Analyzing global communication: implicit oppression within the World Health Organization's webpage on female genital cutting

WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Joshua Scott Taylor (Creator)
Institution
Western Carolina University (WCU )
Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
Advisor
Diane Martinez

Abstract: This thesis analyzes the language of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) “Fact Sheet” on Female Genital Cutting (FGC). Because the Fact Sheet establishes FGC as a practice that must be stopped across the globe, the WHO’s audience is wide and far-reaching, including countries where FGC occurs, national and transnational organizations who may work to reduce instances of FGC, and the local populations who actually experience the procedure. By using cultural research, technical communications research, and rhetorical analysis, this research suggests that the language of the webpage primarily empowers national and transnational organizations, thus limiting the agency of local populations (the men and women living in areas where FGC frequently occurs). Further, the disconnect between the document and the local populations may be a reason for the lack of progress being made in the WHO’s efforts to end FGC worldwide.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2017
Keywords
Agency, Empowerment, Global communications, Oppression, Professional communication, Rhetorical analysis
Subjects
Female circumcision -- Prevention
World Health Organization
Human rights

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