Unveiling challenges in participatory mapping: Power Dynamics, Inequality and Gender Exclusion

Abstract

Participatory mapping should involve all relevant stakeholders (such as marginalized and vulnerable community groups).Engaging the local community in participatory and collaborative mapping activities significantly improves sustainable community disaster risk management. However, the marginalized communities (specifically Bangladeshi females) lack skills for participatory activities; this study examines participation inequality and the underlying effects of power dynamics that may lead to “techno colonialism” due to language barriers (non-proficiency in English), limited access or exposure to technology (lack of internet service or access to computers), and persistent societal barriers (females must not engage in fieldworks or the perception that males are better than females at technical skills).

We employed a mixed methods approach to explore these themes. As part of this method, an online survey was given to the participants in December 2022 before the participatory mapping training based on technical skills (OSM, Kobo toolbox,QGIS and JOSM). The survey comprised semi-structured questions and yielded a total of 200 responses in Nepal and Bangladesh, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the survey dataset. Then after completing the training in person (in Nepal and Bangladesh), we conducted the key informant interviews of 200 students, video-recorded the interviews with their permission, and later transcribed the interviews and translated them into English for analysis. These interviews elicit information and strategies for bringing participatory mapping challenges and innovative approaches to reduce gaps/inequalities.