Analysis of Communication Practices Used in Halting Child Marriage: The Case of PAdet-Plan International, Fagita Lekomma Woreda, Awi Zone, Amhara Regional States
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2017-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In Ethiopia Child Marriage has been identified as one of the harmful traditional practices.it is also recognized as social practice that adversely affect the lives of young girls. Therefore, this specific study attempted to identify the existing child marriage communication practice and its impact on the study population at Fagita Lakoma Woreda, Awi Zone, Amhara Regional State.
In order to answer the research questions of the study both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques were employed. As a data collecting instruments Questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion(FDGs) and Key Informant Interviews (KII) were carried out. This helped to assess the behavioral changes attained among parents and identified the impacts of the existing communication practices among all other intervention mechanisms.
According to findings of the data, interpersonal communication has an immense role in changing the behavior of parents. Churches and school compounds have been also identified the most effective setting for the community conversation program (interpersonal communications) and peer-education. Conversely, the role of mass media was insignificant to the changes attained so far. Though some of the respondents reflected they own TV and Radio at home, they also mentioned the seasonality of messages against child marriage. Plus, the Woreda does not have local FM radio and TV station. The government officials mentioned absence of mass media transmission as a challenge in alleviating child marriage to address parents with frequent informative and educational messages. Lack of infrastructural facilities, remoteness of majority of the Kebeles also hinders the interpersonal communication practices.
Key words: Communication, Harmful Traditional Practice, Child Marriage, Amhara National Regional Administrative State, Ethiopia
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Keywords
Communication, Harmful Traditional Practice, Child Marriage, Amhara National, Regional Administrative State, Ethiopia