School of Social Sciences

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/6487

Browse

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4

Gender struggles in contemporary South Africa: examining african women’s traditional spiritual roles in isiXhosa culture.
(2019) Bomela, Bizo Luviwe.; Mkhize, Gabisile Promise.
Debates on how societies organise in contemporary ought to be inclusive of gender. As much as these debates are not new, the gender discourse is escalating to levels never imagined. Discourses on gender tackle and confront inequalities between males and females; and are manifested in diverse traditional, cultural and religious practices across South Africa and the continent of Africa. It is in such institutions and spaces that, in South Africa, most women continue to be marginalised despite the attempts by the 1996 democratic government constitution, aimed at protecting human rights and dignity, including that of women. Such embedded gender inequalities affect the way of life of the African people because most women are no longer considered as the backbone of society as it was prior colonisation. Thus, gender relations not only affect women’s dignity but also undermine traditional spiritual protocols of amaXhosa, which often put women on the same pedestal as men. It is within such context that thesis adopted African feminism, social constructionist and intersectionality perspectives to examine roles that amaXhosa women in the Eastern Cape play in traditional spirituality that guides their cultural practices, which are highly patriarchal. The key objective of this research study was to examine traditional spiritual roles played by African women in isiXhosa society, in South Africa. The study asked the key question: What traditional spiritual roles are played by women in isiXhosa culture? The study used qualitative research methods to discover traditional spiritual roles that women have in isiXhosa society. Using one on one individual interviews, data was collected on traditional leadership roles, traditional healing roles of diviners and faith healers, similarities in tasks performed by men and women, and the impact of the roles women have in their communities. From qualitative data analysis, the study found that some women have traditional spiritual roles, which make them at the same equal footing as men. They play these roles as oodadobawo (senior sister with a status higher than that of a male) Queen mothers, faith healers and prophets and sometimes wearing all these “hats” depending on how gifted one is. However, the entrenchment of male-dominated western systems in most African societies, including South Africa, play a huge role in extending patriarchy, which contributed to pushing most African women to the margins and stripping them of their traditional roles. That was done by making males leading figures in society, at home, in the church, in state institutions etc. The study thus recommends that decolonised curricula focused on traditional systems of organizing society is need and that gender policies should look at traditional spirituality in its purest form to eradicate the evils of patriarchy.
Gender, religion, and migration: a study of Malawian Chewa and Yawo Muslim women in Durban, 1994-2017=Ubulili, Ezenkolo kanye Nokufuduka: Ucwaningo ngabesifazane abangamaSulumani baseMalawi abangamaChewa kanye namaYawo eThekwini 1994 kuya 2017.
(2017) Mbalaka, Joseph Yusufu.; Hiralal, Kalpana.
People move inside and between states as part of globalisation in the twenty-first century, looking for jobs, a family, and an education, fleeing violence, persecution, terrorism, and human rights violations, and coping with climate change, economic hardship, and natural disasters.1 This increased global migration has been a significant milestone in South Africa's post-apartheid transition. The opening of borders has led to an increase in women migrating across Africa, changing historically male-dominated immigration patterns. Muslim women now account for a fraction of the global migration flux. However, few studies have focused on Malawian women's migration experiences, highlighting the need for more research on women in post-apartheid South Africa. This study focuses on Malawian immigrants in post-apartheid South Africa, specifically Chewa and Yawo women. It examines their migration reasons, challenges, and assimilation of Muslim identities. The study highlights opportunities, socio-economic, and cultural obstacles faced by these women, providing a nuanced gendered history. Participants were chosen using snowball and purposive sampling. The study utilised gender, social history, oral history, and transnationalism theory to investigate thirty women's lived experiences and migration patterns. It found that gender dynamics significantly impact migration patterns and experiences in host societies. Women from Chewa and Yawo tribes were found to be more prone to abuse and exploitation than men. International migration often leads to social isolation and abusive relationships for women, highlighting power imbalances. Male immigrants earn higher wages than females, while female migrants send more money home. Chewa and Yawo Muslim women can use their strength to flee and show agency in their host country, potentially causing envy among conventional hosts. This usually leads to xenophobic attacks on foreigners. Hence, the study explores women's agency in migration, highlighting their struggles and aiming to shape their lives. It contributes to the historiography of migration in Africa and South Africa, and the scholarship on the "feminisation of migration." It is also a study about resilience, Africa in Islam, longitudinal experiences of communities, Pan-Africanist worlds, the persistence of memories, and the fluidity of culture, the regional history of Durban and first-generation migrants and labour practices. This dissertation is a trans-disciplinary study with history as the fulcrum. This study is crucial for understanding gender, memory, and African oral history, particularly for women immigrants. It highlights women's active participation in migration, coping strategies, and absorption into host societies. This dissertation covers essential aspects of post-Apartheid South Africa's immigration history. Iqoqa Abantu baphansi phezulu behla benyuka phakathi kwamazwe njengendlela kaqoqazwe ekhulwini leminyaka namashumi amabili nanye, bethungatha imisebenzi, imindeni kanye nemfundo, bebalekela udlame, ukunqunywa, ubunqolobi kanye nokunyathelwa kwamalungelo, ukushintsha kwesimo sezulu, ubunzima bezomnotho kanye nezinhlekelele zemvelo. Ukwanda kokufuduka ngobuqoqazwe kube yigxathu elibalulekile eNingizimu Afrikha emuva koguquko kwahamba ingcindezelo. Ukuvulwa kwemingcele kuholele ekwandeni kofuduko kwabantu besifazane a-Afrikha yonkana, kwashintsha umlando wofuduko obugcwele amadoda. Abesifazane bamaSulumane nabo bayabalwa kuqoqazwe wokufuduka. Nokho, izifundo ezimbalwa esezenziwe zigxile kubafazi baseMalawi mayela nesendlalelo sokufuduka, kugqamisa isidingo solunye ucwaningo ngabantu besifazane emva kwegcindezelo eNingizimu Afrikha. Impokophelo yalesisifundo imayelana nofuduko lwabaseMalawi emuva kwengcidezelo eNingizimu Afrikha ikakhulukazi abafazi bamaChewa nabamaYawo. Ihlola izizathu zokufuduka, izinselelo kanye nokulutha ubuzwe. Lesi sifundo siqhakambisa amathuba, ezomnotho kanye nemigoqwano yamasiko abhekene nabesifazane, kunikezwa izincazelo ezahlukene ngomlando wobulili. Ababamba iqhaza bakhethwa ngokuba kusetshenziswe isampula ye-snowball kanye nesampula ehlosiwe. Ucwaningo lwasebenzisa ubulili, umlando ngokwenhlalo, umlando ngobuciko bomlomo kanye nenjulalwazi ye-transnationlism ukuphenya izendlalelo zabantu besifazane abanga-30 kanye nokhondolo lokufuduka. Ithole ukuthi ubulili ngokwehlukana kuba nesisindo ngokubalulekile okhondolweni lokufuduka kanye nesendlalelo emiphakathini esingethe. Abesifazana ohlangeni lwamaChewa kanye namaYawo kwatholakala ukuhlukumezeka okuningi kanye nokuxhashazwa kunamadoda. Ufuduko ngokwezizwe luvamise ukuholela ezimweni zenhlalo ezikhishwa inyumbazana kanye nobudlelwane obunodlame kubantu besifazane, obugqamisa ukungalingani kwamandla. Abesilisa abazifiki baholelwa kangcono kunabesifazane, ngalowomzuzu abesifazane abangabafuduki bathumela imali eningi emakhaya. Ababesifazane abangamalungu enkolo yamaSulumani bangawasebenzisa amandla abo ukubaleka ukuze batshengise inhlangano esingethe kulelozwe, lokhu kunamathuba okudala ukungaphathi kwabasingethe. Lokhu kuholela esimweni sodlame ngokuhlasela abahambi. Ucwaningo luhlola izinhlangano zabesifazana zokufuduka, ezigqamisa owazo umzabalazo ohlose ukulolonga izimpilo zabo. Ifaka isandla kumlando wokufuduka kwabantu e-Afrikha naseNingizimu Afrikha, kanye nomfundaze "wokufuduka kwabantu besifazane." Kubuye kube isifundo ngokuzimisela, i-Afrikha kumaSulumani, isendlalelo eside ngemiphakathi, egxile kubu-Afrikha emhlabeni, izinkumbulo eziqhubekayo kanye nokuthamba kwamasiko, umlando wesifunda saseThekwini kanye nesizukulwane sokuqala sabafuduki nokukwenziwa okuthinta abasebenzi. Lolu cwaningo luyisifundo esinemixhantela olusekelwe umlando. Lolucwaningo lubalulekile ukuqonda ubulili, inkumbulo kanye nomlando wase-Afrikha ngomlomo, ikakhulukazi abesifazane abangabafuduki. Kugqamisa ukubamba iqhaza kwabesifazane odabeni lokufuduka, baqhamuke namaqhinga kanye nokugwinywa imiphakathi ebasingethe. Lomqulu ufaka izingxenye ezibalulekile ngomlando waseNingizimu Afrikha ngokufuduka emva kwengcindezelo.
Intimate partner violence against women living with and without HIV: contexts and associated factors in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia.
(2021) Koyira, Mengistu Meskele.; Khuzwayo, Nelisiwe.; Taylor, Myra.
Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are overlapping or intersecting public health challenges. Intimate partner violence is considered to be strongly related to HIV infection among women in Africa. However, the evidence is not conclusive. Women who are abused physically by their partners seek medical treatment in public institutions, yet, in Ethiopia, the experience of healthcare workers (HCWs) in screening IPV among HIV-positive and HIV-negative clients is not fully understood Purpose: This study aimed to map the evidence of IPV in Sub-Saharan Africa, to measure the factors associated with IPV, to explore the experience of IPV against women living with and without HIV, and the health care workers' IPV screening experience in Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia. Objectives 1. To conduct a scoping review of IPV among women living with HIV/AIDS in Sub- Saharan Africa. 2. To explore the lived experience of IPV against women using antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other outpatient services in Wolaita Zone. 3. To explore the experiences and challenges in screening for IPV among women who use ART and other health services in Wolaita Zone. 4. To measure the prevalence and associated factors of IPV among women living with and without HIV in Wolaita Zone. Methods: This is a mixed-methods study. I conducted both qualitative and quantitative studies.. Initially, I mapped the evidence of IPV among HIV-positive women in Sub-Saharan Africa using a scoping review. Then, I conducted an exploratory sequential design of mixed-methods research. An interpretative (hermeneutic) phenomenological design was used to explore the lived experiences of women who were living with and without HIV. Additionally, I used a descriptive phenomenological study design to explore the IPV screening experiences of 16 HCWs. I also used a comparative cross-sectional study comprising 816 women between 18-49 years who were living with and without HIV for the quantitative study. I used the standard questionnaire of the World Health Organization (WHO) multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence against women (translated). The scientific rigour, dependability, and credibility relating to this sensitive subject were maintained. I used STATA software, version 15 for the quantitative data analysis; NVIVO 12 assisted us in developing a framework, and Colaizzi's analysis for the qualitative data. I used the binary and multivariable logistic regression model for the quantitative analysis. Results: The scoping review provided a summary of the evidence of IPV experiences among women with HIV/AIDS. As this review has shown, the HIV-positive women were at considerable risk of IPV after disclosure of their serostatus to a male partner. Psychological and emotional abuse was the most common form of violence reported by the review. Subsequently, in the quantitative study, we found a high lifetime prevalence of IPV among all women in Wolaita Zone, 487 (59.68%, [95% CI:56.31%-63.05%]. It was slightly higher among women living with HIV, 250 (61.3%), than among those who were HIV negative, 238 (58.09%). Factors associated with IPV were the controlling behaviour of husband/partner [AOR=8.13; 95% CI: 4.93-13.42], poor wealth index [AOR=3.97; 95% CI:1.81-8.72], bride price payment to bride‘s family[AOR=3.46; 95% CI:1.74-6.87], women‘s decision to refuse sex [AOR=2.99;95% CI:1.39-6.41], age group of women [AOR=2.86; 95% CI:1.67-4.90], partner‘s family choosing a wife [AOR=2.83; 95% CI:1.70-4.69], alcohol consumption by partner [AOR=2.36; 95% CI:1.36-4.10], number of sexual partners [AOR=2.35; 95% CI:1.36-4.09], and if a partner ever physically fought with another man [AOR=1.83; 95% CI: 1.05-3.19]. Inappropriate legal punishment of the perpetrator and the lack of a supportive women's network to avert IPV were perceived as limitations by the women. There were HCW and health system-related challenges in screening for IPV. These challenges comprised a gap in the medico-legal report provision, absence of separate record-keeping for IPV cases, lack of client follow-up, and lack of coordination with an external organisation. Conclusions and recommendations: There was a high prevalence of IPV among women, both living with and without HIV. The extent of IPV and its presentation in the different forms (physical, sexual and psychological), which frequently overlapped, highlights the urgency of intervention measures. Women reported terrifying experiences of violence, which affected their health physically, mentally, and psychologically. There are also challenges concerning HCWs, health systems, and the clients, relating to screening for IPV. Scoping review revealed evidence of IPV experience among women with HIV/AIDS, evidence of how HIV status disclosure influences IPV, and proof of the association of socio-demographic characteristics with IPV. It was concluded that marriage arrangements should be by mutual consent of the marriage partners rather than being made by parents; it is advisable to involve males in all programmes of genderbased violence prevention to change their violent behaviours; there is a need for the arrangement of separate record-keeping of IPV cases at the health facilities and for standardising the medico-legal reporting system. Finally, this study emphasises the importance of executing more gender-equitable policies.
Socio-cultural factors influencing intimate partner violence among school-going young women (15−24 years old) in Maputo-City (Mozambique)
(2021) Maguele, Maria Suzana Bata.; Khuzwayo, Nelisiwe.; Taylor, Myra.
Although there is increased awareness about intimate partner violence (IPV) since the 2013 WHO report, providing solutions to address the problem remains a concern. According to the WHO (2020), research investigating factors underpinning IPV among young women remains of particular importance since the prevalence around the world is still escalating. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) carries the heaviest burden of intimate partner violence (36.6% of the global estimates). The burden is skewed toward young women aged 15−24 (19% to 66%) and is a public health concern (2, 5). Cultural and contextual geographical overlap of risk factors elevates the chances of early occurrence of IPV. Thus, the World Health Organization encourages integrated and contextual prevention programs to promote awareness and gender equality, targeting adolescents and young girls for effective interventions. However, the harmful social norms and the acceptance of the males’ dominant role in society perpetuates gender inequality to the detriment of females. Although the Mozambican constitution entrenches gender equality, these negative, harmful norms and the community acceptance of violence and male-dominant norms are upheld by society and place younger women in a subservient role and at increased risk of IPV (6-8). Cultural practices such as lobola, where the brides' families receive gifts and money, and in exchange, their daughter joins the husband’s family, were reported as promoting violence. The rationale for this is that some families do not allow their daughters to divorce when their partners abuse them because of the stigma and the fact that they would need to return the acquired lobola (8, 9). Although it is acceptable and normal for men to have more than one partner in some societies, this is likely to promote disharmony and lead to violence (6-8, 10-12). Further, with the current prevalence of epidemics such as HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, the risk of multiple sexual partners can affect the health outcomes of all women (13-15). IPV is deeply entrenched in cultural practices and decision-making processes. Men make all the decisions concerning their relationship and women’s sexual and reproductive health. Prevention programs have been mainly addressed towards adult and ever married or cohabiting women. There is no available data quantifying the burden of IPV and the prevalence and contextual factors influencing intimate partner violence among younger women in Mozambique. Thus, the prevention of IPV among this group is one of the main challenges regarding reducing the prevalence of IPV. Purpose The study aimed to determine the prevalence and investigate the socio-cultural factors influencing IPV among younger school-going women in the KaMpfumu district, Maputo city. Objectives • To conduct a scoping review of the evidence of socio-cultural factors influencing IPV among young women in SSA • To explore individual and socio-community factors influencing IPV among school-going young women in KaMfhumu district, Maputo city • To estimate the prevalence of physical, sexual and psychological violence among school-going young women in KaMfhumu district, Maputo city • To identify contextual risk factors associated with IPV among young women in KaMphumu district, Maputo city • To inform a model of a preventive intervention to target school-going young women in Maputo city Methods The study, which used mixed methods, employed an exploratory sequential design using both qualitative and quantitative methods. It was underpinned by the Social-Ecological Theory (1), based on the evidence that a range of interactive factors at the individual, relationship, community, and societal levels explain the risk of IPV. Phase 1 was a scoping review study carried out to determine the extent to which studies on socio-cultural factors influencing IPV among young women (15−24 years) have been conducted. Further, it determined how well different geographic areas are represented and whether the methodologies used are sufficient to describe the prevalence and risk factors associated with IPV among young women in Sub-Saharan Africa. We used online databases to identify published studies. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines by Arksey and O’Malley were used to select studies, and primary studies were assessed using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool, version 2011. Thematic content analysis was used to summarize the findings of the scoping review. Phase 2 of the study used an exploratory, descriptive qualitative study design. We used purposive sampling to enrol 66 participants. We held six focus group discussions, each comprising 10−12 female students in schools in the KaMpfumu district, to explore the study objectives. The data were analyzed using a thematic content analysis approach. Phase 3 was a cross-sectional study conducted among younger women aged 15−24 years attending schools in the KaMpfumu district, which used a questionnaire to investigate the study objectives. We used a probability proportional random sampling strategy to recruit participants. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, informed by the exploratory study results and the combined questionnaire from the WHO Multi-country surveys of violence against women. Binary and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, investigating the association between IPV and the predictors. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported, and for statistically significant associations, p<0.05. Results The scoping review results revealed that the majority of publications, 8 (61.5%), reported cross-sectional studies, while 4 (31.5%) were qualitative studies. Using a customized quality assessment instrument, 12 (92.3%) studies achieved a “high” quality ranking with a score of 100%, and 7.7% of the studies achieved an “average” quality ranking with a score of 75%. The scoping review results show that while the quality of the studies is generally high, research on socio-cultural factors influencing IPV among young women would benefit from a careful selection of methods and reference standards, including direct measures of the violence affecting young women. Prospective cohort studies are required linking early exposure with individual, community and societal factors and detailing the abuse experienced from childhood, adolescence and youth. The qualitative study results revealed four main themes that emerged from the data and included: 1) (Individual level), related to knowledge of young women about IPV through witnessing friends being physically abused by their partners, from friends sharing personal experiences of IPV and experiencing the accepting attitudes of their mothers toward IPV; The meanings that young women give to the occurrence of IPV viewed as a violation of the human rights of women; The alcohol use a contributing factor for IPV and the economic status of women leading to acceptance of IPV. 2) (Relationship level) related to the Influence of friends. 3) (Community level) related to religious beliefs that placed men at the head of the social order above women and 3) (societal level) related to factors promoting acceptance of IPV, and these included social acceptance of violence and the male chauvinism; The recommendations advocated by the young women to prevent IPV, and these included the promotion of awareness about IPV and the use of support services for the victims and the need to create specific IPV counselling centres for young women to meet their needs and to allow the counsellors to screen for other potential sexual and reproductive problems which affect young women. The quantitative results revealed that of the 413 participants, 248 (60%) (95% CI: 55.15-64.61) had experienced at least one form of IPV in their lifetime. This includes one act of psychological or sexual, or physical violence. Of the 293 participants who had had a partner in the previous 12 months, 186 (63.4%) (95% CI: 57.68-69.00) reported IPV in the 12 months before the data collection. Psychological violence was the predominant type of violence, with lifetime prevalence reported by 270 230 (55.7%) and over the previous 12 months, by 164 (55.9%) young women. The risk of IPV was associated with young women lacking religious commitment (AOR, 1.596, 95% 272 CI: 1.009–2.525, p=0.046) and if the head of the young women’s household was unemployed (AOR, 1.642 95% CI: 1.044–2.584, p=0.032). Conclusion The prevalence of IPV in young women attending schools in Maputo is high. Those young women not committed to religion, young women whose head of the household was unemployed, young women with a much older and employed partner and young women’s beliefs about male superiority emerged as important socio-cultural factors influencing IPV in the study setting. The findings thus confirmed the contextual gaps that may hinder programs aimed at preventing IPV among younger women. The results highlighted socio-ecological factors that interact at the individual, community and societal levels in fostering IPV risk. Recommendations This study highlights that the government’s policies to reduce IPV should incorporate the contextual socio-cultural factors that emerged, and interventions need to consider a multilevel approach. The educational sector should also develop comprehensive programs that integrate socio-economic empowerment strategies to increase young women’s autonomy to decide about their lives. There is also a need to address religious beliefs from their cultural perspectives in such programs and improve social interactions that promote violence-free relationships. Community development interventions to reduce IPV are required to ensure effective and supportive programs tackling gender-egalitarian norms, to safeguard the physical, sexual and emotional wellbeing of young women in Maputo city.

Browse

Browsing School of Social Sciences by SDG "SDG5"