Magolanga Shagembe is a lecturer, researcher, and social psychology consultant based in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. His teaching, research, and consulting areas…
Latest posts - Page 4
Peacebuilding
Is Religion Always Violent? Understanding Religious Peacebuilding, with a Focus on the Catholic Church
by Efetobor Stephanie Effevottu
Introduction Is God violent? Would the world be better off without religion, or can religion be a force for peace? In countries like Nigeria, where religion and religious actors are often associated with violence, can they also play a vital role in peacebuilding? This article addresses those pertinent questions by building on my doctoral research […]
Gender-Based Violence
Leveraging Person-Centered Communication to End FGM: In conversation with FGM Survivor, Habiba Haro
by Joyce Omwoha
On February 6, 2025, the world marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) under the theme, “Stepping up the pace: Strengthening alliances and building movements to end FGM.” On this day, UNFPA urges global solidarity in amplifying commitments to eradicate FGM by sharing stories, strategies, and successes using the hashtags #Unite2EndFGM […]
Military
Commemorating and Celebrating Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Making a Case for Civil Society Collaboration
Gender-Based Violence
Advancing Peacebuilding in Africa: Marking 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (2024) by Addressing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
by Joyce Omwoha
“Peace without justice is at best fragile. Only through justice can sustainable peace be secured.” – Kirthi Jayakumar, 20141 Introduction Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations around the world. Globally, almost one in three women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence, intimate partner/non-partner […]
Special Issue: "Emerging Issues in Social Media and Artificial Intelligence and Peacebuilding in Africa"
Rethinking Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics for Peacebuilding Through African Epistemologies
by Job Mwaura
Introduction The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought ethical concerns to the forefront, as AI now influences nearly every facet of modern life, from healthcare to peacebuilding efforts. Existing AI ethics frameworks, like many technological frameworks, are grounded primarily in Western epistemologies that emphasize autonomy, individual rights, and procedural transparency.1 While these principles […]
Special Issue: "Emerging Issues in Social Media and Artificial Intelligence and Peacebuilding in Africa"
Digital Repression? Unmasking the Salience of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Democratic Transitions and Peacebuild…
Special Issue: "Emerging Issues in Social Media and Artificial Intelligence and Peacebuilding in Africa"
Framing Gen Z Protests Against the 2024 Finance Bill in Kenya: A Linguistic Assessment of TikTok
by Elizabeth Khaemba
Introduction In 2024, Kenya witnessed significant opposition to the Finance Bill, with Gen Z1 activists leading protests that ultimately forced the government to reconsider its proposed tax policy. Despite repressive measures, such as increased police presence and threats of legal prosecution, the demonstrations grew stronger, fueled by frustrations over economic inequality, corruption, and exclusion from […]
Special Issue: "Emerging Issues in Social Media and Artificial Intelligence and Peacebuilding in Africa"
An Intricate Landscape: Reframing Social Media in Peacebuilding in Nigeria
by Dr. Sokfa John
Introduction Social media is arguably the most widely used digital technology for peacebuilding in Nigeria, especially by civil society. For many scholars, practitioners and users, social media is a double-edged sword.1 While true, this framing obscures the nuances of social media’s role in peacebuilding.2 Framing social media as an intricate landscape acknowledges its complexity in peacebuilding […]
Special Issue: "Emerging Issues in Social Media and Artificial Intelligence and Peacebuilding in Africa"
Social Media, Conflict, and Peacebuilding in Southern Africa: A Primer