Research Papers – Page 7

Communicating development and mediating social change (Development in Practice 28:3, 2018)

May 7, 2018

Introduction: the mediation of development Robin Mansell and Linje Manyozo.

This Development in Practice special issue responds to the need for a radical rethinking of the theory, practice, and pedagogy of communication
for development. This field may be designated as communication for development, communication for social change, development communication, or information and communication technology for development (Quebral 1988; Gumucio-Dagron and Tufte 2006; Lennie and Tacchi 2013; Tufte 2017).

This special issue aims to contribute to the process of rescuing these approaches and their discourses from Westernisation, theoretical elitism, and the
“developmentalism” that prevails in dominant organisations, institutions, and analytical perspectives.

This aim is in line with the ambition of celebrating the “ethnography of development” (Escobar 1995/2012; Mosse 2005; Makuwira 2014) and offering pathways for celebrating subaltern and periphery theoretical frameworks and experiences (Fanon 1965 ;Said 1978; Spivak 1988).

The introductory article is open access. All other articles are abstract only.

Click here for this special issue.

Inclusive urbanization: Can the 2030 Agenda be delivered without it? (Environment and Urbanization [28:1]), 2016

May 4, 2018

This paper, published in the Environment and Urbanization journal, reflects on the tension in ‘exclusionary’ cities created through strategies that privilege economic growth and result in many people being left behind. It explores three levels of inclusive urbanization: eliminating discriminatory exclusion, giving the disadvantaged a bigger voice in existing institutions, and guaranteeing human rights.

It then examines how more inclusive urbanization can be achieved and how this relates to the Sustainable Development Goals (part of the 2030 Agenda). The world’s governments have committed themselves to balanced development that integrates economic, social and environmental goals, and have pledged that “no one will be left behind”. Inclusive urbanization is needed to achieve this balance, and to move the world towards the progressive realization of human rights for all.

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Social norms and women’s risk of intimate partner violence in Nepal (Social Science & Medicine 202:162-169, 2017)

April 23, 2018

Social norms increasingly are the focus of intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention strategies but are among the least examined contextual factors in quantitative violence research. This study assesses the within-community, between-community, and contextual effect of a new measure of social norms (PVNS: Partner Violence Norms Scale) on women’s risk of IPV. Data come from baseline surveys collected from 1435 female, married, reproductive-age participants, residing in 72 wards in three districts (Chitwan, Kapilvastu, Nawalparasi) in Nepal who were enrolled in a cluster randomized trial testing the impact of a social behavioral change communication intervention designed to prevent IPV.

The study finds that PVNS is a promising measure of social norms underpinning women’s risk of IPV and warrants further psychometric testing.

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Girls’ clubs and empowerment programmes – Knowledge to action: Effective action on gender norms that affect adolescent girls (ODI Research Note, 2015)

March 18, 2018

This Research and practice note outlines the role girls’ club and empowerment programmes can play in promoting adolescent girls’ wellbeing and changing the gender norms that constrain their lives. It draws on fieldwork in Ethiopia, Nepal, Uganda and Viet Nam, an ODI systematic review of communications programmes, and secondary literature.

Girls’ clubs, which may be drop-in sessions or regular meetings, organised by community groups or girls themselves, are an increasingly popular approach to promoting adolescent girls’ wellbeing. They help girls cope with the physical and emotional changes they experience during adolescence, and equip them with knowledge and skills to help them challenge discriminatory norms within their home and wider community. Typically, they aim to empower girls by giving them access to information about their rights (including their sexual and reproductive health). They also equip them with life skills, which build their self-confidence and help them to negotiate for their rights and voice their concerns. The approach aims to broaden girls’ horizons and encourage them to envisage and realise a better future.

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Communicating development and mediating social change (Development in Practice 28:3, 2018)

Inclusive urbanization: Can the 2030 Agenda be delivered without it? (Environment and Urbanization [28:1]), 2016

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