Approaches to Improving the Delivery of Social Services in Difficult ...
Approaches to Improving the Delivery of Social Services in Difficult ...
Approaches to Improving the Delivery of Social Services in Difficult ...
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<strong>Approaches</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Improv<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Delivery</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Social</strong> <strong>Services</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Difficult</strong> Environments<strong>to</strong> put pressure on local government <strong>of</strong>ficials <strong>to</strong> <strong>in</strong>crease <strong>the</strong>irresponsiveness <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> poor and vulnerable 51 .Box 6: Voice, service delivery and social and political change <strong>in</strong> difficult environmentsHealth messages <strong>in</strong> Nepal - <strong>the</strong> New Safer Mo<strong>the</strong>r Project has focused on promot<strong>in</strong>g safermo<strong>the</strong>rhood messages <strong>in</strong> communities <strong>in</strong> order <strong>to</strong> <strong>in</strong>crease <strong>the</strong> voice <strong>of</strong> women <strong>in</strong> demand<strong>in</strong>gmidwifery and obstetric services. However, <strong>the</strong> conflict has negatively impacted on thisapproach as it has compromised <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g utilisation <strong>of</strong> health services.Bangladesh Chars Livelihoods Programme - has developed an approach that works at twolevels. At <strong>the</strong> local level, <strong>the</strong> voice component <strong>in</strong>volves development <strong>of</strong> bot<strong>to</strong>m-up plann<strong>in</strong>gand decision mak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> ensure that char-dweller’s service demands and needs are articulated<strong>to</strong> local government. Responsiveness <strong>of</strong> local government <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>se needs is addressedthrough capacity build<strong>in</strong>g. At <strong>the</strong> national level, mechanisms are built for ensur<strong>in</strong>g that chardweller’sdemands and needs are identified and addressed by policy makers at <strong>the</strong> highestlevels.Re<strong>in</strong>tegration <strong>of</strong> girl soldiers <strong>in</strong> Sierra Leone – A recent study <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> demobilisation,disarmament and re<strong>in</strong>tegration (DDR) process <strong>in</strong> Sierra Leone found that, although girls andwomen were heavily <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> conflict, <strong>the</strong>y were significantly under-represented <strong>in</strong>DDR, did not have <strong>the</strong>ir needs and rights addressed if <strong>the</strong>y were <strong>in</strong>volved, and <strong>the</strong>y weregenerally excluded from tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g and skill development at <strong>the</strong> po<strong>in</strong>t <strong>of</strong> re<strong>in</strong>tegration.45. However, <strong>in</strong> many difficult environments <strong>the</strong> conditions for mobilis<strong>in</strong>g voicemay be weak or absent. Sierra Leone is an example <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> common failure<strong>to</strong> respond <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> voice <strong>of</strong> girls and women <strong>in</strong> countries emerg<strong>in</strong>g fromconflict – a lost opportunity with respect <strong>to</strong> opportunities for socialchange 52 . Interventions that have <strong>the</strong> streng<strong>the</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> voice as <strong>the</strong>irprimary objective face a dilemma <strong>in</strong> many difficult environments. Whilevoice is a key <strong>to</strong> long-term social and political change, it can be adangerous entry po<strong>in</strong>t <strong>in</strong> repressive environments where government maysee community mobilisation as a threat <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir power base 53 . Decisions as<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> balance between direct service provision and mobilisation activitiesneed <strong>to</strong> take account <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> social and political context.46. Move resources <strong>to</strong> community level: community based approaches arean entry po<strong>in</strong>t <strong>to</strong> set up local governance structures, which can <strong>the</strong>n act asa focal po<strong>in</strong>t for service delivery <strong>in</strong>terventions. The demand generated is<strong>the</strong>n directed at some k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong> social fund, umbrella grant, or dedicatedgovernment fund<strong>in</strong>g mechanism <strong>to</strong> which communities can directproposals for project fund<strong>in</strong>g. Funds may be adm<strong>in</strong>istered through localgovernment structures if <strong>the</strong>se have <strong>the</strong> capacity and legitimacy, or <strong>the</strong>ymay sit completely outside <strong>of</strong> government. NGOs and smaller CBOs play arole <strong>in</strong> ei<strong>the</strong>r implement<strong>in</strong>g sub-projects, or <strong>in</strong> community mobilisationactivities. Integrated approaches that tackle both service delivery andlivelihoods/social protection issues <strong>in</strong> a holistic manner appear <strong>to</strong> workbest.51 Hobley, M (March 2004).52 McKay, S. and Mazurana, D. (2004)53 Empowerment Community <strong>of</strong> Practice Newsletter, August/September 2004This work<strong>in</strong>g paper is <strong>in</strong>tended <strong>to</strong> stimulate public discussion. It is not necessarily DFID orUK Government policy22