Communication and Girls' Education: The Case of the Sidama Ethnic Group

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Date

2006-07

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

The study was carried out in an effort to assess the communication strategies in the promotion of primary girls' education that targeted at the Sidama people. Data were collected using focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews with key informants, informal interviews and observations were held. Data were collected from Gemeto Sawala, Abaye and Haramfama Kebeles. The outcome of the findings illustrated that coffee ceremonies, Idir, social gatherings, market places, weddings, mourning rituals and churches were found to be the major places for verbal means of information exchange for the Sidama people. Though the study area has traditional ways of information exchange mechanisms, both the society and the organizations working in the area do not seem to have benefited from the existing traditional ways of sharing information to promote girls' education. The most dominantly used existing medium is the community radio. The other major phenomena that began recently to be used by partners as modern means of communication operational in the area towards the enhancement of girls' education is the community dialogue though this practice is not very widely used as it is still at its infant stage. The target communities did not fully participate in the girls' education campaigns and were not actively involved. in this regard, it is unlikely that the participatory development communication aspect has worked as much as expected. The advocacy campaigns conducted in the schools were found to be much better than the activities of the community. Even though the community claimed to have developed awareness, there still existed lack of understanding of the value of girls' education especially among parents. The Sidama people were hardly getting messages in their own language. It is less likely that the target audience would identify themselves with the content of the posters and pictures that were posted to pass messages. It would, therefore, be advisable if wide-spread community sensitization programs are enhanced. These programs also need to strongly address the harmful nature of traditional practices such as abduction and early marriage. Sensitization programs also need to increase not only parental but also societal awareness of the value and benefits of girls' education.

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Communication and Girls' Education

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