African Journal of Gender and Women Studies

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN: 2736-1578, Vol. 8 (1), pp. 001-014, January, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ambitious but constrained: An exploration of the plight of the Zimbabwean girl child towards gender sensitivity as a 21^st century pedagogical imperative for education

Mutekwe E* and Zikhali J

University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Kingsway campus, South Africa

Accepted 15 October, 2022

Abstract

The 2004 Gender Policy in Zimbabwe was formulated to promote the attainment of social justice, equality and equity in all spheres of society. However, gender biased practices have remained rampant in education. Patriarchal practices and the educational curriculum are used to maintain the status quo of patriarchy as a form of gender imbalance within society. This paper reports on a study that examined gender insensitivity in classroom instruction. Lesson observations and focus group interviews were used to gather data from a sample size of 20 female student teachers purposively sampled from four teacher education colleges in Zimbabwe. Data analysis was conducted through the use of simple lesson content in a hybrid -grounded process and critical discourse analysis of the views of both lecturers and students in classroom interaction situations. Their practices reflected in lessons and views expressed in focus group discussions revealed taken- for- granted patriarchal dispositions. The conclusion pleads for pre and in-service professional teacher development programmes that can sensitize both trainee and practising teachers to the nature of their thinking and practices and help them devise strategies that are aligned to policy.

Key words: Teacher education curriculum, gender sensitivity, gender blind, discourses, inequality, structure and agency, social enactment approach, twenty first century pedagogical imperative.

African Journal of Gender and Women StudiesISSN: 2736-1578 Vol. 7 (9), pp. 001-007, September, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Strategies for elimination of Female Genital Mutilation in Ethiopia; a meta synthesis of national and regional studies

Oladeji Olusola¹*, Battle Julia², Ahmed Haithar³,Shikur Zemzem³ and Akullu Harriet⁴

¹UNICEF Somali Field Office, Ethiopia.

²UNICEFCountryOffice, Rwanda.

³UNICEF Country Office, Ethiopia.

⁴UNICEF Headquarters, New York, USA.

Accepted 19 September, 2022

Abstract

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a harmful practice that consists of all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. This meta-synthesis identified and describedstrategies implemented for elimination of FGM practices in Ethiopiaand was conducted using systematic searches in electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar) and grey literature from 2012 to 2022.Some of the strategies identified to eliminate FGM practice included the enactment and enforcement of customary laws; empowering and engaging women and girls about their rights, andhealth risk education campaign onthe negative health impacts of FGM. Other strategies identified were the engagement of key gatekeepers of FGM practices which included religious leaders, traditional birth attendants,clanleaders, health workers,men and unmarried boys. The study highlighted some of the strategies and interventions that worked and other that have great potential to eliminate FGM practice in Ethiopia. The study also showed that implementationof a combination of diverse interventions which complement each-other and targeted at different actorsinvolved in the practice is essential so that the root cause of the practice in terms of gender and social norms are targeted for  meaningful change in  the practice of FGM.

Key words; Female genital mutilation, strategies, interventions, elimination, meta synthesis.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN: 2736-1578, Vol. 7 (8), pp. 001-005, August, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Traditional Indigenous healing in Canada: A synopsis of current practices and the necessity of future research 

Jonah W. Perlmutter¹, Felix Walker BA² and Marni C. Wiseman BSc, MD, FRCPC ³*

¹University of Winnipeg Department of Biochemistry

²Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) Family and Community Wellness Centre

*³Department of Medicine, University of Manitoba SKiNWISE DERMATOLOGY, 6-1170 Taylor Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M3Z4 Canada.

 Accepted 03 June, 2022

Abstract

Inuit, Métis, and First Nations Peoples living in Canada experience, on average, disproportionately poorer health outcomes than non-Indigenous Canadians. The intergenerational consequences of residential schools, established with the purpose of forcefully assimilating Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture, are likely one factor behind this inequity. Education amongst clinicians regarding traditional Indigenous healing practices and its implementation in conjunction with Western medicine are integral to confronting this systematic injustice. Indigenous healers view life as a homeostatic, holistic balance between the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical wellbeings. The holistic approach to healing consists of facilitating healing circles, sweat lodge ceremonies, and the use of traditional medicines amongst other practices. Implementation of traditional ceremonies in accordance with modern therapeutic interventions was found to improve health outcomes amongst Indigenous patients. Despite this, research regarding Indigenous healing practices is scarce and often ingrained with Eurocentric bias. In accordance with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to action, it is integral that Indigenous theories and practices of health and wellness be further researched and better incorporated into the literature and clinical practice.   

Key words: Traditional, Indigenous, healing, holistic, ceremonies, Canadian

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN: 2736-1578, Vol. 7 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Atypical adolescent sexual behaviour: A study of involvement in triolism and same gender sex in Lagos, Nigeria

Kunnuji, Michael

Department of Sociology, University of Lagos, Akoka – Yaba, Nigeria. E-mail: mkunnuji@unilag.edu.ng, nuunayt@yahoo.com, michaelkunnuji@gmail.com. Tel: +234 – 0802 354 0699.

Accepted 16 December, 2021

Abstract

A very wide range of sexual practices are available to adolescents. The options range from the socially approved act of absolute sexual chastity to uncommon ones such as group sex and same-gender sex. Many studies in the area of sexuality in Nigeria proceed from the premise that adolescent sexual behaviour hardly ever goes beyond premarital heterosexual intercourse whether it is voluntary, forced or transactional. Others are aware that other possibilities exist but hardly seek to document them. Thus, very little is known about the extent to which adolescents are involved in these “unusual” or atypical sexual practices. Using data from a survey of 614 sexually active adolescents in Lagos metropolis, this article fills the lacuna in the literature on the prevalence of atypical sexual practices in an urban setting in Nigeria. The results show that about 14% of the subjects had been involved in at least one of the two atypical sexual acts and about 1% had been involved in both acts. The study concludes therefore that sexual practices labelled “uncommon”, “atypical” or “unusual” may not be as uncommon as people often imagine.

Key words: Unusual sexual behaviour, uncommon sexual behaviour, adolescent sexuality, group sex, homosexuality.