The coordinator/facilitator should:
The assessment
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The column labelled ‘Source of information’ should be
• be familiar with the subject discussed
used to make a record of the origins of the legal or policy
• create participatory group discussions in which all
requirements or the references used.
participants feel safe to express their opinions • help all participants to understand and interpret the questions appropriately • be flexible and open to suggestions, changes,
Suggested exercise Share in groups the possible reasons behind the requirements. It should help to raise awareness of the
interruptions and lack of participation – be aware that
extent to which access to safe abortion is unnecessarily
participants may feel inhibited, especially if they are in
restricted and will highlight areas for targeted advocacy.
their work environment • decide who will facilitate and who will take notes; it is efficient to work with flip charts and to make notes on all the outcomes • go through the questions and discuss them: not all questions can be tackled in one session – you may need more meetings or need to divide into smaller groups to look at the different sections After the meeting, the coordinator/facilitator should prepare a summary document (see page 84 for a sample format) and share it with the participants. Remember … to include all relevant stakeholders in the assessment exercise: managers, programme staff, board or council (such as physicians, nurses/midwives, journalists), activists from women’s organizations, and relevant community and religious leaders.
Answering the questions It may be convenient to divide the participants into smaller groups, each to look at an aspect of the assessment questions and then report back to the whole group. When using the assessment, feel free to add any further issues that you feel should be discussed. The column labelled ‘Comment’ should be used to: • provide evidence, examples and clarifications to support a ‘yes’ answer • explain why an answer might be ‘no’ • include further questions or comments
Assessment
members, partners, experts in law and human rights, professionals