Empowerment in their hands: use of WhatsApp by women in Nigeria

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are reported to hold a lot of promise for sustainable development, poverty reduction and the empowerment of marginalized groups, such as women and minorities in developing countries. This paper discusses the relationship between women’s empowerment and ICTs, by investigating the promise of empowerment associated with the use of WhatsApp by women in Nigeria. It draws upon Sen’s Capability Approach (CA) to explore some implications of the use of WhatsApp mobile application on human development. We employed Sen's five instrumental freedoms to evaluate how WhatsApp has empowered women by concentrating on the opportunities provided for expanding their freedom to participate in social, economic and political activities. Our analysis shows that WhatsApp can contribute to the empowerment of women by enabling their freedoms to participate in developmental activities; however some contextual factors impede the ability of the women to take full advantage of these developmental opportunities that WhatsApp offers. The paper concludes with some implications for policymakers advancing an agenda for "ICTs for Development”

Mobile Phones and Social Inclusion of Women in Africa: A Nigerian Perspective

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are increasingly being recognised as vital tools with regards to the social inclusion of women. Specifically, we investigate the effect of mobile phone use on the social inclusion of women in Nigeria. Our study focuses on what these women are able to achieve with their mobile phones and the implication of these achievements on their ability to effectively participate in the society. We draw on a qualitative ethnographic study of resettled northern women in the southern city of Lagos to understand how mobile phone use contributes to their social inclusion. From our analysis, we derive valuable capabilities such as to generate income, to be financially included, to maintain social relationships and to seek relevant information, that are enabled for these women through mobile phone use. However, the realisation of these capabilities is dependent upon personal, social and environmental conditions. We illustrate how women exercise their agency to use mobile phones in ways that enhance their wellbeing and overall effective participation in this new society. Our findings contribute to the discourse on the role of ICT in the process of social inclusion for women

The Contribution of ICTs to Women Empowerment: A Capability Perspective

This paper examines the developmental impact of ICTs on African society by concentrating on the use of WhatsApp; a mobile social media platform. Specifically, we investigate the promise of empowerment associated with the use of WhatsApp by Women in the remote city of Kano, Nigeria. We employed the five instrumental freedoms of the capability approach to evaluate how WhatsApp has empowered women by concentrating on the opportunities provided for expanding their freedoms to participate in social, economic and political activities. Our analysis shows that WhatsApp can contribute to the empowerment of women by enabling their freedoms to participate in developmental activities, however some contextual factors impede the ability of the women to take full advantage of these developmental opportunities WhatsApp offers. The paper concludes with some implications for policy makers advancing an agenda for “ICTs for Development”

Differences in Tumour Aggressiveness Based on Molecular Subtype and Race Measured by [18F]FDG PET Metabolic Metrics in Patients with Invasive Carcinoma of the Breast

Breast cancer in women of African descent tends to be more aggressive with poorer prognosis. This is irrespective of the molecular subtype. [18F]FDG PET/CT metrics correlate with breast cancer aggressiveness based on molecular subtype. This study investigated the differences in [18F]FDG PET/CT metrics of locally advanced invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) among different racial groups and molecular subtypes. Qualitative and semiquantitative readings of [18F]FDG PET/CT acquired in women with locally advanced IDC were performed. Biodata including self-identified racial grouping and histopathological data of the primary breast cancer were retrieved. Statistical analysis for differences in SUVmax, MTV and TLG of the primary tumour and the presence of regional and distant metastases was conducted based on molecular subtype and race. The primary tumour SUVmax, MTV, TLG and the prevalence of distant metastases were significantly higher in Black patients compared with other races (p < 0.05). The primary tumour SUVmax and presence of distant metastases in the luminal subtype and the primary tumour SUVmax and TLG in the basal subtype were significantly higher in Black patients compared with other races (p < 0.05). The significantly higher PET parameters in Black patients with IDC in general and in those with luminal and basal carcinoma subtypes suggest a more aggressive disease phenotype in this race

HOW MOBILE PHONES CONTRIBUTE TO THE SOCIAL INCLUSION OF WOMEN IN AFRICA: A NIGERIAN PERSPECTIVE

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are increasingly being recognised as vital tools with regards to the empowerment of marginalised individuals. Specifically, we investigate the impact of mobile phone use on the social inclusion of marginalised women in Nigeria. Our discussion focuses on what these women are able to achieve with their mobile phones and the implication of these achievements on their ability to effectively participate in society. We draw on a qualitative ethnographic study of resettled northern women in the southern city of Lagos to understand how mobile phone use contributes to their social inclusion. From our analysis we derive valuable capabilities such as to generate income, to be financially included, to maintain social relationships etc that are enabled for these women through mobile phone use as well as the social and environmental conditions that influence the realization of the capabilities. We illustrate how women exercise their agency to use mobile phones in ways that enhance their wellbeing and overall effective participation in this new society. Our findings contribute to the discourse on the role of ICT in the process of social inclusion for wome

Differences in Tumour Aggressiveness Based on Molecular Subtype and Race Measured by [¹⁸F]FDG PET Metabolic Metrics in Patients with Invasive Carcinoma of the Breast

Breast cancer in women of African descent tends to be more aggressive with poorer prognosis. This is irrespective of the molecular subtype. [18F]FDG PET/CT metrics correlate with breast cancer aggressiveness based on molecular subtype. This study investigated the differences in [18F]FDG PET/CT metrics of locally advanced invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) among different racial groups and molecular subtypes. Qualitative and semiquantitative readings of [18F]FDG PET/CT acquired in women with locally advanced IDC were performed. Biodata including self-identified racial grouping and histopathological data of the primary breast cancer were retrieved. Statistical analysis for differences in SUVmax, MTV and TLG of the primary tumour and the presence of regional and distant metastases was conducted based on molecular subtype and race. The primary tumour SUVmax, MTV, TLG and the prevalence of distant metastases were significantly higher in Black patients compared with other races (p p < 0.05). The significantly higher PET parameters in Black patients with IDC in general and in those with luminal and basal carcinoma subtypes suggest a more aggressive disease phenotype in this race

The added value of partnerships in implementing the UN sustainable development goals

https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/13808Partnerships have become a key tool in the implementation of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Partnerships can scale up the impact of initiatives by leveraging the strengths and reach of each involved partner. This allows for the replication and expansion of successful projects and programs. In the context of the UN SDGs, partnerships can play a key role in their effective implementation, due to their ability to bring together a variety of stakeholders from different sectors and with different levels of expertise and experience. By leveraging the skills, resources, and capacities of different stakeholders, partnerships can contribute to creating synergies that are essential for the successful implementation of the SDGs. Despite the role of partnerships and their potential value, there is a need for studies that can help understand their role and promote greater transparency and accountability in the implementation of the SDGs. Against this background, this article outlines the concept of partnerships and their values, followed by a description of the partnerships for sustainable development, concerning the implementation of the SDGs and its main features. Some examples of relevant partnerships are presented, outlining their scope and degree of success. Based on the experiences gathered specific suggestions on how to foster partnerships to foster the implementation of sustainable development are provided. It is crucial to define common objectives to ensure alignment and a strong foundation for collaboration, involving diverse stakeholders, including governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, and local communities, thus bringing unique perspectives and resources. Open and transparent communication builds trust and encourages the sharing of ideas and challenges. Additionally, demonstrating the benefits for each partner, whether in reputation, market access, or cost reduction, motivates active engagement, establishes incentive structures, and allows to celebrate successes. Pooling resources, knowledge, and expertise enhances the effectiveness of sustainable development initiatives, encouraging long-term commitments and fostering adaptability in the face of complex challenges. These are specific strategies that highlight the relevance of these findings, in comparison to existing work. Partnerships have evolved into indispensable instruments for the realization of the UN SDGs. Their transformative potential is expected to grow as the future trend, driven by the ongoing need for collaborative solutions to global challenges, becoming instrumental in addressing pressing global issues such as climate change, public health crises, and economic inequalities. In the coming years, a surge in research and initiatives focusing on optimizing partnership models, governance structures, and monitoring mechanisms to enhance accountability and transparency, is anticipated. Furthermore, the integration of digital technologies and data-driven insights into partnership strategies may revolutionize their impact and efficiency. Overall, the evolution of partnerships as a vital force in global sustainability presents a promising future trend with broader applications and a crucial role in addressing multifaceted challenges beyond the SDGs, as demonstrated in this study.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio