Communicating against a Taboo Practice : Multiple-case studies of anti-female genital mutilation programs

ISBN-13: 9783639152319 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 100 str.

Kyung Sun Lee

Opis

This book examines female genital mutilation (FGM) in Africa and the global movement committed to eliminate the practice. The international community, guided by concerned UN organizations and large donor groups, defines FGM as a violation of human rights and follows a uniform goal to completely eliminate all forms of FGM. By coordinating actions from the international to the local level, any alternatives raised by cultural relativists are strictly excluded. However, less attention is focused on the effectiveness of messages that are being introduced to FGM-practicing communities. In particular, introducing the concept of human rights has largely failed to succeed. The author argues that the abstractness of the concept needs to be tailored to the realities and experiences of FGM-practicing communities. Implementation of theories and strategies that take a participatory approach are suggested in order to facilitate community-based and community-led solutions to FGM. Finally, the author suggests a decentralized model of behavior communication that permits greater flexibility of approaches to anti-FGM communication.

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O autorze

Kyung Sun Lee is currently a PhD student at University of Texas
at Austin. Her academic interests cover communication strategies
for social change and gender and health. This book is based on
her Master''s thesis, which was inspired from a volunteer program
in 2004 to eradicate FGM in Kenya.