Monitoring and Advocacy Skills related to the Effective
Implementation of Anti-Discrimination Legislation
MONITORING
• What is Monitoring?– The ongoing and systematic collection of data in
a country or region on a given topic
• Why Monitor?– To identify trends and patterns – To raise public awareness– To secure compensation/justice for victims– To inform further actions, ie. advocacy initiatives
Guiding Principles
• Accuracy
• Credibility
• Reliability
WHO did WHAT to WHOM?
WHERE, WHY, WHEN and HOW?
Sources of Information
• Primary - Interviews with victims of discrimination, witnesses, alleged perpetrators, police, other officials, etc
• Secondary - Official reports, ie. police reports, medical certificates, government reports, internal company documents, etc
• Tertiary - Television, newspaper, magazine reports, Internet, NGO reports, etc
Interviewing
• Introduce yourself and state very clearly for what you intend to use the information
• Explain any possible consequences • Provide a business card or literature from
your organisation• Avoid leading questions • Ask questions afterwards to flesh out holes
in the story or address inconsistencies
Reporting
• Present a clear and concise message - Stick to the facts
• Include any statistical data available or applicable domestic and international law
• Consider – Who is your target audience?– What do you hope to achieve with your report?
ADVOCACY
• What is Advocacy?– A well-planned campaign to effect change
• Why Advocate?– To ensure the effective implementation of
strong legislation – To ensure the adoption of good policies by
governments– To influence/raise public awareness
Possible Advocacy Activities
• Working with the Media
• Letter writing/Petitioning
• Demonstrating
• Lobbying appropriate governmental actors
• Communicating with International Bodies
Regardless of the Activity
• Be clear about your message– What is the issue? Don’t dilute your message.– What do you aim to achieve?
• Be ready with any supporting material
• Consider possible arguments against your issue
• Choose the appropriate person/body to address
• Consider the timing of your advocacy effort
FOLLOW-UP
• Maintain contact – with thank-you notes, promised materials,
photo’s, etc.– inform your clients of your actions and their
effects– to monitor for possible victimisation of your
clients and decide on further courses of action
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