GOPALGANJ SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY
Published on 01 JAN 2024

Editorial Note

This issue of the Social Science Review brings together a diverse and timely collection of empirical and conceptual studies that collectively illuminate the evolving intersections of governance, development, gender, public service, and social transformation in Bangladesh and beyond. Each contribution reflects a critical engagement with pressing social realities, supported by rigorous methodologies and rooted in the lived experiences of communities across various contexts.

However, several articles engage deeply with the theme of women’s empowerment, a continuing priority in the discourse on social development. These studies explore how education plays a transformative role in challenging traditional gender roles, expanding women’s agency, and enhancing their participation in socio-economic spheres. The issue also presents comparative insights into democratic governance, offering critical perspectives on electoral principles, institutional design, and the pursuit of fairness in contrasting political systems.

Moreover, concerns around urban planning and child rights emerge through examinations of children’s access to play spaces—calling attention to systemic urban neglect and the need for more child-responsive development strategies. Issues of public service delivery and institutional reform are addressed through studies that emphasize how improved bureaucratic efficiency and citizen-centered service models can reinforce broader governance reforms.

In addition, themes of family, health, and social vulnerability are also prominently featured. Investigations into the experiences of rural widows and the physical toll of widowhood, as well as the challenges of work-family conflict faced by married female teachers in public universities, shed light on the complex intersections of age, gender, and occupational pressures. In parallel, the impact of information and communication technologies on youth culture is examined through a mixed-methods lens, revealing shifting digital identities and socio-cultural challenges in youth socialization.

Furthermore, complementing this is research on menstrual hygiene and waste disposal management, which highlights the urgent need for inclusive health infrastructure and education—particularly for vulnerable populations in urban slum areas. Agricultural development, often underexplored in mainstream social science discourse, receives meaningful attention through a study of turmeric production and marketing, revealing both the obstacles and prospects faced by rural producers. This work contributes valuable insights into agribusiness support, rural economy diversification, and policy innovation.

Collectively, the articles in this issue contribute significant empirical evidence while raising deeper questions surrounding equity, accessibility, institutional effectiveness, and cultural transformation in the context of Bangladesh’s ongoing development journey. We trust that readers—scholars, practitioners, and policymakers alike—will find inspiration and direction for further research, dialogue, and applied action within these pages.

We express our sincere appreciation to the administration of Gopalganj Science and Technology University for their continued support, and to all contributors and reviewers whose scholarly commitment and critical insight have made this issue possible. As we pursue excellence in social science research, Social Science Review remains dedicated to advancing critical inquiry, fostering methodological innovation, and promoting inclusive, evidence-based knowledge.

We hope this issue inspires continued research, stimulates meaningful discussion, and contributes to the growth and impact of social science scholarship in Bangladesh and beyond.

Best regards,
Mohammad Anisur Rahaman, PhD
Editor, Social Science Review, Issue-02, January 2024
Dean, Faculty of Social Science
Gopalganj Science and Technology University, Gopalganj-8105, Bangladesh

Articles