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

EMBRACING PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT: Wisdom from the Field 3.5
The map or a transect walk should lead to some discussions with the
participants. Depending on the issues being raised, the facilitators can
decide which method would be most suited to analyze the topic. It is
important not to be guided by the methods to be used in the community;
do not allow the tools to drive the process. It is more important to be
clear on the issues being discussed and to select a method that can
enable a better analysis of the issue being discussed.
DO NOT ALLOW THE TOOLS TO
DRIVE THE PROCESS.
PLA is essentially an incremental process. Discussion on one issue
should lead on to another, as should analysis with one group provide a
lead to start discussions with another group in the community.
PLA team members conduct a transect walk through a
rural community in Rwanda.
1.5 Setting the objectives for a participatory appraisal
The first thing that we need to work out before starting a participatory appraisal
process is the broad objective of the exercise. We need to be clear about what
we hope to achieve from the process and what we intend to do with the information
generated from the initial interaction with the community.
In the case of the PALS project in Zambia, the one thing that was
clear at the very beginning (16) was that we wanted to work with the
adolescents in the peri-urban areas. Since we were entering a
relatively unknown field, we wanted to get a complete understanding
of their knowledge, attitudes and behavior in respect of
sexual and reproductive health. Keeping this in mind, the following
objectives were decided for the PLA:
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To learn about male and female adolescent knowledge, attitude
and behavior as they pertain to sexual and reproductive
health; their knowledge about sexually transmitted infections
and pregnancy; their sources of information; their attitudes to
these issues; and their patterns of sexual behavior.
To learn about adolescent gender and generational relations,
e.g. how do age mates interact when it comes to
sexual activity and more specifically preventing STIs or pregnancy;
and how do cross-generational couples interact;
what are the various patterns of social interactions for
adolescents; and where do adolescents go for help and
support during crisis in their lives.
To identify the obstacles to high utilization of reproductive
health services by adolescents at public sector clinics and
determine potential points for intervention.
Source: Shah and Nakhama, 1996, Sarah Degnan Kambou