This thesis examines how institutional factors affect women entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector, especially in developing countries with uncertain and challenging institutional environments. It explores how formal and informal rules can either support or hinder the progress of women’s businesses. The study has three main aims: (1) to identify the institutional challenges that women face and understand how they navigate these obstacles; (2) to explore the resources women use to scale their businesses despite these challenges; and (3) to assess the role of agency in enhancing women’s entrepreneurial success. Through these insights, the thesis highlights how women adapt and grow their businesses within complex institutional frameworks.

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This PhD research explores Munkoyo, a traditional non-alcoholic fermented drink from Zambia. Munkoyo is made using wild plant roots and cooked grains, but the specific plants and their role in fermentation were not well understood. It identified three important plant species and studied the microbes in their roots that help with fermentation.

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The Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society invite you to the book launch event of Religious Sensibilities in Pursuit of Sexual Well-Being: African Diasporic Communities in the Netherlands by Dr. Amisah Zenabu Bakuri. This event will explore how religious beliefs and cultural practices influence sexual health, wellbeing, and gender roles among Ghanaian-Dutch and Somali-Dutch communities in the Netherlands.

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Op vrijdag 22 november om 12.15 uur verdedigt Milande Busquet haar proefschrift Social Entrepreneurship in the cocoa industry in West-Africa. A human-centered perspective on labor issues. In haar proefschrift onderzoekt Milande Busquet de rol van sociaal ondernemerschap bij het creëren van sociale waarde in internationale waardeketens. Haar onderzoek richt zich specifiek op het aanpakken van arbeidsvraagstukken in de cacaowaardeketen in West-Afrika en de invloed van lokale gemeenschappen op het creëren van (sociale) waarde. Door middel van kwalitatieve casestudies en veldwerk in Ivoorkust en Ghana belicht ze de complexiteit rond arbeidsvraagstukken en biedt ze een lokaal perspectief op vraagstukken van kinderarbeid en (sociale) interventies in internationale waardeketens.

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If you are Black and gay in South Africa, then it really is all the same closet… inside is darkness and oppression. Outside is freedom.

These words were issued by Simon Nkoli (1957-1998), a South African gay activist and anti-apartheid leader. In his quest for freedom, he fought for the rights and acceptance of the LGBTQI+ community in South Africa and facilitated a cross-over with the anti-apartheid movement. This way he demonstrated that these two movements shared a common ground in their fight for equality. He was the founder of the Gay Association of South Africa (GASA) and the Gay and Lesbian Organisation of the Witwatersrand (GLOW). In 1990, he was the first organiser of the Gay & Lesbian Pride march in Johannesburg. On the 26th of November this year Nkloli, who died of aidsrelated disease, would have turned 67 years. What was his influence and legacy? And how have his ideas shaped the acceptance of the LGBTQI+ community in South Africa?

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Our research advances the understanding of these unique and fragile ecosystems, providing valuable insights for conservation and land management in arid regions. It also contributes to global climate change research by modelling potential shifts in desert vegetation. This work is significant for biodiversity conservation, sustainable land use, and climate adaptation strategies in desert environments worldwide.

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Promotie C.S. Sidibe: Midwifery and training in Mali.

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The Afro-European Sessions is an invitation to explore the rich and complex Afro-European experience. How do you create a sense of home while balancing two cultures? This is the central question posed by the new VPRO documentary series The Afro-European, which also shapes the multidisciplinary program of this event. Join us for an inspiring evening of interactive talks, film, art, music, and food, curated by OSCAM, Omek and VPRO.

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