Reflect Approach

Reflect is an approach to learning and social change. Key to the Reflect approach is creating a space where people feel comfortable to meet and discuss issues relevant to them and their lives. Reflect aims to improve the meaningful participation of people in decisions that affect their lives, through strengthening their ability to communicate. It utilizes simple participatory methodologies to understand their issues in the community better and define the change they would like to see in terms of basic service provision e.g education, health, water etc.

Reflect was developed through innovative pilot programmes in Uganda, Bangladesh and El Salvador between 1993 and 1995. It started as a fusion of the political philosophy of Brazilian educator Paulo Freire with the practical methodologies developed for Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). The Application of Reflect Method- The objectives and focus of Reflect processes are extremely varied, from peace and reconciliation work in Burundi to village level planning in India and local government accountability in El Salvador.

 To ensure responsive Public Service, The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) will also be coordinating, facilitating the mainstreaming of gender issues, which includes ensuring that the concerns, of women and men constitute an integral dimension in the design of policies and laws and administrative procedures, and budgeting and budget implementation, so as to ensure that both sexes benefit equally, and that inequalities are not perpetuated. The rationale for Gender Responsive public service arise from the recognition of the fact that gender inequalities not only distort social dynamics, they also hinder economic growth and poverty reduction and as such, national development agendas. Budgets as policy paper have the potential to reduce or increase burdens or vulnerabilities for communities especially those marginalised or living in poverty and exclusion. In retrospect, and as we reflect on this process we note that Women mostly operate in the informal economy and the reproductive/unpaid care economy sector

Guiding principles of Reflect Approach

Power and voice

Reflect is a process that aims to strengthen people’s capacity to communicate

A political process

Reflect is premised on the recognition that achieving social change and greater social justice is a fundamentally political process

A democratic space

Reflect involves creating a democratic space – one in which everyone’s voice is given equal weight

Grounded in existing knowledge

Reflect begins with respect and value for people’s existing knowledge and experience. It is not about importing information or transferring knowledge

Linking reflection and action

Reflect involves a continual cycle of reflection and action

Using participatory tools

A wide range of participatory tools is used within a Reflect process to help create an open or democratic environment in which everyone is able to contribute. Visualisation approaches are of particular importance (maps, calendars, diagrams, matrices and other graphic forms developed by PRA practitioners) and can provide a structure for the process

The essence of Reflect Approach and GGRT

1. Enable people to assert their right to communicate (individually and collectively);
2. Give people the space for analysis and reflection so that they can decide what to communicate, to whom and how;
3. Develop people’s capacity to understand and critically analyse the communication they receive;
4. Enable people to actively produce their own materials and access appropriate ‘instruments’ of communication.