PRA-Manual Embracing Participitation tools-only.pdf - PACA

3.28 EMBRACING PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT: Wisdom from the Field
We were having a discussion with a group of girls who had just
completed the census analysis for their neighborhood. Amidst some
laughter and joking we casually asked whether they would have been
able to identify all the sexually active boys and girls on the social map
that they had just used for the census exercise. Promptly the map
(which had been prepared on paper) was pulled back into the
middle of the group and all the adolescents marked on the map
were given spots of color to show which ones were sexually active!
While this group had no problem in carrying out this analysis, we felt
that such information is of sensitive nature and those who are not
present there for the discussions may not approve of their sexual
behavior being discussed and analyzed in public. We, therefore, did
not use that output for any further discussions nor did we try the same
analysis elsewhere.
Source: Field notes of Meera Kaul Shah, Dambwa Compound, Livingstone, Zambia
2.3 Transect walks
A transect is a structured walk through an area. This walk is best carried out
with a group of local people who live there and know the area well. These local
people should act as guides for the walk, showing and discussing all the diversity
that exists within the area.
Part 3
If a map of the area has already been prepared it can be used to decide the route
of the walk.
The transect walk should be used as an opportunity to meet with different
people on the way, and to stop to have discussions with them. It is important to
be observant on this walk and to ask probing questions. Also ask the guides
what they would like to show you.
It is also helpful to revisit the social map (if it has been prepared earlier) after a
transect to see if any additional details can be added. If the map was not
prepared before the transect, it can be prepared after the walk by the local
guides who participated in the transect.