Claims to Success: ICT based Advocacy for the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa

A new 'Power of Civil Society' working paper

Tags: Worldwide , Civil Society Building
Additional tags: Civil society building ICT advocacy

How can the internet be used to promote the advocacy efforts by civil society organizations? In this paper, Caroline Kemp reflects on this question by examining the Solidarity for Women’s Rights Coalition (SOAWR) and their work towards promoting the Protocol for Women’s rights in Africa. The African Union adopted this protocol in 2005, but to date the ratification, popularization and implementation by member-states has been a slow process. SOAWR been instrumental in civic efforts to promote the protocol with an prominent role for ICTs in the advocacy repertoire. The study zooms in on internet based ICTs in general and the use of Pambazuka news, an electronic newsletter abut social justice in Africa, in particular.

The conceptual backdrop of the research is formed by theoretical notions of participatory, political and public spaces. In addition, Caroline Kemp conducted more than 30 interviews with key stakeholders and leading activists of SOAWR in Nairobi and Oxford, some of which were also brought together for focus group discussions.

The findings of the study confirm the value and importance of ICTs for the process of movement building and advocacy strategies. Yet, the role of ICTs in political lobbying cannot replace the more crucial task of building personal relationships between civil society members and politicians. Popularizing the protocol at grassroots level emerges as a key strategy for promoting its ratification and implementation. While the internet can play a role here, civil society actors should not overlook the use of more traditional tools such as radio, print media and cell phone technology.