A rights-based approach can be used to guide the development of programmes and initiatives. However, putting the concepts into practice requires that the individuals responsible for developing and running programmes understand and support a rights-based approach. In order for right-based programmes to succeed there is a “need to infuse programmes and the people that run them with the ethos of a rights perspective at every level” (Jacobsen, 2000). Organizational assessment and reflection is a vital precursor to implementing rights-based programming.
10 questions to discuss within your organization
- Do the organization’s leaders have an understanding of young people’s sexual and reproductive rights and a rights-based approach?
- Do the organization’s leaders believe in and support young people’s sexual and reproductive rights?
- Do the organization’s leaders see value in using a rights-based approach?
- Do the staff have an understanding of young people’s sexual and reproductive rights and a rights-based approach?
- Do the staff believe in and support young people’s sexual and reproductive rights?
- Do the staff see value in using a rights-based approach?
- Does your organization have a clear vision and mission that includes respecting and promoting young people’s sexual and reproductive rights?
- Does your organization, including management and staff members, value input from young people?
- Does your organization involve young people in all phases of programmes from development to implementation and evaluation?
- Has your organization assessed the unmet sexual and reproductive rights and needs of young people in the communities where you are working and used this information to inform action and the development of new programmes?
Organizational Action
Making the shift to working from a rights-based approach can be understood as a “process of social transformation within the organization” (IPPF, Realizing sexual and reproductive rights). As an organization, consider undertaking the steps outlined below to help you along the path to adopting and institutionalizing a rights-based approach.
Step 1: ASSESS - Assess your organizational culture. Is your organization, including staff and management, supportive of and knowledgeable about sexual and reproductive rights and a rights based approach? Use the 10 questions listed above as a starting point for discussions within your organization.
Step 2: IDENTIFY A CHAMPION(S) – Successful organizational action requires leadership. Identify a champion or champions within your organization to lead efforts to adopt a rights-based approach. Top-management and opinion leaders within the organization should be recruited early on to help build support and champion the cause. Consider putting together a team of people to head the initiative. Involve individuals with various roles within the organization.
Step 3: ARTICULATE YOUR VISION – As an organization, make a commitment to a rights-based approach. Create an organizational mission, vision statement and guiding principles reflecting this commitment.
Step 4: COMMUNICATE YOUR VISION – Communicate your organization’s vision. Ensure that all staff and volunteers are familiar with the vision, mission and guiding principles, as well as the reasoning behind it.
Step 5: BUILD SKILLS - Raise awareness and understanding among staff and volunteers about sexual and reproductive rights and a rights-based approach. Build organizational capacity through trainings and workshops to help staff acquire new knowledge and skills necessary to work from a rights-based approach.
Step 6: INSTITUTIONALIZE CHANGES – Adapt existing procedures or develop new policies and systems to operationalize and institutionalize a rights-based approach.
Step 7: ACKNOLWEDGE CHALLENGES – Be prepared for challenges, including resistance from staff. A rights-based approach may conflict with current staff attitudes. Allow staff the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their concerns openly. Create space and time within your organization for dialogue and questioning.
Step 8: CELEBRATE SUCCESS – Acknowledge and celebrate successes, including recognizing organization-wide accomplishments, as well as noteworthy individual performance.
Step 9: CONTINUE – Adopting a rights-based approach will not happen overnight. Allow time for change to occur and reflect on and think about the process as an organization. What is working? What is not working? What is particularly challenging? What attitudes within the organization conflict with a rights-based approach? What knowledge and skills do staff lack? Seek input and advice from other organizations.
