A Forever UnfinishedFramework for Power and Change

Valerie MillerJASS: Just Associates

Intention:

To build and review a framework on major power and social change dynamics

affecting our work as feminists

Caution:

The problems and promise of

frameworks and power point

Origins:

• Pioneering feminist research of the 1980s

(Women, Law and Development – Margaret Schuler, et.al.)

• Philippine Case Studies on advocacy coalitions, IDR –1990s

• Just Associates: Advocacy work with women’s organizations, Petateras and Wings of the Butterfly –2000s

Elements of Framework:

• Basic forces of power that shape history and context of our lives and work

• All overlapping and interacting• An ever-changing swirl and spiral

Patriarchy: Overarching System of Power

• Norms, mindsets, structures, behaviors, relationships that justify inequalities and domination -- specifically:

• male superiority and control • female inferiority and subordination

• Affect each of us as individuals in our different relationships with:

• Ourselves• Family• Community• Society • World• Planet/Nature

• Individuals and Relationships: Heart and soul of change process

Other Forces Shaping Our Context and Our lives

• Government/State Sector• Business/Economic Sector• Civil Society• Culture

Government/State Sector

• Structures and officials: Presidency, Ministries, Legislative, Judiciary, Military/Police

• Instruments: Laws, policies, budgets, etc.• Processes: Decision-making,

implementing etc.

Business/Economic Sector

• Transnational corporations• National businesses• Others such as cooperatives, etc

Civil Society: Non-profit organizations and leadership

• Social Movements• Alliances and coalitions• NGOs, unions, community groups, etc.

Culture: Socio-political norms, values, customs, practices

• Religion/religious leaders• Clan/customary beliefs/ leaders• Media, etc.

Others:

• Drug Lords• War Lords• Guerrilla forces

Dynamics of Power and Context

• Our constant interaction: • Shaping and Being Shaped• Working to change these arenas of power,• Pushing boundaries, crossing the lines of

patriarchy• Weaving a new paradigm of power --

Grounded in ecofeminist values and ethics of solidarity, respect, equality, caring, stewardship

Framework is fluid and changes according to context

• Size and influence of the sectors shift

depending on the particular circumstances

and history of a society

Key Lesson:

• To ensure long-term success, need to promote change in all arenas of power, but each moment requires a different analysis and different emphasis; some arenas may get more attention in certain moments; others less; the mix is important.

Implications for Planning and Evaluation

• What kind of changes do you hope to promote?

• What kind of strategies are needed to promote them?

IndividualStrateges and changes that enhance:

• Living conditions and life opportunities• Personal awareness and attitudes based

on ecofeminist ethics/analysis• Egalitarian relationships• ‘Agency’ – a willingness to take action

Civil Society Strategies and changes that enhance:

• Shared, dynamic leadership based on ecofeminist principles

• Informed, empowered, active members and participants

• Strong organizations and movements committed to feminist ethics and action

Culture Strategies and changes that enhance:

• Values, norms, customs, ideas, practices and behaviors

grounded in ecofeminist worldview and ethics of cooperation, collaboration,

tolerance, reciprocity, equality, dignity, etc.

Government/StateStrategies and changes that protect and promote:

• Ecofeminist perspectives and women’s rights through fairer:

• Laws, policies, budgets, programs, etc.• Decision-making processes and feminist elected

officials

Market/Economic SectorStrategies and changes that promote:

• Ecofeminist principles and women’s rights

through new practices, policies, programs, etc.

Some Conclusionsfor Planning and Evaluation:

• Clarify, test and deepen your assumptions about power and change in light of your ecofeminist values and analysis

• Design your strategies based on your deeper vision and analysis

• When evaluating change, update your contextual analysis to better assess impacts

• Always integrate planning with evaluation, intentions with impact and change

• Develop your own bibliography