This proposal of a master's thesis dicusses the topic of the social challenges faced by the LGBTQIA community at the University of Eswatini.
The LGBTQI community in Eswatini is not accepted by society because it is still taboo to engage in a same-sex relationship or marriage in this country. This is why their rights have been overlooked for ages. The queer members of the community are legally not represented by the rule of law in the country. In our society, are discriminated and at family level are not embraced (family separation).
In April 29, 2022, Eswatini high court upheld the decision to refuse to registration of Eswatini Sexual Gender Minorities (ESGM). ESGM is an organization that aims to advance the protection of human rights of lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender, intersex and Queer persons in the kingdom of Eswatini. This makes the LGBTQI community face so many challenges hence become most vulnerable to discrimation and violence from the general society. The campus, which this case study focuses on, is characterized by diverse different youths coming from different countries to study. Some are coming to our own society but they are failing to come out and disclose their sexual identity.
The author of this text is not a native English speaker. Please excuse any grammatical errors and other inconsistencies.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
1.2 Problem Statement
1.3 Justification /Rationale
1.4 Aim of the study
1.5 Study Objectives
1.5.1 General objective
1.5. 2 Specific Objectives
1.6 Research Questions
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Studies and social challenges
2.4 Chapter Summary
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Methods
3.2 Research Design
3.3 Population and Sampling
3.4 Study procedures
3.5 Data Collection techniques and tools
3.5.1 Interviews
3.5.2 Focus group discussions
3.6 Data analysis techniques
3.7 Ethical Consideration
3.8 Limitations
3.9 Tentative report outline
Research Objectives and Focus Areas
The primary goal of this study is to explore and identify the underlying social challenges faced by the LGBTQI community at the University of Eswatini, Kwaluseni campus, with the intent of fostering a more inclusive environment and providing actionable solutions to mitigate discrimination and stigma.
- Analysis of social and cultural challenges encountered by LGBTQI students at the Kwaluseni campus.
- Examination of the experiences related to living and studying within an environment governed by strict local cultural norms.
- Application of African-informed theories, specifically Ubuntu, to navigate and address LGBTQI rights and acceptance.
- Proposal of strategies and a tentative lasting remedy to improve the social inclusion and treatment of LGBTQI individuals.
- Development of insights that can support future policy making for better protection of minority groups in Eswatini.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Background of the study
Persons who are LGBT and LGBTQI are not fully accepted by community especially in the African soil as most societies are fully culture oriented. Some members of society are not aware of such people living amongst them. According to Le and Billingsley (2022), LGBTQI acronym is used to describe either person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, which entails persons physical, emotional and romantic attraction to another person, such as being gay, lesbian, or bisexual. These people are a minority group, and they have gender identity. Gender identity describes a person’s internal sense of being female or male. They are a community by their own living in a community of people who does not approve or accept them the way they are , and that is why they face so many social challenges upon their existence (Le and Billingsley, 2022).
With Tan and Ling (2022) a LGBTQI community in Malaysia constitute a marginalized population which is cisheterosexim that permeates every layer of society. Therefore they emphasized that LGBTQI is an umbrella term referring to people whose sexual orientations , gender identity ,gender expression, or sex characteristics differ from conventional cisgender and heterosexual norms. They are considered different by the whole community due to the way they behave sexually hence being discriminated by society. They live in a society that provide no room for existence of gays , lesbians and bisexual people. This has become the main social challenge which escalates each and every single day in Malaysia and there is no legal instrument that protects this minority groups.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: This chapter introduces the study background, problem statement, research aims, objectives, and research questions concerning LGBTQI social challenges in Eswatini.
CHAPTER TWO: This chapter reviews the literature and establishes the theoretical framework, incorporating Ubuntu philosophy, identity theory, social ecological theory, and minority stress theory.
CHAPTER THREE: This chapter describes the qualitative research methodology, including the ethnographic design, sampling, data collection techniques like interviews and focus groups, ethical considerations, and data analysis procedures.
Keywords
LGBTQI, Eswatini, Kwaluseni Campus, Social Challenges, Ubuntu, Discrimination, Stigma, Minority Stress Theory, Qualitative Research, Ethnography, Human Rights, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, Social Exclusion, Inclusivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the social challenges encountered by the LGBTQI community specifically within the University of Eswatini's Kwaluseni campus, addressing their lack of societal acceptance.
What are the primary themes investigated?
Key themes include societal discrimination, lack of legal protections, cultural norms influencing exclusion, and the psychological impact of stigma on LGBTQI individuals.
What is the main research objective?
The primary aim is to sensitize the university community to the struggles of LGBTQI individuals and to propose practical solutions, such as memoranda of understanding, to improve their treatment.
What research methodology does the author employ?
The study utilizes a qualitative research methodology, specifically an ethnographic approach, to gain a deep understanding of the participants' experiences in their natural environment.
How is the main body structured?
The main part of the work moves from an introduction and problem identification to a theoretical foundation (covering Ubuntu and stress theories) and finally a detailed methodological plan for primary data collection.
Which specific theories underpin this study?
The study is theoretically supported by the Ubuntu philosophy, identity theory, social ecological theory, and minority stress theory to analyze the experiences of the LGBTQI population.
How is Eswatini's legislative context described in the study?
The study identifies that there is currently no specific legislation in Eswatini recognizing or protecting LGBTQI individuals, leading to limited rights and pervasive discrimination.
What is the role of Ubuntu in this research?
Ubuntu is used as an African-informed theoretical framework to advocate for empathy, interdependence, and the inclusion of LGBTQI individuals as valid members of society, challenging heteronormative discourse.
How will the data be collected from students?
Data will be collected through individual interviews and focus group discussions with a sample of 15 members of the LGBTQI community, selected via snowball sampling.
What methods will be used to analyze the collected data?
The research will employ thematic analysis, involving familiarization with the data, coding, searching for themes, and defining those themes to address the research questions.
- Citation du texte
- Bongani Patrick Motsq (Auteur), 2023, Social Challenges Faced by the LGBTQIA Community at the University of Eswatini, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1382065
