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From: "Daphne Greenberg" <ALCDGG@langate.gsu.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-WOMENLIT:3023] RE: question from student
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I am wondering if you have checked out:
http://www.worlded.org
You might find useful information at this site.
Daphne
>>> alcdgg@langate.gsu.edu 09/21/04 10:39PM >>>
I am posting this for Barbara, who for now can read the posts, but is
having technical difficulties while trying to post to the listserv.
So
until this gets resolved, here is her response:
Hello Suzanne,
I was referring to both. Your point about the other forms of
contemporary communication (than just text) being appropriate and
successful for public education is right on. (Media campaigns willing
to
spend enormous amounts of
$$$ to sell one brand of potato chip over another, or car, lipstick,
antacid,
make it clear that that is a good way to inform and influence - often
in
the
form of entertainment.)
My original thought was - if improved literacy could speed up
changes
in cultures where such traditions are strong and long-standing? I know
education can play a vital role in changes of all sorts, so perhaps my
question
sounds naive. But, if any studies have been done which address this
issue, someone
at this board may know of it. My knowledge on the subject is limited,
so
this
listserv will be a wonderful tool. Thank you, Barbara
>>> smythemu@interchange.ubc.ca 09/21/04 5:50 PM >>>
I guess I have another question for you-is the target population you
are
referring to those who practice FGM or those on whom it is practised?
Most
effective public education Africa is done via a mix of media that
includes
but is certainly not limited to printed materials-in fact these are
the
least effective-group discussion, TV shows that dramatize social
issues,
comics, drama and people's theatre are all contemporary and usually
effective ways of raising and discussing contentious social issues and
oppressions
-I am not that "illiteracy" would be a factor unless it gets
privileged
as
the primary means of spreading information. This view could also lead
to
causal arguments that link "illiteracy" to FGM, which would miss the
roles
of gender, culture in this practice. Perhaps there is a danger in
attributing to literacy too much power to effect social change?
Suzanne Smythe
The Weaving Literacy Training Project
288 East 46th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5W 1Z6
-----Original Message-----
From: nifl-womenlit@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-womenlit@nifl.gov] On Behalf
Of
Daphne Greenberg
Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2004 1:04 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [NIFL-WOMENLIT:3019] question from student
Barbara has asked me to post this for her (she is currently having
computer
difficulties):
I am a student at the University of Oklahoma, and am researching the
cultural effects of illiteracy, especially among women. Are you aware
of
any
statistics that would indicate that literacy rates play a role in the
practice of female genital mutilation (FGM)?
The following quote from a press release found on the Equality Now web
page,
http://www.equalitynow.org/english/about/about_en.html refers to the
need to
educate people to the dangers of FGM.
"Several ex-circumcisers expressed their view that FGM could be
eliminated
if governments prohibited FGM, and if non-governmental organizations
(NGOs)
continued sensitizing the public to the dangers of FGM and educating
youth
to oppose the practice."
To what degree do you feel illiteracy among target populations will
hinder
this goal?
Thank you very much for your time,
Barbara S. Oliver
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