In action for a practice oriented gender policy

September 28, 2011 – On September 15th PSO and WO=MEN organized a third learning-event for the participants of the Gender Learning in Action Community. CIVICUS (Johannesburg, South Africa), DAI, IICD, Justitia et Pax, MWPN, TIE, WO=MEN and PSO came together to gain a deeper understanding of ways to anchor gender policy and practice in their organisations. The participants are at the verge of starting an action learning research process with their Southern partners. The focus of the learning-event was on the ‘how and what of action research in practice’.

Focus on practice

‘Our challenge is to improve our current gender policy in one year time via action research and translating this improvement into practice’, tells Sifiso Dube of CIVICUS. But what is action research and how does one conduct it? PSO invited expert Caroo Torfs of ATOL for refreshing the knowledge of seven societal organisations partaking in the Gender Learning in Action Community. The first message that Torfs shares with the group is: ‘There is not one good manner of conducting action research. Every situation is different.’

Research and action are linked

Action research means that  actions or changes are implemented during the  process of doing action research. These changes are researched and the results of the research in its respect lead to new actions or changes. ATOL bases every action research on the Max Boisot’s Information Space model. He states that there are six important phases in development of knowledge: exploration, description, formulation, diffusion, ownership, evaluation and impact. Torfs: ‘It is not a linear process. You go through the phases broadly, but you can always return to a previous phase.’ Jagoda Paukovic of Justitia et Pax is enthusiastic: ‘We are working on the prevention of sexual violence with three Congolese partner organisations. The I-Space model offers us a suitable framework for our action research. I’ve started to see our research process as a jigsaw puzzle. You can fill in the blanks once you know where the pieces fit’.

Speaking each other’s language

In action research learning and working are linked. Openness and good cooperation are a necessity. Torfs:’ Put challenges on the table. Give each other effective feedback. Experiment with alternative approaches. This promotes and stimulated learning with each other.’ Miep Lenoir: ‘At IICD we’re already working on how we can stimulate development into a learning organisation with our partner organisations. Action research is one way of doing it. We’re making it explicit now. ‘

Caroo Torfs explains Boisot’s Information Space model

Strong roots

In action research the motivation of those involved is a very important factor. ‘Seeing a positive influence on their daily practice motivates people. So make sure it’s has strong roots in the organisation’, says Torfs. TIE already made its first step. Anne Marie Zaat explains: ‘We’ve talked about our participation in Gender Learning in Action Community within our organisation. We are now integrating it in a running learning process. Every two weeks we have a meeting in which we speak about all our programs. Everyone highlights the gender aspect in their project. We use this input for our internal learning process.’

Small steps, great results

The participants have been inspired by Caroo Torfs and by each other. Dube: ‘A session as this one is very useful because you can exchange and discus experiences and challenges’. Naturally some have questions. Such as: ‘Is this doable in a year?’ Sophie Kesselaar of WO=MEN is positive. ‘This learning trajectory is a first step in a change process. There has to be a strong focus. You cannot do everything at once.’ Torfs agrees with her: ‘It’s the small steps. It is better to make on step forward and follow up on it, then to make big plans nobody does anything with.’

Meet the community

In the Gender Learning in Action Community over twenty civil society organisations worldwide are partaking in action research in order to come to effective and practice oriented gender policies within their organisations.

Would you like to learn more about the Gender Learning in Action Community? Or take part in it? Get invitations for public seminars? Call or e-mail Tessa Roorda at +31 70-3384964 or roorda@pso.nl.  Or contact Sophie Kesselaar at +31 70-3118808 or s.kesselaar@wo-men.nl.