Time has proven that storytelling is a great tool for making difficult topics considerably more understandable.
We Should All Be Feminists, a published essay in book format by acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie, makes effective use of the “show, don't tell” adage that all authors are expected to follow by connecting with its readers through a personable conversational tone.
This conversation is carried forward by North-West University (NWU) senior lecturer and researcher Dr Tshepang Molale.
His contribution toward a research seminar speaks to the scourge of femicide in South Africa, with a particular interest in how social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter can be used as social justice hubs.
The seminar presentation emanated from a research study conducted by Dr Molale and Dr Moses Asak, who both received their PhD’s from the NWU in this year.
Their study reveals that, according to the United Nations (UN) Drugs and Crime office, there is no universally accepted definition for femicide.
In a study on gender-related killings of women and girls, the UN agency said: "The conventional view communicates the concept that hate crimes against women are undertaken by males merely because of the gender roles given to women."
This is similar to the definition used by Stats SA: "The intentional killing of females [women or girls] because they are females."
"However, according to the World Health Organization, gathering reliable statistics on femicide is difficult," says Dr Molale.
“Most nations lack information on the victim-perpetrator link or the murderer's motivation. As a result, a wide definition of femicide – ‘all killings of women or girls’ – is frequently used."
Dr Molale and Dr Asak’s study highlights that, unlike the case of Uyenene in South Africa where justice was finally served partly because of female agitations and protests on Facebook and Twitter, justice remains elusive for victims from countries where these social media platforms are not supported, for example Nigeria.
“At best the heated comments and protests on Facebook and Twitter only succeeded in creating more awareness of incidents of femicide, particularly in countries with increasing cases of femicide such as Nigeria,” adds Dr Asak.
It is the authors’ considered opinion that the findings show that the advent of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter has unmuted the hitherto unheard voices of women and girls against femicide.
“These social media platforms are a catalyst for the female call for social justice to be heard and for action to be taken for redress against femicide.”
Dr Tshepang Molale
Dr Moses Asak
