Envisioning Resilience: Bringing underrepresented women's voices into planning for climate change adaptation

This case study describes a pilot initiative by the NAP Global Network and Lensational to integrate the perspectives of underrepresented women into the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes of Ghana and Kenya. By using visual storytelling and photography, the project aimed to bridge the gap between grassroots experiences and national policy-making to ensure gender-responsive climate adaptation.

• The NAP Global Network and Lensational implemented a pilot project in Ghana and Kenya where women from underrepresented groups received training in photography and storytelling. Over nine months, participants were mentored by professional photographers to link their lived experiences with climate science and create visual stories documenting climate change and resilience.
• The use of visual storytelling shifted the traditional policy consultation model. Instead of responding to questions defined by policy-makers, the women established the agenda and tone of the dialogue through their photos, which served as a common reference point and triggered emotional responses from decision-makers.
• The initiative demonstrated that integrating traditional and Indigenous Knowledge through visual media helps connect scientific data with ground-level realities. This approach encourages locally led and gender-responsive adaptation action and has led decision-makers to commit to incorporating similar participatory methods into future NAP processes.
• Following the pilots in Ghana and Kenya, the partnership between the NAP Global Network and Lensational, supported by Global Affairs Canada, is expanding the visual storytelling approach to other countries, beginning with Jamaica.

APA

Kibandi,, A. D. H. W. (2022). Envisioning Resilience: Bringing underrepresented women's voices into planning for climate change adaptation. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/articles/success-story/envisioning-resilience-visual-storytelling

Chicago

Kibandi,, Angie Dazé,David Hoffmann,Lydia Wanjiku. Envisioning Resilience: Bringing underrepresented women's voices into planning for climate change adaptation. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2022. https://www.iisd.org/articles/success-story/envisioning-resilience-visual-storytelling.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kibandi, |first1=Angie Dazé,David Hoffmann,Lydia Wanjiku |title=Envisioning Resilience: Bringing underrepresented women's voices into planning for climate change adaptation |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=28 October 2022 |url=https://www.iisd.org/articles/success-story/envisioning-resilience-visual-storytelling |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kibandi2022envisioning, author = {Kibandi,, Angie Dazé,David Hoffmann,Lydia Wanjiku}, title = {{Envisioning Resilience: Bringing underrepresented women's voices into planning for climate change adaptation}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2022}, month = oct, url = {https://www.iisd.org/articles/success-story/envisioning-resilience-visual-storytelling}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }