Language Use in the Portrayal of both Women and Men in HIV/AIDS Public Sensitization Texts in the Tanzanian Mass Media

This research paper aimed at exploring how women and men are portrayed in HIV/AIDS public sensitization texts in the Tanzanian mass media. The research was carried out in Dodoma region, Dodoma municipality in central Tanzania. The data was collected in both print and electronic media. Since it is a qualitative research, I analyzed the concepts by describing the essential and core concepts; interpretation of data whereby the issue is studied and described within the broader context to add meaning to the data. In order to explore the social construction of gender roles in language use, I relied on the Feminism Theory (FT) and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), which contends that there is a close relationship between language and power and that language can lead to imbalance power relations.The study reveals that women and men are portrayed differently. Men are shown as active; they are the ones who matter, while women are shown as passive or second class human beings. In the anti-HIV/AIDS discourse, men are portrayed as the ones who are main users of condoms while women are depicted as passive objects. This means that, women have no power over the act of safe sex since they depend on men who decide on whether to use condoms or not. Keywords: Language, gender stereotypes, critical discourse analysis, HIV/AIDS, mass medi

Atomic force microscopy analysis of surface topography of pure thin aluminium films

Abstract: Pure aluminium thin films were deposited on stainless and mild steel substrates through rf magnetron sputtering at rf powers of 150 and 200 W. Surface analysis of the films was undertaken using atomic force microscopy. The surface structure evolution, roughness and distribution were examined and discussed. Power spectral density, skewness and Kurtosis parameters were used to explain the nature and distribution of the surface structures on the thin aluminium films as reported from the line profile analyses. The result shows that the morphologies of the surface structures of Al films vary with power and substrate type. The coatings exhibit the higher roughness at 200 W. There is strong links that exist between AFM observations and SEM. This implies that AFM can be considerably used to study the microstructural evolution of Al thin films during magnetron sputtering

Forensic identification of six of Tanzanian populations using the extended haplotype markers

Magister Scientiae - MScThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the power of discrimination and genetic (diversity) parameters in the Y chromosome extended haploytpe markers in populations of Tanzania for forensic and populations studies. Eleven Y chromosome extended haplotype markers were selected for this study, these includes Minimal haplotypes markers i.e. DYS19, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385a/b, DYS389I/II and two additional markers DYS438 and DYS439. Six populations of Tanzania were investigated under this study. These populations were selected based on the language family categories; Niger Congo (Kuria and Sukuma), Nilo Saharan (Luo and Maasai) and Afro Asiatic (Iraqw and Alagwa).South Afric

Inclusive Business Models for Sorghum and Millets: Three Case Studies, Socioeconomics Discussion Paper Series Number 5

Inclusive business models combine profitability with the potential for poverty reduction by linking smallholders with markets. This report analyses three business models relevant for sorghum and millets in east and southern Africa. These are: The Warehouse Receipt System operated by Lesiolo Grain Handlers Limited (LGHL) (Kenya), the contract sorghum grower model operated by Smart Logistics Solutions Ltd (SLS) (Kenya), and the contract finger millet grower system operated by the LEAD Project (Uganda). The performance of these business models was evaluated in terms of their design, profitability, and inclusiveness. The WRS is a producer-driven model that depends on the willingness and ability of producers to store grain until prices rise. The case-study of the WRS operated by LGHL showed low uptake by maize growers due to constraints imposed by low awareness among growers, a minimum 10 t threshold of grain accepted for storage, and the distance to the store. In 2011, only 600t of maize entered the WRS from five farmer groups. Although the WRS was profitable for maize growers, the seasonal rise in prices was much lower for sorghum and millets, which greatly reduced the potential benefits of WRS for these crops. A recent survey of participants showed that the WRS was inclusive, with high rates of participation from small maize producers and from women. The Smart Logistics business model is a buyer-driven model driven by the growing market for clear sorghum beer. Smart Logistics acts as an intermediary for the brewery industry, supplying seed to producer groups, monitoring quality, and offering higher prices than local brokers. The model is profitable for growers, intermediary, and buyer. Volumes supplied to the industry have grown but are still not sufficient to meet demand. The model is inclusive with the majority of producers belonging to all-female groups, and collective farming to reduce unit costs. Of the three models studied, this has the greatest potential. The LEAD business model was designed to provide Unga Millers Ltd in Nairobi with an annual supply of 6,000 t of finger millet. However, the model proved unworkable. No finger millet was ever delivered. The business model was profitable for Ugandan growers and for the buyer. The model was also inclusive, with finger millet supplied smallholders organized in producer organizations, where almost half the members were women. However, the model failed because it was intermediary-driven. Changes to the original design by the LEAD management team delayed the start of the project while the small company appointed to bulk, clean, and ship finger millet to Nairobi was unfit for this role

Environmental Co-Benefits of Improved Forages in Smallholder Dairy Systems of Kenya

Livestock play a major role across Kenya, especially in smallholder mixed farms through provision of household nutrition and income through milk and meat. Equally, fertilization of cropland benefits from livestock manure, and livestock often act as insurance and saving. Despite the opportunities and benefits livestock production presents, livestock systems are also key drivers of environmental degradation, including increased nutrient loads, GHG emissions, water use, grassland degradation and land-use conversion. Low livestock productivity, largely due to use of low-quality crop residues and natural grasses often not endowed with nutrients key for animal performance, limits the potential positive contributions of livestock and at the same time reduces the efficiency of natural resource use. In response to this and with smallholder dairy farmers’ participation, we undertook an evaluation of 5 selected improved cultivated forages from Urochloa and Megathyrsus genus as an alternative to the Napier grass commonly grown by farmers. We evaluated impact on livestock productivity, farmers’ income, land and water requirement, soil erosion, soil health and greenhouse gas emissions. We observed more efficient use of farmers’ lands and financial resources through integrating improved forages and optimization of feeding strategies. We have also shown that the production and use of improved forages can act as a good climate change mitigation option

Determinants of Risk in Solid Waste Management Projects, in Kenya (A Case of Solid Waste Management Projects in Mombasa County)

Wastes are as natural as human beings. Man, since history has stayed and lived with wastes, regardless of risks associated with them. The purpose of this research project study was, therefore, to study the determinants of risk in solid wastes projects, in Kenya, where Mombasa County solid wastes projects were taken as a case study. The study, thus covered, solid wastes projects backgrounds, in relation to methods employed, to run and manage them all along history. Further, it also covered their evolution in developed nations and Africa. The research project, was therefore, carried with a general objective of studying the determinants of risk in solid waste projects, in many parts of the world and then related it, with the Kenyan case specifically in Mombasa. Based on this, the research project objectives and questions were therefore framed, specifically in line with, the role of legal framework, technology, personnel skills and policy, as the main study variables as they were assumed to be th