Journal of Social and Development Sciences

Refugees’ remittances to precarious IDPs in North Syria, Al-Raeai, between 2017 and 2023

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 01:43:23 -0500

This study explores the impact and role of refugee remittances to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as part of the repertoire of financial coping strategies of displaced people, with a focus on the Al-Raeai region in northwestern Syria. Our paper examines the ‘dual precarity’ of both refugees and IDPs, contributing to the literature on refugee studies. The paper outlines the frequency and unique features of remittances, and the extent to which they contribute to household income and spending patterns. Moreover, it highlights the IDPs' concerns when remittances are interrupted and the potential alternatives. Factors other than war and conflict, COVID-19 and the earthquake (natural disasters) for instance, are also explored. Our research shows that remittances are indispensable for the IDPs, are determined by the senders’ country of origin, and enhance the bonds between families and social circles, especially in emergency events.

European Nations' Asylum Paradox in Perspective: Exploring Italy-Albania’s Refugees Pact Asylum Processing under the 1951 Geneva Convention and the 1967 Protocol

Lawrence Vorvornator — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 01:47:19 -0500

This study explores Italy-Albania’s refugees pact asylum processing to create awareness about humanitarian issues, the 1951 Convention’s contravention, and to expose Italy's (Europeans') asylum paradox. Asylum successful applicants get access to Italy, whereas unsuccessful applicants are repatriated. This study is significant because of the open arms Europeans received Ukrainian refugees, whereas Syrian and Afghan refugees were neglected. The paper adopts Building an infrastructure of Dissent, and Civil Solidarity as a Transformative Practice, exploring Italy-Albania’s pact. The study adopts a literature review, otherwise known as a ‘meta study’. The study identifies that Europeans, through civil solidarity, signed the Convention, protected European descent refugees. However, the 1967 Protocol results in refugees floodgate’. Most refugees are non-Europeans. Regarding priorities shift from humanitarian issues to infrastructural development. This explains the European asylum paradox. Far-right ideologies deemed nations safe in the absence of war. Conflicts and cultural practices tantamount to persecution are ignored in asylum seeking. Modern migration consists of a mixed bag is frowned upon in processing asylum. Only push and pull factors are considered. Some nations are deemed ‘safe’. Applications from such nations are ignored. Unsuccessful applicants are repatriated, which violates human rights and contravenes the 1951 Convention. This study argues that, unlike in the 1950s, when humanitarian and civil solidarity concerned Contracting States, nowadays, nations prioritize infrastructure over human rights. Far-right ideologies ‘fan’ Italy-Albania’s pact violates human rights and contravenes the Convention. The paper recommends the Convention’s re-examination to be abreast with time, since Contracting States nowadays value infrastructure over civil solidarity.

Fiscal Policy Variables and Industrial Growth in Uganda

Benjamin Musiita, Frederick Nsambu Kijjambu, John Bosco Nsengiyumva — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 02:01:27 -0500

This study examines the effect of government spending, taxation, and borrowing on the development of Uganda's manufacturing sector in both the short and long term based on the ARDL model. The study was focused on three main objectives: examining the role of government consumption expenditure, the effect of value-added tax (VAT), and the role of short-term debt on manufacturing value-added (MVA). The results show that government spending contributes slightly to MVA in the short term but supports growth in the long term. VAT contributes to MVA in the short term but reduces it in the long term, showing how excessive taxation can damage industrial competitiveness. Short-term debt reduces the growth of MVA in the short term but is positive in the long term, showing the need for careful management of debt. In general, the evidence suggests that firm government support, moderate taxation, and prudent borrowing are central to the development of Uganda's manufacturing. However, the study identifies a number of limitations, such as the reliance on secondary data, exclusion of possible determinants, and failure to fully establish causality. It recommends that future research take into account a wider range of variables and more disaggregated data in an effort to shed more light on the determinants of manufacturing growth.

Rebuilding The Foundation To Mitigate Moral Decadence in Contemporary Society: An Integration of Ethical Leadership in Parenting (ELIP)

Ronke Iyabo ADEDUNTAN — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 02:06:47 -0500

Parents are children’s first compass in the journey of life. Moral decadence in contemporary society is alarming even among teenagers, thus demanding a home-based approach to mitigate crimes, and incivility. This explorative study engaged a descriptive design to assess the integration of ethical leadership experienced at home, including parenting climate’s influence on morals and students’ character development. The multistage sampling technique resulted in 292 sample size drawn from Agbado/Oke-Odo, Zone 2, Education District 1, Alimosho, Lagos State. A 26-item questionnaire was used for data collection with content analysis of Ethical Leadership Theory. The findings showed parents often displayed ethical characteristics while the quality of parenting influence on students’ moral development was very good. Similarly, there is a significant relationship between the quality of parenting influence on students’ moral development and the decision-making process engaged by secondary school students. However, 6% respondents reported sexual abuse at home. The study conceptualised five ethical leadership tasks in parenting (ELIP) which demand parents to Model, Teach, Create, Practice and Encourage (MTCPE), to mitigate moral decadence in society. The study recommended that sexually abused students should report to the school authority for professional help. Parents are advised to adopt especially positive discipline to sustain good behaviours in children rather than negative discipline of physical beatings and emotional abuse.

Vocationalizing Secondary and Higher Education Curricula in Ethiopia: Advancing Educational Relevance, Skill-Based Pedagogy and Employability

Ashenafi Tsegaye Tegegn — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 02:15:50 -0500

This study critically investigates Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to vocationalize secondary and higher education curricula as a strategy to enhance relevance, employability, and socio-economic transformation. Unlike prior research that treats Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in isolation, the study conceptualizes vocationalization as a system-wide integration of competency-based pedagogy. Employing a policy-to-practice analytical framework, it reviews national policy documents and comparative international experiences to evaluate implementation progress and challenges. The findings reveal persistent gaps, including inadequate work-based learning opportunities, shortages of qualified educators, fragmented governance structures, and cultural stigmas that limit student participation. Comparative insights from countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, South Korea, China, Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, and South Africa demonstrate promising design options, including modular curricula, employer-led assessment, recognition of prior learning, and sustainable financing models. The analysis shows that Ethiopia’s reforms remain fragmented, with limited employer engagement and poor alignment with national industrialization priorities. The study contributes to the literature by offering a context-sensitive reform pathway, emphasizing sequenced strategies that integrate vocationalization as a transformative driver rather than a technical add-on. It argues that embedding adaptive competencies in education is vital for inclusive growth and industrial transformation in Ethiopia.

Sex Trafficking and Emerging Clandestine Sex Working among the Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh: A Sociological Study

Laboni Khatun, ASM Amanullah, Md. Mesbaul Haque — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 09:00:21 -0500

This study explores the deeply rooted issue of sex trafficking and clandestine sex work among Rohingya refugee women in Bangladesh. Taking a 100-sample size and drawing on mixed methods, including structured interviews, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, and case studies, the study examines the socio-economic and structural vulnerabilities that contribute to the exploitation of Rohingya women. Findings reveal that gender-based violence, dowry practices, poverty, statelessness, and lack of employment are major drivers of trafficking. The research also uncovers the roles of brokers, local complicity, and transnational networks in perpetuating this crisis. With trafficking occurring both within and beyond the refugee camps, and victims often lured through deception, coercion, or fake marriages, the need for urgent intervention is evident. Four interrelated theories (1. Intersectionality Theory, 2. Social Disorganization, 3. Rational Choice Theory, and 4. Demand Theory) have upheld the situations of Rohingya women’s trafficking and clandestine sex work at the Bangladeshi refugee camps. The study recommends a multi-tiered response, including legal reforms, economic empowerment, community surveillance, and international resettlement initiatives to ensure safety, dignity and justice for Rohingya women.