Human Rights Education Through Ciné Débat

Johanna Richter

Human Rights Education Through Ciné Débat

Film as a Tool to Fight Against Female Genital Mutilation in Burkina Faso

Johanna RichterBerlin, Germany

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ISBN 978-3-658-12722-0 ISBN 978-3-658-12723-7 (eBook)DOI 10.1007/978-3-658-12723-7

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If you communicate with someone and that person does not understand what you mean, you should not condemn the person. Instead, you should be angry with yourself, because you did not find the right strategy to make yourself clear. (Interview with Moumini Ouédraogo, Ouagadougou, February 2008)

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Thank you I would like to thank you wonderful people around me who have sup-ported me during the preparation of this book. Particular thanks are due for the professional advice and honest feedback from Prof. Dr. Karl Peter Fritzsche, Prof. Dr. Illona Wuschig, Prof. Dr. Stefan Thomas, Kareth Schaffer, Aljoscha Brell, Susanne Richter, Timo-thée Picarello and, of course, my parents. A special thank goes to the German Economy Foundation for the finan-cial support of this study. My research in Burkina Faso would not have been possible without you: Madame Gybére, Madame Ouédraogo, Tassére Derra, Günther Lanier, Inga Nagel, Eva and Werner Neuhaus, and my ‘burkinabé family’ Karfo in Ouagadougou. Thank you for the professional translations from Mooré into German and French: Salamata, Elise, Kwaku and G. I dedicate this book to my mother and Sanne, the two most important women in my life.

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Table of contents Abbreviations………...………………………..…………………….15 Project partners………………………………..……………………..17 Frequently used terms.…. ……………………………………….....19 1 Introduction…………………………………………………………21 Part one: Theoretical background………………………………………….33 2 Female genital mutilation (FGM)………………………………...35

2.1 Note on terminology .......................................................................... 36 2.2 Types of FGM ...................................................................................... 39 2.3 Complications due to FGM ............................................................... 41 2.4 FGM from a human rights perspective ........................................... 43

2.4.1 Human rights and women’s rights perspective ...................... 44 2.4.2 Children’s rights perspective ...................................................... 48 2.4.3 The right to health ........................................................................ 50

2.5 Universal rights of physical integrity versus cultural relativism .............................................................................................. 51

3 FGM in Burkina Faso………………………………………………59

3.1 Socio-economic conditions ................................................................ 59 3.2 Types and appearances of FGM in Burkina Faso ........................... 61 3.3 Statistics on FGM in Burkina Faso .................................................... 62 3.4 Reasons for the continuation of FGM in Burkina Faso, with

examples from other African countries ........................................... 64 3.5 Attempts to abandon FGM in Burkina Faso ................................... 72

3.5.1 Strategies and challenges of tightening the law ....................... 72 3.5.2 National and international engagements against FGM in Burkina Faso ............................................................................. 77

4 Film as a tool for Human Rights Education (HRE)?....................83

4.1 A short introduction on HRE ............................................................ 83 4.2 Films and human rights ..................................................................... 86

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5 Ciné débat……………………………………………………………89

5.1 Ciné débat as an innovative tool for awareness-raising ............... 90 5.2 Experiences with ciné débats ............................................................ 92 5.3 Traditional communication in Burkina Faso, a basis for social change ........................................................................................ 95

5.3.1 Joking relationships ..................................................................... 97 5.3.2 Palaver ............................................................................................ 99

5.4 Applying a film to the target viewers ............................................ 101

6 Research design: Participatory Action Research (PAR)………107

6.1 Why use the PAR approach? ........................................................... 109 6.2 Research Structure ............................................................................ 113

6.2.1 Qualitative Research .................................................................. 113 6.2.2 Triangulation ............................................................................... 114

7 Film production……………………………………………………117

7.1 Access to the field - Preconditions for the production of the film ................................................................................................ 117 7.2 Sampling – interviews with the protagonists of the film ............ 118 7.3 Editing the film L’excision, un thème pour tout le monde ......... 121 7.4 Screening of the documentary with its protagonists ................... 126 7.5 Evaluation of the documentary during a workshop ................... 127

7.5.1 Execution of the workshop with local experts ....................... 127 7.5.2 Adjusting the strategy – Outcomes of the workshop ........... 130

8 Film presentation………………………………………………….135

8.1 Access to the field - Implementing ciné débats in five villages . 135 8.2 Operational structure of ciné débats .............................................. 136 8.3 Sampling – Project partners for the execution of the ciné débats .......................................................................................... 139

8.3.1 Members of the Association Féminine Song-Manegré pour le Développement (AFD) ................................................. 139 8.3.2 Clubs d’écoutes ........................................................................... 142

8.4 Research techniques ......................................................................... 145 8.4.1 Research techniques during the implementation of the ciné débats ................................................................................... 145 8.4.2 Follow-up: two years after the ciné débats ............................. 148

Part  two:  Methodology…………………………………………………………………….105  

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9 Reflections on the research process and challenges

encountered………………………………………………………...151 9.1 Critical reflections on being a ‘white female researcher’ ............ 151

9.1.1 During the film production ....................................................... 151 9.1.2 During the ciné débats ............................................................... 152

9.2 Difficulties encountered ................................................................... 153 9.2.1 Use of the camera for the production of the documentary .. 153 9.2.2 Particularities during the conduction of interviews with the protagonists of the documentary ...................................... 155 9.2.3 Challenges during film editing ................................................ 157 9.2.4 Challenges during the ciné débats ........................................... 158

10 Expert interviews for the in-depth analysis of the social

context……………………………………………………...……….161 11 Methods used for the evaluation of the interviews…………..163

11.1 Documentary method ...................................................................... 163 11.2 Interpretation of the text .................................................................. 165

11.2.1 Formulating interpretation ..................................................... 165 11.2.2 Reflecting interpretation ......................................................... 167

Part three: Results from the in-depth analysis of the social

12 The traditional anchoring of FGM in Burkina Faso: the decisive role of community………………………………………171

12.1 FGM as a requirement of the social system .................................. 171 12.2 Collective welfare earns greater acceptance than individual ..... 174 well-being ........................................................................................... 174 12.3 Recapitulation of central aspects .................................................... 176

13 The social role of women in sustaining the family…………...177

13.1 FGM as sign that women meet social requirements .................... 177 13.2 Protecting women as a guarantee for the development of the community – Arguments against FGM .................................. 179 13.3 Recapitulation of central aspects .................................................... 188

14 Achieving the end of FGM in Burkina Faso through the awareness of human rights………………………………………189

context  (expert  interviews)……..............…………………………………………….169  

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14.1 Traditional perception and meaning of human rights in Burkina Faso ...................................................................................... 189 14.2 Women’s rights and the well-being of the community ............... 194 14.3 How should human rights regarding FGM be communicated? ................................................................................. 197 14.4 The right to health in abandoning FGM in Burkina Faso ........... 198 14.5 The recognition of human rights acts ............................................ 200 14.6 Recapitulation of central aspects .................................................... 203

15 Cinematic and cultural preconditions for ciné débat in

Burkina Faso……………………………………………………….205 15.1 Oral traditions and established habits of debate as major components of the culture of Burkina Faso .................................. 205 15.2 ‘Film: A major cultural and political marker of Burkina Faso ... 208 15.3 Ciné débats: the origin of cinema in Burkina Faso ...................... 211 15.4 Recapitulation of central aspects .................................................... 215

16 Ciné débat as an integrated tool for combining traditional

debating habits with awareness-raising activities…..………..217 16.1 Ciné débat as an adapted method for opening up informal discussions ......................................................................................... 217 16.2 Advice for the implementation of ciné débat ............................... 222

16.2.1 Discussion – the basis for change .......................................... 222 16.2.2 What needs to be considered when making a film for

presentation in ciné débat ....................................................... 226 16.2.3 How to apply ciné débat ......................................................... 228 16.2.4 Knowing the needs of the target group – How to approach the locals .................................................................. 231 16.2.5 Approaching local authorities as a prerequisite for easier

access to the villages ................................................................ 236 16.2.6 Organisation of screenings ..................................................... 240 16.2.7 Repeated discussions in the villages ..................................... 244 16.2.8 Challenges during interactions in the field .......................... 245

16.3 Possibilities and essential characteristics of the film L’excision, un thème pour tout le monde ..................................... 252 16.4 Recapitulation of central aspects .................................................... 256

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Part four: Results from the execution of the ciné débats………………259 17 Implementation of the ciné débats……………………………...261

17.1 Outcomes of the questionnaire ....................................................... 261 17.2 Participant observation and findings from the SWOT ................ 265 17.3 Outcomes of discussions with members of the clubs d’écoutes ............................................................................................. 273 17.4 Recapitulation of central aspects .................................................... 277

18 Main subjects during the ciné débats…………………………..279

18.1 FGM and its consequences .............................................................. 279 18.2 The role of women in society .......................................................... 286

18.2.1 Lack of desire for sexual intercourse leads to marital friction ........................................................................................ 286 18.2.2 FGM keeps women from having illegitimate sexual

intercourse ................................................................................. 291 18.2.3 Having children as an indicator for the acceptance of women in the community ....................................................... 295 18.2.4 Unhealthy women are excluded from the community ...... 300 18.2.5 Women’s fears of not complying with traditional gender roles ............................................................................... 301

18.3 How can FGM be counteracted? .................................................... 309 18.3.1 Education ................................................................................... 309 18.3.2 Involving elders and heads of families ................................. 314

18.4 References by the AFD team and the audiences .......................... 317 18.5 Recapitulation of central findings .................................................. 325

19 Follow-up evaluation two years later…………………………...329

19.1 Questionnaire for the clubs d’écoutes ............................................ 329 19.2 Final interview with AFD representatives .................................... 333 19.3 Recapitulation of central aspects .................................................... 342

20 Outcomes…………………………………………………………...347

20.1 The inclusion of the community as an inevitable factor for engaging against FGM in Burkina Faso ........................................ 347 20.2 The eradication of FGM as a first step in changing the perception of the woman’s role in society ..................................... 351

Part  five:  Summary  and  conclusions………………………………………………..345  

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20.3 Ciné débats as food for thought and reflection ............................ 356

20.3.1 The applicability and potential of the documentary L’excision, un thème pour tout le monde ............................. 356

20.3.2 Follow-up two years after the project implementation ...... 360 21 Long-term Perspectives…………………………………………...365 22 Bibliography……………………………………………………….371 23 Tables……………………………………………………………….383

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Abbreviations AU (OAU) African Union / Organisation of African

Unity (in 2001, the OAU legally became the African Union)

AFD Association Féminine Song-Manegré pour le Développement

CAP-MGF Capitalisation et Vulgarisation des Bonnes Approches pour la Promotion de l’Abandon des MGF

CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

CNLPE Comité National de Lutte contre la Pra-tique de l’Excision (National Committee against the Practice of Excision)

CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child DEVAW Declaration on the Elimination of

Violence Against Women DED Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst DHS/ EDS Demographic and Health Survey/

Enquête Démographique et de Santé e.g. exempli gratia (lat.)‘for example’ FESPACO Festival Panafricain du Film et du

Télévision du Ouagadougou FC Female Circumcision/ Cutting FGC/ FGM Female Genital Cutting/ Female Genital

Mutilation GIZ / GTZ Gesellschaft für Internationale (formerly:

technische) Zusammenarbeit GDP Gross Domestic Product HDI Human Development Index HRE Human Rights Education HREA Human Rights Education Associates IAC Inter-African Committee on Traditional

Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children

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ICE International Congress on Education for Human Rights and Democracy

ICPD International Conference on Population Development and

i.e. id est (lat.) ‘that is’, ‘in other words’ INAFEC L’Institut Africain d’Education

Cinématographique IRIN Integrated Regional Information

Network MGF Mutilation Genitale Feminine MICS Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys RESEAU Reseau pour le Développment Socio

Economique et Social du Burkina Faso UDHR Universal Declaration of Human Rights UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development

Programme UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific

and Cultural Organisation UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for

Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund USAID United States Agency for International

Development VDPA Vienna Declaration and Programme of

Action WHO World Health Organisation

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Project partners AFD The state-recognised NGO Association

Féminine Song-Manegré pour le Développe- ment (AFD) was founded in Nanné by Claire Gybére and works against FGM in the Bam region of Burkina Faso.

RESEAU The state-recognised NGO RESEAU pour

le Développment Socio Economique et Social du Burkina Faso was founded 1998 by Tas-sére Derra in the region Niou/ East Burkina Faso. RESEAU concen- trates its actions on the social and economical de-velopment of the country.

MWANGAZA ‘Mwangaza’ means ‘clarity’ in Swahili.

With 30 years of experience, MWANGAZA is based in Ouaga-dougou. The organisation intervenes in the domains of mothers’ health, FGM, family planning, and all sorts of violence against women in Burkina Faso.

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Frequently used terms Ciné débat (this term is French and has no direct

English equivalent) The term describes the production and presentation of films in the local languages of Burkina Faso, particularly used for educational purpos-es. Teams travel around the countryside presenting the films to the mainly rural population. Screenings reflect topical problems of local populations while showing the reality of their behavioural patterns. Subsequent discussions are meant to trigger self-awareness and to fi-nally change behavioural patterns.

Club d’écoute (this term is French and has no direct

English equivalent) In Burkina Faso soci-ety, many women are scared to speak openly in the company of men. Clubs have been established in order to function as a ‘mouthpiece’ for the local community and AFD. These groups support women and give them the opportunity to listen to each other and learn from the struggles and challenges others may face.

Joking Relationship The term describes the relation between

two persons in which one is by custom permitted to tease or make fun of the oth-er, who in turn is required to take no of-fence.

Relais Relais are two individuals (a woman and

a man) residing in a village where the AFD team is engaged. They have been in-

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troduced by the AFD team and are re-sponsible for the preparation of the ciné débat in their own village. AFD modera-tors approach them a few days before their arrival.