Christabel Odera, Israel Nyaburi Nyadera, Samuel Juma Ouma

THE ROLE OF COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY IN RESOLVING CULTURE-BASED CONFLICT: LESSONS FROM EFFORTS TO COMBAT FGM PRACTICES IN KENYA

Introduction

The role of communication and advocacy in resolving culture-based conflict: lessons from efforts to combat fgm practices in kenya. Examine communication & advocacy's role in resolving culture-based conflict in Kenya, focusing on FGM. This study assesses strategies and their impact on changing attitudes towards FGM practices.

Abstract

This study examines the role of communication and advocacy in resolving culture-based conflicts in Kenya, focusing on the harmful practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). While existing studies on conflicts in Kenya have focused on inter-group violence, such as class, political and ethnic conflicts, few studies have examined how cultural practices constitute violence, and few have offered recommendations on how to deal with cultural conflicts and violence. Culture-based conflicts in Kenya, particularly those related to harmful cultural practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), have been a persistent challenge. While communication and advocacy are often cited as essential in conflict resolution, their application in resolving culture-driven violence in Kenya and many African countries remains low. This study aims to contribute to the growing literature and debates on cultural violence by (1) examining cultural-based violence in Kenya, (2) assessing how communication and advocacy techniques and strategies can be used in FGM advocacy campaigns in Kenya, (3) evaluating the potential impact of these strategies especially in changing attitudes and behaviors towards FGM. The study will conclude with a set of recommendations that are aimed at reducing cultural violence in Kenya through the use of communication and advocacy. 

Review

This submission outlines a timely and crucial study focused on the role of communication and advocacy in resolving culture-based conflicts, specifically tackling Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Kenya. The paper adeptly identifies a significant gap in existing literature, noting that while conflict studies in Kenya often center on inter-group violence, insufficient attention has been paid to cultural practices as forms of violence and, crucially, to the practical application of communication and advocacy in addressing them. By bringing FGM into sharp focus, the study promises to contribute meaningfully to the discourse on cultural violence and conflict resolution, offering vital insights into a deeply entrenched and harmful practice. The proposed study articulates three clear objectives: (1) examining cultural-based violence in Kenya, (2) assessing the utility of communication and advocacy techniques in FGM campaigns, and (3) evaluating the potential impact of these strategies on changing attitudes and behaviors. This structured approach suggests a comprehensive investigation into both the nature of the conflict and the efficacy of potential interventions. The emphasis on generating concrete recommendations positions the work to have significant practical relevance, offering actionable guidance for policymakers, NGOs, and community leaders engaged in combating FGM and similar harmful cultural practices across Kenya and potentially other African contexts. While the abstract effectively establishes the study's rationale and aims, a full review would benefit from greater clarity on the methodological approach. Given the framing that the study "examines," "assesses," and "evaluates," it reads as a robust proposal or an introduction to a forthcoming analysis. To fully appraise its contribution, more detail would be needed regarding the research design: for instance, whether it employs qualitative interviews, quantitative surveys, case studies, or a mixed-methods approach. Furthermore, articulating the theoretical frameworks guiding the examination of cultural violence and the assessment of communication strategies would strengthen the proposal, ensuring a rigorous and nuanced exploration of this complex and sensitive subject matter.

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