Cultural attitudes and gender inequality in Ethiopia: The case of “Yeken Kiginit” serial drama
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Date
2008-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This research study examines how women and gender roles are portrayed in the popular
serial drama Yeken Kiginit by looking at how the manifested cultural attitudes of men in
the drama highlight the existing social gender inequality in contemporary Ethiopia. The
study also suggests the implications gender portrayal in popular media might have in
addressing gender disparities and discrimination. In order to have a clear understanding
of this issue, the researcher focused on how the characters in the drama were developed
in terms of their personalities and beliefs, as they probably are the major transmitters of
the intended message to the audience through their dialogue.
Qualitative research method is employed to analyze some of the main messages of the
serial drama. Ten episodes were selected for in-depth analysis in order to ensure diversity
in content and message. The qualitative content analysis was combined with qualitative
interviews in order to get more knowledge about the production processes and the
intended messages of the serial drama. Two journalists transcribed the interviews which
were conducted by the researcher with the Country Representative of PMC, the Amharic
Serial Drama Coordinator, and the serial script writer.
The results of the study reveal that women may be victims of male chauvinists due to
cultural prejudices created by the society. Yeken Kiginit radio serial drama has depicted
the real problems of women in Ethiopia by exposing how they are disadvantaged in many
aspects of life; especially in access to and control of resources, in participation in
decision making at all levels including at the household level. The serial focuses on
unequal gender relations and how this is problematic in relation to women’s role in the
development of the nation. The analysis reveals the potential radio entertainment
possesses in terms of education with the possibility of bringing social change: Education
does not have to be boring – and entertainment can be educational. It concludes that
Yeken Kiginit largely succeeded in exposing the real problems of women in Ethiopia by
illustrating with familiar examples how many women are disadvantaged in many aspects
of life.
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Keywords
gender inequality in Ethiopia