Media representations of Female Genital Mutilation: A Thematic analysis of two Ugandan national English daily newspapers (2019)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Kiapi,E. M.
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: The purpose of the study is to understand how Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting is represented in the media. Focusing on two of Uganda’s leading national English dailies,the study explored media representations of FGM/C under the 2nd phase of the five-year UN Joint programme on FGM/ (2013-2017) to understand how FGM/C is portrayed as a public health issue. This study also explore whether the media representations of FGM/C are supported by the existing public health literature on FGM/C. The findings and reflections could support future research in this area and enhance public health advocates’ ability to promote effective public health policy
Study Population: Two of Uganda’s leading national English dailies
Findings: The analysis framed FGM/C as a public health concern based on (i) sexual and reproductive health outcomes,gender factors,and human rights violations and harmful cultural practices. (ii) The media perceived FGM/C a cause and effect of unequal power relations between women and men,and the inability for women to make decisions about their health and lives. (iii) Advocating for women and girl’s empowerment,keeping girls in school and involving men and boys to champion FGM/C abandonment were identified as key strategies to eliminate the practice. Various limitations were observed in terms of how the reporting faired in terms of news value,as detailed in the conclusion
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Eastern Africa
Country(ies):Uganda