Reframing Global Human Rights Debates for Local Contexts: - PowerPoint Presentation

Reframing Global Human Rights Debates for Local Contexts: Using social attitudes surveys to strengthen SOGI advocacy in South Africa Carla Sutherland, PhDHead of Programmes, the Other Foundation

a global context major differences in how SOGI is treated around the world increasing activism at the global, regional and national levels increasing resources going to the sector a number of important victories: including constitutional protections and marriage major backlashes: hardening of attitudes and introduction of laws and regulations

Displacement Process Nascent civil society groups, with limited support, tackling deep social prejudices, social policing, and violence International NGOs define the problem in Northern Advocacy Terms Gather Evidence & Lobby Northern Governments Multilateral Agencies Apply Pressure on African Governments African governments resist pressure and react with a backlash Alliances with national social justice organizations by-passed Voices, Identities and of African LGBTI people become ‘displaced’ in this Global power politics donors fund INGOs

Inclusion Strategy Build alliances with research institutions, social justice and human rights organizations in Africa Build alliances with INGOs and work on informing and shaping advocacy strategies Lobbying Governments in multi-lateral Governments Redefine problems to reflect realities in region: shift away from individual rights to social justice and transformation engage with wider social justice organizations to seek common ground Authentic Voice and Agency of African LGBTI people creates lasting change Build African philanthropy Direct engagement with policy makers in Africa

What does this mean in practice? Everyone has freedom to live a safe and dignified life, have a family, and make their contribution to society changed laws and policies changed beliefs, attitudes and practices more informed and empathetic public, especially key stakeholders: media, religion, employees, tradition and culture leaders Stigmatized Minority, prevented by both laws and social norms from living a safe and dignified lives, with family of choice, and ability to make contribution to society the vast majority of people don’t regard this as a problem develop an evidence base develop grounded strategies more informed and empathetic public officials, with winnable solutions Engage in dialogue with key public officials and policy makers influential allies Engage in outreach, particularly with key constituencies

The SA Social Attitudes Survey: What and Why? What? Nationally Representative annual survey 3,000 interviews eight languages 250 questions Core set of demographic, and attitudinal variablesRotating modules on specific themesProvide attitudinal evidence to inform policy and academic debate Why?Long-term account of speed and direction of changes in public values Tool for monitoring evolving social, economic and political values Anticipatory mechanism to inform decision- and policy-making processes

32 question module was developed for inclusion in 2015 SASAS surveyDesigned by technical team drawn from range of Southern African institutionsRegarded as experimental for further refinement, with intention to use it beyond South AfricaPurpose to develop empirical data base to strengthen advocacy The SOGI Module

Framework Informing Research personal experience of SOGI contact / awareness in family and community of “non-conforming” SOGI understanding / knowledge of SOGI moral frame and sources, especially religion, tradition, culture Same-Sex Orientation (in particular) Sexuality (in general) Gender (including identify and expression) Behaviors ( incl experiencing violence, stigma, rejection ) Policy Frame for Protection and Policing Hypothesized Factors Influencing Attitudes (alongside broader demographic issues like age, sex, class etc) Hypothesized Attitudes Impacting Behavior and Policy Hypothesized link between attitudes and “outcomes”

A Multi-Pronged Approach Credible Empirical Evidence Particularly by South African Institutions partnering with HSRC identifying participants from key constituencies funded initial planning meeting driving forward the process purchased SOGI module (subsidized by HSRC) Analyzing and Presenting Evidence Embargo on Data to allow (black) South African researchers to write seminal articles for international publications Cohort of PhD students to build field and integrate into curriculum International Symposium Funding for PhDs (SA gov or multi-lateral) Feeding into global advocacy BUILDING THE FIELD INFLUENCING POLICY High level policy briefs in partnership with National Gay and Lesbian Task Team ‘Bridging’ convening / workshop Grant / Contracts to support work Leveraging access to high level Ministries Feeding into global advocacy through UPR SHIFTING PUBLIC OPINION Strengthening advocacy efforts through engagement with key LGBTI organizations and allies Making research accessible and building capacity to use it effectively Strategy workshops RFP grant making

Anticipated Outputs Public data set: (HSRC)Scholarly publications: Technical team and beyondGovernment briefing papers: (Other Foundation and civil society) Civil Society strategy papers: (Other Foundation and civil society)Cohort of PhD students: (partner universities)