Browsing by Author "Bingi, Misanya Dismas"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Female circumcision practices: a case of the Gogo of Mpwapwa district, Dodoma region Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2014) Bingi, Misanya Dismas
    This study examined persistence of female circumcision among the Gogo from a socio-cultural context. The study was prompted by the fact that despite efforts to curb female circumcision, the practice still persists among the Gogo. The study adopted the qualitative research approach to suit the theoretical underpinning of the study, a social constructivism paradigm whereby one of its major arguments is that human beings generate meanings about the world as they interact with the world. Methods of data collection included IDIs, FGDs, Field Observation and Documentary Review. The findings from this study showed that the Gogo retains some socio-cultural constructed norms, values and beliefs that lead to persistence of the practice. Findings also revealed that the Gogo did not approve methods used to deliver anti-FC intervention messages. To them, the methods were culturally unacceptable. The study identified mismatch of discourses between the anti-FC activists and the Gogo which was shown to be one of the reasons that not much has been achieved in the fight against FC. Gendered power relations were also found to be among factors that perpetuate female circumcision practices in the said ethnic group. The study concludes that the Gogo are still strongly believe in their socially constructed norms, values and beliefs and FC is part of and parcel of the cultural practices. Hence, the study recommends the need for anti-FC intervention campaigners to explore and understand persistence of FC within the socio-cultural milieu of the circumcising societies. In due regard, social mechanisms sustaining the said practice need to be studied and taken on board in designing meaningful intervention mechanisms aimed at ending FC practice.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The persistence of female genital mutilation in Tanzania: the case of the Sandawe of Dodoma region
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2007) Bingi, Misanya Dismas
    The major objective of the study was to examine the reasons that have contributed to the persistence of Female Genital Mutilation in Tanzania. The study was prompted by the fact that, despite efforts to curb female genital mutilation, this practice still persists in some regions in Tanzania. The study applied both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies whereby data was collected using survey method, in-depth interviews focus group discussions and documentary review. The findings from this study showed that the persistence of FGM was embedded within the socio-cultural context of the practicing communities in Tanzania. In addition, the study found that the female circumcising communities in Tanzania retain some socio-cultural beliefs and values that lead to the persistence of the practice. It was further found that part of the problem is the fact that there is a difference of perceptions of values and beliefs between anti-FGM activities (government, international organizations and local NGOs) and the female circumcising communities in that the Sandawe are still dominated by their beliefs, values and norms as well as cultural practices which in turn pave no way for change. The study recommends that efforts to combat FGM should be based on the fact that this is a cultural practice that calls for a multifaceted approach. Interventions should combine awareness raising education and adopting an alternative rite of passage that will still retain the important and meaningful aspects of culture.