Author: Academia.edu, Google Scholar

Abstract: »This study focused on indirect exposure to violence against women by examining the discursive construction of gender-based violence in Kiswahili novels. While there have been numerous studies on violence in the mass media and its possible effects on young people, limited research has focused on the role of violence in novels, particularly those written in the African languages. Since novels comprise a significant form of media in Tanzania and are particularly influential in the lives of young people, this study examined how novelists employ dominant discourses of gender-based violence to depict perpetrators and victims of violence against women, and the way young Tanzanians make sense of these textual constructions.
Drawing on feminist poststructuralist and audience reception theories, this study combined textual analysis of Kiswahili novels with empirical research into their reception. A sample of 15 Kiswahili novels, published between 1975 and 2004, was analysed using Foucauldian discourse analysis to uncover the strategies novelists employ as they reflect, reproduce and sometimes challenge dominant discourses of violence against women in their novels. Focus group interviews were then conducted with 72 high school students in order to ascertain how they understood and responded to depictions of gender-based violence in Kiswahili novels. The composite model of modes of reception was used to analyse their responses as they affirmed, questioned, and critiqued the novels’ depictions of gender-based violence. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with six Kiswahili teachers to understand the relationship between the textual construction of gender-based violence and broader social/cultural practices, and to identify potential ways of using novels in school settings as part of wider efforts to end violence against women in Tanzanian society.
Analysis of the textual representation of gender-based violence in Kiswahili novels showed that the dominant male power of the perpetrators was the main reason offered for the violence against women depicted in the novels. However, cultural practices, poverty, alcoholism, male sexuality and uncontrollable jealousy were also foregrounded as factors promoting violence against women in Tanzanian society. Furthermore, while some novelists seemingly raised these factors to exonerate perpetrators from responsibility for their abusive actions, others punished the victims of violence for not complying with accepted social practices. By rearticulating discourses that exonerate abusers while punishing victims, the textual representation of gender-based violence in Kiswahili novels generally failed to challenge the dominant discourses that maintain oppressive social relations in Tanzanian society.
The interview findings supported the conclusions drawn from the textual analysis, and showed that the textual depiction of violence against women is influenced by cultural practices. Respondents also argued that problematising discourses that sustain violence against women and emphasising alternative ways of understanding gender-based violence would offer different subject positions to girls and women who experience abuse in Tanzanian society. In summary, this study illustrates the importance of authors drawing on alternative and critical discourses when representing violence against women in novels, and it also supports the contention that using novels as an education tool in school settings to raise awareness about gender-based violence would usefully contribute to wider efforts to end violence against women in Tanzanian society. To that end, a model for curriculum intervention is also presented.« (Source: Thesis)

Contents:

	Abstract iii
	Acknowledgements.v
	Table of Contents vii
	List of Figures xi
	List of Tables xi
	List of Abbreviations xii
	Chapter One 1
	1.1 Introduction 1
	1.2 Objectives of the study 6
	1.3 Research questions 7
	1.4 Methodology: A brief overview 7
	1.5 The significance of the study 8
	1.6 Chapter outline.9
	Chapter Two: Literature Review 11
	2.1 Introduction 11
	2.2 Origins, spread, and the current position of Kiswahili language 11
	2.2.1 Origins of Kiswahili language 11
	2.2.2 The spread of Kiswahili language 13
	2.2.3 The status of Kiswahili today 17
	2.3 Kiswahili novels 18
	2.4 Construction of gender-based violence in Kiswahili novels 20
	2.5 Gender-based violence in Tanzania 24
	2.6 Novels as an instrument of behavioural change 40
	2.7 Conclusion 47
	Chapter Three: Theoretical Framework 49
	3.1 Introduction 49
	3.2 Feminist poststructuralist theory 49
	3.2.1 Language 51
	3.2.2 Discourse 52
	3.2.3 Subjectivity 55
	3.2.4 Dominant discourses in the field of violence against women 57
	3.3 The composite model of modes of audience reception 61
	3.3.1 Transparent mode 62
	3.3.2 Referential mode 63
	3.3.3 Mediated mode 63
	3.3.4 Discursive mode 64
	3.4 Application of the theories to the current thesis 66
	3.5 Conclusion 67
	Chapter Four: Research Methodology 69
	4.1 Introduction 69
	4.2 The selection of the novels 69
	4.3 Translation 70
	4.4 Data analysis: Novels70
	4.5 Interviews 75
	4.5.1 Selection of the participants for focus group discussions 76
	4.5.2 Recruitment of the participants for focus group discussions 77
	4.5.3 Interview process for the focus groups 78
	4.5.4 In-depth interviews 80
	4.5.5 Interview process for the in-depth interviews 80
	4.6 Transcription and translation for the interviews 80
	4.7 Data analysis: Interviews 81
	4.8 Ethical considerations 83
	4.9 Conclusion 84
	Chapter Five: Discursive Constructions of Gender-based Violence in Kiswahili Novels 87
	5.1 Introduction 87
	5.2 Construction of different types of gender-based violence in Kiswahili novels 89
	5.2.1 Construction of domestic violence 89
	5.2.2 Construction of sexual violence: Rape 109
	5.2.3 Construction of economic violence against women 128
	5.2.4 Construction of child marriage 140
	5.3 Conclusion 159
	Chapter Six: Young Tanzanians’ Interpretations of Discursive Constructions of Gender-Based Violence in Kiswahili Novels 161
	6.1 Introduction 161
	6.2 Violence against women is rooted in the society: Readings in a referential mode 162
	6.3 Challenging and reconstructing the dominant discourses: Readings in a discursive mode175
	6.4 Conclusion 187
	Chapter Seven: The Discursive Construction of Gender-Based Violence in Kiswahili Novels and Socio-Cultural Practices in Tanzanian Society 191
	7.1 Introduction 191
	7.2 Socio-systemic discourse 191
	7.3 Kiswahili novels as part of the cultural realm 199
	7.4 Missing discourses 203
	7.5 The power of novels 206
	7.6 Conclusion 208
	Chapter Eight: Novels as an Educational Tool in the Effort to End Gender–Based Violence in Tanzanian Society 211
	8.1 Introduction 211
	8.2 Discussion method 213
	8.3 Debate method 218
	8.4 Essay competitions 223
	8.5 Seminars/workshops 225
	8.6 The importance of “good novels” in changing behaviour 227
	8.7 A model for using novels as an educational tool for curriculum intervention 228
	8.8 A toolkit for Kiswahili teachers 237
	8.9 Conclusion 241
	Chapter Nine: Discussion of the Main Findings and Suggestions for Further Research 243
	9.1 Introduction 243
	9.2 Reproduction of the dominant discourses of violence against women in Kiswahili novels 244
	9.3 Discursive struggle in challenging the dominant discourses of violence against women in Kiswahili novels 248
	9.4 Changing the dominant discourses of violence against women as depicted in Kiswahili novels 249
	9.5 Possible areas for further research 252
	References 255
	Appendices 305
	Appendix 1: Guide questions for focus group discussions 305
	Appendix 2: Extracts for focus group discussions 306
	Appendix 3: Guide questions for in-depth interviews with Kiswahili teachers 309
	Appendix 4: Information sheet 310
	Appendix 5: Consent form for focus group discussions 313
	Appendix 6: Consent form for in-depth interviews 315

Wikipedia: History of Africa: History of Tanzania | Literature: Tanzanian literature | Sex and the law: Sexual violence