African Journal of Gender and Women Studies

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 9, August 2026 | pp. 57–64

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/000108

Research Article

Title: Political Representation and Quota Systems: Assessing the Substantive Impact of Legislative Gender Quotas on Social Welfare Policy in Rwanda

Names of Authors: Chantal Uwase¹, Aisha Juma²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Centre for Conflict Management, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda; ²Department of Development Studies, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract: Rwanda boasts the highest proportion of female parliamentarians globally, largely credited to constitutionally mandated gender quotas. However, whether descriptive representation translates into substantive policy outcomes favoring marginalized women remains an ongoing debate. This study analyzes parliamentary voting records and budget allocations for social welfare, early childhood education, and rural healthcare over a three-year legislative cycle. Employing a quantitative content analysis of n = 145 legislative bills and key policy documents, matched with interviews of n = 20 female lawmakers, findings indicate a clear positive correlation between female parliamentary density and increased public spending on maternal-child health infrastructure (mean budget allocation increase = 18.5 ± 2.9%, t = 4.91, p < 0.001). Nevertheless, interviews revealed that party discipline and centralized executive power frequently constrain independent feminist policy formulation. The research concludes that while quotas successfully elevate women into formal political structures, institutional autonomy and grassroots constituency linkages are vital to ensure true substantive transformation.

Keywords: Political representation, gender quotas, social welfare policy, legislative impact, Rwanda

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 10 April 2026; Revised: 05 July 2026; Accepted: 18 July 2026; Published: 10 August 2026

Citation: Uwase, C., & Juma, A. (2026). Political Representation and Quota Systems: Assessing the Substantive Impact of Legislative Gender Quotas on Social Welfare Policy in Rwanda. African Journal of Gender and Women Studies, 11(9), 57–64.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 49–56

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/000107

Research Article

Title: Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining: Economic Survival, Occupational Health Hazards, and Environmental Realities in Rural Tanzania

Names of Authors: Aisha Juma¹, Mariama Diallo²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Development Studies, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; ²Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal

Abstract: Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) supports millions across rural East Africa, yet women within this sector are structurally marginalized into low-paying, highly toxic processing tasks like amalgamation. This field-based study examines the socio-economic drivers and acute occupational health profiles of women working in informal gold mining settlements in Geita, Tanzania. Using a participatory action research framework, data was gathered from n = 280 female miners via structured health screenings, environmental hazard mapping, and economic activity logs. Quantitative toxicological evaluations showed chronic mercury exposure levels averaging μ = 4.8 ± 1.2 micrograms per gram in hair samples, far above safe biological limits. Economically, women earned roughly 40.2 ± 6.5% less than male miners per shift despite equivalent labor inputs, as men retained ownership of extraction machinery and ore shafts (t = 7.15, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, sexual harassment and precarious working conditions were universally reported. The study emphasizes the urgent need for formalization policies, mercury-free processing technology access, and cooperative mining rights specifically designated for women miners.

Keywords: Artisanal mining, occupational health, mercury exposure, gender wage gap, informal economy, Tanzania

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 01 April 2026; Revised: 01 July 2026; Accepted: 15 July 2026; Published: 01 August 2026

Citation: Juma, A., & Diallo, M. (2026). Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining: Economic Survival, Occupational Health Hazards, and Environmental Realities in Rural Tanzania. African Journal of Gender and Women Studies, 11(8), 49–56.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 7, July 2026 | pp. 41–48

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/000106

Research Article

Title: Maternal Health Disparities and Antenatal Care Utilization: Interrogating Socio-Economic and Spatial Barriers Among Adolescent Mothers in Rural Senegal

Names of Authors: Mariama Diallo¹, Thandiwe Ndlovu²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal; ²Department of Criminology and Forensic Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

Abstract: Adolescent mothers in rural West Africa face extreme maternal morbidity risks driven by geographic isolation, prohibitive out-of-pocket healthcare costs, and adolescent stigma within clinical environments. This study investigates the determinants of inadequate antenatal care (ANC) utilization among pregnant adolescents aged 15 to 19 years in the Matam region of Senegal. A community-based cross-sectional survey was administered to n = 410 young mothers within 12 months postpartum. Logistic regression modeling indicated that only 31.7% completed the WHO-recommended 4-ANC visit minimum. Significant barriers included travel distance exceeding μ = 12.4 ± 2.8 km to the nearest functioning health post (odds ratio = 0.42, 95% confidence interval [0.28, 0.65]) and partner/family disapproval of reproductive health consultations. Financial constraints accounted for a 55% dropout rate after the first trimester. Qualitative data confirmed that judgmental attitudes from health personnel discouraged subsequent visits. Interventions must prioritize youth-friendly mobile health clinics, abolition of user fees for adolescent maternity services, and community sensitization campaigns targeting traditional community gatekeepers.

Keywords: Maternal health, adolescent mothers, antenatal care, health disparities, rural healthcare, Senegal

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 02 March 2026; Revised: 05 June 2026; Accepted: 18 June 2026; Published: 01 July 2026

Citation: Diallo, M., & Ndlovu, T. (2026). Maternal Health Disparities and Antenatal Care Utilization: Interrogating Socio-Economic and Spatial Barriers Among Adolescent Mothers in Rural Senegal. African Journal of Gender and Women Studies, 11(7), 41–48.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 6, June 2026 | pp. 34–41
DOI: 10.46882/AJGWS2026000203

Article Type: Review Article
Title: Maternal Healthcare Infrastructures and Telemedicine Efficacy in Coastal Fishing Communities
Names of Authors: Efua Boateng¹, Abosede Balogun²
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana, ²Department of Community Health, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Nigeria

Abstract: Geographical isolation complicates critical maternal emergency responses in riverine and coastal fishing communities along the West African coast. This systematic review synthesizes clinical and operational data from 30 localized mobile telemedicine interventions implemented between 2021 and 2025. Meta-analysis metrics show that mobile prenatal triage networks reduce high-risk emergency transit delays by a relative risk ratio of RR = 0.38 (95 percent confidence interval [0.25, 0.54], p < 0.001). The integration of remote fetal monitoring arrays reduced prenatal complication screening turnaround periods by a mean parameter of delta = plus/minus 3.5 hours. Unstable satellite networks and high maritime data tariffs remain primary infrastructural deficits, disrupting 42 percent of active communication windows. The study highlights the need for public subsidies to secure coastal healthcare data links.

Keywords: Maternal healthcare, Telemedicine, Infrastructure, Coastal communities, Digital triage

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 02 February 2026, Revised: 08 March 2026, Accepted: 05 April 2026, Published: 14 June 2026

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 6, June 2026 | pp. 33–40

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/000105

Research Article

Title: Gender-Based Violence Reporting and Survivor Support Systems: An Assessment of Police Response Efficiency in Urban South Africa

Names of Authors: Thandiwe Ndlovu¹, Musu Thompson²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Criminology and Forensic Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; ²Liberian Institute of Socio-Economic Research, Monrovia, Liberia

Abstract: South Africa maintains some of the highest recorded rates of gender-based violence (GBV) globally, yet institutional response failures at the primary policing interface frequently exacerbate survivor trauma. This study evaluates the operational efficiency, attitudinal preparedness, and resource adequacy of police stations across urban townships in KwaZulu-Natal regarding GBV case management. Data collection combined direct service-point audits across 20 police stations with secondary analysis of n = 1,250 victim case logs and semi-structured interviews with 30 victim support officers. The findings reveal pervasive secondary victimization: 52% of survivors reported experiencing unsympathetic or hostile treatment from frontline desk officers. Operational delays were severe, with an average response time of 3.4 ± 1.1 hours for domestic violence distress calls, far exceeding statutory guidelines. Furthermore, functional rape-kits and private trauma counseling rooms were completely absent in 40% of audited facilities (chi-square = 18.41, p = 0.0002). The research advocates for institutional accountability mechanisms, mandatory trauma-informed training for all law enforcement personnel, and the immediate scale-up of dedicated, well-resourced diversion desks.

Keywords: Gender-based violence, law enforcement, secondary victimization, institutional response, South Africa

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 05 February 2026; Revised: 10 May 2026; Accepted: 22 May 2026; Published: 01 June 2026

Citation: Ndlovu, T., & Thompson, M. (2026). Gender-Based Violence Reporting and Survivor Support Systems: An Assessment of Police Response Efficiency in Urban South Africa. African Journal of Gender and Women Studies, 11(6), 33–40.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 5, May 2026 | pp. 26–33
DOI: 10.46882/AJGWS2026000202

Article Type: Full Length Research Paper
Title: Evaluating Digital Literacy Interventions for Female Students in Technical Institutions
Names of Authors: Chioma Okoye¹, Mariama Sanou²
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Vocational Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria, ²Institute of Technology, Nazi Boni University, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Abstract: The underrepresentation of female students in engineering and digital technology fields across Sub-Saharan Africa persists due to systemic institutional barriers and early pedagogical gaps. This quantitative study evaluates a targeted 12-week boot camp intervention designed to improve full-stack software development competencies among n = 340 female technical college students. Pre- and post-intervention testing revealed a highly significant increase in core diagnostic programming performance metrics (t = 8.14, p < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis confirmed that peer mentoring networks accounted for 43 percent of the variance in sustained program completion rates (beta = 0.48). The research asserts that technical education policies must combine structured hardware provisions with safe learning ecosystems to significantly improve female tertiary retention indexes in STEM pathways.

Keywords: Digital literacy, Technical education, STEM pathways, Female students, Peer mentoring

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 15 January 2026, Revised: 20 February 2026, Accepted: 10 March 2026, Published: 18 May 2026