This thesis examines the industry of non-profit educational filmmaking in Sub-Saharan Africa, from the 1930's to the present, with particular attention on the contemporary period of video production from the late 1980's to approximately 2010. This thesis, first, identifies that there is a consistent industrial infrastructure around non-profit educational filmmaking in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has not previously been articulated. Second, it describes the industry's historical origins and contemporary manifestation, delineating the pathways for funding, systems for production, and avenues of distribution and exhibition, as well as the ideological underpinnings of each. Finally, this thesis proscribes alternative industrial practices for the imagination and execution of non-profit educational videos that alleviate some of the otherwise deeply engrained hierarchical features of the industry by drawing on several examples of recent innovations in the industry. This thesis claims that the standard procedures by which non-profit educational films and videos in Sub-Saharan Africa come to be are problematic in the way that they maintain colonial hierarchies between Western philanthropic funders, cosmopolitan humanitarian professionals acting as producers, African casts and crews, and audiences that are necessarily objectified in order to be studied quantitatively. This structure has profound effects on content, most recently evident in neoliberal ideas that valorize the privatization of solutions to public health problems and quaint stories designed to encourage audiences to emulate ideal behavior based on Western gender norms as a primary solution to complex social problems, such as HIV/AIDS. Drawing on examples from recent innovations in the industry, this thesis finally proposes that changes in the balance of decision-making power in the African educational film and video industry - changes such as sourcing audiences for stories addressing HIV/AIDS, integrating with existing media markets, or more loosely providing international support to existing local initiatives that pinpoint local concerns - are necessary in order to better realize the potential of cinema to effectively address the myriad of social, environmental, political, economic, and medical challenges faced by real and distinct Sub-Saharan audiences.

<p>The general purpose of this project is two in one; to analyze and assess gender mainstreaming and sustainable women development policies of the two main political parties in Ghana, and to evaluate the contribution of gender biased NGOs to the course of women empowerment in Ghana. </p><p>This thesis, by applying the methodological techniques of qualitative content analysis and discourse analysis explores and examines the strength and weakness of the parties’ political manifestoes. It also explores and examines the activities of the NGOs- while evaluating some of projects they have undertaken in the development of Ghanaian women. The paper also offered suggestions that will help to achieve effective sustainable women development when adopted by the political parties and the concerned NGOs. </p><p>Women in Development (WID) and Gender and Development (GAD), the most widely used theoretical frameworks in gender and development studies; provide the conceptual frames for the analysis in this thesis. They are widely applied throughout the analyses of this paper and form the foundation for realizing the aims and objectives of this work. </p><p>The conclusion of this paper is able to identify pragmatic measures for ensuring gender mainstreaming and achieving effective affirmative action for Ghanaian women; it calls upon the political parties to exhibit effective commitment to gender mainstreaming by initiating policies that will give women a fair representation and participation in decision making processes in Ghana at all levels. </p><p>The women NGOs on the other hand, should depart from over concentration on service provision activities and refocus their programmes and projects toward encouraging and preparing women to enter politics at local, districts and national levels. These measures, as identified by the analyses; are the strongest weapons for achieving effective women empowerment in Ghana</p>

The general purpose of this project is two in one; to analyze and assess gender mainstreaming and sustainable women development policies of the two main political parties in Ghana, and to evaluate the contribution of gender biased NGOs to the course of women empowerment in Ghana. This thesis, by applying the methodological techniques of qualitative content analysis and discourse analysis explores and examines the strength and weakness of the parties’ political manifestoes. It also explores and examines the activities of the NGOs- while evaluating some of projects they have undertaken in the development of Ghanaian women. The paper also offered suggestions that will help to achieve effective sustainable women development when adopted by the political parties and the concerned NGOs. Women in Development (WID) and Gender and Development (GAD), the most widely used theoretical frameworks in gender and development studies; provide the conceptual frames for the analysis in this thesis. They are widely applied throughout the analyses of this paper and form the foundation for realizing the aims and objectives of this work. The conclusion of this paper is able to identify pragmatic measures for ensuring gender mainstreaming and achieving effective affirmative action for Ghanaian women; it calls upon the political parties to exhibit effective commitment to gender mainstreaming by initiating policies that will give women a fair representation and participation in decision making processes in Ghana at all levels. The women NGOs on the other hand, should depart from over concentration on service provision activities and refocus their programmes and projects toward encouraging and preparing women to enter politics at local, districts and national levels. These measures, as identified by the analyses; are the strongest weapons for achieving effective women empowerment in Ghana

There has been an influx in the number of African people entering North America since the 1960's. Despite the fact that women who emigrate from Africa tend to be more highly educated compared to the rest of Canada's population, they are far more likely to be unemployed and low-income (Statistics Canada, 2007: 7). Economic security is linked to decision-making power in many aspects of a woman’s life, including personal safety and freedom of choice. The original research question investigated in this study was how do female African immigrants in the Region of Waterloo access the services they require to gain economic security? The intent of the study was to explore how the services in the Region of Waterloo are accessed by African immigrants with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. However, during the interview process the information collected extended beyond the initial research question. The analysis of the research answers three important questions. What are the various types of resources that women need to access in order to achieve economic self-sufficiency? How do they find out what these resources are? How can they acquire them? The qualitative research used in-depth interviews that were conducted with fifteen African women living in the Region of Waterloo. The analysis of the thesis emerged from the lived experiences of the participants following a feminist ethnographic approach. Women were given the opportunity to discuss their personal backgrounds and their reasons for leaving their countries of origin from their perspectives. The barriers to economic security after arriving in the region were analyzed with special attention to the unique barriers women face because of care-taking responsibilities. The impact of the loss of social support networks was explained. The use of government support services was discussed, leading into an analysis of the lack of information regarding support services. Participants identified that there is collective action of African immigrant women in non-profit organizations operating to fill the information gap. There are a number of important conclusions that can be drawn from this research. First, the women interviewed argued that they felt that it was the government’s responsibility to provide economic support services to new African immigrant families in order to help them become established. Second, although the government does have a number of programs designed to economically assist immigrants, they are not accessible nor do they reflect the needs of African immigrant women. Third, non-profit women’s organizations in the region are effective in providing information about available resources, and do take the needs of African women into consideration. Fourth, non-profit organizations in the region empower African women locally and help them to integrate into the community. Finally, participants asserted that non-profit organizations should be funded by the government in order to be able to provide sufficient economic support to community members. This research adds to the actions of local non-profit agencies and builds a needed step in bridging that gap between government and non-profit organizations by acknowledging the contribution of non-profit organizations.

There has been an influx in the number of African people entering North America since the 1960's. Despite the fact that women who emigrate from Africa tend to be more highly educated compared to the rest of Canada's population, they are far more likely to be unemployed and low-income (Statistics Canada, 2007: 7). Economic security is linked to decision-making power in many aspects of a woman’s life, including personal safety and freedom of choice. The original research question investigated in this study was how do female African immigrants in the Region of Waterloo access the services they require to gain economic security? The intent of the study was to explore how the services in the Region of Waterloo are accessed by African immigrants with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. However, during the interview process the information collected extended beyond the initial research question. The analysis of the research answers three important questions. What are the various types of resources that women need to access in order to achieve economic self-sufficiency? How do they find out what these resources are? How can they acquire them? The qualitative research used in-depth interviews that were conducted with fifteen African women living in the Region of Waterloo. The analysis of the thesis emerged from the lived experiences of the participants following a feminist ethnographic approach. Women were given the opportunity to discuss their personal backgrounds and their reasons for leaving their countries of origin from their perspectives. The barriers to economic security after arriving in the region were analyzed with special attention to the unique barriers women face because of care-taking responsibilities. The impact of the loss of social support networks was explained. The use of government support services was discussed, leading into an analysis of the lack of information regarding support services. Participants identified that there is collective action of African immigrant women in non-profit organizations operating to fill the information gap. There are a number of important conclusions that can be drawn from this research. First, the women interviewed argued that they felt that it was the government’s responsibility to provide economic support services to new African immigrant families in order to help them become established. Second, although the government does have a number of programs designed to economically assist immigrants, they are not accessible nor do they reflect the needs of African immigrant women. Third, non-profit women’s organizations in the region are effective in providing information about available resources, and do take the needs of African women into consideration. Fourth, non-profit organizations in the region empower African women locally and help them to integrate into the community. Finally, participants asserted that non-profit organizations should be funded by the government in order to be able to provide sufficient economic support to community members. This research adds to the actions of local non-profit agencies and builds a needed step in bridging that gap between government and non-profit organizations by acknowledging the contribution of non-profit organizations.

My dissertation is in the tradition of redressing the critical imbalance that has undervalued or neglected African women writers by considering Flora Nwapa's three best-known novels, analyzing from a feminist and dialogic perspective what choice and discovery mean for Nwapa's female characters in Efuru (1966), Idu (1970), and One is Enough (1981). Flora Nwapa writes about women and their lives, issues, and concerns within a traditional Igbo culture radically affected by British colonialism. As she explores and analyzes many of the characteristics of her tribal group, she posits the women's desires for change, choice, and acceptance within a society in which they wish to participate fully as human beings not just in the roles traditionally allowed them-as workers, wives, and mothers. Instead, they wish greater freedom than traditional Igbo customs allow in the domestic and public realms; but their beliefs and values have been transformed by Christianity, western education, and an increasing emphasis upon the individual. The women in Nwapa's novels speak to the needs of both collective and individual female identity within their culture. They seek love and respect from the community and acceptance of the choices they make. As Nwapa's novels evolve, her female characters become increasingly independent, aggressive and self-styled: they become women with a mission to realize themselves. I have drawn upon the criticism of Barbara Smith, Obioma Nnaemeka, and Barbara Christian to ground my study. The definition of African feminism comes from Carole Boyce Davies' introduction to Ngambika. The discussion of language, dialogue, and heteroglossia relies upon the work of Mikhail Bakhtin and Mae Henderson. The dissertation focuses upon all important characters in Efuru, Idu, and One is Enough, but especially on the dialogue and actions of central female characters in order to analyze the never-ceasing polyphonic dialogue that Nwapa's female characters have between self and society, between self and self-consciousness, and among themselves. In a world where they struggle to blend their traditional culture and institutions with western influences, they seek both independence and a communal cohesiveness in which many voices and choices can survive in a complementary manner.

Motivation: Hypertension is a fast growing health risk, leading to increased incidences of cardiovascular dysfunction and mortality. However, the prevalence of hypertension is higher in some ethnic populations than others. Several South African studies have found that the African population is more susceptible to the development of hypertension, compared to the Caucasian population. Cardiovascular dysfunction is often accompanied by elevated levels of uric acid (UA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-I (PAI-1) and both are factors associated with the metabolic syndrome. A lack of data regarding the association of UA and PAL1 with cardiovascular dysfunction in a South African context, serves as a motivation for conducting this study. Objective: To determine the association of UA and PAI-1 with cardiovascular dysfunction in African and Caucasian women from South Africa. Methodology: The manuscript presented in Chapter 2 made use of the data obtained in the POWIRS (Profiles of Obese Women with the Insulin Resistance Syndrome) study. A group of 102 African women and 115 Caucasian women, living in the North West Province of South Africa, were recruited according to their body mass indexes. The groups were divided into lean, overweight and obese according to their body mass index. Anthropometric and cardiovascular measurements were taken and determinations were done of their blood lipid profiles, UA. PAI-1, fasting insulin and glucose levels, HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance) and leptin levels. The subject's total dietary protein intake was determined by means of a dietary questionnaire. Comparisons between the groups were done using an independent t-test as well as a multiple analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) whilst adjusting for certain variables. Each ethnic group was divided into UA and PAI-1 tertiles, for comparison between the 1" and 3' tertiles. Correlation ~0efIi~ientS were determined to show any associations between UA and PAI-1 with cardiovascular variables as well as variables associated with the metabolic syndrome. Forward stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed using UA and PAL1 respectively as dependent variables. The study was approved by the Ethics committee of the North-West University and all the subjects gave informed consent in writing. The reader is referred to the experimental procedure section in Chapter 2 for a more detailed description of the subjects, study design and analytical procedures used in this dissertation. Results and conclusion: Results from the POWIRS-study showed that despite the African women's higher blood pressure, they had significantly lower levels of UA and PAI-I compared to the Caucasian women. Although the Caucasian women had significantly higher circulating levels of UA and PAI-1, they showed no sign of cardiovascular dysfunction. The detrimental effects might, however, become more noticeable with an increase in age. From this study it is concluded that UA and PAL1 is not associated with the increased blood pressure in young African women. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Physiology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Motivation: Hypertension is a fast growing health risk, leading to increased incidences of cardiovascular dysfunction and mortality. However, the prevalence of hypertension is higher in some ethnic populations than others. Several South African studies have found that the African population is more susceptible to the development of hypertension, compared to the Caucasian population. Cardiovascular dysfunction is often accompanied by elevated levels of uric acid (UA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-I (PAI-1) and both are factors associated with the metabolic syndrome. A lack of data regarding the association of UA and PAL1 with cardiovascular dysfunction in a South African context, serves as a motivation for conducting this study. Objective: To determine the association of UA and PAI-1 with cardiovascular dysfunction in African and Caucasian women from South Africa. Methodology: The manuscript presented in Chapter 2 made use of the data obtained in the POWIRS (Profiles of Obese Women with the Insulin Resistance Syndrome) study. A group of 102 African women and 115 Caucasian women, living in the North West Province of South Africa, were recruited according to their body mass indexes. The groups were divided into lean, overweight and obese according to their body mass index. Anthropometric and cardiovascular measurements were taken and determinations were done of their blood lipid profiles, UA. PAI-1, fasting insulin and glucose levels, HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance) and leptin levels. The subject's total dietary protein intake was determined by means of a dietary questionnaire. Comparisons between the groups were done using an independent t-test as well as a multiple analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) whilst adjusting for certain variables. Each ethnic group was divided into UA and PAI-1 tertiles, for comparison between the 1" and 3' tertiles. Correlation ~0efIi~ientS were determined to show any associations between UA and PAI-1 with cardiovascular variables as well as variables associated with the metabolic syndrome. Forward stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed using UA and PAL1 respectively as dependent variables. The study was approved by the Ethics committee of the North-West University and all the subjects gave informed consent in writing. The reader is referred to the experimental procedure section in Chapter 2 for a more detailed description of the subjects, study design and analytical procedures used in this dissertation. Results and conclusion: Results from the POWIRS-study showed that despite the African women's higher blood pressure, they had significantly lower levels of UA and PAI-I compared to the Caucasian women. Although the Caucasian women had significantly higher circulating levels of UA and PAI-1, they showed no sign of cardiovascular dysfunction. The detrimental effects might, however, become more noticeable with an increase in age. From this study it is concluded that UA and PAL1 is not associated with the increased blood pressure in young African women. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Physiology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

The challenging living conditions of many Senegalese families, and the absence of a providing spouse, have led women to covet new economic opportunities, such as microcredit loans. These loans offer Senegalese women the possibility to financially support their households and become active participants in their economies by starting or sustaining their micro businesses. The study takes place in Grand-Yoff, an overpopulated peri-urban area of the Senegalese capital city Dakar, where most people face daily survival issues. This research examines the impact of microcredit activities in the household of Senegalese female loan recipients in Grand-Yoff by examining socio-economic indicators, in particular outcomes of health, education and nutrition. The research total sample is constituted of 166 female participants who engage in microcredit activities. The research combines both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data for the study were gathered through interviews, surveys, participant observation, focus-groups with the study participants and some of their household members, and document analysis. While some women in the study make steady profits from their business activities, others struggle to make ends meet from their businesses’ meager or unreliable profits. Some study participants who are impoverished have no choice but to invest their loans directly into their households’ dire needs, hence missing their business prerogative. Many women in the study end up in a vicious cycle of debt by defaulting on their loans or making late payments because they do not have the required household and socio-economic conditions to take advantage of these loans. Therefore, microcredit does not make a significant impact in the households of the poorest female participants. The study finds that microcredit improves the household well-being - especially nutrition, health and education - of the participants who have acquired significant social capital such as a providing spouse, formal education, training, business experience, and belonging to business or social networks. The study finds that microcredit’s household impact is intimately tied to the female borrowers’ household conditions and social capital. It is recommended that microcredit services and programs offer their female clients assistance and additional basic services, financial guidance, lower interest rates, and flexible repayment schedules.

In South Africa, a representative anthropometric study of South African women has never been undertaken, as such little is known about the body shapes of South African women. Nevertheless, research on the body shapes of South African women is ongoing (Makhanya, 2012). According to the preliminary findings of Makhanya’s (2012) research, 59.26% of South African female students of African descent have a triangular body shape. The triangular body shape differs from the ideal body shape that ready-to-wear apparel sizing is presently based on, and is a contributing factor to the problems experienced with the quality of fit of ready-to-wear apparel by South African women of African descent. Therefore, the aim of this exploratory study was to develop experimental size specifications for the body measurements required for a basic sheath dress for South African female students of African descent with a triangular body shape. The students were of medium height, aged between 18 and 25 years, in the size 6/30 to size 14/38 size range, and enrolled at the University of Pretoria. The experimental size specifications were developed by statistically analysing an anthropometric database of female students of the University of Pretoria using regression analysis. Thereafter, the quality of fit attained from the experimental size specifications and the traditional (i.e. current) size specifications was evaluated to determine whether the experimental size specifications offer the unit of analysis with improved overall quality of fit. A panel of professionals with experience in apparel fit evaluation evaluated the quality of fit of the test garments. The test garments developed from the experimental size specifications were considered by the panel of professionals to offer the unit of analysis with improved overall quality of fit. The findings of the study suggest that South African ready-to-wear apparel sizing needs to accommodate the different body shapes found in South Africa. / Dissertation (MConsumer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / gm2014 / Consumer Science / unrestricted