Amkeni Wakenya

Advocacy,Lobbying and Monitoring

While government is the principal "duty bearer" in relation to its citizens, it is the responsibility of CSOs that focus on democratic governance and reform to ensure that government understands citizen needs and demands, and that cogent and coherent recommendations and alternative options are presented.

Advocacy and monitoring initiatives may utilize an array of processes and mechanisms.  These include: research and policy analysis that identifies and defines challenges and needed reforms, and develops viable solutions that address identified problems; report and testimony writing that presents cogent arguments for reform; legislative drafting that helps legislative bodies constrained by limited staff; public information campaigns that increase understanding and demand for reform; public relations initiatives that press for change; participation in public or legislative hearings; and, support for mechanisms that open policy making processes to public input. 

Less formal, but nonetheless critical, mechanisms for advocacy include establishing and fostering relations with reformers within the government and legislature, decision makers, policy/regulatory implementers, and those who may influence them.

To ensure that gains made in the legislative and policy arena are meaningful, implementation needs to be monitored, lapses need to be made public, and corrections need to be made.  It is for this reason that citizens, communities, and the CSOs need to continue to be involved in the political process, even after advocacy has achieved its aims.