Exploring the Extent of Youth Participation in Disaster Risk Reduction in Blantyre, Malawi

Abstract

In recent years, the world has experienced an increase in the frequency and intensity of disasters. Globally, more than a billion people have been affected. Disaster risk has become more prominent in the context of climate change where global temperatures continue to rise due to anthropogenic and other activities. Climate projections indicate intensified and more frequent disasters. Southern Africa is a climate hotspot owing to its dry and warm climate. With climate change, the region is projected to become warmer and drier resulting in unprecedented extreme events such as drought and heavy rainfall. Disasters often follow extreme events due to people’s exposure and vulnerability. Therefore, reducing exposure and vulnerability will lessen the likelihood of disasters. In order to achieve this, knowledge inputs from wider all facets of society is required. Youth, who make up more than half of the world’s population are disproportionately affected by disasters. They also are often sidelined when it comes to participation in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) work often being viewed as a vulnerable group and victims needing protection. Recent studies, however, have shown that they present an important demographic dividend that may be leveraged to further the DRR goal through their human and creative capital, employability, and civic involvement. Malawi, a developing country in southern Africa, has a strong legal and policy framework foundation supporting the participation of youth in DRR. Nevertheless, youth participation in disaster risk reduction seems to be a challenge. This study explored the extent of youth participation in DRR in Blantyre, Malawi. Using qualitative methods, twenty youths ages 18 to 35 were engaged in focus group discussions and key informants from informal institutions working in DRR were interviewed. The focus group discussions revealed that youth participation in DRR in Blantyre is decorative; representing non-participation. This means that youth are engaged in DRR activity implementation, they understand the aim of the activities, but they are not usually involved in any planning and decision-making processes. A number of barriers were discovered through this research which have been categorized into five themes; (1) DRR activities are politicized, (2) Non-consultation – adults plan and make decisions for youth without youth, (3) Limited access to information (4) Non-responsiveness – youth ideas are met with no response and (5) Financial benefits – youth are engaged where projects have no financial benefit, but excluded on ones that do. The study also highlights key disaster impacts experienced by youth in Blantyre and the strategies used for youth participation. Finally, the study provides opportunities, as suggested by the youth for enhancing youth participation which include: (1) Train and empower youth, (2) Include youth in local government committees for DRR, (3) Youth’s passion and motivation for action and (4) Platforms for communication, learning and feedback.