By Kai Matturi, Knowledge and Learning Adviser

Understanding the context that produces inequities

Our Mission

“... to help people

living in extreme poverty

achieve major improvements

in their lives...”

Equality vs Equity

Source: Concern Equality Policy

Equality – the acceptance and recognition that people are entitled to

equal rights and opportunities without regard to any perceived

difference. Equality of outcomes- the realisation of the entitlements of all

members of an enterprise to a fair share of benefits. Equity - a state of fairness to all. Equity involves recognising the

differences that exist between people and different supports and

resources that each person requires. To ensure fairness, measures

must often be taken to compensate for unwarranted disadvantages.

Equity leads to equality.

For Concern Equality is…

Equality is not about sameness but rather respect for difference and diversity…..true equality involves acknowledging the differences that exist between people and hence the different supports and resources that each person requires’ (Concern’s Equality Policy)

‘Equality is about recognising that every individual and group has equal entitlement to dignity & respect, to the realisation of human rights and access to resources’

We need to understand people’s lives and recognise the barriers to their participation Provide supports & resources for marginalised and discriminated groups to achieve success

…. Striving for Equality of Outcome and just opportunities to participate

Important to pay special attention to gender issues which is the most fundamental organising feature in all societies

Defining Poverty - The Multi-Dimensionality of Poverty

Source: UN High-Level Roundtable on Eradication of Poverty

Defining Poverty - The Multi-Dimensionality of Poverty

Source: Chronic Poverty Research Centre

How Concern Understands Extreme Poverty (HCUEP)How Concern Understands Extreme Poverty (HCUEP)

•Based on realisation that cross-cutting approaches and issues are very much intertwined: •Extreme poverty forms the underlying cause

– Disaster risk reduction, equality, HIV & AIDS, human rights-based approach

•Conceptual model ... to capture the multi-dimensional nature of poverty

3 dimensions of extreme poverty... to look at all these issues more holistically

How Concern Understands Extreme Poverty

Extremely Poor

People

Low Assets

Lack of Return on Assets

Risk & Vulnerability

Inequality

Assets

Natural: Land, forest, wild resources, water.

Physical: Infrastructure, roads, rails, transport, shelter, water supply.

Financial: Income, savings, credit, remittances, cash transfers.

Human: Health, Skills, knowledge, ability to work, health.

Social :Support systems, relationships of trust.

Political: Voice and participation, membership of groups, legislation.

Risk & Vulnerability

• Risk =Hazard x Vulnerability (For example, a contaminated local water source is

a hazard. But the potential impact and risk of that contaminated water will be

greatly affected by the individual’s existing vulnerability e.g. if they are already

malnourished or ill; or have no donkey to travel to a cleaner water source).

• Understanding what are the main risks experienced by the community and the

extreme poor groups in a specific context.

• Understanding how vulnerable the extreme poor are to these risks and what

capacity they have to deal with them.

• The more vulnerable someone is to a risk and its impacts, the greater the risk to

their life and livelihood.

Inequality & Poverty

Poor people often not recognised as equals, experience discrimination,

exclusion, stigmatisation.

Inequality creates and furthers the condition of poverty, constraining the

agency of the Extreme Poor from taking opportunities to better their lives.

Aim of Concern’s Equality Policy is ‘to actively and significantly reduce

inequality and empower people living in extreme poverty’

Contextual Analysis (CA) – why & what?

Identification of the extreme poor

Gain a broad understanding of the environment in which they live

Design programmes that address extreme poverty in a holistic

manner

More relevant and appropriate for their lives and context

The CA answers The CA answers 5 key questions5 key questions

Who are the extreme poor and where are they?

Why are they poor? (immediate causes)

What keeps them in extreme poverty? (maintainers)

What opportunities exist for them?

What needs to change?

CA – Key Steps

Continued

Questions to be answered by the Contextual Analysis: in relation to the wider community PLUS the specific extreme poor impact groups identified

Extreme Poor Impact Groups

Effects of PIPS on each Impact Group

ASSETS ( NATURAL, PHYSICAL, FINANCIAL, HUMAN, SOCIAL, POLITICAL)& RETURN ON ASSETS (1) What assets do they have?(2)What basic assets are lacking?

LIVELIHOODS STRATEGIES (1) What are the main Livelihoods Strategies within these groups? What are the returns from these strategies? (2) What other strategies could be available and why are they not used?

ACCESS TO (QUALITY) SERVICES (1) What services are relevant to them? Why? (2) To what extent do they have access to these services? Why / why not?

Data Gathering Framework

Questions to be answered by the Contextual Analysis: in relation to the wider community PLUS the specific extreme poor impact groups identified

Extreme Poor Impact Groups

Effects of PIPS on each Impact Group

RESPECT, RECOGNITION & VOICE (1) Do they have representation at local & National Government either directly or through CSOs? (2) What cultural practices impact the lives of these groups? Do they experience social stigma, discrimination or exclusion? How does it affect their lives?

GENDER-Specific issues related to gender inequality (gender roles, relations, GBV etc.)

HAZARDS & RISKS: (1) What are the main hazards, what causes them, what are their impacts, and where and when do they occur (natural and human-made, including HIV)?(2) What are the felt and predicted impacts of changes in the wider context (climate change, food and fuel prices, politics and conflict etc)

VULNERABILITY: (1) Who, and what (assets) are vulnerable to these risks?,(2) Why are they vulnerable?

CAPACITY: What assets are available for use in responding to disasters (institutions and communities)?,What are the coping strategies of the vulnerable people?

Contextual Analysis & the CA Guide – Operationalizing HCUEPHCUEP

•Practical guide for how to conduct a CA

to design programmes in line with HCUEP

•CAG as part of the Planning, Monitoring and

Evaluation Guide

•Application: –As part of programme cycle

–Programme level but also project level or country

strategic planning

Mid-term review (or evaluation) report and response to re-commendations

Final evaluation report and response to recommendations

Start-up

Monitor ing and periodic (e.g. quarterly) ref lect ion adjust plans

Final evaluat ion

Programmeplanning

Contextual analysisTo define programme objectives in consultation with people who are representative of target groups

Community planning andBaseline Detailed picture of target beneficiaries’ situation in relation to objectives and indicators

PCN & Proposal

Contextual Analysis Plan

Detailed plans (including project proposals/plans)

Annual reviewand planning

Participatory review and planningAssessing progress and indications of outcomes and impact in peoples’ lives – to adjust and feed into planning

Baseline report

Mid-term review

Participatory final evaluation Evidence of outcomes and impact in peoples’ lives and learning

Contextual Analysis and the Programme Cycle Management System (PCMS)

Participatory mid-term review Indications/evidence of progress towards outcomes and impact against baseline, to adjust and feed into planning

Country Strategic Plan

Annual report

M&E plan

HCUEP embedded in organisational thinking

• Organisational Strategic Plan 2010 -2015; Outcome level

• Programme Cycle Management System; CA is a requirement for each new programme

• 3 dimensions embedded in development programmes and emergency responses

• Recent Results Based Management (country programmes/ results frameworks)

How Health relates to HCUEP

Assets Inequality Risks & Vulnerability Good health and nutritional status is an essential human asset.

Access to health and health-related services is often not equal. This may be due to geographic factors, etc.

The risk faced by actors is determined by the existing or potential hazards in their immediate environment and the vulnerability the individual or community already possesses.

How programmes should help address:

CA will ask and answer key questions around the health status of different communities and sub-populations. Design programmes in an integrated fashion to be sure all the drivers of poor health across the six asset categories are addressed.

CA will help us understand the source of these inequalities and the power dynamics that drive them. Design programmes to improve access of disadvantaged groups to health services and resources and address underlying social dynamics that maintain them.

Existing and potential risks must be assessed, anticipated and well understood to design effective programmes.The aim is to improve communities and individuals’ resilience to future shocks by minimising hazards &reducing vulnerability.

Health Example from a CA Exercise

A CA was undertaken in the western district of Bo. The following results

emerged:

1)Extreme poor – female head headed households, returnees, families who are

chronically poor and have been affected by war, illness and are unable to produce

enough food or were always poor, elderly, chronically ill, disabled, & orphans.

2)Causes - fewer or low return on assets and limited capacity to cultivate large

areas of land, low levels of education, limited opportunities, and little access to

services.

3)Inequality -plays a big part in the lives of the extreme poor household, with

women excluded from leadership roles and participation.

4)R & V- food insecurity, illness, drought and floods.

5)Changes & options – stronger role of the state, availability of funds.

Programme Design

Dimensions Programme Outcome

Assets County Health Department provides standard quality BPHNS through health facilities and outreach services (meso)

Indicators (to be disaggregated by gender and identified extreme poor group, unless disaggregated groups are specified )

County Health Department provides standard quality BPHNS through health facilities and outreach services (meso)

% of health facilities that provide quality BPHNS defined based on HFA assessment

% of health facilities having required # of trained health staff as per BPHNS

% of health staff who are practicing of correct diagnostic and treatment protocols

Continued

Dimensions Programme Outcome

Inequality Increased ability of women to make decisions regarding the health and welfare of themselves and their children

Indicators (to be disaggregated by gender and identified extreme poor group, unless disaggregated groups are specified )

% of deliveries attended by a skilled birth attendant

% of women reporting increased decision making power in the home

Inequality Women and children have access to free health care (no registration fee)- (meso)

Indicators (to be disaggregated by gender and identified extreme poor group, unless disaggregated groups are specified )

# of health facilities providing free health care(no registration fee) for all at the point of service delivery

% of carers reporting that they accessed free health care

Continued

Dimensions Programme Outcome

Risk & Vulnerability Increased adoption and coverage of key preventative interventions and behaviours(micro)

Indicators (to be disaggregated by gender and identified extreme poor group, unless disaggregated groups are specified )

% of children aged 0-5 months who were exclusively breastfed during the last 24 hours

% of infants and young children aged 6-23 months who receive a minimum acceptable diet (apart from breast milk)

% of mothers of children age 0-23 months who consumed iron tablets for 90 days during their last pregnancy

% of children 0-59 months with Underweight

% of respondents who know the 5 critical moments for hand washing

% Wo/men who know the three main ways of preventing HIV transmission

Key Learning from the CA Process (1)

• Initial training for the team in HCUEP and the 3 dimensions ( in-house training)

• Need a leader/ facilitator of the process from the start

• PRA skills

• Country teams should carry out the Secondary Data Analysis themselves ( value addition, skills)

• Reflection & Analysis is vital; Daily Reflection. Taking time to do the analysis. Avoid gathering lots

of information then quickly designing a programme. Be aware of staff bias /comfort zones.

• Multi-Sectoral Teams are Vital ( understanding of assets)

• Triangulate information

Key Learning from CA Process (2)

• Disaggregation of impact groups and utilising these as a unit of analysis throughout the CA –

avoids generic findings on extreme poverty (gender, returnee status, etc.)

• Look at different wealth groups – some poor groups that may be vulnerable to risk of slipping into

extreme poverty

• Don’t forget to focus on PIPS ( Policy, Institutions, Processes ) from the beginning

• Target geographical areas, communities, households and individuals that experience the worst health

service coverage and health indicators

• Design programmes to address stigma e.g. related to HIV or social group and discriminatory

attitudes of health workers by sensitising through dialogue/ behaviour change, improving motivation

or accountability

• Do a market analysis