HomeLibraryPublication

‘All in this together’: Africans tolerant on ethnic, religious, national, but not sexual differences

Brian Howard (2020)

Key facts

Journal/Publisher
Afrobarometer
Type of publication
Policy paper
Elements of social cohesion
Intergroup relations
Identity/feeling of belonging
Solidarity
Tolerance
Connectedness
Geographical focus
Sub-Saharan Africa
Main thematic areas
Conflict & peacebuilding
Inequality

Summary

“We’re all in this together” is a mantra of the COVID-19 crisis as leaders and activists argue for global and all-of-society responses to the pandemic. At the same time, public fears have highlighted social fissures through acts of intolerance and violence against Chinese people, citizens of Asian descent in many countries, and even Africans in China. If a pandemic “drives home the essential interconnectedness of our human family,” as UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said, it may also stress-test the social fabric of our societies and democracies.

How “together” are African societies? Afrobarometer data collected in 34 countries in 2016/2018 suggest that Africans have a strong foundation of tolerance toward other ethnicities, religions, and nationalities on which to build in overcoming the pandemic and working toward the “just, equitable, tolerant, open and socially inclusive world” envisioned by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Cabo Verde, Namibia, and São Tomé and Príncipe stand out as particularly tolerant countries in Africa.

But tolerance toward people of different sexual identity or orientation remains remarkably weak, even among younger respondents, despite some progress in certain countries. Minorities still experience discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, gender, or disability, and majorities in some countries report that the government treats their ethnic group unfairly.

Publication_2020_Brian Howard

Explore the hub further

graph_concept_A Comprehensive Framework for Diagnosing the Hidden Patterns of Social Cohesion
Concept

A Comprehensive Framework for Diagnosing the Hidden Patterns of Social Cohesion

graph_data_Social Cohesion in Asia: What holds Asian Societies together?
Data

Social Cohesion in Asia: What holds Asian Societies together?

graph_publication_Public Works Programmes and Cooperation for the Common Good: Evidence from Malawi
Library

Public Works Programmes and Cooperation for the Common Good: Evidence from Malawi

Fostering social cohesion and dialogue, in and between, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and the Republic of Serbia (Dialogue for the Future)
Project

Fostering social cohesion and dialogue, in and between, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and the Republic of Serbia (Dialogue for the Future)