News media framing of femicide: an analysis of Kenyan newspapers’ reports on the killing of two women

The Kenyan media has brought to the limelight disturbing issues of women who are murdered as a result of intimate partner violence. However, the framing of the femicide stories has brought about different perspectives in their interpretation, deeming the victims responsible for murder by blaming them. The framing justifies the actions taken by the perpetrators in committing murder. It is therefore against this background that the study focused on analyzing the frames used by the Kenyan media in covering homicide. The objectives that guided the study included; (i) to examine the major frames in the coverage of femicide by Kenyan newspapers; (ii) to establish the degree of prominence on femicide stories in the Kenyan newspapers; and (iii) to investigate what influences the selection of the different frames by Kenyan newspapers in the coverage of femicide. The study was anchored on framing and priming theories. The study used a mixed method approach, which included both a qualitative and quantitative content analysis of sampled newspapers and interviews of purposively sampled journalists. The study deployed a descriptive research design in analyzing the frames used in the coverage of femicide by the Kenyan media. The target population of the study was journalists working at the Nation and Standard media organizations and all the nation and standard newspapers that published Sharon and Monica cases – they were both victims of femicide. A sample size of six key informants was considered of the target population using purposive sampling technique. This study adopted both a code sheet and an interview guide as tools for data generation. Data collected from interviews was analysed thematically, while that from the texts was analysed using SPSS. The findings of this study indicated that, some of these frames that are widely used are attribution of responsibility, alleged perpetrator, love affair, societal frame, victim frame and sponsor support frame. The prominence of the femicide stories is determined by aspects such as who the victim or the alleged perpetrator is, the relation between the two, their status in the society, the nature of the killings, court proceedings and finally deliberations by the editor. Further, the study established that the usage of frames by the media is shaped by the sources, language and the context. The study concluded that the context of the killing informs the kind of frames used while writing femicide stories. It therefore recommended that (i) media houses actively engage in covering femicide stories to bring to the fore the seriousness of the matter; (ii) the media should exercise professionalism while framing the femicide stories; and (iii) consistent coverage that puts to task the authorities whose responsibility is to solve such cases

A History of Kenyan Theatre: The Intersections between Culture and Politics

The study is a piece of qualitative research that investigates both the history and historiography of Kenyan theatre. I have focused on showing how the performance traditions, thematic and theatrical concerns of theatre in Kenya have evolved from the colonial period to present time as well as the sociopolitical factors that gave birth to these changes. I also studied how other scholars have depicted Kenyan theatre with a view to identifying any confluence or contradictions with the historical data that was the basis of this study. The main question that the study investigated revolved around the major socio-political influences, internal and external, that have shaped Kenyan theatre since the colonial era. More specifically the study was interested in finding out the literary, intellectual and aesthetic considerations that have underpinned theatre practice in Kenya and the challenges the sector has been grappling with from the colonial to present period. To acquire the necessary information, the study triangulated various methods of qualitative research. These included archival research at the Kenya National Archives and on the internet, interviews with theatre practitioners and experts, analysis of journalistic articles and observations of performances. These were accompanied by a robust library and internet research. An interpretive analysis of plays and material from fieldwork was undertaken to answer the research questions. To argue out the various issues convincingly, theoretical frameworks from the fields of theatre historiography, post-colonialism and Theatre for Development were used. Among these were Frantz Fanon’s ideas on colonialism and neo-colonialism, African socialism, Augusto Boal’s ideas of Theatre for Development and Paulo Freire’s views on education of the oppressed. The writings of renowned theatre scholars such as Ngugi wa Thiong'o, David Kerr, Jane Plastow and Opiyo Mumma and historians such as Bethwell Ogot, Charles Hornsby and William Ochieng also shaped my work. The major findings of the study were that political regimes of Kenya and ideology have been major influences in shaping the direction and aesthetics of Kenyan theatre. Lack of adequate training was found to be a main challenge undermining the realisation of the full potential of Kenyan theatre. The study further revealed a lack of adequate research in the field of performance which has led to much misrepresentation of Kenya’s theatre history. The study recommends more investment in terms of policy, infrastructure development and training to enable the Kenyan theatre sector to realise its full potential

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Responsible business conduct in commodity trading: A systematic and multidisciplinary review of the literature’

Responsible business conduct has become an essential means for countering adverse social and environmental issues of global businesses. A preeminent case in this context is commodity trading which is notorious for its poor social and ecological performance. Through a multidisciplinary review, we provide an integrative view of the current state of research on the relationship between commodity trading and responsible business conduct. While available research is still in a nascent stage and scattered across disciplinary silos, we aspire to advance the conceptual understanding of commodity traders’ role in responsible business conduct along the following lines: (1) company-level management strategies (micro), (2) private regulatory initiatives (macro), and 3) public regulatory initiatives (macro). In a second step, we suggest avenues for future research structured along our identified themes. The overarching contribution this paper makes is, first, to synthesize previously fragmented findings into a coherent framework and, second, to offer guidance on how research on commodity trading and responsible business conduct can be developed into a more mature and legitimate stream of research

Antiplasmodial activity of flavan derivatives from rootbark of Cassia abbreviata Oliv.

The root bark of Cassia abbreviata has been traditionally used by the native population of the coastal region of Kenya to treat malaria. As part of our ongoing investigations into compounds with activity against malaria parasites, we tested the in vitro antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum strain namely; chloroquine-resistant W2 and chloroquine-sensitive D6. The methanolic root extract of the plant was active against the chloroquine-sensitive (IC50 = 20.56 μg/ml) and the chloroquine-resistant (IC50 = 13.31 μg/ml) strains of P. falciparum. Two flavans 1 and 2 were purified, identified and further shown to be antiplasmodial. Compound 2 was more active than compound 1 against both strains of P. falciparum with IC50 values of 8.12 μg/ml (D6); 8.89 μg/ml (W2) and 26.02 μg/ml (D6); 25.97 μg/ml (W2), respectively. This study partly provides evidence to support the use of C. abbreviata as a malaria remedy, as used by the native populations

A synthesis of convergent reflections, tensions and silences in linking gender and global environmental change research

This synthesis article joins the authors of the special issue "Gender perspectives in resilience, vulnerability and adaptation to global environmental change" in a common reflective dialogue about the main contributions of their papers. In sum, here we reflect on links between gender and feminist approaches to research in adaptation and resilience in global environmental change (GEC). The main theoretical contributions of this special issue are threefold: emphasizing the relevance of power relations in feminist political ecology, bringing the livelihood and intersectionality approaches into GEC, and linking resilience theories and critical feminist research. Empirical insights on key debates in GEC studies are also highlighted from the nine cases analysed, from Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Further, the special issue also contributes to broaden the gender approach in adaptation to GEC by incorporating research sites in the Global North alongside sites from the Global South. This paper examines and compares the main approaches adopted (e.g. qualitative or mixed methods) and the methodological challenges that derive from intersectional perspectives. Finally, key messages for policy agendas and further research are drawn from the common reflection.Este artículo de síntesis une a los autores del número especial "Gender perspectives in resilience, vulnerability and adaptation to global environmental change" en un diálogo reflexivo común sobre las principales contribuciones de sus documentos. En resumen, aquí reflexionamos sobre los vínculos entre los enfoques feministas y de género a la investigación en adaptación y resiliencia en el cambio ambiental global (GEC). Las principales contribuciones teóricas de este número especial son tres: enfatizar la relevancia de las relaciones de poder en la ecología política feminista, incorporar los enfoques de medios de subsistencia e interseccionalidad al GEC y vincular las teorías de la resiliencia y la investigación feminista crítica. También se destacan las ideas empíricas sobre los debates clave en los estudios de GEC de los nueve casos analizados, de Europa, América, Asia, África y el Pacífico. Además, el número especial también contribuye a ampliar el enfoque de género en la adaptación a GEC mediante la incorporación de sitios de investigación en el Norte Global junto a sitios del Sur Global. Este documento examina y compara los principales enfoques adoptados (por ejemplo, los métodos cualitativos o mixtos) y los desafíos metodológicos que se derivan de las perspectivas interseccionales. Finalmente, los mensajes clave para las agendas políticas y la investigación adicional se extraen de la reflexión común.Aquest article de síntesi uneix els autors del número especial "Gender perspectives in resilience, vulnerability and adaptation to global environmental change" en un diàleg reflexiu comú sobre les principals contribucions dels seus documents. En resum, aquí reflexionem sobre els vincles entre els enfocaments feministes i de gènere a la investigació en adaptació i resiliència en el canvi ambiental global (GEC). Les principals contribucions teòriques d'aquest número especial són tres: emfatitzar la rellevància de les relacions de poder en l'ecologia política feminista, incorporar els enfocaments de mitjans de subsistència i interseccionalitat al GEC i vincular les teories de la resiliència i la investigació feminista crítica. També es destaquen les idees empíriques sobre els debats clau en els estudis de GEC dels nou casos analitzats, d'Europa, Amèrica, Àsia, Àfrica i el Pacífic. A més, el número especial també contribueix a ampliar l'enfocament de gènere en l'adaptació a GEC mitjançant la incorporació de llocs d'investigació al Nord Global al costat de llocs del Sud Global. Aquest document examina i compara els principals enfocaments adoptats (per exemple, els mètodes qualitatius o mixtos) i els desafiaments metodològics que es deriven de les perspectives interseccionals. Finalment, els missatges clau per a les agendes polítiques i la investigació addicional s'extreuen de la reflexió comuna