Approaches to Improving the Delivery of Social Services in Difficult ...

Approaches to Improving the Delivery of Social Services in Difficult Environmentsto put pressure on local government officials to increase theirresponsiveness to the needs of the poor and vulnerable 51 .Box 6: Voice, service delivery and social and political change in difficult environmentsHealth messages in Nepal - the New Safer Mother Project has focused on promoting safermotherhood messages in communities in order to increase the voice of women in demandingmidwifery and obstetric services. However, the conflict has negatively impacted on thisapproach as it has compromised increasing utilisation of health services.Bangladesh Chars Livelihoods Programme - has developed an approach that works at twolevels. At the local level, the voice component involves development of bottom-up planningand decision making to ensure that char-dweller’s service demands and needs are articulatedto local government. Responsiveness of local government to these needs is addressedthrough capacity building. At the national level, mechanisms are built for ensuring that chardweller’sdemands and needs are identified and addressed by policy makers at the highestlevels.Reintegration of girl soldiers in Sierra Leone – A recent study of the demobilisation,disarmament and reintegration (DDR) process in Sierra Leone found that, although girls andwomen were heavily involved in the conflict, they were significantly under-represented inDDR, did not have their needs and rights addressed if they were involved, and they weregenerally excluded from training and skill development at the point of reintegration.45. However, in many difficult environments the conditions for mobilising voicemay be weak or absent. Sierra Leone is an example of the common failureto respond to the voice of girls and women in countries emerging fromconflict – a lost opportunity with respect to opportunities for socialchange 52 . Interventions that have the strengthening of voice as theirprimary objective face a dilemma in many difficult environments. Whilevoice is a key to long-term social and political change, it can be adangerous entry point in repressive environments where government maysee community mobilisation as a threat to their power base 53 . Decisions asto the balance between direct service provision and mobilisation activitiesneed to take account of the social and political context.46. Move resources to community level: community based approaches arean entry point to set up local governance structures, which can then act asa focal point for service delivery interventions. The demand generated isthen directed at some kind of social fund, umbrella grant, or dedicatedgovernment funding mechanism to which communities can directproposals for project funding. Funds may be administered through localgovernment structures if these have the capacity and legitimacy, or theymay sit completely outside of government. NGOs and smaller CBOs play arole in either implementing sub-projects, or in community mobilisationactivities. Integrated approaches that tackle both service delivery andlivelihoods/social protection issues in a holistic manner appear to workbest.51 Hobley, M (March 2004).52 McKay, S. and Mazurana, D. (2004)53 Empowerment Community of Practice Newsletter, August/September 2004This working paper is intended to stimulate public discussion. It is not necessarily DFID orUK Government policy22