Role of customary institutions in building youth resilience to violence in Africa

Abstract

The research considers socio-community institutions and mechanisms on the factors of resilience of young people in the face of violence in Africa, where the silent majority of young people do not choose violence. This kind of resilience has been defined as "a dynamic process by which the individual demonstrates positive adaptation despite the experience of adverse conditions or significant trauma." The report synthesizes results of separate studies in Burkina Faso and Tanzania as, “the less socialised the individual, the less ability to escape violence.” Future research needs to deepen the reflection on the stability of African States from the perspective of community resilience (not only of violence).