Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Integrated Article

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Program

Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Collaborative Specialization

Global Health Systems in Africa

Supervisor

Dr. Debbie Laliberte Rudman

Abstract

Within the discipline of occupational science, scholars of increasingly diverse geographical spaces have highlighted the necessity of diversity and epistemological expansion to enact transformative scholarship. In response, this dissertation enacted a critical decolonizing ethnographic project with 5 women from Tanzania to explore their experiences of gender inequities.

This thesis is composed of four integrated manuscripts, as well as introduction and conclusion chapters. Manuscript two examines past perspectives and approaches to research which examined gender equity and inequity in Tanzania, illuminating gaps and recommendations for future gendered research in Tanzania. Manuscript three presents an argument for the uptake of Africana Womanism as a theoretical underpinning for transformative research to challenge dominant perspectives within the discipline. Manuscript four introduces decoloniality as a theoretical space and social movement to enact transformation, highlighting tensions experienced while conducting this decolonial research and how they were navigated. Manuscript five unpacks the findings of the study, which included: 1) Situated Understandings of Gender, 2) Holistic Conceptualizations of Womanhood, 3) Navigating Gender Inequities through Resistance, and 4) Envisioning Gender Equity. The concluding chapter links the results of this dissertation to broader implications for future Occupational Science and interdisciplinary research within gender equity spaces.

Overall, this thesis makes important contributions to the conceptualizations of gender equity and gendered occupation in Occupational Science, challenging dominant understandings and creating space for diverse knowledge and perspectives. Additionally, it illumines the colonial power structures within women’s historical, sociocultural and political contexts and highlights the potential for transformation through healing and reclamation.

Summary for Lay Audience

Within the discipline of occupational science, scholars of increasingly diverse geographical spaces have highlighted the necessity of diversity and epistemological expansion to enact transformative scholarship. In response, this dissertation enacted a critical decolonizing ethnographic project with 5 women from Tanzania to explore their experiences of gender inequities.

This thesis is composed of four integrated manuscripts, as well as introduction and conclusion chapters. Manuscript two examines past perspectives and approaches to research which examined gender equity or inequity in Tanzania, illuminating gaps and recommendations for future gendered research in Tanzania. Manuscript three presents an argument for the uptake of Africana Womanism as a theoretical underpinning for transformative occupation-based research to challenge dominant perspectives within the discipline. Manuscript four introduces decoloniality as a theoretical space and social movement to enact transformation, highlighting tensions experienced while conducting this decolonial research and how they were navigated. Manuscript five unpacks the findings of the study, which include four primary themes: 1) Uelewa wa Jinsia / Situated Understandings of Gender, 2) Dhana ya Uwanamk / Holistic Conceptualizations of Womanhood, 3) Juzunguka ya usawa wa kijinsia kwa kudai haki / Navigating Gender Inequities through Resistance, and 4) Maono ya Usawa wa Kinjinsia / Envisioning Gender Equity. The concluding chapter links the results of this dissertation to broader implications for future Occupational Science and interdisciplinary research within gender equity spaces.

Overall, this thesis makes important contributions to the conceptualizations of gender equity and gendered occupation in Occupational Science, challenging dominant understandings and creating space for diverse knowledge and perspectives from Tanzania. Additionally, it illumines the colonial power structures within women’s historical, sociocultural and political contexts and highlights the potential for transformation through healing and reclamation.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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