Journal of Social Policy, Social Change and Development

Needs Assessments for Adolescent Girls Transitioning from Institutional Care Facilities in Zimbabwe: A Sustainable Livelihood Approach

Pamhidzayi Berejena Mhongera — 2026-06-29

Transition of adolescents from care facilities to independent living arrangements has been a topical issue in the childcare and protection sector. Mechanisms and systems must be implemented to ensure seamless transitions. This mixed-methods study, part of a broader evaluation of adolescent girls transitioning from institutional care in Harare, Zimbabwe, employed the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to assess the livelihood needs of 32 girls from two institutions. Data were collected from 16 adolescents still in care facilities and 16 who had exited care facilities. Data collection involved semi-structured face-to-face interviews with all participants and two focus group discussions with girls in both institutions. For care leavers, responses were retrospective. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analysed concurrently using Framework Analysis. Quantitative findings categorised assets and assigned values to each, while qualitative results used narratives and direct quotes to compare the needs of girls within and outside institutional care. The study identified both similarities and differences in prioritized livelihood needs: human assets (41.5%) such as education, skills development and advocacy; social assets (29.5%) such as relationship-building and family connections; public assets (18.75%) such as access to services and support systems; financial assets (9%) such as economic resources and opportunities; and physical assets (1.25%) such as accommodation and material resources. The assessment highlights significant gaps in meeting these needs within institutional settings and recommends actively involving adolescent girls in the design of policies and programs that address their development priorities.

From Access to Continuity: Effectiveness of the Kanyashree Scholarship in Reducing Girls’ Dropout in West Bengal

Joy Karmakar — 2026-06-29

This paper examines the effectiveness of the Kanyashree Program, West Bengal’s flagship conditional cash transfer (CCT) scheme, in reducing school dropout among adolescent girls between 2017 and 2025. Drawing on district-level data, the study evaluates program through different parameters, including retention, renewal, and consistency. The findings reveal contrasting patterns. While K2 scholarships (higher-level continuation scholarships) show relatively stable or positive growth, K1 scholarships (initial entry-level) record a steady decline since 2020–21, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic disruptions in school enrolments. Retention and renewal indices point to both consolidation and fragility, as many districts maintain high continuation rates while others face persistent dropout pressures. Temporal consistency (0.85) reflects sustained program stability over several years, yet the sharp fall in the Retention Index to 65.46 in 2024–25 signals renewed stress. Spatial consistency has improved modestly, from 89.02 in 2021–22 to 91.08 in 2024–25, suggesting a narrowing of inter-district disparities. However, the simultaneous rise in spatial consistency alongside declining overall retention highlights systemic stressors that cut across districts. The analysis underscores both the achievements and limitations of Kanyashree as it has contributed significantly to delaying marriage and sustaining female education; however, the program's long-term sustainability remains vulnerable to structural and systemic pressures.

Evidence-Based Policymaking and Global Governance: An Examination of the Role of the Policy Studies Organization and ECOSOC

Chick Edmond — 2026-06-29

Transnational challenges, such as climate change, global inequality, pandemics, digital governance, and institutional legitimacy crises, are becoming increasingly complex, therefore, the demand for evidence-based decision-making has become an important developing normative and practical issue in the area of global governance. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is the principal organ of the UN responsible for coordinating policy processes across all areas of economic, social and development issues. However, despite ECOSOC’s ability to make decisions concerning how the world addresses these problems, it has been widely criticized for being unable to translate expert knowledge into tangible policy outcomes. Therefore, this paper will examine the role of the Policy Studies Organization (PSO), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) serving as a knowledge intermediary and its evolving relationships with ECOSOC to provide evidence-based decision-making support. The article makes the case that the relationship between the PSO and ECOSOC represents a paradigmatic shift in global governance in that epistemic actors, policy networks and knowledge brokers are now influencing institutional performance beyond the confines of more traditional state-centric models of governance. To examine the mechanisms through which the PSO supports ECOSOC’s policy agenda-setting, facilitates the diffusion of policies across member states and encourages institutional learning within ECOSOC; this research employs theoretical frameworks from institutionalism, policy network analysis and critical political economy. Furthermore, this article identifies structural obstacles to the application of evidence-based policy in multilateral institutions including those created by power disparities, political conflict, and bureaucratic resistance to change. Finally, this research contextualizes the PSO-ECOSOC relationship in terms of existing scholarly debates surrounding the intersection of knowledge and power in global public policy, contributes to scholarship exploring reforms in global governance, and offers evidence-based recommendations to improve the legitimacy, effectiveness, and relevance of multilateral organizations vis-a-vis the SDG Agenda.

Laws, Policies, and Comprehensive Sexuality Education Programs for Students in Vietnam: Status, Causes, and Solutions

Le Hoai Anh Nguyen — 2026-06-29

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the legal and policy framework, implementation status, and barriers to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) for students in Vietnam. Through a review and analysis of policy documents, research reports, and international technical guidance, the study shows that the implementation of CSE in Vietnam remains fragmented, lacking systematization, and does not fully meet global standards. Although there are certain legal foundations, Vietnam still lacks a coherent national policy and a stand‑alone CSE curriculum. The current integration model does not ensure comprehensive content coverage or consistency in pedagogy. Key challenges include policy gaps, limited teacher capacity, a lack of standardized materials, and deep-rooted socio-cultural barriers, such as gender bias and community reluctance. Accordingly, the paper proposes a set of strategic solutions, including establishing a clear national policy framework, investing in teacher training and professional development, developing context‑appropriate teaching materials, and promoting multisectoral coordination among education, health, and social organizations to create an enabling environment for effective CSE implementation, thereby empowering the young generation in Vietnam.

The Role of Public Policy in Transforming the Workforce Structure towards an Entrepreneurial Economy: Policy Recommendations at the National, Regional, and Local levels

Sanya Kenaphoom — 2026-06-29

This study examines the influence of public policy on the transformation of Thailand's labor force structure into an entrepreneurial economy. The aim is to analyze existing policy frameworks, identify structural and institutional constraints within Thailand's entrepreneurial ecosystem, and provide a comprehensive multi-tiered policy framework at the national, regional, and local levels. The study employs a qualitative documentary methodology in conjunction with policy analysis. Data was gathered from national policy documents, economic development strategies, legislation, regulatory frameworks, and academic literature cataloged in both international and national databases. The analysis was guided by the principles of human capital, structural transformation, entrepreneurial economy, and multi-tiered governance. The results demonstrate that although Thailand shows significant entrepreneurial activity, the workforce is mainly defined by informal employment and micro-enterprises, which have limited scalability and productivity. Current policies demonstrate strengths in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship strategically; however, significant challenges persist in policy coordination, institutional integration, access to gro significant policy wth-oriented financing, and the alignment of educational outcomes with entrepreneurial skills. The analysis reveals significant policy shortcomings related to fragmented governance, uneven regional development, and insufficient support for innovation-oriented enterprises. The study promotes a multi-faceted policy framework that emphasizes competency-based entrepreneurial education, legislative and institutional change, funding methods for scaling, and the creation of regionally adapted entrepreneurial ecosystems. The results demonstrate that public policy is crucial for improving entrepreneurial participation and influencing the quality, scalability, and structural influence of entrepreneurship on sustained productivity growth and economic transformation.