An evaluation of communication strategies for the eradication of female genital mutilation (FGM): a case study of West Pokot, Kenya
- Authors: Onyango, Quinter
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Female circumcision , Communication
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21103 , vital:46986
- Description: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is still rampant in many Kenya communities, especially the Maa and the Pokot speaking people, despite communication strategies and programmes instituted to eradicate the cultural practice. Female Genital Mutilation is a procedure that intentionally alters or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The gains of eliminating FGM resulted from robust communication strategies introduced by the United Nations and the Kenyan government to educate and raise consciousness regarding the dangers of FGM practice. However, despite widespread communication efforts worldwide, at least thirty-one countries are still practising FGM. West Pokot County in Kenya has an 86% rate as a county that still practices FGM. The statistics are an indication that communication alone cannot achieve the desired goal as long as the communities feel that these organizations and their communication expects are looking down upon their culture, beliefs and practices. As far as FGM is concerned, attitude change is vital in communities to understand the dangers. Members of communities are often left behind or not consulted when developing strategies for eradicating FGM. Emphasis should be drawn on the involvement and ownership of such development programmes. Lack of participation from the communities seems to be the key reason for the failure of the campaigns to encourage people into deserting FGM practices. Therefore, this study evaluated communication strategies and explanations of why there is still a high level of FGM practice regardless of the prevalent consciousness of the consequences of its continued practice in West Pokot County, Kenya. This study adopts a mixed methodology (qualitative and quantitative) research approach. Convenience and purposive non-probability sampling techniques were subsequently used to select samples for this study. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were held with the different community members in West Pokot County. There were five focus groups with nine participants in each focus group, making 45 participants for the focus group discussions. The collected data were interpreted and analysed thematically. This research showed a remarkable disparity between the community members ranging from their opinion and perceptions on the best and effective modes of communication to eradicate female genital mutilation and an alternative rite of passage. Another critical finding of this study indicated that beads of bondage linked to the community sanctioned rite of passage are another traditional practice that is endangering the lives of the girl child in Lokornoi, West Pokot County. Hence, this study proposed using mass media (newspapers, radio, television) using their vernacular language, which they understand and other interpersonal communication strategies (elders, chiefs and religious leaders) to eradicate FGM. Also, communication groups can involve communities to encourage a sense of ownership, which was the biggest reason for the communities to resist leaving FGM practice. This research suggests a need to develop alternative ways of communicating the message and that interpersonal channels are necessary to eradicate FGM in Kenya. , Thesis (MSoc Sci) (Communication) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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Citizen`s experience of the batho pele principles of consultation and redress in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Gqamana, Athabile
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa , Civil service -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19759 , vital:43235
- Description: Everyday activities of communities are dependent on services provided by the local municipality, district or regional council and the national government. These activities range from water flowing freely from taps, a roof to hide under, and a clean and healthy environment, just to name a few. The Batho Pele principles were introduced to ensure that these services are provided for the benefit of the people. They were introduced to make sure that people are involved in the process of service delivery so that services are exactly what they need. It is important to note that the Batho Pele principles inform service standards and a customer care charter. This means that the government or providers of service listen to citizens’ views and take them into account when making decisions about service delivery. Informing service standards and a customer care charter also means that service providers or the government responds swiftly and sympathetically when the service standard falls below the promised standard. The problem occurs when citizens are not being consulted about the type of services they are entitled to. The citizens of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality had an issue with how services are provided. They stated that even though service delivery was improving, the manner in which these services were provided was not satisfactory. They complained that they were not asked about what they needed and what their priorities were. Moreover, they stated that when they complained, they did not receive an effective response. The main objective of this research was to establish citizens’ experience with consultation and redress as core functions of the Batho Pele Principles. Furthermore, this research sought to establish important elements of proper citizen consultation and redress in the literature, to determine the extent to which these principles are adopted in in BCMM, to establish the effects of current consultation and redress practice on citizens’ trust in their local government and to make recommendations on effective approaches to consultation and redress. The theories that guided the study are the agency theory, the social equity theory and the procedural justice as a derivative of social equity theory. The legislative framework includes the White Paper on Transforming Public Service Delivery (Notice No 1954 Of 1994), the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the Municipal Systems Act no 32 of 2000 and the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000. The study used both the qualitative and quantitative methods. It also used a case study design. The study used a sample of 110 respondents and the data was collected using interviews, questionnaires and a focus group discussions. Analysis of data followed the narrative and descriptive paradigms. Most importantly, all the objectives of the study were met. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2020
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