, 2022): 31. http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13238.3.
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Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) acquired during youth follow into and affect adulthood. The association between young mother’s social independence and NCD status is of policy interest due to its effect on economic and social development. This study aimed to determine the causal relationship between social independence and NCD outcomes among young, single mothers in South Africa. Methods: Data from the South African National Income Dynamics Survey (NIDS) in 2008 and 2017 was used to determine if single mothers developed hypertension, diabetes or asthma by various indicators of social independence, including highest level of education and employment status. The sample was initially made-up of unmarried females (15-24 years old) without any children in 2008. Both fertility and social independence was followed-up to 2017. Results: In total, 66 young females developed an NCD by 2017 and 87% (n=57) of these women had a child in the interim period. Employment of young females increased from 4.78% in 2008 to 37.79% in 2017, but completion of secondary or tertiary education declined from 67.94% in 2008 to 56.01% in 2017. In addition, half (50.88%) of the young females were partially independent by 2017, with only 11.03% being fully independent at this time. Finally, logistic regression results showed that the likelihood of developing an NCD increased if young females with children were not socially independent. Conclusions: The relationship between social independence and NCDs suggest that policies and programmes in South Africa need to incorporate socioeconomic status as a determinant of disease and in particular, need to address socioeconomic indicators as additive measures and not autonomous indicators.
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Prokopenko, Lyubov’ Ya. "GENDER STUDIES IN RUSSIAN AFRICAN STUDIES. SOCIAL AND POLITICAL LIFE OF AFRICAN COUNTRIES THROUGH THE PRISM OF GENDER ISSUES." RSUH/RGGU Bulletin. Series Philosophy. Social Studies. Art Studies, no. 1 (2021): 325–33. http://dx.doi.org/10.28995/2073-6401-2021-1-325-333.
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This article is an analytical review of gender science in Russian African studies. Under modern geopolitical conditions Africa is becoming an important vector of foreign policy and international economic cooperation for Russia. The development of further mutually beneficial ties between our countries requires expanding and deepening knowledge about each other. Russian scholars of Africa play an important role in that process. In recent decades significant gender shifts have taken place in a number of African states: women are taking an active part in public and political life, gender equality is being ensured at regional and national levels, including the electoral process which is one of the most accurate indicators of the democratization in society. It is noted that the realities and prospects in the formation of gender balance in social and political life in African countries have common trends, but in some cases the significant country specificity exists. The author of the article indicates the reasons for the considerable increase in the representation of women in legislative and executive bodies in several countries of the continent, as well as the obstacles that impede social and political activity of African women
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Menk, Linda, Christian Neuwirth, and Stefan Kienberger. "Mapping the Structure of Social Vulnerability Systems for Malaria in East Africa." Sustainability 12, no. 12 (June 23, 2020): 5112. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12125112.
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Millions of people fall ill with malaria every year—most of them are located in sub-Saharan Africa. The weight of the burden of malaria on a society is determined by a complex interplay of environmental and social factors, including poverty, awareness and education, among others. A substantial share of the affected population is characterized by a general lack of anticipation and coping capacities, which renders them particularly vulnerable to the disease and its adverse side effects. This work aims at identifying interdependencies and feedback mechanisms in the malaria social vulnerability system and their variations in space by combining concepts, methods and tools from Climate Change Adaptation, Spatial Analysis, and Statistics and System Dynamics. The developed workflow is applied to a selected set of social, economic and biological vulnerability indicators covering five East-African Nations. As the study areas’ local conditions vary in a multitude of aspects, the social vulnerability system is assumed to vary accordingly throughout space. The study areas’ spatial entities were therefore aggregated into three system-regions using correlation-based clustering. Their respective correlation structures are displayed as Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs). While the three resulting CLDs do not necessarily display causal relations (as the set of social vulnerability indicators are likely linked through third variables and parts of the data are proxies), they give a good overview of the data, can be used as basis for discussions in participatory settings and can potentially enhance the understanding the malaria vulnerability system.
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Lopes, Paulo Silva. "A Comparative Analysis of Government Social Spending Indicators and their Correlation with Social Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa." IMF Working Papers 02, no. 176 (2002): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.5089/9781451858822.001.
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Na, Muzi, Meghan Miller, Terri Ballard, Diane C. Mitchell, Yuen Wai Hung, and Hugo Melgar-Quiñonez. "Does social support modify the relationship between food insecurity and poor mental health? Evidence from thirty-nine sub-Saharan African countries." Public Health Nutrition 22, no. 5 (November 5, 2018): 874–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s136898001800277x.
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AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to determine the relationship among food insecurity, social support and mental well-being in sub-Saharan Africa, a region presenting the highest prevalence of severe food insecurity and a critical scarcity of mental health care.DesignFood insecurity was measured using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). Social support was assessed using dichotomous indicators of perceived, foreign perceived, received, given, integrative and emotional support. The Negative and Positive Experience Indices (NEI and PEI) were used as indicators of mental well-being. Multilevel mixed-effect linear models were applied to examine the associations between mental well-being and food security status, social support and their interaction, respectively, accounting for random effects at country level and covariates.ParticipantsNationally representative adults surveyed through Gallup World Poll between 2014 and 2016 in thirty-nine sub-Saharan African countries (n 102 235).ResultsThe prevalence of severe food insecurity was 39 %. The prevalence of social support ranged from 30 to 72 % by type. In the pooled analysis using the adjusted model, food insecurity was dose-responsively associated with increased NEI and decreased PEI. Perceived, integrative and emotional support were associated with lower NEI and higher PEI. The differences in NEI and PEI between people with and without social support were the greatest among the most severely food insecure.ConclusionsBoth food insecurity and lack of social support constitute sources of vulnerability to poor mental well-being. Social support appears to modify the relationship between food security and mental well-being among those most affected by food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Van Heerden, Judy. "Quality in South African early learning centres: Mothers’ and teachers’ views and understanding." South African Journal of Childhood Education 6, no. 1 (November 25, 2016): 11. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajce.v6i1.423.
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This study investigated how quality in early learning centres (preschools) in South Africa was experienced and perceived by mothers and teachers. A theoretical framework, based on a model of quality development by Woodhead (1996), informed the study. This framework that consists of input (structural), process and outcome quality indicators is a well-established model for quality development, which has been used in developing countries. The findings generated from a thematical analysis of interview data showed that aspects perceived by mothers and teachers as quality indicators in early learning centres were predominantly process indicators and hard to ‘measure’ in a quantitative way. For mothers and teachers, children’s social-emotional well-being, holistic development, a normative foundation for values and respect, effective infrastructure and accountable learning indicated quality. A quality school climate enhances emotional and social well-being, and the findings suggest that for mothers and teachers quality concerns were not about that which the early learning centres have provided in terms of facilities (input indicators), but rather about the process indicators where centres promote children’s holistic well-being. The only outcome indicator that was regarded as extremely important by mothers and important, but not to the same extent, by teachers, is whether children are happy and content and enjoying school.
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Kinyondo, Abel, Riccardo Pelizzo, and Mwoya Byaro. "“DELIVER AFRICA FROM DEBTS”: Good Governance Alone is not Enough to Save the Continent From Debt Onslaught." World Affairs 184, no. 3 (August 3, 2021): 318–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00438200211025519.
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The present article analyzes the debt–economic growth nexus in African countries while controlling for the impact of good governance indicators. In contrast to a long tradition of scholarship that has consistently suggested that government debt has a detrimental impact on economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa, recent studies have actually shown that government debt, when coupled with improvements in the quality of government, is actually a driver of economic growth. By analyzing an original dataset that covers the 2002–15 period and additional debt–economic growth data going up to the year 2020, we are able to suggest three conclusions. First, in the absence of debt, good governance matters in improving economic growth. Second, some dimensions of governance are better predictors of economic performance than others—as the “good enough governance” literature has in recent years suggested. Third, under no circumstances is debt government growth beneficial for the economic performance of African countries. Building on this evidence, we suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic—which has already slowed down African economies and increased their debt exposure—may prevent African countries from making greater progress along the developmental path.
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Effiong, Ubong Edem, Supper Roland Okijie, and Nora Francis Inyang. "Labor Employment in Western and Central Africa: An Exploration of Economic, Demographic, Social, and Political Indicators." Asian Development Policy Review 10, no. 4 (November 17, 2022): 278–306. http://dx.doi.org/10.55493/5008.v10i4.4661.
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This paper explores how key economic, demographic, social, and political variables influence labor employment in Western and Central Africa (WCA). Our analysis is based on the use of time series data, which spans from 1991 to 2020. These data were analyzed using simple ordinary least squares estimation. It was observed that economic variables accounted for about 76.81% of the total variation in labor force participation. The demographic indicators were observed to account for 96.31% of the total variation in labor force participation. For the social indicators, the variables account for 88.46% of the total variation in total unemployment. For the political indicators, the variables jointly explain 89.75% of the overall variation in total unemployment. The research concludes that the problem of labor employment within the WCA region can be solved by addressing economic vagaries, demographic explosion, and social and political change.
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Hai, Helen. "Making Industrialization in Africa Sustainable." International Journal of Innovative Research in Social Sciences and Strategic Management Techniques 9, no. 1 (January 9, 2022): 32–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.48028/iiprds/ijirsssmt.v9.i1.03.
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As my own country, China has shown, strong growth in the manufacturing industry is a key driver of sustainable development. It has a significant impact on economic and social well-being, as a recent report by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) demonstrates. The report looks at data across all countries and plots manufacturing value-added per capita, along with competitiveness, against indicators on poverty, inequality, health, education, employment, and human development. The results provide clear statistical evidence on how closely the process of industrialization is connected to improvements in people’s living conditions and their quality of life.
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Novoselova, E. N., and A. V. Liadova. "Global inequality and the main trends in development of Africa nowadays." Moscow State University Bulletin. Series 18. Sociology and Political Science 24, no. 3 (September 21, 2018): 87–107. http://dx.doi.org/10.24290/1029-3736-2018-24-3-87-107.
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The article examines the main trends and forecasts of Africa’s development. The global inequality is seen by the authors as a key factor threatening the continent today and the future. As it shows by the authors, the global inequality influences on the development of Africa differentlly: by social, economical, ecological, political aspects. The certain aspects and statistical characteristics of inequality such as poverty, resources’ deficit (food shortages and water crisis) are analyzed by the present study. Degradation of the environment is happening due to the irrational use of nature that becomes an inhibitory factor in development of the African continent. A comprehensive analysis of current and forecasted demographic indicators has been carried. Africa’s role in the future demographic processes has been characterized, considering that the continent is of the rising “demographic giants”. Migration processes from Africa to the European Union countries has been assessed, as well as the prospects of an increasing inflow of migrants from Africa to Russia. As a consequence of demographic influence together with the adverse environmental impact, the authors point to extremely low standard of living, social inequality, disordered urbanization. However, despite the fact that Africa in the early 21st century is associated with conflicts (interstate and civil wars, inter-ethnic clashes), uncontrolled migration, insurmountable poverty, environmental disasters, hunger, deadly diseases, drug production and export, the authors note that global interest in Africa and the economic community first of all significantly increases in the third millennium. It is concluded that there is a need for a balanced assessment of the main risks and benefits of Russian-African relations at the present stage. Future planning of Russian-African relations must to take into account both the tremendous natural resources and demographic potential of Africa together with the global challenges and threats it bears.
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Bartniczak, Bartosz, and Andrzej Raszkowski. "Sustainable Development in African Countries: An Indicator-Based Approach and Recommendations for the Future." Sustainability 11, no. 1 (December 20, 2018): 22. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su11010022.
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This study addresses problems related to the level of sustainable development in African countries in the years 2002–2016. The introduction presents the current situation in Africa, the occurring transformations as well as the goals and definitions of sustainable development. The significance of social order in the aforementioned development has also been highlighted. The next part of the article features sustainability indicators, selected for the analysis and covering all the essential aspects, i.e., social, economic, environmental, spatial, institutional and political areas. The applied research method was the synthetic measure of development (SMD), whereas the data for calculations and analyses were retrieved from the sources of the World Bank. The key part of the study presents the research results showing the position of individual countries regarding the level of implementation of the sustainable development concept in the period 2002–2016. As part of the added value the selected problems of Africa and ways of solving them, along with the recommendations for the future, were listed and characterised. It was concluded that the situation of the African countries, in terms of their sustainable development level, improved significantly in the period under analysis. The crucial problem is that the discussed countries are still experiencing a relatively unfavourable situation in this respect. Cape Verde and Ghana are among the countries recording the best results. The least favourable situation was observed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Chad, Central African Republic and Eritrea.
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Ajide, Kazeem Bello, and Olorunfemi Yasiru Alimi. "DOES DISPARITY IN INCOME AND CONSUMPTION EVER INCITE TERRORISM IN AFRICA?" World Affairs 184, no. 3 (August 6, 2021): 339–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00438200211035126.
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Does disparity in income and consumption incite terrorism in Africa? To answer this important question, we investigate the empirical linkages between inequality and terrorism by separately regressing income and consumption inequalities on four indicators of terrorism: domestic, transnational, unclear, and total over the period 1980–2012. Employing a negative binomial regression across a panel dataset covering 46 African economies, the following findings are established. First, both income and consumption inequalities have decreasing impacts on all terrorism measures—with the exception of uncertain terrorism (the impact of which is negligible). Second, both income and consumption inequalities exert more statistical influence on transnational terrorism than domestic terrorism. Third, income inequality exerts more statistical weight on terrorism measures than consumption inequality across the model specifications. Last, the non-trivial impact of confounding variables—such as the lagged value of terrorism, surface areas, and conflicts—are validated across the terrorism models. In line with these empirical outcomes, policy implications and suggestions for further studies are offered.
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Nkuba, Michael Robert, Raban Chanda, Gagoitseope Mmopelwa, Margaret Najjingo Mangheni, David Lesolle, and Edward Kato. "Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Indicators of Rain: Evidence from Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda." Weather, Climate, and Society 12, no. 2 (April 2020): 213–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/wcas-d-19-0027.1.
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AbstractThis study investigated the abiotic and biotic environmental indicators used among pastoralists and arable farmers to predict the onset and cessation of rain as well as to make short-term and seasonal forecasts in the Rwenzori region of Western Uganda. We used a mixed-methods approach that included surveys of 907 households, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. The results indicate that resident birds such as white-browed coucals and turacos and migrant birds such as eagles and swallows were important indicators of the onset of rains. Butterflies were an important indicator for the cessation of rains, and red ants were an indicator for the onset of rains. Among the abiotic indicators, winds, clouds, earthquakes, and cloud formation on Mount Rwenzori were important indicators. Behavior of cattle at the onset of rains was important among the pastoralists, and flowering of coffee plants was important among the arable farmers. The behavior of the biotic indicators was driven by the availability of food, water, or other necessities. An attempt to explain the phenology underlying the behavior of biotic indicators and the meteorological science underlying some of the abiotic indicators is made. Although biotic environmental indicators are rudimentary and their accuracy is influenced by external factors such as climate change, they provide climate information within the locality of the farmers. Our results suggest that the indicators used in indigenous forecasting could be incorporated in national meteorological systems in a bid to improve the accuracy of rainfall forecasts and their use among farmers and pastoralists in rural Africa.
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Otekunrin, Olutosin Ademola, Oluwaseun Aramide Otekunrin, Barbara Sawicka, and Idris A. Ayinde. "Three decades of fighting against hunger in Africa: Progress, challenges and opportunities." World Nutrition 11, no. 3 (September 29, 2020): 86–111. http://dx.doi.org/10.26596/wn.202011386-111.
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Tackling hunger is a challenge for many African governments because of its endemic nature on the continent. Many African countries have found it difficult to achieve significant reductions in hunger and malnutrition since 1990. In this paper, we review the progress of African countries in the fight against hunger over the past three decades, using the Global Hunger Index (GHI) scores. Ghana had the best GHI improvement (-53.1%) while Zimbabwe and Central African Republic had slightly increased GHI scores (+1.6%). Within this time period, few countries had significant reductions in their GHI scores, while some suffered increases. Furthermore, in assessing the three indicators of GHI: (i) prevalence of undernourishment (percent population), (ii) prevalence of stunting in children (%) and (iii) prevalence of wasting in children (%), we found that no country in Africa was able to achieve all three targets. Six countries (Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Morocco, Mauritius and Algeria) were able to achieve targets for two of these while the majority achieved only one. We present country-level evidence of clear links between GHI scores with score for human development, social protection and terrorism. Some challenges that made the zero hunger target a difficult task in Africa are reviewed while opportunities for moving the continent towards the zero-hunger target by 2030 are also explored.
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Sharma, Anand. "Does economic freedom improve health outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa?" International Journal of Social Economics 47, no. 12 (October 20, 2020): 1633–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijse-01-2020-0008.
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PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the impact of economic freedom on four key health indicators (namely, life expectancy, infant mortality rate, under-five mortality rate and neonatal mortality rate) by using a panel dataset of 34 sub-Saharan African countries from 2005 to 2016.Design/methodology/approachThe study obtains data from the World Development Indicators (WDI) of the World Bank and the Fraser Institute. It uses fixed effects regression to estimate the effect of economic freedom on health outcomes and attempts to resolve the endogeneity problems by using two-stage least squares regression (2SLS).FindingsThe results indicate a favourable impact of economic freedom on health outcomes. That is, higher levels of economic freedom reduce mortality rates and increase life expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa. All areas of economic freedom, except government size, have a significant and positive effect on health outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsThis study analyses the effect of economic freedom on health at a broad level. Country-specific studies at a disaggregated level may provide additional information about the impact of economic freedom on health outcomes. Also, this study does not control for some important variables such as education, income inequality and foreign aid due to data constraints.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that sub-Saharan African countries should focus on enhancing the quality of economic institutions to improve their health outcomes. This may include policy reforms that support a robust legal system, protect property rights, promote free trade and stabilise the macroeconomic environment. In addition, policies that raise urbanisation, increase immunisation and lower the incidence of HIV are likely to produce a substantial improvement in health outcomes.Originality/valueExtant economic freedom-health literature does not focus on endogeneity problems. This study uses instrumental variables regression to deal with endogeneity. Also, this is one of the first attempts to empirically investigate the relationship between economic freedom and health in the case of sub-Saharan Africa.
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Masegare, Peter, and Mpho Ngoepe. "A framework for incorporating implementation indicators of corporate governance for municipalities in South Africa." Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society 18, no. 4 (August 6, 2018): 581–93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/cg-11-2016-0216.
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Purpose This paper aims to develop a framework for incorporating implementation indicators of corporate governance for municipalities in South Africa. In South Africa, there is a corporate governance framework (King III report) that is regarded as a seminal work applicable to both the public and private sectors. Despite its existence, municipalities still struggle to provide services to the citizens due to poor implementation. The poor corporate governance implementation in municipalities led to several issues such as loss of credibility for local government, little interests from investors to invest in municipalities, service delivery protests from communities, maladministration and unexpected change of leadership in municipalities without succession planning in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach The study conducted literature review to demonstrate the need for a framework to implement corporate governance in South Africa. Findings It is evident from the study that the municipal sector could improve its performance and practices of corporate governance, if the underpinning framework is adopted and implemented as a sector framework. The integration of governance elements during the development of the municipal sector integrated development plan (IDP) will facilitate a coherent base for good governance implementation practices. Research limitations/implications This research would go a long way in bringing out the anomalies that paralyse municipalities, the root causes of inefficiency and possible ways to rectify them. Practical implications This study offers a framework that can help the local government sector to improve on service delivery. Implementation of the framework can also assist municipalities in obtaining clean audits from the supreme audit institutions in their respective countries. Social implications The study has a huge social impact as it would help municipal officials take notice of the issues raised and act accordingly thus improving the life of citizenry. Originality/value This study adds value to the existing theoretical and conceptual issues that form the ongoing discourse on the implementation of corporate governance in local government, especially in South Africa, as the country is characteristic by corruption and maladministration.
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Doan, Huy Quang. "Trade, Institutional Quality and Income: Empirical Evidence for Sub-Saharan Africa." Economies 7, no. 2 (May 20, 2019): 48. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/economies7020048.
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This paper looks at how trade liberalization and institutional quality influence real income. Previous evidence has provided mixed results, and we find that indicators representing trade liberalization have been very weak. By using strongly balanced panel data of 45 Sub-Saharan African countries covering the last 34 years (1980–2013), along with numerous advanced econometric instruments (random effect, fixed effect, system-generalized method of moments, pooled mean group) and composite trade indicators (KOF indicators), this paper determines the impact of trade liberalization, social factors and political globalization on real income per capita in both static and dynamic settings. The paper also considers short-term and long-term effects. The study confirms that free trade has a significant positive impact on the growth of real income per capita in static and dynamic settings. However, it also finds that countries must pay in the short-term to gain more significantly in the long-term. Further, we point out that social factors, especially information flows, can have significant but varying influences on real income under different scenarios and that political globalization both challenges and gives opportunities for improving living standards. We also find that institutional quality is a key factor for economic development in any situation.
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Mapedza, Everisto, Sophia Huyer, Nitya Chanana, Alison Rose, Inga Jacobs-Mata, Netsayi Noris Mudege, Sabine Homann-Kee Homann-Kee Tui, et al. "Framework for Incorporating Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Elements in Climate Information Services (CIS)." Sustainability 15, no. 1 (December 22, 2022): 190. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su15010190.
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We advance a gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) framework for incorporating climate information services (CIS), which is now becoming central due to the ongoing climate change and climate variability. We understand gender as a social construct of who women and men are supposed to be. Gender inequalities seem to be enduring such that, despite innovations in agricultural and climate information technologies, unequal gender power dynamics will still emerge. As far back as the 1960s, the gendered inequalities in accessing technologies could be identified. Such a historical analysis clearly shows that the different technological solutions are clearly embedded within the society in which they evolve in. The paper uses a literature review methodological approach whilst informing the implementation of an ongoing Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) Project. The findings reveal that unless women are intentionally included in designing and developing agricultural technologies, specifically climate information systems, there is a danger that women will be excluded from the benefits. Conway’s law clearly stipulates that technological innovations are not neutral as they are a projection of the values of their creators. It is, therefore, central to grasp the values of creators of different technological solutions and innovations. The key findings are built around the espoused conceptual framework, which has five indicators, namely: (1) gender targeting by intentional design, (2) collection of sex-disaggregated data, (3) conduct an analysis of the sex-disaggregated data, (4) dissemination of the technological options and (5) conduct continuous monitoring of gender and ongoing empowerment evaluation. The five indicator domains are further complemented by their respective assumptions. Our GESI recommendations are on the five selected indicator domains. These domains must be used within the three focal development areas: agricultural data hub, climate information services training, and flood and drought indicators, which are all being implemented in Zambia. Other AICCRA Project countries are Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, and Senegal. This paper engages why CIS has not gained significant traction in Africa, as it has not genuinely incorporated the differential gender technological nuances.
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Habanabakize, Thomas, Lerato Mothibi, and Precious Mncayi. "THE NEXUS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT REVENUE AND MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS IN SOUTH AFRICA." Eurasian Journal of Business and Management 9, no. 4 (2021): 258–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.15604/ejbm.2021.09.04.003.
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Government revenue plays a paramount role in any country’s development and citizen welfare. This is done through government provision of crucial services related to development which include but not limited to finances or subsidies to business entities and citizens through the national wealth distribution. The importance of government revenue is directly correlated with other equally important outcomes. Hence, there exist an interdependence or interaction between macroeconomic variables and government revenue. Therefore, understanding the relationship between government revenue and macroeconomic variables can assist in improving a country’s economy and the development of its people. The core objective of this study was to analyze the effect of some macroeconomic variables on the South African government revenue from 1994 to 2021. Both short-run and long run relationships amongst variables were analyzed using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. The long-run and short-run findings indicated that the level of government revenue depends on performance of the analyzed macroeconomic variables namely; balance of payments, economic growth, employment and real effective exchange rate. Employment and economic growth were found to be the major determinants of government revenue. Consequently, the study suggests that the introduction and implementation of policies and strategies that enhance employment opportunities and promote economic growth would be a fundamental way to increase government revenue and improve economic and social well-being.
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Ajide, Folorunsho M. "Can financial inclusion reduce the presence of corruption? Evidence from selected countries in Africa." International Journal of Social Economics 47, no. 11 (October 6, 2020): 1345–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijse-03-2020-0145.
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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of financial inclusion (FI) on control of corruption in selected African countries.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs secondary data spanning over a period of 2005–2016. These data are sourced from IMF's International Financial Statistics, World Bank Development Indicators, Global Financial Development Database, Transparency International and International Country Risk Guide. The author uses Sarma (2008) approach to construct the FI index for 13 countries in Africa. The author applies random effect, robust least square and instrumental variable (IV) estimations to examine the impact of FI on control of corruption in Africa.FindingsThe author finds that financial inclusion improves the control of corruption. The author tests for possible FI threshold to avoid the case of extreme FI in Africa. The results show that there is a threshold level if reached, FI would have negative impacts in the control of corruption. This may likely happen mainly due to weak institutions in Africa. The results are robust to alternative proxy for control of corruption and various alternative estimation techniques.Practical implicationsThe finding indicates that FI can serve as part of toolkits for reducing corruption in Africa.Originality/valueThis study stresses the important role of FI in the economic system. It is the first paper that empirically suggests the role of FI in controlling corruption in Africa.
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Obasanjo, Iyabo. "Social conflict, civil society, and maternal mortality in African countries." Leadership 14, no. 5 (August 21, 2018): 543–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1742715018793742.
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This study looks at the association between social conflicts, civil society freedom, and democracy, and how social conflicts impact maternal mortality in African countries as a first step toward understanding how to use civil society to pressure Sub-Saharan African governments into improving maternal mortality ratios and other human development indicators. Pro-Government riots were negatively associated with civil society freedom. Organized Demonstrations and Organized Riots were positively associated with civil society freedom when North African countries were included in the data, but when they were excluded, only Organized Riots were associated with civil society freedoms. The period under study included the Arab Spring, which was characterized by high numbers of Organized Demonstrations in North African countries. I theorized that Organized Demonstrations occur less often in Sub-Saharan African countries due to lower levels of internet connectivity (used to organize) or because government forces use severe suppression, which escalates demonstrations into riots more in Sub-Saharan Africa. The fewer Pro-Government riots there are, the freer the civil society, and the more Organized Demonstrations and Organized Riots, the freer the civil society. This indicates that Pro-Government riots tend to be organized as part of the government repression of civil society. The analyses used democratization levels of countries as a control variable and found that as autocracy level increases, the level of civil society freedom decreases. Organized Demonstrations were the only form of social conflict associated with maternal mortality. It was a negative association, with rising maternal mortality associated with fewer Organized Demonstrations. The finding therefore suggests that democratic governance, with associated civil society freedom, that allows Organized Demonstrations provides the best scenario for health outcomes in African countries.
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Matemane, Reon, Tankiso Moloi, and Michael Adelowotan. "Appraising Executive Compensation ESG-Based Indicators Using Analytical Hierarchical Process and Delphi Techniques." Journal of Risk and Financial Management 15, no. 10 (October 17, 2022): 469. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jrfm15100469.
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Economic, social and governance (ESG) have become topical subjects amidst the deleterious effects of climate change, inequality and similar pressing challenges facing the people and the planet. The main objective of this study was to rank the importance of both the pillars within the ESG model and the five indicators beneath each pillar for the purposes of executive compensation plans through the Analytical hierarchical process (AHP). It is not known which pillar within the ESG model should be prioritised by companies operating in a developing economy context such as South Africa, and neither is it known which of the available indicators should be prioritised when designing executive compensation plans. AHP and pairwise comparison is employed in prioritising important pillars and indicators. The environmental pillar is identified to be the most important among the three pillars. Indicators that are prioritised mirror both the environmental and socio-economic challenges prevalent in South Africa as an emerging economy. Companies’ boards, remuneration committees, investors and policymakers can use the ESG-based indicators that have been prioritised in this study in designing the executive compensation plans. AHP and pairwise comparison are novel approaches used to prioritise the important pillars within the ESG model and the underlying indicators.
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Adeyemo, O., Russell Wise, and Alan Brent. "The impacts of biodiesel feedstock production systems in South Africa: An application of a Partial Equilibrium Model to the Eastern Cape Social Accounting Matrix." Journal of Energy in Southern Africa 22, no. 1 (February 1, 2011): 2–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2413-3051/2011/v22i1a3191.
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In this paper the impacts of biodiesel feedstock production in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa is assessed through the application of a Partial Equilibrium Model to the Eastern Cape Social Accounting Matrix, using canola production in the Province as an ‘external shock’. Six economic indicators were estimated. The results show that investment in biodiesel production in the Eastern Cape will generate, in 2007 terms, an additional GDP of R18.1 million and 410 employment opportunities per annum, R24.3 million per annum over an assumed lifetime of 20 years in capital formation, R2.1 million additional income generated in low income households, increase in government revenue, and a positive balance of payment. These indicators imply that, given the parameters that are accounted for in a Partial Equilibrium Model, every Rand invested in canola projects in the Eastern Cape will, overall, be of socio-economic advantage to the Province. It is envisaged that further applications of such models may lead to a better understanding of the implications of biofuels in the South African economy, and thereby inform decision- and policy-making in terms of the sustainability of biofuels production systems in general.
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Asongu, Simplice A. "Institutional benchmarking of foreign aid effectiveness in Africa." International Journal of Social Economics 42, no. 6 (June 8, 2015): 543–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijse-12-2013-0286.
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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to integrate two main strands of the aid-development nexus in assessing whether institutional thresholds matter in the effectiveness of foreign-aid on institutional development in 53 African countries over the period 1996-2010. Design/methodology/approach – The panel quantile regression technique enables us to investigate if the relationship between institutional dynamics and development assistance differs throughout the distributions of institutional dynamics. Eight government quality indicators are employed: rule of law, regulation quality, government effectiveness, corruption, voice and accountability, control of corruption, political stability and democracy. Findings – Three hypotheses are tested and the following findings are established: first, institutional benefits of foreign-aid are contingent on existing institutional levels in Africa; second, but for a thin exception (democracy), foreign-aid is more negatively correlated with countries of higher institutional quality than with those of lower quality; third, the institutional benefits of foreign-aid are not questionable until greater domestic institutional development has taken place. The reverse is true instead. government quality benefits of development assistance are questionable in African countries irrespective of prevailing institutional quality levels. Originality/value – This paper contributes to existing literature on the effectiveness of foreign-aid by focussing on the distribution of the dependent variables (institutional dynamics). It is likely that best and worst countries in terms of institutions respond differently to development assistance.
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Garner, Robert C. "Safe sects? dynamic religion and AIDS in South Africa." Journal of Modern African Studies 38, no. 1 (March 2000): 41–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022278x99003249.
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The HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa is rapidly escalating, and its demographic and social impact is beginning to be felt. Although the damage to the macro-economy is projected to be slight, the consequences for affected households will be dire, and social indicators such as life expectancy will deteriorate dramatically. A large majority of South Africans are affiliated to Christian Churches, but this has not prevented the types of sexual behaviour that promote the epidemic. Based on research in a KwaZulu township, this article presents evidence on the level of extra- and pre-marital sex (EPMS) among members of different church types. It is argued that only Pentecostal churches significantly reduce EPMS among members; and that they achieve this by maintaining high levels of four crucial variables: indoctrination, religious experience, exclusion and socialisation.
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Akhmat, Ghulam, Khalid Zaman, Tan Shukui, Yasir Javed, and Shaina Rauf Khan. "Social Health Indicators and Economic Growth: Evidence from East Asia and Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa." Social Indicators Research 119, no. 2 (December 17, 2013): 663–86. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11205-013-0538-x.
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Dominic, Azuh, Adeyemi Ogundipe, and Oluwatomisin Ogundipe. "Determinants of Women Access to Healthcare Services in Sub-Saharan Africa." Open Public Health Journal 12, no. 1 (December 31, 2019): 504–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874944501912010504.
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Background: The study examined the socio-economic determinants of women access to healthcare services in Sub-Saharan Africa for the period 1995-2015. Methods: The study adopted the dynamic panel model and estimated it using the System Generalized Method of Moments in a bid to overcome the endogeneity problem inherent in the model of study. Result: The study harmonized the theoretical strands in the literature by describing the measure of access determinants as three main components; i. Health service availability, ii. Health service utilization and iii. Health service decision. Conclusion: The indicators of health service availability such as community health workers, physicians, nurses and midwives and hospital beds improve women's access to healthcare facilities in Africa. Also, health service utilization indicators such as population density worsen the quality of healthcare services available to women while electricity access and private health expenditure enhance women’s access to quality healthcare delivery. Health service decision indicators such as female bank account ownership, female labour force participation, attainment of basic education and female household headship were important in enhancing women's access to healthcare facilities. Generally, women's health outcomes were more responsive to health service utilization; implying that service utilization is an important proof of healthcare access in Africa.
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Luiz Cortes, Pedro, João Roberto Cordeiro Duarte, and Sylmara Lopes Gonçalves Dias. "Development of corporate social responsibility projects in Angola." Social Responsibility Journal 10, no. 2 (May 27, 2014): 268–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/srj-01-2012-0004.
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Purpose – This paper aims to consider the development of corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects by Catoca, a diamond mining company in Angola, along with the effectiveness of these projects, and the benefits to stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach – The research method used was direct observation and semi-structured interview with executives and administrative employees of the company, and collaborators of CSR projects, during 2010, 2011 and 2012. We also analyse documents about CSR projects developed by Catoca and identify the challenges faced. Findings – The management of CSR projects is hampered by the low disclosure of results and the absence of social indicators. This may generate inadequate results compared to investment. The assumption of low stakeholder expectation and the absence of social indicators may lead to neo-philanthropic or preconceived actions that ignore local peculiarities. Research limitations/implications – This study is limited to one company, and the lack of social indicators means it is difficult to evaluate the reported results. Practical implications – This paper improves understanding of the challenges involved in CSR projects in Africa and may also be useful for companies that develop CSR projects, drawing attention to issues that could compromise the proper use of resources and hamper results. Social implications – This study considers Angola, which is using its natural resources to boost economic and social development, establish partnerships with foreign companies and encourage the development of CSR programmes which often end up filling gaps left by the absence of government action. Originality/value – This study contributes to the largely under-researched area of CSR projects in Angola.
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Cohen, Tamara, and Luendree Moodley. "Achieving "decent work" in South Africa?" Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal/Potchefstroomse Elektroniese Regsblad 15, no. 2 (May 25, 2017): 319. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2012/v15i2a2490.
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The fundamental goal of the International Labour Organisation is the achievement of decent and productive work for both women and men in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. The South African government has pledged its commitment to the attainment of decent work and sustainable livelihoods for all workers and has undertaken to mainstream decent work imperatives into national development strategies. The four strategic objectives of decent work as identified by the ILO are: i) the promotion of standards and rights at work, to ensure that worker's constitutionally protected rights to dignity, equality and fair labour practices, amongst others, are safeguarded by appropriate legal frameworks; (ii) the promotion of employment creation and income opportunities, with the goal being not just the creation of jobs but the creation of jobs of acceptable quality; (iii) the provision and improvement of social protection and social security, which are regarded as fundamental to the alleviation of poverty, inequality and the burden of care responsibilities; and (iv) the promotion of social dialogue and tripartism. This article considers the progress made towards the attainment of these decent work objectives in South Africa, using five statistical indicators to measure such progress namely: (i) employment opportunities; (ii) adequate earnings and productive work; (iii) stability and security of work; (iv) social protection; and (v) social dialogue and workplace relations. It concludes that high levels of unemployment and a weakened economy in South Africa have given rise to a growing informal sector and an increase in unacceptable working conditions and exploitation. The rights of workers in the formal sector have not filtered down to those in the informal sector, who remains vulnerable and unrepresented. Job creation initiatives have been undermined by the global recession and infrastructural shortcomings and ambitious governmental targets appear to be unachievable, with youth unemployment levels and gender inequalities remaining of grave concern. Social protection programmes fail to provide adequate coverage to the majority of the economically active population. Social dialogue processes and organisational structures fail to accommodate or represent the interests of the informal sector. Until these problems are overcome, the article concludes, it remains unlikely that decent work imperatives will be attained.
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Murray, Rachel. "PREVENTING CONFLICTS IN AFRICA: THE NEED FOR A WIDER PERSPECTIVE." Journal of African Law 45, no. 1 (April 2001): 13–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0221855301001584.
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A brief glance at Africa would suggest that the methods adopted to deal with conflict prevention have achieved little success. It is clear that there are complex causes of conflict and that one cannot view conflict in a narrow sense, but must take account of political, economic and social factors to truly understand its causes and process. There is evidence that human rights violations predate conflicts: thus arbitrary arrests and detentions, oppression of political opposition groups and individuals, difficulties in socio-economic conditions, and additional border controls often increase during such times. Monitoring the situation of human rights over a period of time can therefore provide indicators of impending disputes. Conversely, human rights violations are also caused by conflicts. Yet, human rights and conflicts are often dealt with separately and this is evidenced in the practice of the UN as well as the Organization of African Unity (OAU).
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DAWA, SAMUEL, and REBECCA NAMATOVU. "SOCIAL NETWORKS AND GROWTH OF FEMALE-OWNED VENTURES: A SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA PERSPECTIVE." Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship 20, no. 02 (June 2015): 1550009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/s1084946715500090.
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We examine the influence of the dimensions of social networks on the growth aspirations of female entrepreneurs. Using multi stage stratified random sampling, 540 women were surveyed in the five geographic regions of Uganda. Drawing on social network theory, point bi-serial correlation and logistic regression analysis were carried out to test our hypotheses. Although we find a relationship between belonging to a social network and growth, we also find that the relationship between the other indicators of social networks, including social support, discussion of business ideas, equality of network members and growth, are not statistically significant. We propose this may be because the challenges that face female entrepreneurs in this context negate the influence of social networks on growth. On the other hand, we posit that the metrics used to measure entrepreneurship related constructs are biased not only against women but even the developing country context.
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Okenwa, Leah, and Stephen Lawoko. "Social Indicators and Physical Abuse of Women by Intimate Partners: A Study of Women in Zambia." Violence and Victims 25, no. 2 (April 2010): 278–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/0886-6708.25.2.278.
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Intimate partner physical abuse (IPPA) of women is a societal problem with sinister implications on health. IPPA has been integrally linked to social status though the direction of association remains elusive, not the least in sub-Saharan Africa. This article investigated the association between IPPA and social status of women in Zambia. Data comprising 3,969 currently partnered women were retrieved from the 2001 Zambian Demographic and Health Survey and analyzed using chi-square test and logistic regression. IPPA augmented with low education, income-generating activity, access to information, autonomy over household health issues, and having tolerant attitudes toward IPPA. Tolerant attitude toward IPPA and illiteracy were independent risk factors for IPPA. Educational interventions are recommended to prevent IPPA in Zambia.
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Skowno, Andrew Luke, and Maphale Stella Monyeki. "South Africa’s Red List of Terrestrial Ecosystems (RLEs)." Land 10, no. 10 (October 6, 2021): 1048. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/land10101048.
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Ecosystem level indicators are emerging as important pillars of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity; at the same time, the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (RLEs) is experiencing rapid global uptake. We applied a systematic RLE assessment to 456 terrestrial ecosystems in South Africa between 2017 and 2021. What sets South Africa apart in this endeavour is that an independently formulated ecosystem threat status indicator was developed between 2004 and 2008 and the list of threatened ecosystems (effectively a proto RLE) was integrated into the national environmental regulatory framework in 2011. Through this, Critically Endangered and Endangered types were afforded a form of statutory protection through increased regulation of land-use change activities. We describe the transition to the IUCN RLE framework and focus on both the technical steps of incorporating the best available data into a credible assessment, and the unique social and legal processes to ensure that the biodiversity conservation sector in South Africa understood and supported the proposed replacement of the existing list of threatened ecosystems (2011) with the RLE (2021). We discuss the policy development steps required in South Africa, and the pros and cons of maintaining a legislative link for RLE implementation.
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Olapoju, Olabisi Michael. "Cross examinations of maritime trade disruptions in Africa during COVID-19 pandemic." Pomorstvo 36, no. 2 (December 23, 2022): 187–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.31217/p.36.2.2.
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This study examined the influence of the disruption of COVID-19 on maritime shipping activities in Africa. Particular attention was paid to the variations in the performance of selected African countries in container ship calls, container throughput, and liner shipping connectivity between 2019 and 2020. Eighteen (18) African countries were selected from all the geographical regions of the continent based on data availability. Secondary data was drawn from records of maritime trade in the publications of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) (2019, 2020, and 2021) as well as World Bank Development Indicators for the selected countries. Explorative data analysis was used to organize and present the data. Results showed that the North African region alone recorded an improved percentage of container ship calls in 2020 than in 2019. Results by individual countries showed that Ghana recorded the highest positive increase in ship calls in 2020 from her record in 2019. In addition, Morocco, recorded the highest container throughput in 2020 than the record in 2019 while all the countries exhibited a winding record of liner connectivity between the last quarter of 2019 through the last quarter of 2020. The study concluded that the disruption of maritime activity by the COVID-19 pandemic had a mixed impact on African countries’ performance. However, Africa has the potential to be more resilient to unforeseen shocks and become competitive if it is more integrated into the global supply chain and deploys modern and efficient technology and innovation to the shipping business more than it ever did.
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Ganda, Fortune. "The effect of carbon performance on corporate financial performance in a growing economy." Social Responsibility Journal 14, no. 4 (October 1, 2018): 895–916. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/srj-12-2016-0212.
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Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of carbon performance on firm financial performance by using Republic of South Africa CDP company data from 2014 to 2015. Design/methodology/approach The study considered 63 companies on the Republic of South Africa CDP database. Content analysis was used to extract both carbon performance data and firm financial data. The data were analysed using panel data analysis and partial derivative approaches. Findings The findings indicate that carbon performance produces a positive relationship with return on equity (ROE) and return on sales (ROS). Conversely, it generates a negative relationship with return on investment (ROI) and market value added (MVA). Furthermore, the study highlights that carbon performance pays and that the relationship with financial performance (ROE, ROS, ROI and MVA) deepens as the corporate growth rate increases. Practical implications Companies that integrate carbon performance initiatives reap substantial financial gains, and this relationship is strengthened as the company’s growth rate increases. Originality/value The research questions and data collected from Republic of South African CDP firms are original and provide important evidence on the impact of carbon performance on firm financial indicators. Furthermore, many empirical studies focus on highly industrialised countries; this study examines this issue in the emerging South African economy which has experienced rapid growth of emissions in recent years. While most previous studies on the relationship between carbon performance and firm financial performance used a single class of corporate financial measures, this study used both accounting- and market-based indicators. It also investigated how firm growth moderates the association between carbon performance and diverse financial performance measures. Finally, pressure exerted by green stakeholders since the introduction of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s sustainability criteria in 2004, as well as government policies, has a profound impact on the South African business context; it is hence important to examine corporate environmental management activities in the context of the association between carbon performance and firm performance.