Adults’ Attitudes towards Children's Participation in Disaster Risk Management in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study investigated how adults view children's participation in disaster risk management. Using a phenomenological approach, this study explored parents’ (n=8) and key informants’ (n=10) views on children's participation in disaster risk management in Chadereka Ward of Mashonaland Central Province in Zimbabwe. Results indicated that adults in Chadereka viewed children's participation as asking questions, listening to children, and building rapport with them. These findings revealed that the concept of children's participation in disaster risk management in this context is complex and poorly understood. Although parents acknowledged that they rarely consulted children, the main reasons were related to community and family values: children's well-being was assumed to be their parents’ responsibility, and adults assumed that children did not have enough experience with disasters to have much to share with the community. Changing adults’ perspectives and facilitating children's participation in disaster risk management requires a common understanding of the importance of involving children in issues that affect their lives.