Shanlax International Journal of Arts, Science and Humanities

The Paths to Equal: Multidimensional Framework to Measure Empowerment Deficiency and Gender Gap

2025-07-04T11:05:13+00:00

Paths to equal is a comprehensive view of nations’ advancements in women’s empowerment and gender equality because this is based on two indices WEI and GGPI. The main theme of this article is to analyse different aspects of multidimensional framework used by UNDP to measure empowerment gap and gender gap. This is a review article based on ‘Paths to equal: Twin Indices on Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality’. Only secondary data has been used. Source of data is the report itself. In this article dimensions and indicators of each WEI and GGGI has been analysed. Women empowerment and gender gap has been analysed separately and jointly by country wise and region wise. A different picture of gender parity and women empowerment is derived when two indices are analysed separately and jointly across various countries, regions and dimensions. The results, when viewed through this new perspective, are dismal. No nation has attained complete gender parity, and women’s autonomy and authority to make decisions and take advantage of opportunities are still severely limited. Significant gender disparities and low levels of women’s empowerment are prevalent. Additionally, the data demonstrates that improving human development alone is not the solution. Some of the narrowest gender inequalities are seen in World nations that rank lower on the Human Development Index. Definitely, twin indices offer a clear synopsis of complicated topics, they can be helpful for policy analysis and decision-making. While each focus on a distinct set of concerns, taken as a whole, they offer a more comprehensive view of nations’ progress towards gender parity and women’s empowerment.

An Australian CDC – Learning from a Literature Review of USA Publications

2025-07-04T11:05:13+00:00

Objectives: It has long been said that Australia needs a national centre for disease control and Professor Bob Douglas, Foundation Director at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at ANU, raised this point. The Parliament of Australia Health Overview published in May 2023, states the Government announced $3.2M for initial design and consultation work for the new entity, an Australian Centre for Disease Control (ACDC) and funding of 91.1 million from 2023–24 was allocated to continued establishment.
Methods: In order to understand the USA CDC system, operational structure and health disciplines the centre focuses upon, a literature review was performed on 29th April 2025, using the Pubmed MeSH terms; (“Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.”[Mesh]) AND “prevention and control” [Subheading].
Results: 4,956 results were retrieved, and if the filter publication date [last year] was applied123 manuscript retrievals were included. The topics focused upon included; COVID, drugs, sexual health topics, surveillance topics, chronic disease topics and other miscellaneous topics. In Australia, more specifically a focus should include pandemic and infectious diseases prevention and notifiable diseases coordination, cancer registry oversight, indigenous health, workplace health, diseases affecting Australians travelling overseas and factors affecting disabled or marginalised peoples.
In addition, other issues to consider while establishing an ACDC include; governance issues, technical specificities, document and guideline production. Some documents will be specific while others will be more all-encompassing.
Art that signifies our culture and heritage, aspects of health, wellbeing, disease, illness, community spirit or safety as per art created by artists represented by Jan Murphy Gallery, namely Ben Quilty or Sylvia Ken should also be included as part of the ACDC establishment as art plays a pivotal role in telling a yarnor aesthetically painting a story conveying information and ideas to viewers in a different way as compared to information.
Conclusions: Understanding and learning from other countries with examples such as this is a useful priority and necessity, being of upmost importance in terms of learning about how to establish the operations and functioning of an ACDC adapting it to a focus upon relevant Australian issues.

Social and Cultural Changes and Their Effects on Physical Activity and Well-Being

2025-07-05T09:11:34+00:00

This systematic review investigates the impact of social and cultural changes on physical activity and well-being through an academic lens. A comprehensive analysis was conducted using peer-reviewed articles, books, and reports from databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and JSTOR. Keyword combinations, including “social change,” “cultural change,” “physical activity,” and “well-being,” guided the selection process, resulting in the review of 435 papers and 570 papers. Studies were included based on stringent methodological criteria, prioritizing data-driven insights and relevance to the research focus. The review places significant emphasis on understanding the effects of urbanization, globalization, technological advancements, and social isolation, particularly within rural and Indigenous populations. Findings were synthesized to identify thematic patterns and variations across the analyzed literature. Results underscore the necessity of integrating social and cultural contexts into health promotion interventions. The research advocates for culturally sensitive strategies that address barriers and capitalize on unique cultural assets, contributing to a deeper understanding of how societal changes influence physical activity patterns and health outcomes in diverse populations.

G20, Africa, and Indigenous Knowledge: A Triadic Approach to Sustainable Development

2025-07-04T11:05:13+00:00

The G20 Summit, a global economic and environmental policymaking platform, is essential in forming sustainability policies. Still, it frequently overlooks African indigenous knowledge systems that have long maintained biodiversity, climatic resilience, and resource management. By examining the relationship between G20 policies, indigenous ecological wisdom in Africa, and sustainable development, this study shows how Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) can support environmental governance, green economy models, and climate action. This study examines case studies of biodiversity preservation (holy groves in Ghana), agroecology (intercropping in Kenya), and water conservation (Zai pits in the Sahel) to identify affordable, locally driven sustainable development options that support global environmental objectives. The study promotes a decolonized approach to ecological policy by bridging the knowledge gap between indigenous traditions and G20 policies. Incorporating indigenous environmental knowledge into the standard ecological discourse, encouraging inclusive climate policies, and advancing eco-justice, sustainable livelihoods, and grassroots conservation will help policymakers, researchers, environmentalists, and G20 stakeholders. This study explores the potential of integrating African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) into G20 sustainability frameworks to enhance ecological resilience and promote inclusive development. Using a qualitative case study approach, the paper analyzes three African sustainability practices, sacred groves in Ghana, intercropping in Kenya, and Zai pits in the Sahel, to evaluate their alignment with global environmental goals. Findings show that Indigenous Knowledge offers cost-effective, locally adapted, and sustainable solutions directly contributing to SDGs such as Zero Hunger, Climate Action, and Life on Land. Ultimately, by highlighting African indigenous traditions as crucial resources in the struggle against climate change and ecological degradation, this study helps to reshape global sustainability governance.The paper advocates for a decolonized, triadic policy model linking G20 governance, African environmental wisdom, and sustainable development, urging policymakers to recognize and incorporate IK into global strategies formally. The triadic relationship between the G20, Africa, and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) offers a transformative pathway toward sustainable development. Despite its economic influence, the G20 has historically marginalized African voices, often overlooking the continent’s rich indigenous wisdom rooted in ecological balance, community care, and spiritual harmony. African Indigenous Knowledge, such as sacred forest conservation, traditional agriculture, and water-sharing systems, holds practical, sustainable solutions to climate change and resource management, yet remains underrepresented in global policy frameworks. This study proposes a Triadic Development Model that integrates G20 policy power, Africa’s socio-political agency, and Indigenous epistemologies. It calls for the repositioning of Africa as a co-creator of knowledge, not merely a recipient of aid, and urges the G20 to embrace knowledge pluralism by valuing non-Western, community-driven solutions. Key contributions include advocating for permanent African Union representation in the G20, establishing an Indigenous Knowledge Task force, and funding community-based sustainability projects rooted in African traditions. Ultimately, this approach decolonizes development discourse, centers African agency, and emphasizes that true global sustainability must grow from local knowledge systems. Africa is not at the margins;it is central to reimagining a just and inclusive world order.

Enhancing Education with AI: A Comparative Study of Traditional and Generative AI Chatbots

2025-07-05T13:43:37+00:00

Chatbot technologies are transforming education through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). The present study compares the educational applications of traditional rule-based chatbots (ELIZA, ALICE, Mitsuku) and modern generative AI-powered chatbots (Chat GPT, Google Bard, Jira, Hugging face and Jasper AI). Natural Language Processing (NLP) is the common ground for both types of chatbots, while the traditional chatbots employ the rule-based NLP techniques – pattern matching and scripted response, and generative AI chatbots rely on deep learning and dynamic interactions.
The core objective of the present study is to assess and contrast the concept, functionality, adaptability and integration capabilities of both chatbot types within educational contexts.
The evaluation methodology involves secondary data analysis drawn from academic sources, using criteria such as background, setup, cost, knowledge, personalization, privacy, security, ethics, accessibility, teaching impact, privacy & security providing a qualitative basis for comparison. This approach helped uncover their strengths and weaknesses, offering insights for schools, teachers, and educational technologists.
The primary purpose of this study is to compare the roles and effectiveness of both types of AI chatbots in education. Ultimately, it helps educators and stakeholders choose the right chatbot for their specific learning environment.
Findings show that while both types of chatbots aim to streamline communication and support students with routine tasks, their core mechanisms differ. Traditional chatbots rely on static, rule-based logic, whereas generative AI chatbots adapt dynamically and generate human-like responses. Privacy concerns are also key differentiators—generative bots need strict data regulation compliance compared to the more controlled data usage in traditional bots.
This study concludes by emphasizing AI chatbots can shape the future of learning through enhanced personalization and support, while acknowledging technological, ethical, and implementation challenges that need addressing in future research.

The Global Economic Transformation Before and After the Advent of Electric Vehicles: A Review and Future Perspective

2025-07-04T11:05:13+00:00

Economically, ecologically, and in terms of technology the automobile industry is changing as a result of the global switch from internal combustion engine (ICE) to electric vehicle (EV) vehicles. This article looks at how the EV landscape changed before and after significant industrial transformations, with an emphasis on employment consequences, policy frameworks, raw material dependencies, and supply chain disruptions. Through an analysis of data from academic literature, policy reports, and international energy organizations, the study identifies important patterns like the rise in EV adoption, the strategic significance of vital minerals, and the reorganization of global manufacturing hubs. Additionally, the difficulties in developing batteries, the ecological effects of widespread EV use, and the socioeconomic ramifications for autoworkers are all examined. A balanced and inclusive transformation that synchronizes technology innovation with sustainable practices and fair labor tactics is vital, according to the research. This report gives stakeholders, manufacturers, and politicians important information about how to handle the challenges posed by the EV revolution for autoworkers.

Figurative Arrangement and Function of Color in the Paintings Arens for Kiyomars, Masti Lahuti and Nasuti

2025-07-04T11:05:13+00:00

Sultan Mohammad Tabrizi is a miniaturist of the Second School of Tabriz who created valuable works in the field of miniature. The painting of the Kiumars Court, the painting of Masti Lahuti and Nasuti are among the most famous and important works of Sultan Mohammad. The analysis of these two paintings in the present text has been carried out with the aim of identifying the visual characteristics of these works and the importance of this work is to establish a scientific connection between the era of Sultan Muhammad and the present era in terms of the rules of artistic work. Findings of this research have shown that the composition of these two works are based on basic geometry. The figurative arrangement of these two paintings are on circular movements, circular shapes, and elliptical shapes, while the vertical and horizontal lines are used to strengthen the work. This use of basic geometry reflects Sultan Muhammad’s dominance in proportion and harmoney of geometric standards in that era. Application of color rules (contrasts of dark and light, cold and warm, and use of complements and quantities) are color characteristics of these two paintings, and the application of these color rules are equivalent to the rules that Johannes Itten proposed in the 20th century. Itten proposed the aesthetic theory of seven color contrasts in the 20th century, which transformed the process of related art works.

Effectiveness of Ishan Uday Scholarship in case of Gross Enrolment Ratio and Academic Success in North-Eastern States of India

2025-07-04T11:05:13+00:00

Higher education is pivotal in equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary for sustainable economic growth and development. Despite its significance, India faces persistent challenges in achieving an adequate Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), particularly in the North Eastern Region (NER). The GER in India, recorded at 27.1% (AISHE 2019-20), remains considerably lower than that of developed nations. To address this, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has set an ambitious target of increasing the GER to 50% by 2035, emphasizing inclusivity and equity in education. Among the initiatives undertaken, the Government of India introduced the “Ishan Uday” Special Scholarship Scheme in 2014-15, aimed at economically disadvantaged students in the NER. This scheme offers 10,000 annual scholarships to students pursuing general, technical, and professional courses, including medical and paramedical disciplines, with the objective of enhancing GER and promoting academic success. This study analyses the effectiveness of the Ishan Uday Scholarship in improving GER and its influence on academic success and excellence indicators from 2015-16 to 2020-21by considering 77 numbers of Ishan Uday Scholarship beneficiaries and 80 numbers of no-scholarship beneficiaries. Compound Annual Growth Rates (CAGR), Paired ‘t’ and One-way ANNOVA have been used to interpret the hypotheses. The findings aim to provide empirical insights into the role of targeted financial assistance in addressing regional disparities in higher education access and performance. The findings have proved that the Ishan Uday Scholarship have not been able to effect greatly in case of increasing GER as its objective and academic performance of the scholarship recipients. However, this scholarship scheme has positive effect upon students’ motivation towards higher education and academic excellence.

From Silence to Voice: Ahalya’s Reclamation of Consent and Identity in Kavita Kane’s Ahalya’s Awakening

2025-07-04T11:05:13+00:00

Numerous female characters have been silenced throughout Indian mythology’s long history. Ahalya, a notable mythological character among them who is created by Brahma, one of the Hindu mythological trimurtis. Ahalya, daughter of the King Mudgal and Nalayani is depicted in myth as a stone who is cursed to beso by her husband, Rishi Gautam because ofher affair with Indra Sakra. Later she is redeemed by Ayodhya’s prince Ram. This story has contributed to the moral policing of female sexuality over the ages by reinforcing ideas of male authority and female shame. In her novel Ahalya’s Awakening, Kavita Kane reimagines this story by giving Ahalya agency, voice, and autonomy. The paper critically examines Ahalya’s Awakening using a feminist revisionist mythology framework, emphasizing how Kane rewrites the myth using victim-blaming, deceit, and consent. The study illustrates how Kane’s reconfiguration subverts patriarchal norms ingrained in the original story through close textual analysis. The novel reclaims Ahalya from mythic silence and repositions her as a symbol of female empowerment and resistance, set against the backdrop of modern Indian society and social movements such as #MeToo.
The paper concludes that Ahalya’s story is still relevant for readers today because Kane’s reworking not only challenges the gender politics of the original myth but also speaks to current discussions about justice and autonomy. Numerous female characters have been silenced throughout Indian mythology’s long history, and Ahalya stands as a prominent example.