STRATEGY 2017-2021 HEALTH, EQUITY & JUSTICE IN AFRICA - Positive Vibes
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
STRATEGY 2017-2021
HEALTH, EQUITY &
JUSTICE IN AFRICA
Namibia office: 49 Pasteur Street | Windhoek West | Namibia
South Africa office: Westminster House | 4th floor | 122 Longmarket Street | Unit 1043 | Cape Town | South Africa
Contact: info@positivevibes.org Visit: www.positivevibes.orgCONTENTS 01 INTRODUCTION 4 02 CONTEXT 4 03 POSITIONING AND APPROACH 4 Intermediary/connector role 4 Long-term accompaniment 4 Inside-Out approach (theory of change and core methods) 4 Our influencing agenda 6 Connecting to health (and sickness) 6 04 VISION AND GOALS 7 Vision 7 Long-term outcomes en route 7 Medium-term outcomes: Strategic directions 7 05 STRATEGY 2017-2021: IN SUMMARY 8 A Strengthening systems for health 8 B Strengthening movements for effective advocacy at national and regional levels 8 C Influencing national and regional programming and practice 9 D Developing and positioning Positive Vibes 9
REGIONAL,
NATIONAL INTERNATIONAL
& LOCAL DONORS
PARTNERS
1. INTRODUCTION • SWs
& NGOs
• LGBT+ MEDIATING
This strategy document was developed over
CONNECTING
a six-month period from late 2016 to early
2017 to provide high-level direction to the
work of Positive Vibes (PV) for the next five
years: 2017-2021. By nature, it is a summary
of substantial, detailed thinking, reflection
and planning undertaken by PV’s leaders, CO-CREATING
programme managers and practitioners
STRATEGY
during that period. Most notably this
METHODS
strategy affirms Positive Vibes’ identity as a THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
PROGRAMME DESIGN
queer organisation, walking in solidarity with
MUTUAL LEARNING
those most marginalised, othered and often
forced to the fringes of society. EXITING
2. CONTEXT Value add
Our analysis points to the following challenges • Interventions informed and directed by people most affected
facing ‘key populations’ in Africa: Gender • Coherent, values-driven approach and quality controlled practice
inequity; stigma and discrimination; sexual • Risk management and capacity strengthening through long-term
and physical violence; lack of participation; accompaniment (5 year cycles) – tailored for building sustained change
• Exiting at the right time – once this mediating/supporting role is no longer necessary.
economic marginalisation; general
marginalisation of LGBT+, sex workers and targeted, these include; LGBT+, Sex Workers, of commitment, intimacy and depth of
others (e.g. people who use drugs; adolescent People Living with HIV (PLHIV), Adolescents relationship. It is not the easiest way
girls and young women); and young or nascent Living with HIV, Adolescent Girls and Young of working; and means entering into
LGBT+ and sex worker movements in most of Woman and People who use Drugs (PWUD). the complexity and challenge of real
the countries in which we work. relationships and consciously balancing
3. POSITIONING the demands of multiple agendas
TThese are driven by: strong patriarchal & APPROACH simultaneously. But we have found it to be
power relations that perpetuate inequality, PV aims to position itself as an African the most effective stance for promoting
suppress voice and inhibit choice; the social intermediary organisation with a coherent lasting change and development.
and economic legacies of colonialism and and unique approach to supporting these
associated legal and religious acculturations; PV is not primarily positioned as a
marginalised groups to realise their
traditionally cultural constructions and traditional intermediary. While we do fulfill
human and health rights.
discourses; rhetoric by key political leaders this role (through responsible and effective
and figures which reinforces widely held Intermediary / connector role re-granting to country and local levels via a
homophobic, transphobic, patriarchal and The figure above captures the essence regional mechanism) we are differentiated
parochial views; few effective or genuine of PV’s positioning in the space between by the fact that:
attempts by governments, regional institutions local and national partner organisations • We work in long-term accompaniment
or Africa-wide bodies to reform discriminatory and international agencies. We see our with partners – we believe that
legislation or conform with the Universal primary role as facilitating the co-creation real relationships are critical for
Declaration of Human Rights or other and delivery of effective programmes and effectiveness, flexibility and risk
protocols for inclusive human rights practice interventions to achieve mutual goals— mitigation.
and HIV service provision; often unsympathetic including contributing to long-term impact • Our practice is informed by a clear,
and discriminatory views put forward by at the level of individuals, organisations, coherent and values-based approach
traditional and religious leaders, and media communities, service providers, and at which is transferred to partners and
practitioners. a higher level, improved development shaped with and by them.
As Positive Vibes, we are not comfortable with practice and just, constructive national (and
These differentiating features are
the ‘Key Populations’ term, we do however see regional) policy.
unpacked in the next two subsections.
it as helpful in describing a focus population to We aim to position ourselves in solidarity
which our efforts within the next five years are with our partners. This requires a long-term
4Long-term accompaniment It works with questions like: ‘What does relational and structural change. It is the
The figure below summarises PV’s this mean for me and my life? How does beginning and heart of our approach.
practice of accompaniment. We work this issue (e.g. of exclusion/discrimination) If people connect sincerely with their
connect to my experience? What is my reality, and in particular, to experiences
with partners – usually LGBT+ or sex
part in creating this reality?’ in a variety of of oppression, exclusion and stigma,
worker led organisations and/or national
creative ways, supported by a community experience shows that movement through
organisations who support these
of peers. This strengthens self-esteem the Inside-Out process follows naturally,
populations – over an extended period,
and self-efficacy for the people we work and can be supported and deepened in
preferably 5 years or longer.
in solidarity with, and for others with a structured way.
During this time, we engage intensively
the power to facilitate or undermine While many organisations use variations
at a number of different levels with the
the realisation of their rights. of the Freirean approach in their work,
aim of strengthening our partners and
the movements to which they belong, and Personalisation connects people PV has succeeded in integrating the
contributing towards our shared goals. intellectually and emotionally to their own Inside-Out process into the DNA of all its
realities and the experience of others, and core, transferable methods (workshops,
Inside-Out approach begins the process of personal exploration processes and tools).
(theory of change & core methods) and change needed to support wider
At the heart of our practice is the Inside-
Out approach, which is inspired by Freire’s
(1968) Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Freire PERSONAL & SOCIAL
TRANSFORMATION
outlines a theory of oppression and points
to how liberation can be achieved. In his
view, the key to this is the awakening of VOICE & ACTION
critical awareness, or ‘conscientisation’,
in the individual.
C O N S CIE N
This approach is central to our theory PERSONALISATION
of change, which can be described as
TI
an iterative process beginning with A
S
TI
personalisation: with ‘the self’. ON
DIALOGUE
5PV’s ‘Looking In, Looking Out’ (LILO) methods: Access to appropriate health services ( which may
• Are mainly addressed to PLHIV, LGBT+ people, sex workers include anti-retroviral treatment, the morning
and their organisations and/or to influential individuals and after pill, condoms and lube and termination of
groups (e.g. service providers, policy makers, etc.). pregnancy, to mention a few) We see SRHR as a
• Have one or more of the following broad aims: concept of human rights applied to sexuality and
° To build self-efficacy and strengthen voice reproduction. It is a combination of four fields that
° To change attitudes and reduce stigma in some contexts are more or less distinct from each
° To strengthen organisations and enhance capacity. other, but less so or not at all in other contexts.
These four fields are sexual health, sexual rights,
• Are designed to activate the Inside-Out process; they
reproductive health and reproductive rights. In the
are change-oriented and contribute directly to larger
concept of SRHR, these four fields are treated as
programmatic goals.
separate but inherently intertwined..
• Are co-created and effectively co-owned by the groups
° Each human being is a unique
with whom we work in solidarity; they are transferred creation, but all have the
to partner organisations wherever possible, and often same rights.
facilitated or co-facilitated by our partners.
• Stigma and discrimination based on sexual orientation,
This enables our approach to be scaled to national- and regional- gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE), HIV-
level programming and allows much wider reach and coverage status, profession, age or other differences have negative
in-depth than has usually been the case. (See below for a list consequences for people’s health and social development.
of LILO products and processes.)
• We need to build an enabling environment which allows
In summary, the actions that people take, and the process people to use their voices and grow movements and
of moving through the Inside-Out spiral in multiple iterations organisations to help them claim and realise their rights.
(deepening the change in consciousness begun at the
• Person-centred approaches (e.g. the Inside-Out process) are
personalisation stage) leads to personal and social transformation.
a key ingredient for sustainable change and transformation.
Social change is often the culmination of progress along a
° Change happens from the
continuum: from change in the self; to discrete interpersonal
inside, out.
engagement with an ‘Other’; to more robust expression of
° Local voices can speak best
agency and action; to civic or collective influence at societal
to local issues – listen to these
level, as depicted below:
voices first.
Our influencing agenda
The core messages underpinning PV’s influencing agenda at local,
Connecting to health
(and sickness)
national and regional levels are:
FWe believe that by supporting social change and addressing
• Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all.
internalised stigma—through the Inside-Out process—we can, with
° The right to pleasurable consensual , non-violent sex,
our partners, contribute to changing the health outcomes of many
free from disease, regardless of what kind of sex
marginalised people .
you have, what body you are in, or how you identify.
6feel free to access them from state facilities and/or civil
4. VISION AND GOALS society service providers, and do so.
• Strong organisations and movements cooperate with
Vision
each other and other sectors of society to further these
goals and directly support, conscientise and develop their
The end of othering: health, equity and constituencies.
justice for all, regardless of identity, • LGBT+ people, sex workers, PWUD, young women and
profession, age, gender or status. girls, and other marginalised and oppressed populations
act to claim and protect their voices and rights.
• The groups that PV works with participate in and
• Equity1 and justice for LGBT+ people, sex workers, significantly influence national and regional policies
PWUD and other marginalised and oppressed populations. and practices that affect them.
• The end of HIV and AIDS as a critical health and social
disease and a source of stigma and discrimination. Medium-term outcomes:
° The attitudes, social norms and practices and
Strategic directions
policies (written or implicit) of communities, (5 years: 2017-2021)
governments and other powerful actors are
transformed to allow the full expression In 12 African countries, across 4 regions (Southern Africa, Eastern
of these groups’ humanity and potential. Africa, West Africa and North Africa):
Long-term outcomes en route STRATEGIC PLHIV, LGBT+, sex workers, PWUD
DIRECTION A: and other marginalised groups
• LGBT+ and sex workers’ organisations are legally Strengthening systems experience greater wellbeing and
recognised, and play an active and effective role for health improved health.
in addressing the health and rights agendas of
their constituencies. STRATEGIC
Strong PLHIV, LGBT+ and sex
DIRECTION B:
• LGBT+ relationships are fully decriminalised worker movements, organisations
Strengthening and coalitions engage in effective
in African countries. movements for effective advocacy to further their agenda/s
advocacy at national and
• The notion of ‘promoting homosexuality’ at national and regional levels.
regional levels
has no currency in national discourses.
• Social stigma is reduced: Local and national civil society
organisations in this field (and
° Public acceptance levels of minority sexual STRATEGIC
beyond) integrate developmental,
orientations, gender identities and expressions DIRECTION C:
person-centred approaches to
are above 50% in most African countries Influencing national and their work, leading to increased
regional programming
(afrobarometer.org). conscientisation, change and
and practice
impact at individual, social and
° Public narratives around sex work and PWUD structural levels.
are more fact-based, rational and accepting.
• Sex work is decriminalised in African countries. STRATEGIC
PV is a leading African intermediary
DIRECTION D:
• Criminalisation of drug use is recognised as counter- NGO, positioned to sustainably pursue
Developing and its goals with a strong network of
productive and largely scrapped; effective harm reduction positioning
allies and partners.
and treatment options are widely available and accessible. Positive Vibes
• Violence (physical and systemic), and in particular gender
violence, against sex workers, LGBT+ and young women
and girls is reduced with the support of state institutions.
• Structural and attitudinal barriers to accessing SRHR for
young women and girls, sex workers and LGBT+ have been
dismantled. The majority of those who need these services
1. Equity implies something more than simple equality. Equality means: we all get the same. Equity implies active redress of injustices and substantive fairness. Affirmative action is a good
example of an equity measure. Another could be the design of health programmes that speak to the specific issues facing, for example, transgendered people to ensure that they too can
access their right to health.
75. STRATEGY 2017-2021: IN SUMMARY
The tables below provide a summary of PV’s priorities (Strategic The strategy is presented at a high level: it is operationalised
Directions) for this five-year period, the Strategic Objectives and monitored via multiple programmes and projects – some
we aim to achieve in 12 countries, and a broad characterisation multi-country or regional, others operating at national-level only.
of our role and contribution in relation to each Strategic Objective.
A Strengthening systems for health B Strengthening movements for effective
PLHIV, LGBT+, sex workers, PWUD and other marginalised
advocacy at national and regional levels
groups experience greater wellbeing and improved health Strong PLHIV, LGBT+ and sex worker movements,
organisations and coalitions engage in effective advocacy
This strategic direction is focused on the community, civil society
to further their agenda/s at national and regional levels.
organisations and state components of national health systems as
they relate to access, affordability and quality of health services. This Strategic Direction is about strengthening movements
It also relates to the climate (community, culture, social norms) in addressing wider human rights and justice issues. Beyond our
which people live and the extent to which this facilitates or under- commitment to the principles embedded in this Strategic Direction,
mines health and health-seeking behaviour. it is also included as a priority here because we do not believe
We see ‘health’ in a holistic sense. It therefore includes: mental that health rights can be sustainably realised in the absence of
health (e.g. issues of minority stress); social factors (stigma and full human rights. The emphasis here is very much on supporting
self-stigma; family and relational dysfunction; social capital and movement and coalition building; it builds on and complements
safety nets); SRHR, including HIV and STI testing and treatment Strategic Direction A (above), but it has a wider focus than health
as well population-specific issues (e.g. access to female condoms; rights alone.
access to transgender-specific services; etc.).
Specific influencing agendas and strategies at local and national STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES PV’S ROLE AND CONTRIBUTION
level are always informed and guided by those most affected.
1 Individual activists and leaders
from these populations Inside-Out process
experience increased Transfer of methods
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES PV’S ROLE AND CONTRIBUTION self-efficacy, social capital, Accompaniment
solidarity and agency.
1 Community members from Inside-Out process
these populations (including Facilitation and participation in joint
Development and transfer 2 Innovative, effective joint project design
activists and leaders) experience projects programmes are
of methods
ncreased self-efficacy, social developed and implemented Accompaniment
capital, solidarity and agency. Accompaniment
through quality, long-term Project partnerships
partnerships with partner Co-resourcing
Development and transfer of methods organisations.
Transfer of methods
2 Community systems for health Accompaniment and organisation
delivery are strengthened: they strengthening
are more able to facilitate access 3 Organisations representing Transfer and resourcing of methods
Technical skills transfer as
to and/or engage in direct service required (e.g. SRHR programming these populations build strong Accompaniment and organisation
delivery where appropriate. competencies; resource grassroots movements at local, strengthening
mobilisation) national and regional levels. Facilitation
3 Organisations of these populations
4 Organisations representing
effectively influence local service Transfer of methods
these populations have
providers to address the health Accompaniment
a practical and realistic
needs of their constituencies. Facilitation, making connections with
approach to risk management
experienced partners in our network
Facilitation, brokering, convening and addressing safety and
where appropriate security (internally; with their
constituencies).
Technical assistance:
Rights-based approaches
5 Strong national/regional
4 Coalitions are built, strengthened Resourcing Facilitation, convening,
coalitions develop effective
and work together to enhance accompaniment
Facilitating and participating in influencing strategies.
effective influencing at local,
joint planning with organisations
national and regional levels.
and coalitions Accompaniment
Accompaniment 6 Coalition’s influencing Technical assistance (e.g. materials
Transfer of methods strategies are adequately development; working with media,
Co-resourcing implementation resourced. etc.)
Resourcing, including joint fundraising
Capacity strengthening
5 Effective documentation, Transfer of methods 7 Effective monitoring,
knowledge generation and transfer Resourcing evaluation, reflection and
improve advocacy efforts towards Knowledge transfer and application learning, documentation,
Resourcing, technical assistance
improved health outcomes for knowledge generation and
these populations2. Overview monitoring and transfer improve advocacy
evaluation (incl. feedback efforts.
to partners)
2. This strategic objective also feeds directly into Strategic Direction C: it informs the nature and focus of method- and practitioner-development work.
8C Influencing national and regional D Developing and positioning Positive Vibes
programming and practice PV is a leading African intermediary NGO positioned to
Local and national civil society practitioners sustainably pursue its goals with a strong network of
and organisations integrate developmental, allies and partners.
person-centred approaches to their work,
Ongoing work on developing methods, strengthening practices
leading to increased conscientisation, change
and systems (including financial management and monitoring,
and impact at individual, social and structural levels.
evaluation and learning), critical reviews (at multiple levels)
This Strategic Direction focuses on capacity and practice: one and strategic resource mobilisation enable all of this work.
of PV’s key value adds is our conscious and well-articulated These plans and practices are documented elsewhere.
approach, methodology and suite of methods for activating the They are led by our Strategic Management Team and
Inside-Out process. This strategic objective is about maintaining, a cross-functional Methodology Working Group. PV’s Board
deepening and developing this area, as well as influencing others is also strongly engaged in ensuring accountable management,
to adopt more person-centred and rights-based approaches to and we will continue to invest in the development
development work with ‘key populations’ and beyond. and strengthening of these governance systems.
STRATEGIC PV’S ROLE AND
OBJECTIVES CONTRIBUTION
Inside-Out methodology; transfer
1 Effective, reflective and innovative of methods
practitioners continue to develop Facilitation and convening
through membership of a LILO Accompaniment
Community of Practice. Joint innovation and method
development
2 Evidence about the efficacy and
imapct of the PV methodology Convening and maintaining
and methods is generated and community of practice.
feeds into ongoing learning and Inside-Out methodology
innovation.
3 Existing methods and practices
are refined/adapted and new
Curriculum development
methods developed to remain
(involving partners)
relevant to community/movement
needs.
4 Integration of methods (and
Transfer of methods
methodology) into partners’
Organisation development and
programming (skills and
accompaniment
organisational strengthening).
5 New partnerships are formed for
joint programme development Inside-Out approach.
and implementation; expansion Relationship building; resourcing;
into new territories (principally in facilitation; accompaniment.
Africa, but potentially beyond).
9Namibia office: 49 Pasteur Street | Windhoek West | Namibia
South Africa office: Westminster House | 4th floor | 122 Longmarket Street | Unit 1043 | Cape Town | South Africa
Contact: info@positivevibes.org Visit: www.positivevibes.orgYou can also read
