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Overview and analysis of socio-economic and fisheries information to promote the management of artisanal fisheries in the BCLME region - Angola
(2005) Shapi, Martin K.
This report is part of a suite of reports that describe the fishing activities and socio-economic conditions pertaining to artisanal and informal fishing sectors along the coastal component of the Benguela Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME). This report relates particularly to the Angolan artisanal fisheries sector. The Republic of Angola is the northern most of the BCLME countries and mainly the southern part of the country is directly affected by the Benguela current, although high levels of productivity are maintained along the entire coastline in response to oceanographic events related to the presence of the current and its interaction with the warm Angola current. Industrial and artisanal fishing activities take place along the entire length of the 1 650 km coastline
Grazing land dispute between vaKwangali and Ovakwanyama and Ovandonga speaking people in Mpungu constituency in the Kavango Region
(University of Namibia, 2005) Shapi, Martin K.
Income poverty and inequality in Namibia
(2007) Van Rooy, Gert
In this paper a national income poverty line for Namibia is derived based on estimated expenditures required to sustain a minimum calorific intake (food poverty line) as well as other basic necessities such as clothing and shelter (non-food poverty line). Estimates are based on actual consumption patterns of the poorest as recorded by the Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey conducted in 1993/94. This method is preferred over the previously applied food-share method. The overall poverty line is estimated at N$107 per capita per month in 1993/94 prices or approximately N$212 per capita per month in 2003 prices. According to this definition 53% of households and 65% of individuals in Namibia live below the income poverty line at the time of the survey. The analysis confirms tremendous inequalities in the way income and poverty is distributed. The poorest 20% of the population receives 2.5% of total expenditure, while the top 20% receives 71%. The standard measure of inequality, the Gini-coefficient, is estimated to be 0.697, which is probably the highest in the world. The methods and analysis presented in the paper should serve as a bench-mark for the analysis of the ongoing 2003/04 income and expenditure survey in particular and as a key tool for designing, implementing and monitoring policies that can effectively combat income poverty and inequality in Namibia in line with Vision 2030 and the Millennium Development Goals.
Contraceptive choice and use of methods among young women in Namibia
(2008) Indongo, Nelago
The present study analyses the factors affecting contraceptive use and method choice among young women (15-24 years) in Namibia. It also explores ways to improve the accessibility of health facilities and family planning services for young Namibian women with reproductive health needs. The study draws on largely quantitative data provided by the 2000 Namibian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) but also includes vignettes from focus group discussions with young women. The logistic regression method has been applied to examine the determinants of contraceptive use and method choice. The study examines the level of knowledge of contraceptive methods and sources of supply, decisions leading to contraceptive use and choice as well as service delivery and the accessibility of contraception to potential users. The findings suggest that programmatic strategies should seek to improve parent-child communication, strengthen educational outlets of information, and lead to the implementation of effective policy to cater for a potentially growing number of young contraception-users in Namibia.
Understanding the perpetrators of violent crimes against women and girls in Namibia
(2008) Van Rooy, Gert
Understanding the perpetrators of violent crimes against women and girls in Namibia
Medicinal properties of Ximenia: Lessons from the traditional healers in Oshikoto region, Namibia
(2010) Cheikhyoussef, Ahmad; Shapi, Martin K.; Matengu, Keneth K.; MuAshekele, Hina
Ximenia is an important indigenous plant in many countries and used often in herbal preparations by traditional healers. The plant is claimed to possess medicinal properties and is used in the treatment of different ailments and diseases. The aim of this study is to report some of the medicinal properties of Ximenia used by traditional healers in Oshikoto region. An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to collect information from traditional healers on their use of medicinal plants in the traditional healing system. It was found that Ximenia is the most frequently used medicinal plant. A total of 47 respondents were interviewed; most of them were at the age of 66 years and above. The traditional healers in Oshikoto region use X. americana and X. caffra to treat various diseases and disorders such as Gonorrhea, Culture Bound Syndrome (CBS), Impotency and Scoliosis. Both forms of the plant status (fresh and dry) were used during the medicinal preparations. Roots are the most used parts in the treatment. The average of the fidelity level (FL) of the both species for all ailments was 33.33% with the highest FL for X. caffra to treat CBS of 66.66%. This study is confirming the potential value of using Ximenia species in traditional medicinal remedies in Oshikoto region in Namibia.
Phytochemical properties of a Namibian indigenous plant; Eembe (Berchemia discolor)
(2010) Cheikhyoussef, Ahmad; Naomab, Erold; Potgieter, Sannette; Kahaka, Gladys K.; Raidron, Celestine Vida; MuAshekele, Hina
The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical properties of Eembe (Berchemia discolor); one of the underutilized indigenous plant in Namibia. This species is distributed in the northern part of Namibia and has many general uses. The fruit is high in sugar and contains vitamin C. It is eaten fresh or dried and stored for use in the dry season. Dried fruit have a datelike flavour. Fresh fruit is fermented to make beer and wine. The bark is used medicinally and for basket dye. The wood is used for furniture, hut construction and other items. There have been no previous investigations on the bioactive metabolites of B. discolor in Namibia. B. discolor extracts (fruits, leaves and barks) were prepared by different organic solvents. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the extracts was performed to investigate the presence of: Tannins, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Saponins, Total Phenols, Steroids, Phlobatanins, Terpenoids, Cardiac Glycoside and Anthraquinone. The significance of Eembe (B. discolor) in traditional medicine and the importance of the distribution of its chemical constituents will contribute in elucidating the importance of this plant in ethnomedicine in Namibia.
Indigenous medicinal knowledge of the San people: The case of farm six, Northern Namibia
(SAGE, 2010) Dan, Vicky
The San are among the most marginalized people in Namibia. The San have often relied on indigenous knowledge for survival, particularly since access to resources has proved to be difficult. This study explores the use of indigenous knowledge by a particular San community living on Farm Six, located in the Mangetti West area north of Tsumeb. In particular, the study focuses on the use of indigenous knowledge with regard to traditional medicine. Apart from considerations of the commercial and legal issues concerning the exploitation of the devil’s claw and hoodia plant, little has been published about the medicinal properties of San remedies. The findings indicate that the community relies on indigenous knowledge as their main means of treating most illnesses. While the community believes traditional remedies are effective in treating several conditions, they have also turned to herbal treatments because of a lack of access to modern health care: the nearest clinic is over 50 km away, transport is scarce, and a Ministry of Health and Social Services outreach team has not visited the camp for over 2 years. However, it was impossible to establish the medical efficacy of most of these remedies as their properties and effects have not been studied in detail.
The use of some indigenous plants for medicinal and other purposes by local communities in Namibia with emphasis on Oshikoto region: A review
(2011) Cheikhyoussef, Ahmad; Mapaure, Isaac; Shapi, Martin K.
Local communities in Namibia possess an in-depth knowledge of the use of medicinal plants and their environment. Medicinal plants contribute significantly to the intellectual property rights of poor local households in theses local communities. This review gives an overview of the use of indigenous knowledge held by traditional healers, the uses of indigenous plants for medicinal and other purposes, medicinal preparation methods and treated diseases in different parts of Namibia, in particular the Oshikoto region. Factors threatening the existence of the medicinal plants are discussed and the gaps in the indigenous knowledge on the uses of the medicinal plants are also presented. This review strongly recommends the importance of proper and comprehensive documentation of the traditional healing methods in Namibia, which will have a high potential for sustainable development for the medicinal plants in Namibia.
ICT barriers for people with disabilities in Namibia: Evidence from the 2011 Namibia population and housing census
(2011) Indongo, Nelago; Mufune, Pempelani
Computer technology and the Internet have a tremendous potential to increase the independence of people with disabilities. We investigated the extent to which people with disabilities access information communication technologies (ICT) (focusing on access to computers, internet and mobile phone) and how their ICT access compares with the ICT access of the rest of the Namibian population. More specifically, we investigated factors that affect people with disabilities ICT access in Namibia. The study relied on the 2011 Namibia Population and Housing Census as the main data source for analysis. The results showed people with disabilities are disadvantaged in ICT access. The study reveals that education level, work status, age and place of residence are important factors associated with ICT access among people with disabilities. Results also show that there is less disparity between employed and unemployed individuals with disabilities than without disabilities. Additionally, the results show that those classified as “blind”, “autistic”, “hearing difficulties” and “mentally disabled” fair worse than people with other disabilities in computer, internet and/or cell phone access. There is a need to consider unique issues affecting ICT access for people living with disabilities to achieve Namibia’s goal of equitable access for all as envisioned in its Vision 2030.
Incidence of HIV in Windhoek, Namibia: Demographic and socio-economic associations
(2011) Aulagnier, Mariele; Janssens, Wendy; De Beer, Ingrid H.; Van Rooy, Gert; Gaeb, Esegiel; Hesp, Cees; Van der Gaag, Jacques; Tobias, Rinke
OBJECTIVE: To estimate HIV incidence and prevalence in Windhoek, Namibia and to analyze socio-economic factors related to HIV infection. METHOD: In 2006/7, baseline surveys were performed with 1,753 private households living in the greater Windhoek area; follow-up visits took place in 2008 and 2009. Face-to-face socio-economic questionnaires were administrated by trained interviewers; biomedical markers were collected by nurses; GPS codes of household residences were recorded. RESULTS: The HIV prevalence in the population (aged.12 years) was 11.8% in 2006/7 and 14.6% in 2009. HIV incidence between 2007 and 2009 was 2.4 per 100 person year (95%CI = 1.9–2.9). HIV incidence and prevalence were higher in female populations. HIV incidence appeared non-associated with any socioeconomic factor, indicating universal risk for the population. For women a positive trend was found between low per-capita consumption and HIV acquisition. A HIV knowledge score was strongly associated with HIV incidence for both men and women. High HIV prevalence and incidence was concentrated in the north-western part of the city, an area with lower HIV knowledge, higher HIV risk perception and lower per-capita consumption. DISCUSSION: The HIV incidence and prevalence figures do not suggest a declining epidemic in Windhoek. Higher vulnerability of women is recorded, most likely related to economic dependency and increasing transactional sex in Namibia. The lack of relation between HIV incidence and socio-economic factors confirms HIV risks for the overall urban community. Appropriate knowledge is strongly associated to lower HIV incidence and prevalence, underscoring the importance of continuous information and education activities for prevention of infection. Geographical areas were identified that would require prioritized HIV campaigning.
Assessing malaria risk at night-time venues in a low-transmission setting: A time-location sampling study in Zambezi, Namibia
(2011) Jacobson, Jerry O.; Smith, Jennifer L.; Cueto, Carmen; Chisenga, Mukosha; Roberts, Kathryn W.; Hsiang, M.; Gosling, Roly; Mumbengegwi, Davis R.; Bennett, Adam
Background:Identifying efficient and effective strategies to reach and monitor populations at greatest risk of malaria in low-transmission settings is a key challenge for malaria elimination. In Namibia’s Zambezi Region, transmis-sion is ongoing yet its drivers remain poorly understood. A growing literature suggests that night-time social activities may lead to malaria exposure that is beyond the reach of conventional preventive interventions, such as insecticide treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying.Methods:Formative research was conducted with community members in March, 2015 in the catchment areas of six randomly selected health facilities in the western Zambezi Region to identify night-time locations where large numbers of individuals regularly congregate. Using time-location sampling, a survey was conducted between March and May, 2015 at community-identified venues (bars and evening church services) to develop representative esti-mates of the prevalence of parasite infection and risk factors among venue-goers.Results:When compared to a contemporaneous household survey of the general population aged 15 and older (N =1160), venue-goers (N =480) were more likely to have spent the night away from their home recently (17.3% vs. 8.9%, P =0.008), report recent fever (65.2% vs. 36.9%, P < 0.001), and were less likely to have sought care for fever (37.9% vs. 52.1%, P =0.011). Venue-goers had higher, but not significantly different, rates of malaria infection (4.7% vs. 2.8%, P =0.740). Risk factors for malaria infection among venue-goers could not be determined due to the small number of infections identified, however self-reported fever was positively associated with outdoor livelihood activi-ties (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =1.9, 95% CI 1.0–3.3), not wearing protective measures at the time of the survey (AOR =6.8, 9% CI 1.4–33.6) and having been bothered by mosquitos at the venue (AOR =2.7, 95% CI 1.5–4).Conclusions:Prevention measures and continued surveillance at night-time venues may be a useful complement to existing malaria elimination efforts.
Living conditions among people with disabilities in developing countries
(Bristol University Press, 2011) Eide, Arne H.
Living conditions and poverty are two common quantifiers or parameters of socioeconomic status and both have evolved from rather narrow economic and material concepts to encompass broader and more complex understandings. studies on living conditions have evolved to include individuals’ capabilities and how they utilise their capabilities.
EquiFrame: A framework for analysis of the inclusion of human rights and vulnerable groups in health policies
(2011) Amin, Mutamad; MacLachlan, Malcolm; El Tayeb, Shahla; El Khatim, Amani; Swartz, Leslie; Munthali, Alister; Van Rooy, Gert; McVeigh, Joanne; Eide, Arne H.; Schneider, Marguerite
Ensuring that health policies uphold core concepts of human rights and are inclusive of vulnerable groups are imperative aspects of providing equity in health care, and of realizing the United Nations’ call for Health for All. We outline the process of extensive consultation undertaken across countries and stakeholders culminating in the development of EquiFrame, in conjunction with its associated definitions of core concepts of human rights and vulnerability. EquiFrame is a systematic policy analysis framework that assesses the degree to which 21 core concepts of human rights and 12 vulnerable groups are mentioned and endorsed in health policy documents. We illustrate the scope of the framework by reporting the results of its application to two health policy documents from (Northern) Sudan: the rather generalist Health Policy of (Northern) Sudan, and the more specific National Drug Policy of (Northern) Sudan. We outline some limitations of the framework and highlight issues for consideration in its interpretation. EquiFrame offers a systematic approach to analyzing and facilitating the inclusion of core concepts of human rights and vulnerability in existing or developing health policies and ultimately to promoting greater equity in health care.
Ethnobotanical study of indigenous knowledge on medicinal plant use by traditional healers in Oshikoto region, Namibia
(2011) Cheikhyoussef, Ahmad; Shapi, Martin K.; Matengu, Keneth K.; MuAshekele, Hina
The objective of this study was to establish a regional profile of the indigenous knowledge system (IKS) for medicinal plant use and cultural practices associated with the healing process of these plants by traditional healers in the Oshikoto region, Namibia. An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to collect information from traditional healers during September and October 2008. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires and personal interviews during field trips in the ten constituencies of the Oshikoto region. A total of 47 respondents were interviewed with most of them aged 66 and above. The traditional healers in Oshikoto region use 61 medicinal plant species that belong to 25 families for the treatment of various diseases and disorders with the highest number of species being used for mental diseases followed by skin infection and external injuries. Trees (28 species) were found to be the most used plants followed by herbs (15 species), shrubs (10 species) and climbers (4 species). The average of the informant consensus factor (FIC) value for all ailment categories was 0.75. High FIC values were obtained for Pergularia daemia, and Tragia okanyua, which were reported to treat weakness and dizziness problems, snake bite, swelling and cardiovascular problems indicating that these species traditionally used to treat these ailments are worth examining for bioactive compounds. The traditional healers in Oshikoto possess rich ethno-pharmacological knowledge. This study allows for identifying many high value medicinal plant species, indicating high potential for economic development through sustainable collection of these medicinal plants.
Study on indigenous medicinal knowledge in Caprivi region
(2011) Du Preez, Iwanette C.; Nepolo, Emmanuel; Siyengwa, Riina; Shapi, Martin K.; Cheikhyoussef, Ahmad; Mumbengegwi, Davis R.
SUMMARY: Indigenous knowledge is defined as the uniqe knowledge in a given culture, which is passed on orally from generation to generation (Mapaure & Hatuikulipi, 2007; Dan et al., 2010). This indigenous knowldege is regarded as valuable and considered as the local people’s capital (Mapaure and Hatuikulipi, 2008; Cheikhyoussef et al, 2011), and if not preserved, it may be lost forever to society. The study on Indigenous Medicinal Knowledge in Caprivi region was done in collaboration with the Directorate of Research Science and Technology (DRST) of the Ministry of Education, and was done as a continuing research work for the national survey on Traditional Healing in Namibia. The traditional medical systems are generally based on the uses of natural and local products which are commonly related to the people’s perspective on the world and life (Toledo et al. 2009). Traditional African medicine is 'the sum total of practices, measures, ingredients and procedures of all kinds whether material or not, which from time immemorial has enabled the African to guard against diseases, to alleviate his/her suffering and to cure him/herself' (Busia, 2005). The traditional healing practices in Namibia have been studied by a number of researchers (Shapi et al, 2009; Dan et al, 2010). The aim of this national survey will be to create a database based on the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants used by traditonal healers and/or knowledge holders to treat a variety of ailments and diseases, as well as for cultural beliefs and practices. As such, the overall aim of this fieldtrip was to interview traditonal healers in the Caprivi region and retrieve as much information as possible with regarding to the uses of medicinal plants, and to collect voucher specimens to be deposited with the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Windhoek, Namibia.
GPS collars in studies of cattle movement: Cases of northeast Namibia and north Finland
(2011) Polojarvi, Katja
The deployment of the US Global Positioning System can be seen as a mega-engineering project in itself. This GPS system consists of 24 satellites and has been operational since 1978; in 1984 the system has been open for civilian use. Spin off from this new technology has been a whole industry based upon GPS-navigation. This together with the advances in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software has created industries based upon location based knowledge. We can give exact locations to any object, person or process on the surface of the earth, enabling us to produce real time spatial databases. How to incorporate traditional and indigenous knowledge into GIS-data is a fascinating problem. People’s memory of time and place is not exact, but there are markers in space and time which can be used to relate indigenous knowledge with more exact forms of data. Allowing for traditional forms of land use in a world dominated by other more advanced and intensive forms of land use is probably a very demanding task. There will be a need to integrate traditional knowledge with exact data on land use, wildlife, conservation, environment and management. This is definitely an important issue in engineering earth and the environment
Study on indigenous fruits and ethnobotanical uses in Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions
(2012) Cheikhyoussef, Ahmad; Embashu, Werner; Heita, Lusia; Potgieter, Sannette
SUMMARY: Research into Indigenous Knowledge System Technology (IKST) has been receiving increasing attention from various research institutions and Government Ministries in Namibia during the last five years. Indigenous communities in Namibia possess a rich traditional knowledge expressed in many practices in their communities. Indigenous wild edible fruits are available within the Namibian 13 regions which provide a rich source of vitamins and fibres for indigenous people’s diet. The aims of this study were to record the different IKST practices on the indigenous fruit trees in Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions. Three constituencies in Ohangwena region were surveyed; these including Okongo, Eanhana and Ondobe Constituencies. In Oshikoto region; only one constituency which is Onayena was included in the survey. A total of 65 respondents were interviewed; 54% women, 38% men and 8% both in group interviews. The majority of the people interviewed were in their thirty’s, with the youngest being 18 years old and the oldest being 98 years old. Thirty eight plant specimens were collected of which 24 are from Ohangwena and 15 from Oshikoto region, these specimens belong to 18 genuses and 23 species. Regarding to the indigenous knowledge; most of the respondents indicated that their knowledge on indigenous fruits was learnt mainly through their parents. Almost all of the respondents reported that the indigenous fruits and their products have social values such as it is presented to guests at special ceremonies, weddings, etc. In addition to their social values; health values have been reported also especially with regard to has flu. Some people depend on these fruits and their by-products to get income, for example Distilled liquor from Eembe (Berchemia discolor), Palm fruits (common practice in Oshikoto region). Most of the peoples reported that the traditional beer and wines are the main products made from these fruits.
Developing resilient collective identity in Doro !Nawas conservancy to sustain collective action
(University of Namibia, 2012) Mosimane, Alfons W.
Conservancies are faced with multiple challenges that require research to advance knowledge and understanding of collective action to manage the collective use of common pool resources (NACSO, 2010). Nkhata and Breen (2010) identified the understanding of governance systems and how these are devolved as an obstacle to the performance of CBNRM in Southern Africa. The challenging circumstances in conservancies could cause conservancy members to lose interest and committees to stop functioning (NACSO, 2010). This situation could threaten the CBNRM sector and natural resources management in Namibia. The goal of this study is to investigate the proposed collective identity framework, to understand and build a resilient collective identity in the management use of common pool resources (CPRs) in social-ecological systems. The objectives of the study are: (i) to examine the relationship between collective identity and collective action in building a resilient social-ecological system in Doro !Nawas conservancy; (ii) to investigate how the collective identity attribute identification varies over time in Doro !Nawas conservancy; how identification links conservancy members to the conservancy collective identity, and how changes in the conservancy may result in actions that are consistent or inconsistent with the conservancy’s collective identity; and (iii) to study how the collective identity attribute, affective commitment, varies over time in Doro !Nawas conservancy; how affective commitment links conservancy members to the conservancy collective identity; and how change in the conservancy may result in actions that are consistent or inconsistent with the conservancy’s collective identity. The study takes the position that the adaptive cycle model offers an approach for understanding the continuous dynamic processes inherent in collective identity and the collective action to manage the use of CPRs. Thus, the study incorporates the collective identity framework of Ashmore, Deaux, and McLaughlin-Volpe (2004) into Hollings’ adaptive cycle (2001) to provide an approach to understand change in collective identity and the implications for resilience of social-ecological systems. The methodological framework used is a case study approach. A single case study is an appropriate method for understanding complex social phenomenon like identification and affective commitment within its context (Yin, 2004). In this study, Doro !Nawas conservancy is selected as a representative or typical case of the 59 registered conservancies in Namibia. The lessons from Doro !Nawas conservancy are informative about changes in conservancy collective identity in other conservancies, but cannot be generalized. The study interviewed 47 conservancy and committee members, and nine non-governmental and governmental respondents. In the formation phase of the conservancy collective identity in Doro !Nawas conservancy, the existing collective action of Versteendewoud Farmers Association used the notion of potential benefits for conservancy members and the process of establishing governance systems in accordance with the legislation to develop identification and affective commitment to the conservancy collective identity. The lesson from this study is that the consultation and information sharing process in the formation stage with community members is an important phase that needs nurturing over time. Establishing a stronger relationship between community members, conservancy collective identity and the conservancy in the formation phase of the conservancy collective identity is essential for future stability in the conservancy. In accordance with the adaptive cycle, during the growth of conservancy collective identity phase, Doro !Nawas conservancy members had strong identification and affective commitment to the conservancy collective identity. The conservancy management committee members planned, implemented and managed conservancy activities according to the constitution. This translated the interests of the conservancy members into the conservancy’s collective identity. This was put into actions of participation in meetings and other activities. Simultaneously, conservancy members expressed positive emotions and developed a sense of belonging to and ownership of the conservancy which consolidated affective commitment to the conservancy. Growing wealth in conservancies to deliver more benefits to members is dependent on consolidating conservancy collective identity, to develop a stable natural resource base which offers an appealing product that attracts investors. In the collapse phase of the adaptive cycle identification with the conservancy collective identity is strong but the affective commitment is lost. The case of Doro !Nawas shows that management of the conservancy and the governance system contributed to lost affective commitment. The conservancy management committee was not managing the conservancy in the interests of conservancy members and in accordance with the constitution. And, the governance system was not appropriate to guide the conservancy management committee in the administration of the conservancy. The delay in intervention influenced affective commitment of conservancy members to the conservancy collective identity and the conservancy. The lessons from Doro !Nawas conservancy indicate the absence of a clear process to deal with a collapse in the conservancy could threaten the conservancy collective identity. Equally, there was no delineation of responsibilities from the policy perspectives as to who should intervene and give direction. The policy implication from the Doro !Nawas is that structures and processes need to be developed to address similar situations while they emerge so as to avoid large scale negative influences on conservancy member relationship with the conservancy collective identity. In the reconstruction phase of the conservancy collective identity, identification with the conservancy weakened and the conservancy identity had the potential to transform into a completely new identity. Doro !Nawas conservancy members’ identification declined when their dissatisfaction with the conservancy management committee was not addressed over a lengthy period of time. The lesson is that delay in intervention created potential for conservancy members to consider de-gazetting of the conservancy and establishing a new conservancy or a completely new collective action. In the case of Doro !Nawas the conservancy collective identity proved to be resilient enough to reorganize, amidst challenges of breakaway to establish a new conservancy. The study assumption for resilience of the conservancy collective identity is because the conservancy has a strong resource base with the potential to deliver the benefits conservancy members’ desire. This implies that were the wildlife resource base poor, as in the new conservancies, the chances are very high that the conservancy collective identity would be replaced by a completely new identity. The study concludes that the conceptual framework illustrated how conservancy collective identity resilience could be developed based on identification and affective commitment. Based on these two variables, members of the conservancy could either change or stabilize the conservancy collective identity.
Core concepts of human rights and inclusion of vulnerable groups in the disability and rehabilitation policies of Malawi, Namibia, Sudan and South Africa
(Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 2012) Van Rooy, Gert
In recent decades, there has been a push to incorporate the World Health Organization “Health for All” principles in national, regional, and local health policy documents. However, there is still no methodology guiding the appraisal of such policies with regard to the extent that they address social inclusion. In this article, the authors report on the development of EquiFrame, a novel policy analysis framework that was used to evaluate the disability and rehabilitation policies of Malawi, Namibia, Sudan, and South Africa. The policies were assessed in terms of their commitment to 21 predefined core concepts of human rights and inclusion of 12 vulnerable groups. Substantial variability was identified in the degree to which the core concepts and vulnerable groups were featured in these policy documents. The overall summary rankings for the disability policies of the countries studied were as follows: Namibia–High, Malawi–Low, and Sudan–Low. The rehabilitation policy of South Africa was ranked as Low. The results support the idea that adequate disability and rehabilitation policies remain mostly undefined. EquiFrame may offer a useful methodology for evaluating and comparing human rights and social inclusion across policy documents.

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