Men and Boys

Men and Boys

Advocacy Navigator Pilot Program Advocacy Planning Narrative Worksheet 2021   MENTEE:   Goabaone__________ MENTOR: Angelo___________ Date: 07/01/2021________   What is the “Advocacy Planning Narrative Worksheet” tool all about?                                                                                                                                                  This worksheet is designed to guide work planning for strategic action. You will work with your mentor to use this tool to help you focus on the “why”, “what”, “how”, and “who” of your advocacy project and goals.  Participants may use this exercise to develop an action plan for their current work/organization and/or to submit a formal proposal to a funding agency following their participation in the Advocacy Navigator Program.   Note: Please note that before you begin this worksheet, you and your mentor should have reviewed the Advocacy Navigator course materials and discussed your overarching goals and interest in the field of HIV prevention advocacy.   Instructions:   The questions below are structured to help you define your advocacy goals, develop objectives and solidify strategic actions you propose undertaking. This tool is meant to be a working document shared back and forth with your mentor. Please work with your mentor to adjust this document as you see fit so that it works for you and your specific interest and needs. Feel free to think big, bold and out-of-the-box! Section A: Becoming a more powerful advocate:  We recognize that you bring in many strengths from your experience in advocacy. In the following two prompts, please share with us more about your skill set and areas you would like to improve.  

1. What are your current strengths in advocacy-related activities? These may include: engaging and influencing policy makers, media, researchers, civil society and donors; developing action plans and strategy; building coalitions, organizing and facilitating meetings; writing publications; conducting trainings, and developing IEC materials, among other skills. Please provide examples.

My current strengths in advocacy-related activities includes;

1. Organizing and facilitating meetings: for instance in my current work I do facilitation for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) on issues surrounding HIV prevention. I do organize out-door activities where they interact with one another as young girls. I have also organized camps for this age group where I was able to facilitate sessions like: WHO AM I, WHY IS PREVENT HIV IS IMPORTANT….
2. Capacity Building: An effective capacity building process must encourage participation by all those involved, it can be by stakeholders or colleagues. I did this by involving a capacity development response with my colleagues to instill a sense of responsibility amongst us. I did this because I had realized that the project is lagging and it was a concern to the department.
3. Stakeholder collaboration: I set around tables with different allies in discussing patients health and rights

2. What advocacy-related or other skills would you like to gain and/or strengthen?

• Social media skills: Part of a successful campaign strategy relies on communication. Outreach is for sure a tactic to develop and effective campaign strategy, for both long and short term
• Interview skills: When working on a campaign, identifying the right target audience for my entire network of stakeholders and advocates it is very vital step to getting a higher engagement. Dividing and knowing my target audience also will help to craft a message with the right tone that is apprised of any geographical or cultural sensitivities, direct, and specific so it resonates with them and increases the likelihood of taking part
• Writing skills: e.g. policy brief development, writing for media, blog writing, developing action plans and strategies, etc
• Engaging and influencing decision-makers e.g. media, researchers, civil society, and donors
• Building coalitions.

Section B:  Project Narrative – Questions to guide your project development

3. Please provide a TITLE and a 100-word SUMMARY of your project (To be completed only after answering all questions below)

TITLE: Influence equitable investments in HIV/SRH programming for adolescent boys and young men in Botswana by 2023 SUMMARY This title was motivated through an intense search on a boy child and services that are available for them. Although the brunt of new HIV infections in Botswana are among adolescent girls and young women (out of every four new HIV infections, 3 are among AGYW), it is important that programming doesn't leave adolescent boys and young men behind. Most of the funding is directed to Adolescent Girls and Young Women or for both, and limited funding for programming for adolescent boys and young men. Specifically, I have realized that empowerment in all its forms is mostly directed to AGYW. But if we can look at problems and cases reported on a daily basis mostly involve men and boys yet they have been sidelined to receive empowerment programs. We can't address the entire problem by addressing one side of it. ‘It is cheaper to prevent than to cure’. To address the challenges experienced by adolescent boys and young men, I have decided to use a model called The Ecological Model which provides a conceptual framework for a clear approach to working with men. It emphasizes that to change one’s behavior, programs need to not only work with individuals, but to also address the systems and groups such as; peers, families, communities, media, policies that have a part to influence individuals. This  Model underlines the different levels of action that are required to make changes in sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and violence.

4. WHY this project? What is your problem statement or the gap you have identified that provides the rationale for your proposed project?

Note: Include information about why this problem or barrier is significant to the HIV response in your country. It should be specific and focused. For example, the statement “AGYW are at high risk of HIV” is not sufficiently focused to support strategic planning. Instead, a more specific articulation might read: “AGYW are at high risk of HIV. However, age of consent laws and lack of PrEP programs for AGYW hinder access to testing and prevention.” Problem Statement: There is limited investment in HIV/SRH for adolescent boys and young men in Botswana which has led them to lag behind in accessing HIV prevention and SRH services. In 2020 for example, PEPFAR invested TK in HIV programming for AGYW compared to TK for ABYM.  The government of Botswana has been spending a lot of money in the prevention, treatment, care and support for HIV/AIDS patient for decades.  Adolescent boys and young men are at high risk of contracting HIV, because most services are targeted at AGYW. As such, adolescent boys and young men are ignorant or lack interest in receiving services that are already available. Also, when we take behavioral issues, men justify having more multiple partners than women by saying that it shows that they are manly enough when they have more woman as compared to one. In addition to this, most men are reluctant to test for HIV and/or seek health services, with many opting to know their HIV status through their partners' results. The misconceptions and discrimination surrounding HIV has fueled the reluctance.

5. WHAT do you want to change, win and influence as an advocate- in relation to your above stated problem or barrier?

Note: The proposed ‘win’ (or expected outcome) needs to tie directly to the issue or problem statement you identified in question two. This win may be a change in policy, programming, budgeting or service delivery. Please note that “raising awareness” and “building capacity” are not wins in this context. They are a means to an end: activities that you may undertake to help get what you want and do not encompass the overall goal of the project. I would like to a doubling of the investment in HIV programming for ABYW by PEPFAR from the the tk invested in 2020 to in each of the subsequent years. What about in the policy environment - are the policies conducive? What about service delivery - are there gaps? Where are they currently receiving services vs where would they want to receive services?

6. Take inventory of any specific processes (e.g., budgeting periods, MOH strategic planning, specific events/meetings, etc.) that you might want to engage with during your advocacy campaign. You can use this information to coordinate the timing of your activities to feed into and influence these processes. Input this information into the chart below.

 

Process	Date
National budget development process	1st April 2021 to 31 March 2022
PEPFAR Country Operation Process	September 2021 to May 2022
Global Fund process

     

7. WHICH people or entities have the power to make the change you want to see? These are decision-makers to whom your advocacy will be directed. You can use the form below to help organize key information about these decision-makers/entities.

Decision-maker (Title/person type/process)	Role
Dr. Edwin Dikoloti	To manage the provision of quality, affordable; preventive, rehabilitative and treatment health services to the nation. To promote health To promote patient care services To promote organizational excellence
What is this decision-maker’s current level of knowledge about your advocacy goals?
He does not have any information about my advocacy goals but I believe he needs to know about the engagement of men and boys in HIV prevention because he will help in influencing polies surrounding issues of HIV and men.
What is (are) the key interest(s) of this decision-maker?
His key interest is to offer a people centered health system where the community can participate, mobilise, lead and come up with strategies, solutions and innovations on issues relating to health.
How do your advocacy goals align with or respond to this decision-maker’s key interests?
What specific action do we want this decision-maker to take?
is it a change in policy? Is it about service delivery?
Decision-maker (Title/person type/process)	Role
Honorable Peggy Serame	Facilitating the contributing role of the private sector and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to the strategy of creating greater prosperity and embracing this in the development process. Facilitating and supporting citizen economic empowerment schemes and initiatives. Treasury and budget administration. Economic management and national development planning coordination. Financial administration and management.
What is this decision-maker’s current level of knowledge about your advocacy goals?
The minister is not aware and has no knowledge about this advocacy role, as, such I believe I can involve her she will be able to assist in making sure that the advocacy goal is put in action
What is (are) the key interest(s) of this decision-maker?
How do your advocacy goals align with or respond to this decision-maker’s key interests?
What specific action do we want this decision-maker to take?
Decision-maker (Title/person type/process)	Role
What is this decision-maker’s current level of knowledge about your advocacy goals?
What is (are) the key interest(s) of this decision-maker?
How do your advocacy goals align with or respond to this decision-maker’s key interests?
What specific action do we want this decision-maker to take?

 

8. WHO are your allies? Which other organizations or networks, if any, do you plan to work with in the course of your project – and why?

 Allies to engage

Allies (other advocates, coalitions and advocacy groups)	Focus of their work	Why would they be interested in supporting/participating in your advocacy activities
Men and Boys for Gender Equality	It engages men and boys to reduce gender inequalities, GBV, prevent HIV and promote health & wellbeing of Women, Men and Children.	Since they engage men and boys to reduce gender inequalities, GBV, prevent HIV and promote health & wellbeing of Women, Men and Children I believe it will be ideal to work with them since they work with group of interest. They have a department that deals with men issues and their mission is to engage men and boys in reducing gender inequalities, preventing HIV, ending gender based violence and promoting the health and wellbeing of women, men and children
Stepping Stones International	It focuses exclusively on adolescent and youth development. SSI uses a holistic, human centered design approach to implementation, as well as data driven programs to reach vulnerable girls, boys and families.	Since SSI helps in the holistic approach of HIV for a changed behaviour to reduce HIV transmission. They run a campaign called KoStrateng- Streetwise is a radio campaign where they go into the streets recording issues that youths are facing in their daily lives regarding HIV. The aim is to reduce HIV transmission, reduce gender-based violence. It will also target young boys because in this way it will help as there are ‘’boys chats’’ on HIV issues. This will help me to also take part in the activity to also raise awareness about HIV prevention.
Bana Ba Kasi Youth Club	It was formed to improve the lives of youths. It focus on a holistic approach of serving young people by educating and raising awareness on issues on concern in the community such as; HIV prevention, Gender based violence, Crime in all its forms, adolescent mothers and fathers,
Sentebale Charity Organization	It supports the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people affected by HIV in Botswana Their programmes of education and care provide the tools, resources and knowledge this generation requires to lead long, healthy and happy lives

     

9. You now have the WHY, WHAT, HOW, WHO. In the table below, please use these elements to develop a maximum of THREE objectives or key advocacy goals and relevant tactics and activities you will undertake to achieve these goals.

  Note: There are three stages (beginning, middle, and end) of a project. Please indicate (based on the proposed duration of your project) how long you estimate each of these stages will be.   Timeline for your project: (could be a year or a few months):

Objectives	Activities or tactics	Who has the power to influence?	Expected outcome	Project stage (mark with x)
				Beginning	Middle	Conclusion
Objective 1:
To motivate men and women to talk openly about sex, sexuality and HIV/AIDS	Organize Kgotla meetings	Chief Village Development Committee (VDC)		X	X	X
To enable the access of services for men and boys where they are, and when they would need them		DHMT
Objective 2:
To promote programmes which respond to the needs of men and boys	Campaign	Department of Health Management Team (DHMT) National-AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA)

         

10. If you are planning meetings or workshops as part of your advocacy, how are these meetings going to contribute towards your stated goal? Who are the key participants who need to be there and what are the outcomes? What materials, key speakers, additional resources or plans beyond the meeting itself will you need to ensure the meeting is not a “stand-alone” event?

     

11. What challenges do you think you might possibly encounter in the life of this project?

Funding- since I have not yet engaged any donor or funder this might be a challenge when I will want to do campaigns and activities towards raising awareness. Reception- Since I have not done anything yet on selling the project to the community, it might be difficult for them to welcome it as it will be start of it.  

12. What are you building into your project to make it sustainable so that others can build on it and maintain your accomplishments once your project concludes?

For so many years, assumptions have been made about boys and men in regards to their health that they are doing well and have fewer to less needs as compared to their counterparts (women and girls). In addition, assumptions have been made that they are difficult to work with, are aggressive, and are unconcerned with their health. Often seen as perpetrators of violence, violence against women, against other men, and against themselves. We have not pondered on to understand how our socialization of boys and men encourages this violence. Over the years, many initiatives have been done to empower women leaving men behind. So, many women’s rights advocates have learned that improving the health and well-being of adult and young women also requires engaging men and boys. Therefore, I have found the need to start a project that solely address the needs of men and boys in health, socially and physically. The project will “promote gender equality in all spheres of life, including family and community life, and to encourage and enable men to take responsibility for their sexual and reproductive behavior and their social and family roles.” Globally, the behavior of many adult men and adolescent men puts them and their partners at risk for HIV. Men have more sexual partners than women. HIV is more easily transmitted sexually from man to woman than from woman to man. An HIV infected man is likely to infect more persons than an HIV-infected woman. Engaging men more extensively in HIV prevention has a tremendous potential to reduce women’s risk for HIV, Hence why, I have decided to engage them in the fight against HIV.  

13. What is your plan for implementing this proposed project? Will this be a proposal you make to your current organization or coalition to implement? Is this something you plan to develop a proposal around and seek funding? Or do you have other ideas for this?

The plan for the proposed project is a great one, because I am planning on applying for funding to assist men and boys out there in my community. There are several organizations that I have been working with and they have showed interest in the implementation of the project. But my aim is to start a movement that is stand alone to assisting men and boys out there in addressing their needs and issues they face on daily basis.  

14. What other information do you want your mentor to know and/or specific questions you would like help on?

NB: It is also important to address men’s use of violence and coercion in sexual relationships and its association with gender norms and risk behaviors Why is it so difficult for men to share their concerns? What can be done to assist men to be able to open up and be assisted on their daily concerns? Is PrEP available for men and boys?