Conducting a Participatory Situation Analysis of.pdf - Global HIV ...

findings of a national or sub-national situation analysis, but
they cannot claim that the findings indicate success (or failure)
of specific program activities. A forthcoming publication
by Family Health International will cover specifics of
OVC program monitoring and evaluation.
Policy and Regulatory Framework
Many existing child protection laws are fragmented and
outdated, and the effects of HIV/AIDS have made many
of these laws even less relevant. Changing policies and laws
is not easy; it is a long-term process that can be initiated
or accelerated based on situation analysis findings.
Formulation and revision of policies and laws should fully
consider the challenges faced by people living with
HIV/AIDS and their families. Situation analysis findings
can inform the process by providing quantitative and qualitative
data on key issues such as property-grabbing and
inheritance practices, birth registration, child abuse, legal
support, education access, health and nutrition status, and
service provision. For example, if the law allows widows to
inherit property, the findings can indicate whether or not
the law is being respected or enforced. The data may reinforce
and validate the need for an education-for-all policy,
thereby increasing opportunities for orphans and vulnerable
children to stay in school. The lack of communication
regarding a parent’s cause of death often indicates stigma
associated with HIV/AIDS. Analysis findings in this area
can fuel a movement toward antidiscrimination laws, or if
laws exist, can prompt increased awareness and enforcement.
It is helpful to have a person with policy or legal
expertise review the data collection instruments for relevant
areas of inquiry that can be further analyzed.
II. Informing Programs
A national response to the situation of OVC is a collective
action undertaken at all levels (i.e., household, village,
district, region, and country). The situation analysis
report reflects how this collective action is affecting or
not affecting the lives of OVC. No one program can
claim success or failure based on the findings of a situation
analysis as presented in this Guide. However, specific
findings from a situation analysis may prove helpful
for improving actions undertaken by programs.
Following are a few illustrative examples of how analysis
findings may inform programs.
Supporting Community Mobilization
“Ubuntu—I am only a person through other people—
so that my individual well-being is only achieved
through the well-being of the community.”
—South African tribal term
The situation analysis may reveal that few respondents
report receiving support such as direct food assistance
and/or financial assistance for food, and even fewer may
report that they have received financial assistance for
medical care and education. Moreover, the primary
means of support may be reported to be the church,
friends, or relatives. And hardly any respondents may
report receiving support from formal organizations. Such
findings would indicate that despite the collective efforts
of various organizations, institutions, and government
structures community members themselves are still at the
forefront of caring for one another. This finding, coupled
with the stress on households due to the death and illness
of guardians, intensifies the need for increased community
mobilization and ongoing support to strengthen
and sustain social safety nets, community assets, and the
well-being of OVC and their families.
Strengthening the capacity of communities to fill the
widening gaps in the safety net traditionally provided by
the extended family is the most efficient, cost-effective,
and sustainable way to assist OVC. Families and communities
play a crucial role in identifying children who are
most in need, both those affected by AIDS and vulnerable
children (e.g., orphans due to causes other than
Fortifying the Response to HIV/AIDS-
Affected Children
Results from a situation analysis can be used to plan
an effective response for engaging politicians, religious
leaders, and the business community in efforts
to meet the needs of OVC. Data, if used effectively,
can secure political commitment to minimize the
impact of HIV/AIDS on children and their caregivers.
Situation analysis findings can be used in the following
ways to attract needed attention to the issues of
vulnerable children:
• Offer verifiable information on the level of psychosocial
well-being of vulnerable children
• Offer verifiable information on the scope and
scale of care given to vulnerable children
• Identify links between psychosocial well-being
and HIV/AIDS risk-taking behavior
• Suggest potential gaps in mitigation efforts so
responses can be better targeted
• Inform strategies and funding for a national
response to OVC
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