Etikett: fieldwork grant

A cry for justice by “invisible squatters” – Colonial legacy, local democracy, and the quest forhuman rights in land dispossession by Kakuzi PLC in Makuyu, Murang’a County, Kenya

This thesis examines the enduring impact of colonial legacies on local democracy and human rights concerning land dispossession in Makuyu, Murang’a County, Kenya, focusing on the experiences of ’invisible squatters’ affected by Kakuzi PLC. Through the lens of decolonization and post-colonial thinking practices theories, the research reveals that historical injustices rooted in colonial land policies continue to influence socio-economic conditions and the rights of marginalized communities. The findings indicate that local governance plays a crucial role in addressing land rights and facilitating dialogue between affected communities and corporate entities. The study highlights the importance of recognizing the agency of ’invisible squatters’ and emphasizes the need for policy reforms that acknowledge their land claims. Ultimately, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of how decolonization efforts can be effectively applied to contemporary land issues in Kenya, offering insights into the complexities of human rights in a post-colonial context

Typ av publikation
Master Thesis
Projektområde
Local economic development, innovation and livelihoods
Globala mål
11 - Hållbara städer och samhällen
Tema
Human Rights
Etiketter
fieldwork grant, research,

Provisions of social workers to victims of internal child trafficking in Uganda: A case study of children living on the streets of Kampala City

Human trafficking has become a serious global challenge in the recent past. Regarded as a global epidemic, it has triggered an increase in numbers of children living on the streets especially in countries where internal trafficking in children is a common social vice. This has resulted into a syndemic as a social evil in human trafficking has triggered another social evil in resident children on the streets of urban centres. The conditions of street life have made the resident children vulnerable to abuse and exploitation hence providing a task to social workers to work out mechanisms of ensuring that the welfare and living conditions of street children are improved. Basing on this proposition, the purpose of the study was to establish provisions of social workers to trafficked children living on the streets of Kampala city in Uganda. The study was guided by three specific objectives, one to establish the service needs of the children living on the streets, two, to examine the perceptions and opinions of the children living on the streets about the approaches used by social workers in meeting their needs and the challenges facing social workers in providing for the service needs of children living on the streets. The study was guided by the Needs-Hierarchy Theory of Abraham Maslow and Ecological Systems Theory by Bronfenbrenner. The study adopted a qualitative approach mainly involving 12 children aged 15-17 years who were living on the streets and supported by social workers. Their responses were substantiated by 5 social workers, 3 elected political leaders and 1 NGO leader. Data were collected using interviews and analyzed using narrative text and verbatim quotations. Results of the study revealed that children living on the streets are vulnerable to economic and sexual exploitation while also, they are prone to physical injuries and emotional abuse. These conditions have therefore brought about an increase in the service needs of children living on the streets such as counseling, life-skills training, emotional protection, physical protection, healthcare needs and vocational skills. These needs are cited as critical for the holistic development of children by Abraham Maslow. The study also established that, social workers in Kampala city faced by the above service gaps, have adopted preventive remedial and follow-up approaches to ensure that the needs are met and these were perceived to be vital in the lives of children living on the streets. The study further established that, social workers faced social and structural challenges that hampered the effectiveness of the approaches used including mistrust from the children and threats from traffickers, among others. The study concluded that human trafficking has brought about a proportionate increase in the numbers of children living on the streets and consequent human rights abuses. The study recommended need for a policy to abate human trafficking and need for improved working conditions for social workers dealing with children living on the streets.

Typ av publikation
Master Thesis
Projektområde
Local economic development, innovation and livelihoodsSocial care and wellbeing
Globala mål
1 - Ingen fattigdom10 - Minskad ojämlikhet3 - God hälsa och välbefinnande
Tema
Child rights and youth participation
Etiketter
fieldwork grant, Human trafficking,

Fostering Women’s representation in Local Democracy – A Qualitative Analysis of the Factors Surrounding Female Political Participation at a Mayor Office Level in Colombia

This study critically examines the gendered experiences of female political candidates running for mayoral offices in Colombia. It addresses the systemic exclusion women face in a patriarchal political system, compounded by economic constraints, political violence, and societal norms. Through seven qualitative interviews, the research identifies the strategies used by women to overcome these barriers. The factors surrounding their participation in localpolitics are grouped and analyzed under four main categories: identity, systemic and structural, social and behavioral factors. The participants’ journeys are marked by political violence, gender-based violence, and systemic exclusion as significant barriers to accessing and exercising political power at the local level. Despite facing limited institutional support, many women leveraged personal networks and grassroots strategies to overcome financial and political challenges in their campaigns. The research reveals a pervasive gap between legal frameworks promoting gender equality and the reality of gendered obstacles, illustrating the need for stronger enforcement and support mechanisms.

Typ av publikation
Master Thesis
Projektområde
Inclusive leadership and governance
Globala mål
10 - Minskad ojämlikhet16 - Fredliga och inkluderande samhällen5 - Jämställdhet
Tema
Gender Equality
Etiketter
fieldwork grant, Gender equality, Political Participation,

QCSOs, Mobilization and Democratization: A Case Study of the 2023 Post-Election Protests in Guatemala

This research examines the essential role of Quotidian Civil Society Organizations (QCSOs) in Guatemala’s efforts to resist autocratization and promote democratization, particularly in light of the 2023 electoral scandal. It studies the mobilization efforts of indigenous and non-indigenous communities, by exploring how QCSOs tackle cultural, economic, and political challenges to support democratic resilience. Using an inductive and theory-building approach, this research incorporates qualitative methods such as semi-structured interviews and participant observations conducted in Totonicapán and Guatemala City. It contrasts the effectiveness of QCSOs in indigenous areas with traditional civil society organizations in urban settings, highlighting the unique strategies and cultural values that drive mobilization. Key findings show the important role of indigenous QCSOs, like the 48 Cantones of Totonicapán, in upholding democratic norms and opposing autocratic trends through nonviolent resistance and strong community ties. In contrast, mestizo urban activism struggles with fragmentation and distrust towards political parties, hindering sustained collective action. This study provides insights into the factors that initiate and sustain mobilization, the challenges faced by QCSOs, and the broader implications for democratization in Guatemala. It emphasizes the importance of supporting QCSOs to strengthen democratic resilience, offering a detailed understanding of civil society’s role in shaping political landscapes amidst autocratic pressures.

Typ av publikation
Master Thesis
Projektområde
Inclusive leadership and governance
Globala mål
16 - Fredliga och inkluderande samhällen
Tema
Participatory democracy, citizen dialogues and budgeting
Etiketter
Democratization, fieldwork grant, Mobilization, QCSOs,

The role of trust in achieving sustainable community-based disaster risk management – case studies from the Philippines

Impacts of disasters are felt acutely at community level, as a consequence communities in the Philippines are among the most affected by the increase in disaster risks. This realization led to an increase of community-based approaches, such as community based disaster risk management (CBDRM). However, literature acknowledges a recurring failure of projects to be sustainable long-term, attributed to a lack of trust in implementers, lowering the motivation of communities to commit. Therefore, this research explores the role of trust in achieving sustainable CBDRM for the case of four communities in Pangasinan, Philippines. Based on the literature, a conceptual framework was created and adapted according to findings through two focus group discussions and 15 key informant interviews with community members, CBDRM implementers, and duty-bearers. The role of trust was identified by analyzing the data following Creswell (2013) and relating it to other relevant factors for the CBDRM sustainability in terms of horizontal trust and vertical trust. Interviewees identified the importance of awareness, linked to knowledge on vulnerabilities and disasters, which they also related to perceived source trustworthiness. Furthermore, an interactive relationship with trust and meaningful, inclusive, and accessible participation was highlighted and considered to significantly contribute to CBDRM sustainability. Political complexities that impact trust levels show the need for an enabling environment and a stricter policy implementation to enhance sustainability. While the role of trust in achieving sustainable CBDRM in this research is considered substantial, more research on different aspects of trust and especially within other contexts is needed.

Typ av publikation
Master Thesis
Projektområde
Environment/Climate changeLocal economic development, innovation and livelihoodsUrban planning
Globala mål
11 - Hållbara städer och samhällen9 - Hållbar industri, innovationer och infrastruktur
Etiketter
Agno River Basin, Community-based disaster risk management, fieldwork grant, horizontal trust, Pangasinan, participation, Philippines, social trust, vertical trust,

Locally-led Adaptation as a Silver Bullet? Complexities, Needs, and Responses in Climate Adaptation at the Volta Coastline, Ghana

Sea-level rise increases the exposure of low-lying communities to climate risks along the eastern coast of Ghana, while adaptation responses are reactive and insufficient to secure fishing livelihoods in highly vulnerable areas. To better address needs, Locally-led Adaptation (LLA) promotes just climate governance by shifting power to local actors to enable context-specific and place-based responses. Following a literature review, site observations and twenty-two semi-structured interviews, findings indicate that nature-based solutions could be implemented according to the LLA concept, however, those are not yet widely recognized in Ghana for coastal adaptation, with grey infrastructure being prioritized. De-centralized governance structures, enabling policy framework,and strong collaboration with NGOs are in place to implement LLA, however, horizontal and vertical governance mechanisms are weak, and long-term planning and financial resources are absent to actat a delta-scale. LLA was identified as a potential approach to improving just coastal governancewhile recognizing its limitations.

Typ av publikation
Master Thesis
Projektområde
Environment/Climate changeInclusive leadership and governanceLocal economic development, innovation and livelihoods
Globala mål
11 - Hållbara städer och samhällen6 - Rent vatten och sanitet för alla
Etiketter
climate justice, coastal management, fieldwork grant,

Drawing rural paths on the urban margins: An Ethnographic Study of Peacebuilding, Displacement and Place-making in Medellín Largest Informal Settlement

This thesis provides an in-depth ethnographic analysis of La Nueva Jerusalén, Medellín’s largest informal settlement, exploring the complex interplay between displacement, place-making, and a territorial perspective within the urban margins. It examines how displaced populations engage with and transform their newly inhabited urban spaces, forging communities at the intersection of rural and urban dynamics amid Colombia’s prolonged armed conflict. The study challenges traditional dichotomies of rural-urban, legal-illegal, and center-margin, proposing a nuanced understanding of urban spaces as liminal zones that reflect both the scars of conflict and the aspirations for peace. It delves into how these spaces serve not just as sites of survival, but as arenas where the displaced negotiate identity, belonging, and future prospects of livable spaces.

Focusing on three main dimensions: the material and social production of space, the intergenerational and hybrid identities that navigate between inherited rural traditions and urban realities, and the governance structures that oscillate between formality and informality, this research illuminates the ways in which La Nueva Jerusalén’s residents embody and enact new forms of territorial construction from the urban margins It argues that peace should be addressed regarding the plurality of territories advocating to delve into new epistemologies of peace.

Typ av publikation
Master Thesis
Projektområde
Inclusive leadership and governanceLocal economic development, innovation and livelihoods
Globala mål
11 - Hållbara städer och samhällen16 - Fredliga och inkluderande samhällen
Etiketter
fieldwork grant, Place-making, Territorial peacebuilding,

Understanding the Complexities of Urban Flood Governance: A Case Study of Ruiru, Kenya

Urban flooding presents a significant challenge in developing cities, where rapid urbanisation, population growth, and infrastructure development intersect with natural processes and climate change. This study examines how governance structures influence urban flood management in Ruiru, Kenya. Through thematic analysis, this study explores local experiences with flooding, evaluates existing governance structures, and examines their effectiveness. The findings reveal that weaknesses in governance structures due to poor collaboration, reactive measures, limited resources, and a lack of transparency and political imbalances hinder effective urban flood management. This study advocates for a holistic approach to urban flood governance. This approach moves beyond traditional, limited solutions and prioritises both adaptability and long-term sustainability. By embracing this comprehensive strategy, Ruiru can build the resilience necessary to confront future urban flooding.

Typ av publikation
Master Thesis
Projektområde
Environment/Climate changeInclusive leadership and governance
Globala mål
11 - Hållbara städer och samhällen6 - Rent vatten och sanitet för alla
Etiketter
fieldwork grant, flood governance, Kenya,

The Plastic Bag Ban in Kenya: A study on consumer perceptions and attitudes following the plastic bag ban in Nairobi, Kenya

In 2017, Kenya’s government banned plastic bags, to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment. Today Kenya has one of the strictest plastic bag bans in the world.

This study examines the perception of the plastic bag ban by different income classes in Nairobi, as well as what factors influence people’s support for the plastic bag ban in Nairobi.

The result indicates that the majority of respondents expressed strong support for the plastic bag ban, citing environmental concerns and the need for sustainable practices. However, a small segment of the population remained skeptical about the effectiveness and feasibility of the ban. The opinions of respondents that the ban was not strict enough is an indicator that the government still needs to do more and work towards a better environment. Factors such as age and education level emerged as influential factors in shaping individuals’ perceptions. However, the relationship was not enough to influence opinion on supporting the ban.

Consumer behaviors and awareness about environmental factors were mainly significant in influencing the opinions of residents in supporting the ban. This suggests that people that have reduced their plastic bag usage and are environmentally conscious, are more likely to support the plastic bag ban.

In conclusion, the findings from this study contribute to the public’s opinion on this strict plastic bag ban, in Kenya. The results emphasize the importance of promoting awareness and education to ensure the successful implementation and acceptance of the plastic bag ban. These findings can inform policymakers, environmental organizations, and other stakeholders in designing effective strategies to address plastic waste and promote sustainable practices.

Typ av publikation
Master Thesis
Projektområde
Environment/Climate change
Globala mål
12 - Hållbar konsumtion och produktion13 - Bekämpa klimatförändringarna
Etiketter
behavioral change, fieldwork grant, Kenya, plastic bag ban,

It Takes Two to Tango: Perceptions and motivations towards campaign clientelism in Zambia

Various studies on clientelism usually start from a common puzzle: Why is campaign clientelism widely practised by politicians even when they have no means of ensuring reciprocity from the voters? Similarly, why is campaign clientelism widespread amongst voters despite its numerous negative consequences on societies, democracy, and development? These puzzles have motivated my research, where I attempt to understand the perceptions and motivations of politicians and voters towards campaign clientelism in Zambia.

To address the research question, two forms of data collection methods were utilised, in-depth interviews with politicians at the local level and a survey of voters in densely populated areas (Lusaka and Kitwe). Theoretically, the thesis draws on the informational theory of campaign clientelism to understand the perceptions and motivations of politicians, as well as insights from social psychology to understand the voters’ legitimation beliefs using the systems justification theory.

Results showed that politicians have various perceptions of clientelism, from believing clientelism is an unsigned agreement between politicians and voters as well as an act of moral responsibility. Politicians also had various motives for engaging in clientelism; careerism, or the need to impress party bosses with their organisational ability; and signalling electoral viability to clientelist-seeking voters and donors. On the other hand, most of the voters highlighted their need to maintain the status quo by stating their willingness to engage in future campaign clientelism. Voters also acknowledged that campaign clientelism was not beneficial to their communities, but they were not willing to support any future laws that would prohibit politicians and voters to engage in campaign clientelism.

Typ av publikation
Master Thesis
Projektområde
Inclusive leadership and governance
Globala mål
16 - Fredliga och inkluderande samhällen
Tema
Participatory democracy, citizen dialogues and budgeting
Etiketter
clientelism, fieldwork grant, zambia,