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