Resilience is often talked about in terms of how communities can bounce back from disasters and challenges. However, not all communities have the same resources or support to do so. This is where the idea of “equitable resilience” comes in, acknowledging that vulnerabilities and capacities are unevenly distributed across societies. While most research on this topic has originated from the Global North, our study, undertaken as part of the Southern African Resilience Academy, uses a mixed-methods approach called Group Concept Mapping (GCM) to explore what equitable resilience looks like in Southern Africa.
Why Southern Africa?
Southern Africa is a region marked by significant economic and social disparities. Nearly half of the population lives on less than one US dollar a day, and the area is highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters like droughts and floods., These challenges are compounded by existing inequalities, making it crucial to understand resilience through an equitable lens.
The Importance of Group Concept Mapping (GCM)
Group Concept Mapping (GCM) is a participatory research method that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to capture a group’s collective ideas on a topic. This method is particularly valuable because it:
- Includes diverse perspectives: GCM ensures that various voices are heard, providing a comprehensive understanding of complex issues.
- Provides a Structured Process: It systematically gathers and analyses information, making the research process clear and organised.
- Creates visual representations: By translating abstract concepts into visual maps, GCM makes it easier to understand relationships and priorities.
- Generates actionable insights: GCM identifies key themes and areas of consensus, which can inform decision-making and policy development.
Applying GCM to the Southern African Context
Objective
Our objective was to explore how experts in Southern Africa define and perceive “equitable resilience.”
Challenges
Conducting this research in Southern Africa came with several challenges:
- Small expert pool: The niche nature of resilience and equity studies made it difficult to find local experts.
- Technological barriers: Participants faced issues with the GroupWisdom platform, especially when using smaller devices.
- Cognitive demands: The sorting task required significant cognitive effort, similar to coding or thematic analysis.
- External factors: Frequent power outages in the region disrupted participation, and the lack of financial incentives affected participation rates.
1 Davis, C. L., and K. Vincent. 2017. Climate risk and vulnerability: A handbook for Southern Africa. CSIR.
2 IPCC. 2023. Synthesis report of the IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6) – longer report. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Despite these hurdles, a dedicated group of participants completed the activities, providing valuable data for analysis.
Process
To explore equitable resilience in Southern Africa, we used the GCM process:
- Brainstorming: Participants generated statements about what equitable resilience would look like in their communities.
- Sorting: These statements were then grouped based on their similarities.
- Rating: Participants rated each statement on its importance.
- Data Analysis: We used these ratings to create visual maps, highlighting key themes and concepts.
Key Findings
Our research revealed several important themes essential to equitable resilience in Southern Africa:
Social justice approaches: Addressing historical and systemic inequalities.
Development: Enhancing community resilience through economic and social development.
Legislative and policy frameworks: Supporting equitable resilience through policies.
Collaboration and co-creation: Engaging communities in resilience planning.
Capacity building: Strengthening individual and community abilities to respond to adverse events.
Inclusion and participation: Ensuring marginalised groups have a voice in resilience initiatives.
Transformative change: Promoting significant shifts in systems and structures.
Preparedness measures: Developing strategies for future disaster impacts.
Mitigation and adaptation Strategies: Reducing vulnerability and enhancing adaptive capacity.
Why this matters
Understanding and promoting equitable resilience is crucial for regions like Southern Africa, where the impacts of climate change and socio-economic inequalities are deeply intertwined. Our study highlights the importance of inclusive, context-specific strategies that address the unique vulnerabilities and capacities of these communities.
By using Group Concept Mapping, we were able to capture and analyse diverse perspectives on equitable resilience in Southern Africa. The insights gained from this research can inform policy and practice, helping to build more resilient and equitable communities in the region.
Learn more about the Disaster Risk working group here.