Background
On the 19 and 20 October 2021, the Institute of Development Studies hosted an online dialogue which aimed to enhance efforts to inform and influence policy, management, and practice with intersectional gender-responsive evidence by sharing learning between CORE cohort members from their approaches and experiences at country and regional levels.
The event was attended by over 30 participants from 19 partners across the CORE cohort and highlighted the experiences of CORE partners Glasswing and the Arab Reform Initiative (ARI).
This learning guide captures the practical insights and advice from the event, to help inform the practice of participants and other projects across the portfolio.
Challenge: Demonstrating policy impact is often challenging
Key message: Consider different forms of impact
Whilst instrumental impact – influencing the development of policy, practice, or services – is often the main outcome research projects seek, we were reminded that there are other ways in which our research can have an impact. These are: conceptual (contributing to the understanding of policy issues and reframing debates), building and strengthening networks, and capacity building (through technical and personal skill development).
Challenge: Moving beyond gender sensitive to a gender transformative approach
Key message: Work to change perceptions and social norms
Glasswing highlighted in their presentation the challenge of changing public perceptions where there is stigma attached to certain groups based on socio-economic characteristics in addition to gender (for example, returning migrants or informal workers). This is a challenge in many contexts, as gender is not considered an important rationale and can be a difficult barrier to overcome in achieving impact. To transform gender inequities, changing social norms on gender roles and the institutional arrangements which (re)enforce such norms through the allocation of resources would be needed. When the institutions and policy makers are not receptive, there are other ways to have an impact, such as reframing public narratives and networking, to pave alternative ways for structural policy changes.
- Engage popular media
WIEGO work with journalists with the aim of reducing the stigma attached to particular groups (such as migrants and women in the informal economy).
- Work with allies
Often, the stakeholders with the power to enact political or social change are not well aligned with your message. It can be helpful to work with allies (such as ministries of women, or gender groups) and form alliances to target the stakeholders who hold the power.
- Consider re-framing the issue
Changing the way an issue is framed can be a useful tool to help it gain support. For example, framing undernutrition as an economic issue, rather than a health issue, helped secure commitment and funding in many countries. Consider how gender issues are currently framed. Is there an alternative that may be more favourable?
Challenge: Operating inclusively in closed policy spaces
Key message: Adapt your approach to suit the context
- Understand political and cultural tensions
Moving to the knowledge translation phase of their programme, ARI have been convening multi-stakeholder meetings to share their research findings. However, due to political tensions, closed policy spaces, and Covid-19 restrictions in some of their focus countries, they were unable to host meetings with both government and civil society organisations (CSOs) in the same space. To address this challenge, they developed national policy dialogue guidelines and adopted a relay approach where they first brought CSOs together to create an outcome document with key messages which could then presented to policy makers at a separate meeting. This approach allowed both parties to contribute to the meetings without compromising safety.
- Engage with multiple stakeholders throughout the research
From the beginning of their research, ARI have engaged an advisory committee comprised of multiple stakeholders. This committee serves to provide feedback on the research and overall guidance, whilst also helping to facilitate access to data and leveraging networks and access to advocacy channels. Engaging with stakeholders from across sectors in this way not only allows the research itself to be adaptive and shaped by those with whom they are aiming to reach, but also aims to sensitise stakeholders and build critical networks for engaging with findings and recommendations.
Challenge: Conveying complexity and nuance to multiple stakeholders
Key message: Tailor your messages for each audience
Many of the CORE projects are working across multiple countries and on a diverse range of issues, including governance, informal economy, digital transformations, migration, and social protection. Synthesising complex research programmes, particularly to policy audiences, into locally relevant practical recommendations can be a challenge.
- Understand your audience
Not every aspect of your research will resonate with every stakeholder you wish to reach. Understanding your different stakeholders is essential – how aligned they are with your work, and how influential they are in the change you wish to seek. Using a stakeholder profiling tool can help to build a picture of what each stakeholder finds important and can help you to build your strategy for engaging them.