A discussion of perceptions of community facilitators from Swaziland, Kenya, Mozambique and Ghana: Cultural practices and child protection

Murove, Tapfuma; Forbes, Bill; Kean, Stuart; Wamimbi, Richard; Germann, Stefan

doi:10.1080/17450121003668327

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The cultural challenges identified by both peer educators and adolescents confirm the study results conducted by Murove, et al (2010). The researchers identified marriage practices, rites of passage, family and some religious orientations about non-use of condoms as cultural practices potentially posing risk to children in Mozambique.…”

Section: Sociocultural Relevance Of Communication Strategies Of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Programmes In Mozambiquesupporting

confidence: 66%

Sociocultural Relevance of Communication Strategies of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Programmes in Mozambique: A Study of Programa Geração Biz Activities in Nampula Province

Silva¹

2020

AFOC

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Adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) challenges in Mozambique include early marriages, early pregnancies and HIV/AIDS. In 1999 the Programa Geração Biz (PGB) was created to address youths’ problems and improve their sexual and reproductive health (SRH). However, studies show Mozambican youths continue to be exposed to risks related to their SRH. Mozambique is a multicultural country but only 40% of Mozambicans speak Portuguese, the official language, while 93.5% of the population uses a Bantu language as their mother tongue. This raises an important issue – should PGB communication strategies (CS) take into account the country’s complex cultural reality? Studies recognise the role of culture in enhancing effective delivery of communication programmes. Concurrently, studies point to a lack of research analyzing CS of health campaigns. This paper’s aims are: (i) to examine PGB communication strategies; (ii) identify cultural challenges to these strategies; and (iii) determine the implications of these impediments for the PGB. Research methods included non-participant observation, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Research questions were based on the McGuire Communication/Persuasion Model, and data analyzed thematically using Nvivo Pro11. Results revealed the following: (i) interpersonal methods are used to deliver preventive messages, with sociocultural approaches often ignored or not used to reduce cultural barriers; (ii) cultural chal¬lenges identified include initiation rites, taboos surrounding sexuality, language and health terminologies, and parents’ attitudes towards early marriages; and (iii) these factors hinder effective delivery of programme messages. The conclusion is that the CS used by PGB does not sufficiently take into account the Mozambican sociocultural context. Taboos around sexuality have silenced open communication in this regard. Ideas of sexual abstinence, condom use and campaigns against early marriage stand in opposition to certain orientations of traditional initiations.

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Section: Sociocultural Relevance Of Communication Strategies Of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Programmes In Mozambiquesupporting

confidence: 66%

Sociocultural Relevance of Communication Strategies of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Programmes in Mozambique: A Study of Programa Geração Biz Activities in Nampula Province

Silva¹

2020

AFOC

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“…What is clear from research into child protection in Africa more generally is that solutions cannot be imposed from outside but instead require dialogue between actors at all levels of the child protection system (Csaky, ; Kisanga et al , , ; Krueger et al , ; Mathoma et al , ; Murove et al , ; Plummer and Njugana, ). The KCS () standards urge organisations to ‘think global, act local’ (p. 25), but developing measures that make ‘practical sense’ may require international agencies to ‘think local’ first.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At a community level, the ‘Communal Shame Problem’ (Boayke, , p. 961) means that children and families who report abuse can be subject to stigma and conflict (Bux et al , ; Jewkes et al , ; Kisanga et al , ; Mathoma et al , ) which can result in violent reprisal, or in extreme cases, even death (Shalhoub‐Kevorkian, ). The response can be highly unpredictable and uncertainty about community reactions can lead to protection issues being ignored or denied (Jewkes et al , ; Kisanga et al , , ; Murove et al , ; Plummer and Njugana, ).…”

Section: The Practical Sense Of Protectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Practical Sense of Protection: A Discussion Paper on the Reporting of Child Abuse in Africa and whether International Standards Actually Help Keep Children Safe

Walker‐Simpson

2017

Child Abuse Review

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International child protection standards aim to ensure that non‐governmental organisations ‘do no harm’ but the current approach to reporting abuse may actually leave children unprotected and, in some cases, expose them to greater risk. This discussion paper gives voice to concerns raised by local practitioners in Africa and places them within the context of available research in order to stimulate a debate aimed at enhancing the impact of current safeguards. Drawing on systems theory and the work of Pierre Bourdieu, the article illustrates how the current model of reporting often fails to take into account the significant disconnect between formal and informal protection mechanisms, as well as the unpredictability of individual decision‐making. Examples from research and practitioner experience illustrate how reporting procedures may provide a route to protection which is impractical and undesirable to local people, and may ultimately be unhelpful to local practitioners. The article calls for further research to inform changes to the current approach and for a review of funding requirements in order that local organisations have greater scope to engage communities in the co‐creation of procedures, thereby indigenising responses to ensure that they are realistic and genuinely respond to the specificities of children's lives. Key Practitioner Messages Formal reporting procedures may actually offer routes to protection that are inaccessible or unacceptable to local people. Reporting procedures should be developed with a much greater participation of local people. There is a need for investment in piloting and implementing locally led approaches to capacity building. The engagement of donors is critical in order to develop a new approach to evaluating ‘child safe’ organisations.

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Sexual Violence Against Female Children in Liberia: A Cross-Sectional Study of Statutory Rape Prevalence Rates Related to Correlates of Gender Equity

Hanson-DeFusco,

Dunn,

Smith

2024

J. Hum. Rights Soc. Work

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A discussion of perceptions of community facilitators from Swaziland, Kenya, Mozambique and Ghana: Cultural practices and child protection

Cited by 5 publications

References 7 publications

Sociocultural Relevance of Communication Strategies of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Programmes in Mozambique: A Study of Programa Geração Biz Activities in Nampula Province

Sociocultural Relevance of Communication Strategies of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Programmes in Mozambique: A Study of Programa Geração Biz Activities in Nampula Province

The Practical Sense of Protection: A Discussion Paper on the Reporting of Child Abuse in Africa and whether International Standards Actually Help Keep Children Safe

Sexual Violence Against Female Children in Liberia: A Cross-Sectional Study of Statutory Rape Prevalence Rates Related to Correlates of Gender Equity

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