Journal of Policy and Society

Rethinking higher education for the 4th Industrial Revolution: Synergetics in global social transformations and society building

Dhanjoo N. Ghista — 2023-09-14

This paper highlights the need for our Rethinking Education towards a global common good and cultivating New Era Universities for the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). 4IR represents a fundamental change in the way we live, work, and relate to one another. It is a new chapter in human development, enabled by extraordinary technological advances commensurate with those of the first, second and third industrial revolutions. Indeed, the 4th Industrial Revolution measures up with the Post-Capitalist Society, involving policies catering to human living needs, enabling people to have a Neo-humanist outlook, and come together to form a universal and more evolved society. This evolved societal state can also come about through implementation of SDGs. 4IR requires a new vision and mission for universities as agents of social transformation and society building, which is what we as humanity must now embark upon.

Environmental challenges associated with disposal of baby diapers in Hwange town, Zimbabwe

Kudakwashe Muringaniza — 2024-01-17

The rapid increase in the use of disposable baby diapers in urban areas is associated with a number of environmental challenges. This study assesses the environmental challenges of disposable baby diapers in Hwange, Zimbabwe. Questionnaires, interviews, and field observations were used for data collection in this study. Data collected from the field was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 and Microsoft Excel. The study findings show that pollution, diseases, and odours are the major challenges of poor waste management associated with disposable baby diapers in Hwange ZPC residential areas. The study recommends the involvement of responsible authorities in conscientious recycling and education on waste management. The research also recommends the need to conduct longitudinal research to establish the position of local and central government in the bid to promote a safe and healthy environment in mining towns such as Hwange, as they are overlooked.

COVID-19 induced DV in Zimbabwe’s Southlea Park residential area in Harare

Oshneck Mupepi — 2024-04-01

COVID-19 affected various communities across the globe in different ways. The study assessed the impacts of COVID-19 lockdown on domestic violence in Southlea-Park residential area in Harare. A mixed methods research design was adopted as it allowed use of both qualitative and quantitative data collection approaches. Questionnaires, interviews and observations were employed for data collection. The research showed that DV in Southlea Park residential area emanated from drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, and conflicts over decision- making between parents, prostitution and food insufficiency among others. The study indicated that most dominant forms of DV in Southlea Park during the COVID-19 lockdown period included physical, emotional and verbal violence. The findings from this study indicated that males suffered more from verbal and psychological violence whilst females suffered more from physical, economic, sexual and emotional violence. The research concludes that COVID-19 had massive influence on domestic violence, however, the Zimbabwe Republic Police should ensure deployment of police officers in temporally camps within or close to residential areas that are far from police stations to ensure public safety during situations that trigger domestic and other forms of violence in residential areas and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development in Zimbabwe should ensure availability of agents responsible for ensuring against vulnerability of people to gender, domestic and other forms of violence in all communities of the country especially during situations that trigger violence.