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GCO621S - GENDER COMMUNICATION - 2ND OPP - JANUARY 2024 |
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n Am I BI A u n IV ERs ITY
OF SCIEnCE AnDTECHnOLOGY
FACULTY OF COMMERCE, HUMAN SCIENCESAND EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION
QUALIFICATION: BACHELOR OF COMMUNICATION
QUALIFICATION CODE: 07BCMM
LEVEL: 6
COURSE CODE: GCO621S
COURSE NAME: GENDER COMMUNICATION
SESSION: JANUARY 2024
PAPER: 1 OF 1
DURATION: 3 HOURS
MARKS: 80
EXAMINER(S)
MODERATOR:
SECOND OPPORTUNITY/SUPPLEMENTARY EXAM PAPER
DR. W. NJUGUNA
DR. M. MHENE
INSTRUCTIONS
ANSWER THREE QUESTIONS ONLY. QUESTION ONE (1) IS COMPULSORY
1. Write clearly and neatly
2. Read all questions carefully
3. Number the answers clearly
THIS ASSIGNMENT CONSISTS OF .1PAGES
{Including this cover page)
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SECTION A: COMPULSORY
QUESTION 1
Women's Rights in Namibia
[30 marks]
Read the story below entitled, The Progress of Women's Rights in Namibia. In view of our
understanding of the world where primarily it has been from a male perspective and women's voices
are not heard, do the following:
a. Write a not more than 300-word summary of the story, highlighting five {5} key points that
stand out for you from the story and explain why the points stand out for you. [10 marks]
b. With at least four examples and in view of what was learnt/discussed in class and what you
know is listed in the National Gender Policy {2010-2020}, forthcoming elections etc, discuss
how this story affects Namibia's profile both locally and internationally and how the country
can address the shortcomings. [20 marks]
The Progress Of Women's Rights In Namibia
The Southern African country ofNamibia is taking significant
steps to ensure gender equality. The Namibian constitution
has focused heavily on reparations for women's rights,
specifically recognizing the discrimination females have
faced. Namibia currently has in place more than 90% of the
legal framework to promote gender equality. These efforts at
advancing women's rights in Namibia have paid off: Namibia
ranked eighth out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap
Report 2022 in terms of gender equality, with a score of 80.7,
standing as one of just two African countries placing in the
top l 0.
A Closer Look at the Global Gender Gap Report 2022
Though Namibia's 2022 ranking is noteworthy, the country has actually dropped rankings, moving from sixth.
place in 2021 to eighth place in 2022. In the area of Economic Participation and Opportunity, Namibia has
slightly regressed, moving from 19th place to 20th place. In Education Attainment, Namibia has notably
progressed from 34th place to 30th. The country ranks the same as last year in terms of Political Empowerment
(19th) but excels in Health and Survival, ranking first in both 2021 and 2022.
The World Bank's Women, Business and Law index, which measures how laws impact female economic
participation and progress, has scored Namibia a high 86.3 out of l 00 in 2021, which is higher than the
average score in sub-Saharan Africa.
The above report says, "When it comes to laws affecting women's decisions to work, laws affecting women's
pay, constraints related to marriage, gender differences in property and inheritance and laws affecting the size of
a woman's pension, Namibia gets a perfect score." In terms of improvements, the report says, "When it comes
to constraints on freedom of movement, laws affecting women's work after having children and constraints on
women's starting and running a business, Namibia could consider reforms to improve legal equality for
women."
Education and Other Indicators
According to the Global Gender Gap Report, in terms of educational attainment, Namibia ranks first in tenns of
enrolment in primary education and tertiary education, but there are no gender parity outcomes listed for
secondary education. However, data from the World Bank indicates that the gross secondary school enrolment
rate for girls in Namibia improved since 1990 and stood at 70% in 2007. For males, this rate was lower,
standing at 61% in 2007.
The report also notes that Namibia has never had a female head of state and females hold just 14% of seats in
the upper house of parliament. According to data from U.N. Women, the number of employed women in
Namibia living under the international poverty line exceeds that of men ( I0.7% versus 7.7%). Additionally, in
the adult population, females account for more than 70% of those experiencing severe food insecurity.
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Sister Namibia
Sister Namibia is a local organization working toward upholding women's rights and empowering females in
Namibia by "amplifying women's voices." The organization was founded in 1989 in Windhoek, Namibia, and
has raised awareness on matters impacting women and other marginalized groups through its publications.
Sister Namibia's focal areas are law and justice, gender-based violence and harassment, health and wellness,
education and employment, among others. Sister Nambia also involves itself in and publicizes key events aimed
at upholding human rights. Through its work, Sister Namibia hopes to spur change.
The organization's publications provide pertinent information about the updates of women while building a
community for women to share their stories and art. Sister Namibia has supported women's rights in Namibia
for more than 30 years and provides important resources and services Namibian women can utilize for
assistance in several areas, such as mental health.
Looking Ahead
Namibia's implementation of its first national action plan on women, peace and security, which is to run from
2019 to 2024, stands as one of the frameworks ensuring advancements in women's rights. Doreen Sioka,
Nambia's minister of gender equality, says Namibia aims to reach gender parity in the country's 2024 elections.
Namibia has seen much progress in the area of women's rights. And with continued efforts and commitments,
women's rights in the country can strengthen even further.
- Kath,yn Kendrick https://borgenproject.ondwomens-rights-in-namibia/
SECTION B
CHOOSE TWO (2) QUESTIONS ONLY FROM THIS SECTION
QUESTION 2
Gendered Media
[25 marks]
"Social networks can be-and too often are-used for cyberbullying, which includes text messages,
comments, rumours, embarrassing pictures, videos, and fake profiles that are meant to hurt another
person and are circulated through email or social media. Social networking sites such as Facebook
have not done much to develop anti-bullying policies; in fact, they encourage subscribers to give up
privacy (BazeIon, 2013). According to a recent report, 25% of young women report being stalked or
harassed online, and even more, 43% report being cyberbullied (Women's Media Center, 2015). For
LGBTQteens the percentage is even higher: 53% (Burney, 2012).." {In Gendered Lives, 2019, p.239)
Based on your knowledge of gendered media, use of social media etc,
a} Provide an extensive analysis of the above statement, providing at least four local examples
of well-known cyberbullying cases in Namibia (some of which we discussed in class) and how
they can be addressed, resolved as well as avoided. [10 marks]
b} Think of the ways that you personally use social media - be it WhatsApp, Facebook,
/nstagram, TikTok, Telegram, Tinder etc. Explain with at least three examples, how you
would use social media to shape positive use of it. [15 marks]
QUESTION 3
Feminism, Patriarchy and Three Waves of Feminism
[25 marks]
In view of what you learnt in class on Feminism, Patriarchy and Three Waves of Feminism, do the
following:
a) Discuss the concepts of feminism and patriarchy. [15 marks]
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b) There are three waves of feminism. Highlight the major injustices that the third wave sought
to address. [10 marks]
QUESTION 4
Gender in a Transitional Era
[25 marks]
"You probably don't subscribe to your grandparents' ideals of manhood and womanhood. You may
believe that people of all sexes and genders should be able to pursue careers and that both should
be involved in homemaking and family life. You are probably not surprised when a woman knows
how to change a tire or when a man cooks a good meal. Yet, if you're like most of your peers, there
are also a number of gender issues about which you feel conflicted." {In Gendered Lives, 2019, p.17)
Based on your knowledge of gender in the course, do the following:
a. With examples, provide an extensive analysis of the above statement. [10 marks]
b. Think of at least five ways that you were (or still are) personally conflicted about gender issues.
Explain what the conflicting issues are and how you have (or will) deal with them going
forward [15 marks].
END OF EXAM - BESTOF LUCK
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