Community Monitoring in Health Resources for the Practitioner |
Stages of Advocacy
Advocacy is a deliberate and planned process; however it is a dynamic process as well. What this means that advocacy related action moves through stages. These stages are not water tight and do not always progress in the forward direction. In the course of an advocacy action, there may be backward movement as well Analysis: in depth understanding of the problem, the people involved, existing policies and standards, implementation or non-implementation of these policies, channels of access to influential people and decision makers. Strategy building: framing of issue as a rights’ violation/promotion, focus on specific goals; design clear paths to achieve goals and objectives. Mobilisation: networking, alliance building, coalition building through events, activities, messages and materials suited to different audiences; grass roots mobilisation and support to bring in grass root voices. Action: respond to opposition and developments quickly; planned and continuous activities; keep coalition members informed; media advocacy; hold policy makers accountable for commitments; keep record of successes and failures; monitor public opinion; publicise positives. Evaluation: establish impact, process and intermediate indicators; evaluate specific events and activities; document changes based on objectives; document unintended changes; share results with stakeholders. Continuity: persevere; move onto next stage e.g. after your advocacy results in a new policy, move onto monitoring the implementation of the policy; keep reinforcing change. Be proactive, responsive and flexible and not merely reactive. |
Preferred Ethical Attributes
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