Social Mobilization for Reproductive Health

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Social mobilization is not new…..

..it has been used for political and social change...

.. which has impacted health over the years

...all relevant segments of society across all sectors from the national to the community level...

...to create an enabling environment and effect positive behavior change.

Lessons Learned:

• Sustained action results from a sense of community
• Health issues more than services
• People part of solution, not just target
  

Social Mobilization Brings Results

Results: EPI, Worldwide

Before 1984, 20% of the world's children were immunized against the principal childhood illnesses.

Then a worldwide movement was launched which, in only six years, increased coverage to 80%.

-UNICEF

UNICEF's Strategy:

• Creating political will
• Galvanizing service delivery
• Enlisting media
• Enrolling allies

Lesson learned:

• Sustainability is based on whether a community has felt need

Results: Use of Birthing Kits Among Women in Nepal following Clean Delivery Day, 1996

for Reproductive Health

Steps in Behaviour Change

Social Mobilization Brings Added Results:

The capacity of partnerships/ coalitions is strengthened

BCC is standardized and reinforced

Trust is developed between partners leading to new joint initiatives

Potential for sustained positive political and social change

Development of the capacity of public/private sector partners

ICPD:

People's participation

Human rights

Democracy

Gender in reproductive health

Lessons Learned:

Events raise awareness and break down communication barriers

Events generate enthusiasm when the enter-educate approach is applied

Event planning brings together unlikely partners

Events are low cost

National networks can be generated

Impact:

New attitudes/ behavior change at individual, community and national levels

The will to change is created

Feeling emerges that people can do something - collective-efficacy

Data is collected and made available

Results in policy changes and a shift in social norms

Necessary Skills:

Ability to foster networks/coalitions

Ability to develop leadership at community and national levels

Ability to work with media

Ability to organize events

Ability to monitor and evaluate activities

Ability to manage conflict

Ability to communicate

Social Mobilization is a Process which Can be Measured:

Coalitions that have been formed

Policies that have been changed

Leaders that have emerged

Gender equity

The Manual….

The 12 sessions provide participants with:

1. a theoretical framework for social mobilization;
2. a systematic approach to planning, implementing, and monitoring coalition activities;
3. exposure to key skills; and
4. opportunities to apply and practice the skills.

4 Key Components

The Framework…

The Sessions….

Welcome and Setting the Stage

Defining Social Mobilization

Introduction to Coalitions

Defining the Issue

Coalition Building

Mobilizing for Equity: Gender and RH Considerations

Developing a Plan of Action

Enabling Change through Understanding the Audience and Environment

Developing and Delivering the Message

Putting the Components Together

Measuring Results

Closing

…A synergistic approach,reaching and involving individuals, families, communities and governments on a local, national and global level.

Methodology

The manual uses brainstorming, case studies, and group tasks to encourage involvement by all participants.