Norby Paul

Health is a human right and over the years, national governments have invested heavily to provide citizens with quality, accessible, and affordable health care. Although some aspects of women’s health have improved, there are still important unmet needs. The Maasai community has a patriarchal social structure, where men hold positions of power and authority. Women often have limited decision-making power and may face barriers to accessing healthcare independently. The study examined the effect of power relations on Maasai women’s access to social health security in Kajiado West Sub-County,Kenya. The study employed a mixed-method sequential explanatory design. The target population were Maasai women of Kajiado West Sub County. The sample size was 398, according to the Yamane formula. Questionnaires, interview guides and Focus Group Discussions were used in data collection. The study found a significant negative relationship between power differences and women’s social security for he...

Purpose: The research study aimed to investigate the influence of strategic partnerships on resource mobilisation of community-based organisations’ in Kajiado County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study include the role of joint activities, shared resources, and information sharing reciprocity on resource mobilisation among selected Community Based Organisations in Kajiado County, Kenya. The study was anchored on the Theory of Change and Resource Mobilisation Theory. Methodology: The study adopted an embedded mixed research design with quantitative and qualitative methods. The study's target population was 395 CBOs members in Kajiado County. The research used a simple random sampling technique with 30% to 10 simple CBOs. Purposive sampling was used to sample 10 managers, and Yamane’s scientific formula (1967) to sample 395 staff. A sample size of 310 was used in the study. Data collection was done using questionnaires, which were administered online. Descriptive statisti...

Purpose: This study is about refugees and national security in Kenya: Case Study of Eastleigh, Kamukunji Constituency, Nairobi County. The research examined whether refugees are a threat to national security, evaluated the relationship between refugees and terror activities and examined whether the Kenya’s open-door policy on refugees is a threat to national security. This research was guided by conceptual framework on what national security is and threats to national security, as well as refugees and the security threats they pose to Kenya. Push and Pull Theory and Securitization Theory further guided the research. Methodology: The study was conducted using Mixed Methods research design that incorporated both qualitative and quantitative approaches in data collection, data analysis and interpretation of the findings. The research instruments for data collection were questionnaire and one on one interviews with refugees and relevant key stakeholders such as UNHCR, Danish Refugee Cou...

Kerala, a state with high development indices distinguished with its Kerala Model of Development (UN, 1975), is also affected by recent Pandemic COVID'19 as other states and nations worldwide. The existing socioeconomic analysis of the State reveals that the land reforms, promotion of education, and early introduction of participatory governance through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) have contributed to the State's socioeconomic and political advancement. These factors played a significant role in the fight against the pandemic. This study is an attempt to answer what are the future economic and health challenges as the State, Kerala Model of Development, is faced with COVID'19? The specific objectives further guide this— to study the economic challenges ahead of the State as the tertiary sector is faced with challenges to contribute to the economy and attempted to study the possible ways to address health issues in the State. The researchers conducted an in-depth in...

It is established that the number of orphans or vulnerable children increases day by day. Their communities become less capable of addressing their basic needs, including their needs for education (UNICEF, 2009). The intellectual and emotional parts of the child’s conditions for the creation of the developing environment are the key spheres in the overall brain development. In orphaned children poor mental health is a risk factor that led to many psychological issues. It is necessary to study the psychological status of the orphan children.Lane (2002) says emotional intelligence is related to academic performance. There is still need to investigate the relationship of emotional intelligence and academic behaviour of the orphan adolescent in country like India. The study is being undertaken among Institutionalized orphan children in Cochin to understand the role of emotional intelligence in academic performance and socialization of the orphaned children. The result states that respon...

Development paradigms are at transition as the time pass through.  From progress to growth and then development is envisaged by nations aiming at obtaining welfare of its citizens irrespective of any specification. The notion of development is realised often by the implementation of various projects involving huge financial investments which are expected to be boon to the respective nations. The ownership of such projects often defined by economic systems of each nation.  Such projects not only impose financial burden for a specified time but also involve human displacement, involuntarily from the place of their origin or stayed for a long time. Nations and international agencies have also stipulated guidelines (for an example, IFC’s Performance standards) to implement such projects. India being mixed economy implemented projects on public-private partnership (PPP) and Kerala (Ernakulam District) being first in the nation to have an airport (transport project) on PPP model displaced 829 families. The district also has another transport project that facilitates container movement (ICTT) which displaced 316 families. Since both involved forced eviction of families, though development project intended wellbeing of people, invite a movement from one place to another which has multiple implications to their life. It can either lead to advancement or marginalisation. To understand  the status of displaced people of these transport projects of Kerala the researcher has undertaken a study using mixed method implementing interview schedule and interview guide  to collect data  from  respondents selected for study. The study discloses that the oustees of both projects are experiencing high level of marginalisation in four dimensions: economic, social, psychological and political. This hinders the achievement of intended wellbeing of oustees rather caused deterioration.  This could have been avoided if there was adequate attention taken to obtain social licensing which promotes economics of recovery and wellbeing of individual, community and society.

Simply because she is a female the average Indian woman is likely to be variously a victim of feticide, infanticide, malnourishment, dowry, child marriage, maternal mortality, domestic servitude, prostitution, rape, honor killings and/or domestic violence. The stereo types of perception for the rape victims which are highly prevalent in a society like India prevent the rehabilitation of the victim back into society. Social workers are a part of the multidisciplinary team which works in a scenario both to prevent instances of rape and at the same time is responsible for the effective rehabilitation of the victims back into society. However, the prejudiced mindset of the social worker will affect the rehab services which are being provided to the victims and also to the perpetrators. It hence becomes mandatory to analyse social life to understand the prevalence of rape myth acceptance and victim blaming attitudes which are prevalent among social workers. This study compares the prevalence of rape myth acceptance and victim-blaming attitudes among male and female social work trainees. It was revealed that the female respondents have a slightly more negative attitude towards the victims as compared to the male respondents. The fact however remains that both male and female respondents were victim blaming and had rape myth acceptance attitudes. This in turn points to the prevalence of poor quality professional social services which adversely affect the rehabilitation of the rape victims.

Social wellbeing is also closely related to mental health. Social Wellbeing is the basis for social equality, social capital, social trust and it depends on individual's wellbeing, quality of services received in the community and income, their interpersonal relationships and respect enjoyed. Social actualisation and acceptance are more significant in this regard. Social wellbeing is the extent and individual feels a sense of belonging and social inclusion a supported person in society. Our lifestyles, ways of living, value systems, traditions, culture, and beliefs are all important contributors to social well being along with individual's learned skills and practices such as communication skills, social skills, problem-solving, negotiation and the capacity to understand the views and feelings of others through our relationships, social interactions, observation of others. Detrimental effects of alcohol use by an individual are widespread and noticeable in all spheres (physical, psychological, social, and economical) of an individual's life. Further, the collective and long-term effects are felt by all sectors of the society we live in. Since every person is part of society and a family, it impacts society and other family members as well. The poor quality of life and alcoholic dependency of these people of Kerala, mostly male, disturbs family atmosphere and education of the children because most of the evenings in those families have quarrels and disturbance in the family atmosphere. This badly affects the children born and brought up in those families. Social wellbeing of the children of alcoholic dependents is often at question and often challenging. Researcher attempted to study social wellbeing of children of Alcohol addicted parents using descriptive research design and proportionate random sampling irrespective of their gender to collect data. The result shows social wellbeing of the adolescent children of alcohol addicted parents based on their geographical area-costal and non-costal-and gender-male and female-which is distributed equally is found with moderate level. Children of such parents experience poor social support, social acceptance and social integration. Intervention by social workers, social scientists and social engineers and psychologist in community services that promote social wellbeing of the coastal adolescents, especially community integration and motivation programmes can improve their levels. Community and Family health, especially mental health services are to be initiated and strengthen the existing ones through the involvement of social work colleges who can mobilise the community against alcoholic addiction and create awareness on ill effects of alcohol consumption.

Researchers have shown the detrimental effects of alcohol use by an individual are widespread and noticeable in all spheres (physical, psychological, social, and economical) of an individual's life. The poor quality of life and alcoholic dependency of these coastal people of Kerala, mostly male, disturbs family atmosphere and education of the children. As studies say most of the evenings in the family of alcoholic dependents have quarrels and disturbance in the family atmosphere. This badly affects the children born and brought up in those families having alcoholic parents whether they are of coastal or non-coastal. Psychological wellbeing of the children of alcoholic dependents is often at question and often challenging. Research describes psychological wellbeing of children of Alcoholic Parents using descriptive research design and proportionate random sampling by which 50% from Thrissur district and 50% from Ernakulam District irrespective of their gender to collect data. The result shows psychological wellbeing of the adolescent children of alcoholic addicted parents based on their geographical area-costal and non-costal-and gender-male and female-which is distributed equally is found with moderate level. Children of such parents face stress, anxiety, low self esteem and poor goal orientation in the life. A boost in this can facilitate improve their orientation in life, purpose in life, personal growth experience and thereby experience mastery over their life with autonomy. Creative and constructive interventions by social workers and psychologists can be catalyst to generate individual with integral growth and positive personality which can build the nation.

Simply because she is a female the average Indian woman is likely to be variously a victim of feticide, infanticide, malnourishment, dowry, child marriage, maternal mortality, domestic servitude, prostitution, rape, honor killings and/or domestic violence. The stereo types of perception for the rape victims which are highly prevalent in a society like India prevent the rehabilitation of the victim back into society. Social workers are a part of the multidisciplinary team which works in a scenario both to prevent instances of rape and at the same time is responsible for the effective rehabilitation of the victims back into society. However, the prejudiced mindset of the social worker will affect the rehab services which are being provided to the victims and also to the perpetrators. It hence becomes mandatory to analyse social life to understand the prevalence of rape myth acceptance and victim blaming attitudes which are prevalent among social workers. This study compares the prevalence of rape myth acceptance and victim-blaming attitudes among male and female social work trainees. It was revealed that the female respondents have a slightly more negative attitude towards the victims as compared to the male respondents. The fact however remains that both male and female respondents were victim blaming and had rape myth acceptance attitudes. This in turn points to the prevalence of poor quality professional social services which adversely affect the rehabilitation of the rape victims.

The critical path method (CPM) is a tool which helps to understand projects by breaking down all the vital steps throughout the implementation process into smaller tasks/steps. In social work education, CPM has a significant role in the professional impartation of knowledge. Every activity implemented in the field has to be related to a theorem that the student has learnt. A student builds their capacity when they are able to identify and explain all the pertinent links involved in project implementation; this is also crucial in ongoing professional development for qualified practitioners. Using CPM as a guideline, social work students can develop professional and personal analytical skills and knowledge needed to identify the philosophy, principles, values, social work methods and principles, tools, techniques and skills used whilst implementing any intervention.The process produces an outcome but also assists students continuously learn and evaluate their actions during field placements and later when practicing in the field. The framework thus helps the field supervisor/educator and the student to design field work objectives with specific plans, to make the most of experiences as learning. Failure to follow each step will help to identify gaps in the social work education and therefore can lead to rectification which is another learning outcome in itself. By taking an activity implemented by a Social Work student duringfield placement the author is trying to explain below how the concept is practiced in the field.