MAGD Program Thesis Papers (Brac Institute of Governance and Development)
http://hdl.handle.net/10361/118
2024-03-19T02:10:04ZE-governance for the betterment of local governance in Afghanistan
http://hdl.handle.net/10361/17192
E-governance for the betterment of local governance in Afghanistan
Tariq, Mohammad
E-Government is widely recognized as a successful tool for service delivery in both developing and developed countries, and it is recognized as a good means to achieve good governance by all developed countries in general and developing countries like Afghanistan in particular. The importance and function of E-Government in improving and ensuring good governance in Afghanistan's local government, as well as the role of E-Government in delivering government services to the local and marginalized people in an efficient, easy, and effective manner, are examined in this paper.
The qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were both used in this study. Interviews and a self-administered questionnaire were used to collect data from random samples of Afghan local government personnel.
The components in this study were created by combining measurement scales from previous research and the literature. MS Excel and the SPSS Program were used to examine the data.
To find out how much people believe in E-Governance positive impacts on local governance Afghanistan the good governance achievement through E-Governance first the employees, were assessed about their knowledge of E-Governance and they were asked about the available basic facilities which will be important for E-Governance successful implementation, second they were asked how E-Government affects good governance, including the reduction of corruption, the intensity of clarity, the efficiency of service, the level of convenience, the extent of accessibility, and the level of interaction, and how good governance is measured by accountability, transparency, responsiveness, the rule of law, effectiveness, and participation. Employees of local government agencies have fundamental knowledge and facilities for implementing E-Government, according to this survey.
Furthermore, the study's findings revealed that employees believe that E-Governance efficiently and effectively delivers public services, and that the delivery of e-services has a positive impact on citizen satisfaction, and that the E-Governance initiative leads to good governance promises, subject to hypothesis validation. Understanding the current state of E-Governance in Afghanistan can assist policymakers and implementers in ensuring that public services are delivered effectively.
This study and its findings have some limitations, but they also point to areas where more research should be conducted in order to achieve good governance through E-Governance in local governance agencies.
This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in Governance and Development, 2016.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis report.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 55-58).
2016-10-01T00:00:00ZThe role of media in selected aspects of governance in Afghanistan
http://hdl.handle.net/10361/15327
The role of media in selected aspects of governance in Afghanistan
Liwal, Eid Mohammad
This study considers the implications and role of media with special reference to the role of Television
and Radio within the context of Afghan government. Notwithstanding the growing significance of the
media for a country’s overall development, there has been very limited research and academic attention on
the media in the Afghan context in development.
The objective of this paper is to analyze the media’s role (Radio and Television) in relation to selected
sectors of governance affairs – notably Human Rights and Public Awareness. The relevance of the issue
and the importance to the Afghan context is analyzed. Some of the major areas of focus and discussion
topics of the study include the following: an analysis of the relevant needs and gaps in the concerned
public organizations; a scrutiny of the media’s (Television & Radio) role and implications for selected key
governance issues in Afghanistan; contributions and challenges of the media in relation to enforcement,
protection and promotion of human rights and public awareness; relevant human rights laws and access to
information for public awareness; and the strengths and weaknesses of the media in capacity building of
the media practitioners to contribute to the broader governance of the country.. The major research
methods and tools included secondary literature review, desk review of official documents, and key
informant interviews with a cross section of stakeholders including the media personnel, local and central
government officials, and academics.
The findings reveal some major limitations of the media including inadequate perusal ethics and other
scrupulous codes, inadequate academic and professional qualifications, and a low degree of
professionalism among a considerable number of media practitioners and associated policymakers. Acting
together, these limitations influence the state of overall governance badly. It is also found that the issues
of civil and political rights are often neglected by the media. The media’s focus on national and local
elections have not been strong. As newly emerged democratic society, elections are crucial for the
country. It is noted that the media coverage of, and interest in elections have been very little. There seems
to be several reasons behind this aversion. The absence of a strong democratic political culture and active
participation of political parties, together with the unscrupulous interventions in the democratic process by
the warlords have left a negative mark on the media, and most of the press remain less interested in
discussing civil and political rights.
Drawing on the examples of other democratic nations, this study reiterates the crucial significance of the
media in the national development of Afghanistan, and nurturing its nascent democratic culture. Some
major recommendations include the following: making appropriate policy provisions for attracting more
local and foreign investors to move into the media sector; conducting a media-based mass awareness
campaign to educate people on human rights related issues; and capacity development of the media
personnel to enable them to carry out their stipulated role professionally and efficiently.
This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in Governance and Development, 2021.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis report.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 65-68).
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZThe impact of Mobile Court Act, 2009 on restraining the propensity of child marriage in Bangladesh: Empirical evidences from Ishwarganj Upazilla, Mymensingh
http://hdl.handle.net/10361/15164
The impact of Mobile Court Act, 2009 on restraining the propensity of child marriage in Bangladesh: Empirical evidences from Ishwarganj Upazilla, Mymensingh
Ahasan, Mohammed Anamul
This dissertation contains the study conducted by the researcher as a part of his master’s thesis. The study examines the status and effectiveness of the Mobile Court Act, 2009 to restrain the propensity of child marriage in Bangladesh based on the experience of one Upazilla, named Ishwarganj, Mymensingh. Child marriage is a social curse. It is detrimental to a girl’s physiological and mental development. It is also harmful for the society as well as for the country. Child marriage is prevalent in Bangladesh in general and rural areas in particular. To reduce the extent of child marriage, Bangladesh government tries in various ways such as motivation, awareness building and enacting law.
Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 was enacted and put into practice to stop child marriage. Under the Child Marriage Restraint Act (1929), the legal age of marriage in Bangladesh is 18 years for a female and 21 years for a male. Penalties for child marriage according to the Act are imprisonment for one month or a fine of up to 1,000 taka ($ 11.76) or both. Any adult or guardian arranging and permitting child marriage can be convicted under the law. Girls cannot be sentenced to imprisonment under the provision of law. This act has failed to create an effective impact to reduce child marriage in Bangladesh. The government understood the failure.
To overcome this problem, government included this law under the schedule of Mobile Court act 2009. Mobile Court brings a new dimension and a significant paradigm shift in the enforcement of laws in Bangladesh to restrain the propensity of child marriage. Later in 2017, Government has passed Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2017. The current law in Bangladesh is the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2017 (CMRA) repealing the earlier British law of 1929. The Act sets the minimum age of marriage for a male as 21 years and for a female as 18 years. CMRA criminalizes contracting, allowing, or solemnizing of a child marriage. In 2018 the Child Marriage Restraint Rules had been also formulated providing details of the formation and responsibilities of the Child Marriage Prevention Committees, along with other functional details. Again, Government included Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2017 under the schedule of Mobile Court act 2009.
After the enactment of Mobile Court Act, 2009 executive magistrates conduct mobile court to stop child marriage in their local jurisdiction. At the Upazilla level Upazilla Nirbahi Officer
vi
(UNO) and Assistant Commissioner (Land) enjoy and enforce executive magistracy power. Their relentless effort makes many Upazilla child marriages free. Likewise, the researcher conducted a survey on the people of Ishwarganj Upazilla having diverse socio-economic profile. A part of the survey was also conducted on the children who were saved from the curse of child marriage. Now Ishwarganj Upazilla is a child Marriage free Upazilla. By closely observing the activities of executive magistrates in conducting mobile court, the researcher received the fundamental ideas of how this change achieved. The researcher formulated a theoretical framework to analyze the collected information.
Analysis of primary data revealed that most of the children who were saved from the
marriage were satisfied with the active, effective and timely initiative of executive
magistrate’s mobile courts. The respondents opined that without the intervention of mobile
court none could save them from child marriage. Mobile Court Act, 2009 gives the executive
magistrates power to stop child marriage and punish those who are involved with child
marriage. Upazilla Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Assistant Commissioner (Land) also apply
their administrative power, image and capability against child marriage. Even they are able to
create a movement against child marriage. In the study area, it is found that now people are
more aware of the harmful effect of child marriage. Meeting, seminar, motivational
campaign, active participation of student council, information network and over all
exemplary punishment given by mobile court make the people conscious and aware about
detrimental effect of child marriage. Family violence and maternal death rate has reduced in
this locality. From both service providers and service seekers perspective it is proved that
“Mobile Court Act-2009” is an important and effective means against child marriage. Most of
the respondents of all cluster termed “Mobile Court Act-2009” as a people friendly act rather
a coercive one.
This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in Governance and Development, 2021.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis report.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 68-70).
2021-06-30T00:00:00ZEffectiveness of old age allowance program: A study on the beneficiaries of Savar upazila
http://hdl.handle.net/10361/15042
Effectiveness of old age allowance program: A study on the beneficiaries of Savar upazila
Islam, Mohammad Ashikul
Bangladesh is going through a demographic transition hence new challenges are coming on the
way. The government of Bangladesh should try and make efforts to achieve the targets of
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) regarding ageing. The Old Age Allowance program
under the Social Safety Net initiative is working to provide old age support for the poor elderly
population of our country. In this paper a survey analysis has been carried out in Savar Upazila
to analyze the effectiveness of OAA in the lives of the beneficiaries. For this a survey analysis
and FGD discussion has been carried out in the 12 Unions of Savar upazila with 120
respondents to analyze their perceived opinion about the overall effectiveness of the allowance.
From the analysis it has been found out that though the benefit size is too small for the
beneficiaries it is still having a significant impact on their lives. 52% of the total respondents
has reported that they are satisfied with OAA as it has helped them to achieve better status at
their family and the regular flow of money is helping them with the basic needs of their live.
However, a relatively small but significant portion has reported that the allowance is not up to
the satisfactory level as the benefit amount is too small to make their life standard better. If the
medical services of the beneficiaries are made free then the satisfaction level may rise as a huge
portion of the benefit is spent on medication.
Overall the effectiveness of the OAA can be ensured only if the benefit amount and coverage
of the program is increased. Along with that transparency and proper administration in
beneficiary selection needs to ensure. All the respondents has complained about the hassles
regarding the benefit receiving process. For this mobile banking and incorporation of
digitalization may help to make this process efficient. The matter of hope is that the government
has already launched the pilot project DG Infotech to digitalize the whole selection and listing
of the beneficiary process.
This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in Governance and Development, 2021.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis report.; Includes bibliographical references (page 34).
2021-05-01T00:00:00Z