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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- Date Issued: 2021-09
A project delivery framework within the Construction Industry
- Authors: Chikandiwa,Yeaukai Memory
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Construction --Management -- South Africa , Project Management , Communication
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52594 , vital:43692
- Description: A lack of effective communication has often resulted in information bottlenecks and conflicts in the execution of construction projects and is the primary cause of problems such as delays, increased project cost, reduced roductivity, loss of profit, or damaged professional or business relationships within the construction Industry. Despite all the advancement in the communication and integration tools in a drive to optimize the construction industry, this challenge still remains. In order to address this problem, this research project sought to determine the key elements that constitute effective communication and its importance to the successful projects delivery within the construction industry. A survey design which involved a sample study of a representative population through the use of a questionnaire was used. The research population comprised of all design consultants. The research found that, Common tools and processes, Good change management, PM best practices & Performance KPIs and resources are the main missing elements respectively for effective communication, which foster the conflicts inherent within the industry. The following key factors are however mostly present in project team; well-articulated project scope, quality information exchange and commendable people, cultures and behaviour. Informational asymmetries, misrepresentation, poor PM skills hinders effective communication and often results in project failure. There is therefore need to concertize the design professionals on the importance of effective communication and enlighten them on the dynamics involved. The construction industry is inherently complex, multi-disciplinary, fragmented, sporadic, dynamic and generally resistant to change. Hence, the need for rigorous research and feed back to the design professionals on effective communication especially during the changing times driven by technology, dubbed the 4th revolution. More work is to be done in order to achieve the effective communication, in the following study research area for the construction industry; the alignment of tools and processes, change management and Performance KPIs for the construction industry. These factors present a huge challenge in a fragmented and adversarial industry which is inherently resistant to change. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Engineering,the Built Environment and Information technology,2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
An evaluation of a bank’s clients’ preference for particular communication channels
- Authors: Chapwanya, Marvelous
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Communication , Mass media
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26615 , vital:65663
- Description: This study aims to establish clients’ preference for particular communication channels of a particular bank in Alice. The study, focusing on marketing communication, was guided by the tenets of media richness theory. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods. This particular bank is one of the biggest banks in South Africa and it has many branches across the country and abroad. However, this study only focused on clients in the small town of Alice in the Eastern Cape. Alice has three major groups of clients: those who are highly educated, those who are illiterate and those who fall in between. This diversity in the demographics of the clients affects the way people react to the communication channels used by this bank including modern communication channels and traditional channels. It was discovered that education level, age (as related to literacy level), language, geographical location and access to computers and the internet have an impact on the way the clients evaluate the preference for particular communication channels of this bank. The results of the study show that the majority of the clients prefer communication channels that are interactive like face-to-face communication and cell phone calls. The other channels at the clients’ disposal are television, radio, newspapers, printed mail, internet and emails. However, some of these channels are not regarded as very effective by the clients in Alice for several reasons such as the rural nature of Alice, lack of access and resources, being illiterate, and a lack of education. The clients suggested that the bank make use of other communication channels that suit a rural and less developed area in order to effectively communicate with the clients. The study also brought to light that the use of the new ICTs in Alice is still lagging, resulting in many customers experiencing problems when they want to use some of the communication channels offered by the bank. , Thesis (MSoc ) -- Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04