Steps to Planning a Human Rights Campaign
Step 1 - Vision Statement: A long-term, aspirational statement that articulates a desired future state or outcome.
Step 2 - Goals: Broad, overarching statements that describe what the campaign hopes to achieve in relation to the vision statement.
Step 3 - Objectives: Specific, measurable, and time-bound statements that outline the actions that will be taken to achieve the goals.
Step 4 - Campaign Strategy: The overall approach and plan of action for achieving the goals and objectives of the campaign.
Step 5 - Plan of Action: A detailed, step-by-step plan that outlines the specific activities, timelines, and responsibilities for implementing the campaign strategy and achieving the goals and objectives.
Step 1 - What Is Your Vision?
A vision statement in a campaign is a short, inspiring declaration that describes the desired outcome of the campaign. It serves as a guiding principle for the campaign's activities & initiatives.
To develop a vision statement, identify the human rights issue that the campaign will focus on and conduct research to gain a deeper understanding of the issue's impact and causes.
What are the root causes & how do they impact girls?
What are the existing laws, policies, and practices related to the issue, and how effective are they?
How do different cultural, social, and economic factors contribute to the issue?
What are the experiences of girls and women who have been directly impacted by the issue?
What are the perspectives and experiences of stakeholders who may be involved in addressing the issue, such as government officials, and community leaders?
What successful interventions have been used to address similar issues, and how can they be adapted to your context?
What resources are available to support girls and women who are affected by the issue, and what gaps exist?
What are the potential challenges that may arise when advocating for change, and how can they be addressed?
A good vision statement should be concise, memorable, and easy to understand. It should inspire and motivate those involved, while also providing a clear direction for the campaign's activities and initiatives.
Step 2 - What Are Your Goals?
Goals in a girls human rights campaign are broad statements that describe what the campaign hopes to achieve in relation to the vision statement. Goals should be ambitious, but also achievable within a specific timeframe.
For example, a goal in a girls human rights campaign could be to increase access to education for girls in a specific region or to eliminate a harmful practice like child marriage. Goals provide a clear direction for the campaign and help to keep the focus on the overall purpose of the campaign.
Step 3 - What Are Your Objectives?
Objectives in a girls human rights campaign are specific statements that outline the actions needed to achieve the campaign's goals. They provide a clear roadmap for the campaign strategy, including research, partnerships, awareness-raising events, policy advocacy, and monitoring and evaluation.
SMART objectives framework is used to develop goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Specific goals focus on a particular issue, outcome, or target population, such as reducing child marriages in a specific community by 50% by next year.
Measurable goals are quantifiable to track progress, such as conducting monthly surveys to track the number of child marriages and measure progress towards the reduction target.
Achievable goals consider available resources, capacity, and support, such as working with local leaders and NGOs to raise awareness and build support.
Relevant goals align with the campaign's overall vision, such as reducing child marriages to promote gender equality and education.
Time-bound goals have a specific timeline for completion to keep the campaign focused and accountable, such as reducing child marriages by 50% by next year.
Step 4 - What is Your Campaign Strategy?
A campaign strategy is the guiding framework for a campaign, defining its goals, target audiences, and desired outcomes, while considering the campaign's context and potential challenges. It helps ensure that all actions are aligned towards achieving the campaign's goals & objectives. To develop a campaign strategy:
Identify target audiences: Identify the key groups of people who will be most affected by the issue and who can have an impact on achieving the campaign's goals. These may include girls and women who are directly affected by the issue, as well as government officials, policymakers, educators, parents, and community leaders.
Develop key messages: Develop clear and concise messages that resonate with the target audiences and communicate the importance of the campaign's goals and objectives.
Determine tactics and activities: Determine the specific tactics and activities that will be used to achieve the objectives, such as community events, online campaigns, advocacy efforts.
Develop a budget: Determine the resources needed to carry out the campaign, including staff, materials, & promotional activities.
Develop a timeline: Develop a timeline for the campaign activities and initiatives.
Monitor & evaluate: Develop a plan for monitoring & evaluating the campaign's progress & impact. Make adjustments to the strategy & tactics as needed so that the campaign is achieving its goals.
Step 5 - What is Your Plan of Action?
A plan of action is a detailed roadmap outlining specific steps, activities, and tactics to implement the strategy, ensuring that campaign activities are coordinated and effective. This involves:
Developing key messages: Craft clear messages that communicate the importance of addressing the identified issues. Identify target audiences. Determine who needs to be reached and influenced, eg. policymakers, community leaders, parents, educators, the public.
Choose tactics and activities: Select the most effective methods to engage audiences & achieve objectives, eg. lobbying, awareness campaigns, community mobilisation, or social media campaigns.
Establish partnerships: Collaborate with like-minded organizations, NGOs, and community groups to maximize resources, share knowledge, and expand the reach of the campaign.
Allocate resources: Determine the human, financial, and material resources needed to implement the plan & secure funding/ support.
Develop a timeline: Establish a realistic timeline for implementing each activity, taking into account any potential challenges.
Monitor and evaluate: Regularly assess the progress & effectiveness of the campaign. Make adjustments to ensure goals are met.
Communicate results: Share the successes and lessons learned from the campaign with stakeholders and supporters, and use these insights to inform future efforts.
