Friday Seminar in Africa Studies

The seminar is hybrid and held in Uppsala in Eng 3-2028 and on Zoom: https://uu-se.zoom.us/j/68054548941

The theme for this Friday seminar is "Access and Equity: Gender, WASH, and Urban Infrastructure as Catalysts for Health and Food Choices" and we have two presentations linked to two clusters of research excellence at Uppsala University.

Gendered dimensions of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) Challenges in Forced Displacement: A Comparative Analysis of Health Outcomes and Coping Strategies in Ghana and Sierra Leone

Gifty Sarkodie Amponsah, PhD student, University of Ghana, visting scholar Cluster of Research Excellence in Migration & Health, Uppsala University

Forced displacement remains a critical global challenge with significant gendered implications for health, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates the gendered dimensions of WASH-related challenges and their health impacts among displaced populations in Ghana and Sierra Leone. Through a comparative analysis, the research examines how displacement contexts shaped by conflict, environmental disasters, and policy responses differently affect men and women. Preliminary insights reveal disparities in access to sanitation and healthcare and restricted WASH access. The study also identifies gaps in water and sanitation facilities for displaced persons and proposes gender-sensitive interventions to improve WASH conditions in displacement settings. By comparing the two countries, the research contributes to broader discussions on equitable and tailored humanitarian responses and sustainable solutions for displaced populations.

From access to utilisation: Infrastructure and urban design as determinants of food choice

Assoc. Prof. Jane Battersby, Department of Environmental and Geographical Science,

University of Cape Town, Colead The Guild-ARUA Cluster of Research Excellence Food Environment Actions for the Promotion of Health

Within the African context food security and food choice are largely framed in policy spaces as being determined by physical and economic access to food, and by the relative availability and marketing of different foods within the market. While these are important determinants, the role of infrastructure and urban design on food consumption patterns - and on retail food environments - is largely absent in policy conversations. This presentation draws on lived experience research conducted in two urban settlements in South Africa to highlight the importance of infrastructure and urban design in shaping food consumption patterns and health outcomes.

Welcome!