Non-governmental Research Articles

The unlikely marriage of counterterrorism and Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Indonesia

ABSTRACT This article examines Indonesia’s strategic shift from a “hard” counterterrorism approach to a gender-sensitive, community-based strategy for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) between 2016 and 2021. It analyses Indonesia’s shift from traditional security-centric responses, which emphasised law enforcement and military actions, to community engagement and human rights-based approaches influenced by women-led civil society organisations (CSOs). This shift underscores inclusion and gender in prevention strategies. Drawing on feminist mobilisation and norm localisation theories, particularly the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda, this research explores the institutionalisation of gender-responsive approaches. While acknowledging the importance of religious moderation as a counternarrative to extremist ideologies – a prominent discourse in Indonesian foreign policy since 2004— this article critiques the securitisation of gender within counterterrorism frameworks. It underscores how this “Moderate Islamic” ideology shapes both domestic and international P/CVE strategies. This study demonstrates how Indonesia’s approach is a potential model for broader application within the Global South through a literature review, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and process tracing. Ultimately, it offers valuable lessons for integrating the WPS Agenda into P/CVE efforts while addressing challenges related to policy sustainability, effectiveness, and balancing domestic norms with global counterterrorism expectations.

Perceptions of Farmers about Socio-economic Impacts of Drought: A Case Study of Mastung District, Balochistan

Drought is one of the most complicated natural disasters, affecting more people than any other natural disaster. There has been an increasing trend in the number of disasters reported globally over last few decades. Balochistan is among the areas which are arid and drought affected. This study was conducted in Balochistan region with the help of 200 samples of farmers from Mastung District. The farmers were interviewed helping study drought perception in the selected area. The objectives of this study were to find the impact of Mastung district drought how it has impacted the people in the region and what strategies people of Mastung district are taking to overcome this drought. Analysis shows the residents of Mastung District had a fair amount of understanding of climate changes. A vast majority of respondents (95.5%) reported experiencing drought occasionally. The vast majority of respondents 96%, reported that climate change is influencing drought intensity and frequency. The results about effect of drought on household income show that drought has impacted household income and caused significant challenges for the households. Almost all the respondents have reported decrease of livestock numbers due to drought. Results show that drought has a largely negative impact on crop yield, with most of respondents reported moderate declines in crop yield due to drought. A vast majority (98%) of respondents indicated that drought has moderately reduced employment opportunities in the area. All of the respondents confirmed that drought causes malnutrition among children. 57 % of farmers think that there are disputes over water for irrigation use in Mastung District. There are some drought mitigation strategies adopted by local people including storing grains, storing crop residue for livestock and the use of drought resistant crop were other coping strategies. The government and non-governmental organizations should assist the local population in strengthening the communities' resilience by increasing their capacity for adaptation in order to lessen the effects of drought.

Large-scale and long-term wildlife research and monitoring using camera traps: a continental synthesis.

Camera traps are widely used in wildlife research and monitoring, so it is imperative to understand their strengths, limitations, and potential for increasing impact. We investigated a decade of use of wildlife cameras (2012-2022) with a case study on Australian terrestrial vertebrates using a multifaceted approach. We (i) synthesised information from a literature review; (ii) conducted an online questionnaire of 132 professionals; (iii) hosted an in-person workshop of 28 leading experts representing academia, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and government; and (iv) mapped camera trap usage based on all sources. We predicted that the last decade would have shown: (i) exponentially increasing sampling effort, a continuation of camera usage trends up to 2012; (ii) analytics to have shifted from naive presence/absence and capture rates towards hierarchical modelling that accounts for imperfect detection, thereby improving the quality of outputs and inferences on occupancy, abundance, and density; and (iii) broader research scales in terms of multi-species, multi-site and multi-year studies. However, the results showed that the sampling effort has reached a plateau, with publication rates increasing only modestly. Users reported reaching a saturation point in terms of images that could be processed by humans and time for complex analyses and academic writing. There were strong taxonomic and geographic biases towards medium-large mammals (>500 g) in forests along Australia's southeastern coastlines, reflecting proximity to major cities. Regarding analytical choices, bias-prone indices still accounted for ~50% of outputs and this was consistent across user groups. Multi-species, multi-site and multiple-year studies were rare, largely driven by hesitancy around collaboration and data sharing. There is no widely used repository for wildlife camera images and the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) is the dominant repository for sharing tabular occurrence records. However, the ALA is presence-only and thus is unsuitable for creating detection histories with absences, inhibiting hierarchical modelling. Workshop discussions identified a pressing need for collaboration to enhance the efficiency, quality and scale of research and management outcomes, leading to the proposal of a Wildlife Observatory of Australia (WildObs). To encourage data standards and sharing, WildObs should (i) promote a metadata collection app; (ii) create a tagged image repository to facilitate artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) computer vision research in this space; (iii) address the image identification bottleneck via the use of AI/ML-powered image-processing platforms; (iv) create data commons for detection histories that are suitable for hierarchical modelling; and (v) provide capacity building and tools for hierarchical modelling. Our review highlights that while Australia's investments in monitoring biodiversity with cameras position it to be a global leader in this context, realising that potential requires a paradigm shift towards best practices for collecting, curating, sharing and analysing 'Big Data'. Our findings and framework have broad applicability outside Australia to enhance camera usage to meet conservation and management objectives ranging from local to global scales. This review articulates a country/continental observatory approach that is also suitable for international collaborative wildlife research networks.

Discursive analysis of rejection voices against brand social responsibility initiatives in Indonesia

A health soap product brand launched an advertising campaign about an initiative to improve sanitation facilities and educate people about clean living in one of the most underdeveloped villages in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Unfortunately, this campaign was rejected by various elements, from local non-government organizations, nomads, residents, and local media to the regional government. Rejection is based on advertising content that displays poverty in the village. Using a Foucauldian discursive formation approach, this study intertextually analyses advertising documents, news reports, petitions, microsites, social media, and online comments to understand media representation and voices of resistance and discover various conflicting interests, ethnic identity politics, regional sentiment, and political economy intertwined within the text as the power/knowledge. This study underscores the need for sensitivity to ethnic identity in brand social responsibility initiatives, as it is a crucial aspect of respect and consideration.

A Conceptual Framework for National Dialogues: Applied Theories and Concepts

National dialogues are recognised as vital tools for resolving political conflicts, fostering state- and nation-building, enhancing social cohesion, and facilitating peaceful socio-economic and political transformation. Despite a growing body of literature examining national dialogues and their outcomes, there remains a gap in understanding their theoretical underpinnings and conceptualisations. This article addresses this gap by conducting a discursive analysis offering an alternative theoretical framework for national dialogues, drawing on three theories: social contract, consociationalism, and conflict transformation. Using secondary data from scholarly journals, reports, political agreements, and documented policies and strategies, this article assesses the theories’ applicability in developing a conceptual framework for national dialogues. An analysis of each theory demonstrates that, while they approach peacebuilding from different angles, they share unique and common themes such as participatory governance, addressing root causes, and building trust and cooperation, which are essential in designing and implementing successful national dialogues. Leveraging the unique elements of each theory, the observed insights provide a more comprehensive approach to planning and implementing national dialogues, even in diverse socio-economic and political contexts. This is pertinent to scholars in the field of peace studies, governments, political entities, civil society organisations, and international stakeholders engaged in national dialogue processes.

Complexities in post-wildfire governance: lessons from Colorado’s 2020 wildfires

BackgroundThe increasing size and severity of western U.S. wildfires in recent years has generated greater attention towards post-wildfire response and recovery. Post-fire governance requires coordinating response and recovery capacities across jurisdictions, landscapes, and time scales. The presence of wildfire on federal public lands necessitates federal agency involvement in both suppression and recovery efforts, and program coordination with lower levels of government and non-governmental organizations. Using semi-structured interviews, we investigated experiences of leaders across the governance system with federal post-fire policies and programs following the record-breaking Cameron Peak and East Troublesome wildfires in the state of Colorado.ResultsOur research found that persistent administrative and coordination challenges exist within and among federal agencies in the post-fire response and recovery space. Challenges included cross-jurisdictional coordination of key emergency response programs, program rules that affect post-fire project timing and effectiveness, the absence of a formal federal post-fire response strategy, and program funding issues. These factors revealed and exacerbated scale mismatches between existing agency capacities and the post-fire landscapes that result from unprecedentedly longer, larger, and more severe wildfires occurring in the western USA. Non-federal and non-governmental organizations were instrumental in overcoming these challenges through coordinating response and recovery efforts across both federal and private lands. To improve the federal post-fire response capacity, study participants stressed the importance of broader cross-jurisdictional use of federal resources, longer timeframes for recovery activities, and reforming the federal funding process.ConclusionsOur findings revealed a persistence of post-fire coordination and funding issues within federal land management agencies, and current agency capacities remain insensitive to the scale of twenty-first-century post-wildfire settings. Addressing the mismatches between existing agency resources and the spatial and temporal scale complexities of post-fire environments will require broader federal support for existing programs along with re-envisioning the overall approach to the post-fire response and recovery process.

Datafied ageing futures: Regimes of anticipation and participatory futuring

With this paper we join others in their call to resist and challenge regimes of anticipations that suggest our futures are inevitably linked to certain imaginaries about data-driven systems. The future is not simply happening but is made now – through regimes of anticipation that shape our expectations, imaginaries, visions and hypes, and define what is thinkable and desirable. Who or what is able to claim the future is an exercise of power and a matter of social justice. However, current anticipations circulating about datafied futures are often determined by powerful social actors such as states or technology companies. In this paper, we explore how we might open up futures-making to different people in relation to futures of ageing. Central is the question of whether and how we can actually think (and imagine) outside of powerful anticipation regimes around the increasing spread and relevance of data-driven systems and/or ageist assumptions about how to ‘fix’ the problem of demographic ageing. We draw on data from a series of design fiction workshops with older adults, civil society organisations and civil servants in Germany, Austria and the UK. Our analysis explores how participatory futuring might allow participants to question their own assumptions and anticipations about the futures of data-driven technologies in ageing societies but that, due to ‘discursive closure’, this may not lead to radically different futures imaginaries.

Cancer in the elderly in India: Challenges, attitudes, and strategies for improvement

: India’s elderly population faces growing cancer incidences, with unique challenges rooted in cultural, socioeconomic, and healthcare disparities. Limited health literacy, delayed medical intervention, gender biases, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, worsen the issue. Social stigma and psychological barriers further hinder prompt cancer diagnosis and treatment, leaving many elderly patients vulnerable to advanced-stage diagnoses.:This study aims to identify and analyse the key challenges faced by elderly cancer patients in India, including cultural attitudes, access to healthcare, financial constraints, and psychosocial impacts. Additionally, the goal is to propose strategies for improving cancer care, prevention, and support for this demographic.A mixed-methods approach was utilised, incorporating quantitative and qualitative analyses to assess challenges in elderly cancer care in India. This review synthesises data from studies published between 2018 and 2023, using information from national cancer registries, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reports, and peer-reviewed literature. Studies included addressed socio-cultural, economic, and psychological barriers in elderly cancer care across India, focusing on gaps in knowledge and intervention strategies. The analysis revealed that 60% of cancers and 70% of cancer-related deaths occur in individuals aged 65 and above. Low health literacy, delayed diagnosis, and financial constraints were identified as the primary barriers. Significant treatment aversion was noted, with 58% of elderly patients perceiving chemotherapy as harmful. Rural areas lacked adequate healthcare facilities, contributing to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Psychosocial issues, including depression and anxiety, were prevalent and often aggravated by social isolation and stigma.: Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach, including policy interventions to expand healthcare access in rural areas, enhance health literacy, and provide financial support for elderly patients. Collaborative efforts involving government, non-governmental organisations, and community leaders are essential to improve early diagnosis, treatment accessibility, and quality of life for elderly cancer patients in India.

Protecting trees in the urban forest: a systematic review of literature on acts, bylaws, ordinances, and regulations

Trees contribute to the livability of cities. To preserve the urban forest, many governments have turned to regulatory mechanisms, ranging from local bylaws and ordinances to state and federal legislation. To understand the history, scope, perspectives, successes, and challenges of disincentive-based tree protection legislation, a systematic review was conducted using PubMD, EBSCOHost, Web of Science, and Scopus. The review, which was not geographically constrained but contained only English-language articles, included 114 publications. The literature highlights that the history of urban forest legislation is long. However, tree protection regulations were popularized more recently, built on years of more general environmental policies. While the adoption processes for tree protection legislation vary across both cities and countries, it is often driven by appreciation of urban forests and led by municipalities with the support of the public and non-governmental organizations. Tree protection legislation defines what trees are to be protected, typically based on size, species, or land use, although cultural or heritage trees are often protected as well. Some tree protection legislation includes replanting clauses and enforcement procedures to increase their effectiveness. The protection of large, culturally important trees and replanting requirements are largely supported by both the public and urban foresters, although support is greater in urban areas. However, whether the legislation actually works is unclear. Conflicting evidence and study limitations preclude direct causal relationships, although areas where tree protection legislation was removed experienced subsequent tree loss. On-going challenges at the local level include underenforcement, conflicting legislation, and underfunded programs. Tree protection legislation is also vulnerable to socio-political changes that prioritize private property rights and development over private tree protection. Amidst widespread urban tree loss, further research that provides a better understanding of the successes of tree protection legislation will help justify their continued use in urban forestry programs globally.

Benefits, challenges, and best practices of collaborative partnerships among health supply chain stakeholders in Rwanda: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundStrong partnerships, community engagement, and multisectoral collaboration in the health supply chain are synergistic pillars towards achieving universal health coverage. In Rwanda, the health supply chain involves the collaboration of various stakeholders, including distributors, manufacturers, wholesalers, and customers. However, since the eruption and ending of COVID-19, there has not been any study to assess stakeholders' perspectives on the status of the benefits, challenges, and best practices of collaborative partnerships among health supply chain stakeholders in Rwanda. Therefore, this research was conducted to fill that gap in order to devise ways for improved visibility, coordination, and efficiency of the health supply chain management system in Rwanda.MethodsThis quantitative cross-sectional study, collected data from 11th April to 18th May 2024. It involved 103 respondents from 54 institutions engaged in the management of the health commodities supply chain in Rwanda. These were the Ministry of Health, Rwanda Biomedical Center, Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, Rwanda Medical Supply Ltd, other Central Medical Stores namely Bureau des Formations Médicales Agréées du Rwanda (BUFMAR) and Medical and Allied Service Solutions (MEDIASOL); private wholesale pharmacies, non-government organizations, and Health Facilities (hospitals). A sample size of 103 respondents was determined by the Yamane formula, and purposive sampling was used to select the respondents to complete a self-administered questionnaire specifically developed for this study. The outcome measures were perceived benefits, challenges, and strategies to overcome challenges of collaborative partnerships among health supply chain stakeholders in Rwanda.ResultsAvailability of health commodities ranked at 98.0%, infrastructure/accessibility of health services (86.4%), and cost-effectiveness (84.5%) were the most mentioned benefits. Most stated challenges included insufficient financial resources from stakeholders (84.5%), shortage of skilled staff (77.7%), and limited dialogue or lack of information sharing (69.9%). Most respondents agreed that collaborative partnerships can be improved by political will (96.1%), supply performance measurement (92.2%), improved financing policies (84.5%), fostering trust and transparency building (78.6%), and a well-structured health supply chain (72.5%).ConclusionEstablishing and strengthening stakeholder collaborations are essential for improved performance. Staff capacity strengthening and mutual information sharing will reduce risks, and improve forecasting, leading to cost-effectiveness and customer satisfaction.

The Humanitarian Crisis in the Gaza Strip, its Impact on the Peace Process in the Middle East and the Humanitarian Sphere of World Politics

Introduction. Humanitarian crises in the conflicts of recent decades directly affect the security of not only neighbouring states, but also undermine the established system of humanitarian cooperation between states. Non-state actors: terrorist organizations, separatist groups, protest movements, paramilitary religious groups and others that participate in conflicts and choose violent measures, complicate the resolution of conflicts. Despite the fact that all parties to the conflict are obliged to comply with the norms of international humanitarian law, both states and non-state actors are increasingly moving away from the principles of humane treatment of the civilian population. Each of the parties puts forward its own justifications for the indiscriminate approach.Materials and methods. The study is based on the case study method. An analysis of the changes in the provision of humanitarian aid to the civilian population during the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip makes it possible to draw conclusions about the current trends in the development of the humanitarian sphere as a whole. The author used materials from Russian and foreign media, UN and INGO reports, and international treaties.Reseach results. The conflict complicated the peace process, normalization of relations between Israel and Arab states, and also exposed the problem of politicization of humanitarian aid. Politicization manifested itself not only in the assessment of the conflict itself, which has long divided the world community, but first of all, for the first time, it had such a large-scale impact on the UN humanitarian aid institutions and various INGOs. The politicization of the conflict also resulted in the manifestation of a "cancel culture", which stigmatized the parties to the conflict and complicated the activities of humanitarian organizations in providing assistance to the civilian population.Discussion and conclusion. However, the most serious consequences are not only in the area of worsening the humanitarian situation, threats to civilians and employees of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations involved in providing humanitarian aid to the affected population, collecting information on the situation of civilians, the balance of power and compliance with international humanitarian law, but also in the area of compliance with the principles of humanitarian aid themselves. The humanitarian community is divided between those who support Israel's position and its stated "right to self-defense" and those who advocate for its accountability along with Hamas for what the UN SecretaryGeneral called "excessive use of force". An analysis of the impact of humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip on the process of conflict resolution is of great scientific interest, and its results can enrich knowledge not only about the peace process itself, but also about the role of humanitarian sphere in world politics.

Civil society organisations and the local politics of migration: how funding contexts matter

Migration studies have highlighted the crucial role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in the local politics of migration. Less explored is the impact of the material conditions under which CSOs operate. And yet CSOs delivering public services to migrant and racialised populations often rely on public funding which has been significantly restructured since neoliberal welfare reforms in many Western countries in the 1990s. This article examines how funding contexts shape the opportunities of CSOs to influence local policymaking on migration and migration-related change from a cross-country and cross-city comparative perspective. Based on the empirical analysis of four cities in France and Germany and a comprehensive dataset comprising interviews, observations and documents, we argue that funding contexts significantly impact on CSOs’ potential to shape local policymaking. They do so by enhancing and restricting (1) CSOs’ access to spaces of policymaking as well as (2) CSOs’ capacities for political engagement. We demonstrate the mediating importance of specific funding structures and politics at both national and local scales as well as the role of state-CSO relations in manifesting and reproducing these funding contexts.

Addressing Water Scarcity to Achieve Climate Resilience and Human Health.

Water scarcity is projected to affect half of the world's population, gradually exacerbated by climate change. This article elaborates from a panel discussion at the 2023 United Nations Water Conference on Addressing Water Scarcity to Achieve Climate Resilience and Human Health. Understanding and addressing water scarcity goes beyond hydrological water balances to also include societal and economic measures. We consider five categories of health impacts resulting from deteriorating water qualities and quantities: (i.) water-related diseases and water for hygiene, (ii.) malnutrition and water for food, (iii.) livelihoods, income, development, and water for energy, (iv.) adverse air quality from drought-induced dust and wildfire smoke, and (v.) mental health effects from water scarcity-related factors. A discussion on the barriers and opportunities for resilient water systems begins by re-framing water scarcity as a 'pathway to water bankruptcy' and introducing Water Partnerships to empowering local water leaders with the awareness, education, and resources to devise and implement locally-appropriate water management strategies. Other barriers include the (i.) lack of tools to consider the socio-economic implications of water scarcity, (ii.) lack of water information being in actionable formats for decision-makers, (iii.) lack of clarity in the application of water scarcity modelling to gain policy-relevant findings, and (iv.) inadequate drought adaptation planning. The article includes recommendations for local governments, national governments, international actors, researchers, non-governmental organizations, and local constituents in addressing these barriers. The predominant theme in these recommendations is collaborative, multi-disciplinary Water Partnerships, knowledge-sharing in accessible formats, and empowering participation by all. This paper's central thesis is that addressing water scarcity must focus on people and their ability to lead healthy and productive lives.

Distribution of responsibility for AI development: expert views

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of how different types of experts with influence over the development of AI, in this role, reflect upon distribution of forward-looking responsibility for AI development with regard to safety and democracy. Forward-looking responsibility refers to the obligation to see to it that a particular state of affairs materialise. In the context of AI, actors somehow involved in AI development have the potential to guide AI development in a safe and democratic direction. This study is based on qualitative interviews with such actors in different roles at research institutions, private companies, think tanks, consultancy agencies, parliaments, and non-governmental organisations. While the reflections about distribution of responsibility differ among the respondents, one observation is that influence is seen as an important basis for distribution of responsibility. Another observation is that several respondents think of responsibility in terms of what it would entail in concrete measures. By showing how actors involved in AI development reflect on distribution of responsibility, this study contributes to a dialogue between the field of AI governance and the field of AI ethics.

Foreign funding, accountability and contention: exploring self-regulatory practices in Georgian civil society

ABSTRACT The impact of Western development aid on civil society organisations’ (CSOs’) behaviours in developing countries has gained a growing amount of scholarly attention, however, less is known about individual forms of self-regulatory practices in civil society. This article explores how external resources shape accountability, internal democracy and agency of CSOs by inquiring into the case of Georgia through in-depth interviews and review of relevant CSO documents. The case of Georgian civil society is illustrative due to aid dependence, push for NGOization, contrasting persistent informality, failure of collective self-regulation and contentious state-NGO relations. Resource dependency theory (RDT) is often used to highlight organisations’ adjustment of behaviours in accordance with their need for critical resources, mainly in the form of funding – but this article builds on the organisational self-regulation approach to untangle CSO’s resource strategies and agency to complement and juxtapose the assumptions of the RDT.

The Role of Emotions, Power, and Politics in Setting Policy Agenda: A Theoretical Analysis of Policy Inaction in the Shipbreaking Industries in Bangladesh

Agenda-setting may not always be a rational process and depends mostly on the perception of the policy problem made by the policy entrepreneurs to the decision-makers where ‘non-decision’ or ‘policy-inaction’ is also a kind of decision to avoid certain issues. Taking the existing ship-breaking policy of Bangladesh as a case study, this study tries to theoretically analyze how the level of public emotions and exercise of political power impact policy-making in a policy domain that resulted in no policy change. The study applies mainly two theories of public policy: the threshold model of the policy process by Christopher Pepin-Neff and the theory of three faces of power by Lukes which relates public emotions and political power with policy formulations. The study argues that, according to these theories, the case study is an example of high emotion policy threshold (HEHP) issue where, despite the initiatives by some policy actors to open a new policy window and the demands of the advocacy coalition consisting of International Labour Organization (ILO) and non-government organizations (NGO), the government used covert power to establish the preference of employment generation, national GDP and GNP and exclude the demand of policy-redesign from policy-agenda. The objective of this study is not to establish a new proposition of policy discussion but rather to discuss policy inaction or agenda-setting in an existing problem from a new perspective, theoretically from two distinct points of view: emotions and political power.

Fisher-Centric Methodology: Psychosocial Risks in Fishing Sector of Aotearoa NZ

ABSTRACT Objective Our paper focuses on the psychosocial risks faced by fishers in Aotearoa New Zealand, a sector with limited existing research on this topic. Using a culture-centered approach (CCA), we aimed to develop “voice infrastructure” to capture and present the voices of fishers, addressing the structural inequalities that can often leave fishers (like other marginalized groups) unheard. This paper focuses on the methodology of our pilot project that used a collaborative effort between academics, fishers, government, and non-government agencies, with the goal of understanding and mitigating the psychosocial risks within the commercial fishing industry. Method Phase 1 focused on building trust and personal relationships within the fishing community. We organized a day-long hui (meeting) in Nelson, a key fishing port, to facilitate open and flexible interactions. This setting allowed us to co-create the research design and instruments with the fishers, ensuring their perspectives were central to the study. The Copenhagen Psychosocial Risks Questionnaire (COPSOQ) was adapted in consultation with the fishers and piloted as survey (in phase 2) through a support network. Results Fishers acknowledged the need for wellbeing research and supported using the adapted COPSOQ. Data collection was inherently challenging in the fishing sector, due to the nature of the work with long shifts, limited communication, and minimal downtime. Trained mentors and counsellors administered the survey and ensured the process was fisher-centric and sensitive to their needs. Following data collection, a second hui (phase 3) was held to provide feedback to fishers about the survey results and review the process. This workshop aims to refine the methodology for potential national-scale implementation. The fishers emphasized the importance of sharing findings with them to ensure data accuracy before public reporting, aligning with the principles of CCA and co-creation of “voice infrastructures.” Conclusion Our study demonstrates the feasibility and importance of using a culture-centered approach in the fishing sector. By involving fishers in every step of the process, we aimed to create a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the psychosocial risks they face, ultimately contributing to their wellbeing and the sustainability of the industry.

A review of state of "Abortion in Sri Lanka" in contemporary discussions

Safe abortion is a controversial discourse in contemporary society. In many countries, including Sri Lanka, induced abortions are considered criminal acts. Due to these strict laws, individuals often resort to unsafe methods for abortions, posing significant life risks. Various organizations including governmental, non-governmental, international and grassroot entities advocate for the liberalization of these stringent abortion laws to ensure safe access while stressing the importance of women’s bodily autonomy. Despite the critical nature of this issue, there are only a few studies in Sri Lanka focusing on safe abortions and abortion laws. These existing studies primarily examine the community’s perspective and are based on social and cultural determinants. However, they do not sufficiently address the role and the impact made by the abortion-related laws in Sri Lanka, which creates a significant research gap. This study intends to bridge the identified research gap in the context of safe abortion legislation in Sri Lanka. This review synthesizes previously conducted studies on abortion at both global and national levels. The main objective of this review is to explore the role of the law related to safe abortion in Sri Lanka, when accessing safe abortion, employing a feminist legal theory framework.

Understanding the Role of Community Training Centers on Skill-Based Entrepreneurial Training Among Women in Kashmir

Despite global efforts for women's inclusion in the workforce, challenges persist, especially in conflict-affected areas where socio-political, economic, and cultural norms further impede their economic participation. We situate our work in Kashmir, India, a region with a long history of socio-political unrest. We conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with women from a non-government organization operating community training centers in Kashmir. These training centers have been established, focusing on skill development to encourage women to venture into entrepreneurship. Our findings reveal socio-political and cultural factors influence women's struggles. We emphasize the vital role of these centers and the role of technology in these centers. Finally, we offer socio-technical design recommendations to support women's skill-building and entrepreneurship.

Reframing tradition: how NGOs sell market-based conservation to Indigenous communities—lessons from the Leco community in Bolivia

We examine how a market-based conservation non-governmental organization (NGO) persuaded an Indigenous community in Bolivia to adopt new livelihood practices based on neoliberal conservation principles. These practices required the community to abandon their cherished traditional methods in favor of modern farming techniques. We found the community reluctantly accepted the NGO’s proposed market-based conservation-friendly practices. The community had invited NGO collaboration after a hard-fought battle for land rights and autonomy. To understand the communication strategy for swaying the community, we apply framing theory from communicative and social movements literature. Through analysis of archival data, interviews with NGO officials, and fieldwork in Bolivian communities, we highlight the importance of different framing strategies, especially ‘prognostic’ and ‘motivational’ framing, in persuading Indigenous Leco farmers to adopt market-driven conservation practices. Our study contributes to understanding the relational dynamics involved in implementing market-based conservation within Indigenous communities.