African Journal of Gender and Women Studies

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN: 2736-1578, Vol. 8 (7), pp. 001-008, July, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper                                     

A qualitative visual semiotic analysis of symbolic violence against female characters in selected South African television soaps

Moyahabo Molefe

Department of Communication Science, University of Zululand (Richards Bay campus). [email protected]

Accepted 13 June, 2023

Abstract

South African (SA) television is awash with myriad television genres, one of which is soap operas. Soap opera is a serial show that highlights related storylines revolving around the lives of various characters. Soap operas are popular with audiences because they provide human tales that are immersed into concrete or fictitious social reality.  However, symbolic violence against female characters becomes a common feature of the genre. Female characters are often portrayed as occupying the periphery of the constructed social hierarchies. Such depictions construct a female character who is vulnerable and envious of the success of their male counterparts. In desperate attempt to succeed, female characters resort to betrayal, deception, witchcraft and promiscuity. The purpose of this paper was to undertake a qualitative visual semiotic analysis of two SA television soaps, Imbewu and Uzalo to understand how images were used to deploy subtleties of violence against female characters in SA context. The study was situated within Feminist Theory; content/thematic (visual semiotics) was used to analyse data.The study found that television images and other related signs in soap operas were used to disperse narratives that entrenched subjugation, stereotypes and sexist acts that constituted symbolic violence against female characters in SA context.

Keywords: Television Soap, Feminism, Symbolic Violence, Semiotics.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN: 2736-1578, Vol. 8 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Reforms in Nigeria's science education: implications for science teachers

Daso Peter Ojimba

Department of Technical Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port – Harcourt, Rivers State. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 07 May, 2023

Abstract

In this paper, the reforms in science education were discussed with special reference to the country Nigeria. Issues such as science curriculum development in Nigeria, features of American Association for the advancement of science, challenges of the science education reforms, and implications for science education in Nigeria were discussed. However, the paper particularly delved into highlighting the implications for the professional development of science teachers in Nigeria. In particular, attention was given to science literacy, society and technology as basic indices of science education at all levels of the educational system. Hence, conclusions and recommendations were made.

Keywords: Science, Science Education, Reforms, Science Teachers, Implications.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN: 2736-1578, Vol. 8 (6), pp. 001-007, June, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Policy implications of farmers' perceptions of their level of extension participation in Ethiopia

Berhanu Nega Wasihun¹*, Joseph A. Kwarteng² and Ernest L. Okorley²

¹School of Environment, Gender and Development Studies, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.

²Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.

Accepted 30 March, 2023

Abstract

This study examined farmers’ perception of their level of participation in Public Agricultural Extension Service (PAES) in Soddo-zuria Woreda in Southern Ethiopia vis-à-vis seven selected farmers’ characteristics; namely, sex, age, educational status, wealth status, farming experience, experience with extension and frequency of contact with extension agents. For this study, 225 farmers were randomly selected and interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire. The study showed that farmers in Soddo-zuria Woreda perceived their level of participation to be low, and had significant correlation with sex, educational status, wealth status and frequency of contact with extension agents. Female, illiterate and poor farmers’ perception of participation in the PAES was found to be lower than their male, literate and resource-rich counterparts. In a regression analysis, sex, educational status and wealth status explained 42.2% of the variance in farmers’ perceived level of participation in the PAES, with educational status alone contributing about 35%. To enhance farmers’ participation in the PAES, the Soddo-zuria Woreda Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development need to properly mainstream gender, combine pro-poor development strategies and integrate literacy programmes into the routine extension activities.

Key words: Ethiopia, farmers‟ perception, farmers‟ participation, public agricultural extension, gender disparity.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2736-1578 Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Perceptions and Contributing Factors of Gender-Based Violence among Young Adults in Southern Nigeria: A Mixed-Method Expository Study 

Valentine Chidi  Obidile¹,  Antor Odu Ndep¹, Sampson Akwafuo², Onyeka Chukwudalu Ekwebene³, Chidozie Precious Azubike¹,  Lois Ezinne Obidile-Ikwegbu⁴, David Kator Igbudu⁵ 

¹Department of Public Health, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria.

²Department of Computer Science, California State University, Fullerton, USA.

³Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Nursing Services, Muhammadu Buhari Police Hospital, Abuja Nigeria.

⁵Heartland Alliance LTD/GE Calabar, Cross River State Nigeria.                                               

Accepted 10 April, 2023

Abstract

Gender based violence (GBV) connotes harmful acts carried out against individuals based on socially attributable differences of their gender. Globally, women are the major victims of gender-based violence. Hence, the term violence against women is often used interchangeably with gender-based violence. This paper presents a community-based cross sectional and expository study about GBV in some southern states of Nigeria. The study population comprised consenting young adults aged between 15-39 years. A total number of 426 copies of the questionnaire were administered to respondents by the research team. Majority of the respondents were aware of the factors that may promote gender-based violence in their immediate societies, with 59.6% young adults indicating that their communities frown at gender-based violence. Far-reaching revelations about knowledge and percentage of GBV in this region are presented too. Men acting as sole decision makers and ignorance were the most identified factors associated with gender-based violence, as well as a lower level of education. Other findings from this study could improve programming by non-governmental organizations for social and gender-related violence activities. The government should invest in formal education as education elevates the socio-economic status of women, a major deterrent to gender-based violence.

Keywords: Gender-based violence; Young adults; Violence; Women health; Nigeria; Africa.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN: 2736-1578, Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2023. © International Scholars Journals