Advocacy

As an individual, living in a community that is part of a society, I have rights and privileges. But as someone who is in a wheelchair after losing the use of my legs, I can’t access many places people with full use of their legs can go. I love football and want to go to matches. Often, I cannot. This to me is unfair. I am an advocate for equal access to public spaces.
— Jok

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is the act of supporting, defending, or arguing for a specific cause or issue.

If you’ve ever tried to promote an issue you care about, you have engaged in advocacy.

The purpose of advocacy is to bring about change, whether that’s accomplished through raising public awareness, increasing support, or influencing policy for a particular issue.

You can advocate for yourself, for another person, or for a cause.

Youth Advocates

Malala Yousafzai

Women’s and girl’s education activist, she has fought against girls being banned from attending school in Pakistan.

Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at 17. Her advocacy has grown into an international movement.

Lual Mayen

This refugee from South Sudan created a video game called Salaam. It allows players to take on the role of a war refugee.

When you make an in-app purchase to buy water for your player, you are also purchasing water for someone in a refugee camp in real life.

Greta Thunberg

This Swedish environmental activist is known for criticising world leaders for not addressing the climate crisis.

Greta began the school climate strike movement at 15, and it has grown to include millions of students all over the world.

What does Advocacy look like? >>>

Why is Advocacy Important? >>>

What does Advocacy look like?

There are many different activities that you can do to advocate for your issue.

Organise a campaign in your community or on social media. 

Write an op-ed or letter to the editor of your local newspaper. 

Start a petition.

Advocacy helps others understand your point of view and support your cause.

Ultimately, the goal of advocacy is to effect change on the issue you care about.

How can I be an Advocate?

SELECT AN ADVOCACY OBJECTIVE

What issue do you want to advocate for?

Is your goal achievable?

USE DATA & RESEARCH FOR ADVOCACY

Do research on the issue you want to address, so you can make informed decisions and set realistic goals.

IDENTIFY ADVOCACY AUDIENCES

Who will you direct your advocacy campaign to?

Is this really the best person, group, or organisation to influence?

DEVELOP & DELIVER ADVOCACY MESSAGES

What messages can really motivate people to make a change?

BUILD COALITIONS

How will you involve a group of people to advocate with you?

Who is your ally in this?

MAKE PERSUASIVE PRESENTATIONS

Make sure your message is convincing, so it can influence decision makers.

How would you bring a message to make a change?

FUNDRAISE FOR ADVOCACY

Activities often require resources, so think about how you can get people, time and money to advocate for your cause.

EVALUATE ADVOCACY EFFORTS

Evaluate whether your advocating efforts really made a change.

Did you reach your goal?

What would you do differently next time?

What went well?

Why is Advocacy Important?

Advocacy seeks to ensure that all people in society are able to:

Have their voice heard on issues that are important to them.

Protect and promote their rights.

Have their views and wishes genuinely considered when decisions are being made about their lives.

Girls’ Access to Education

My name is Kojoki. I am smart, but it is my brother who gets to go to school, and not me. I work on the farm with my parents. They taught me to respect the land. My family is the most important thing in my life. Recently, we had challenges on the farm … not enough water, then too much water. I heard on the radio about irrigation. I asked a local mechanic if he could help. At first, he laughed at me, but then saw my sincerity and assisted. If my parents are investing in the land, why can’t they invest in me too … in my education and in my mental health? A person’s physical and mental state are interconnected, like the land is with the sun and the sky. I believe that we should build special programs designed to support the physical and emotional health of all youth, especially girls. We are the future.

Result

#1. What is Advocacy?

Wanting to keep things as they are and resisting change.

Promoting and supporting an issue or cause that you care about.

Staying silent about a problem, even when you don’t agree with a public policy.

Ignoring and not supporting someone whose rights are being abused.

The purpose of Advocacy is to bring about change by supporting, defending, or arguing for a specific cause or issue.

FINISH

What is a Disability?

A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more daily activities. Some people can’t use their legs. Some may be deaf. Others, blind.
Some disabilities are visible — like being in a wheelchair. Others are invisible, like being deaf.

Individuals with disabilities face great barriers

1. We are treated like victims or objects of pity.

2. We are viewed as burdens on society or on the family.

3. We are mocked or treated as subhuman.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

1. People with a disability are people too.

2. We have hopes, dreams, skills, and desires.

3. People living with disabilities can do almost anything abled people can do.

4. Don’t treat us as though we are sick or unable to do anything for ourselves.

5. Ask us if we need support, as you would ask abled people.

6. Speak directly to us, not to our caregivers, or other third parties, such as interpreters.

7. Treat us in a manner that is appropriate to our age. Don’t talk to adults like we are children.

Living with Disabilities

My name is Jok. I love science and technology. I used to love to play football too. Then I had an accident, and in one second, all that joy and freedom of running went away. I nearly died, they said. My family was devastated. I am their only son. How could I continue without my legs? My father was ashamed at first, and this hurt me. But soon, he changed his mind. My parents showed me support. I could no longer play football, but I still had science. We built a new wheelchair that was adapted for the roads. I now want to create inventions that will help people in my community. I want to advocate for people who are differently abled. Life will always have challenges, but with knowledge, we can overcome them. I believe all youth should be recognized for their abilities, and not their disabilities.