Empowerment in Practice: Post-conflict Scenarios

Development “In Perspective”
December 2006
03
Empowerment in Practice:
Post-conflict Scenarios
FRIDE has started the project Promoting empowerment in
Development “In Perspective”
post-conflict scenarios with the establishment of an analytical
FRIDE’s publication Development “In
framework that constitutes the base of the consecutive stages
Perspective” will provide in-depth information on current issues related to
of the project.To this end, a series of short documents has been
development. It aims at encouraging
published in order to clarify concepts, define instruments and
debate and providing analysis of the
analyse measures, with the objective of understanding post-
implications for development coopera-
conflict situations, through a particular approach, the
tion policies.
empowerment processes. Subsequently, FRIDE will analyse the
extent to which empowerment can be an efficient tool for
conflict prevention and peace-building. Even though each
About FRIDE
separate document provides an independent analysis, the whole
FRIDE is an independent think-tank
series presents a broader picture. The ultimate goal of this
based in Madrid, focused on issues
related to democracy and human rights;
project is to spark the recurrent debate over the need to
peace and security; and humanitarian
conceive the concept of development from a standpoint other
action
than the traditional one.
and
development.
FRIDE
attempts to influence policy-making and
inform public opinion, through its
research in these areas.
Paula San Pedro
2
Empowerment can be regarded from a rhetorical and
different countries). Thanks to the development of
a theoretical perspective as an efficient tool for conflict
monitoring and evaluation mechanisms (M&E),
prevention and peace building in the broad sense. The
concepts such as empowerment can now be measured.
problem lies in how to put this concept into practice
given the difficulty in monitoring and evaluating
There are also other obstacles that should be taken into
changes and progresses resulting from empowerment
account when thoroughly monitoring and evaluating
processes. Despite this, it is necessary to overcome all
empowerment processes. First, empowerment is multi-
obstacles and turn empowerment into an empirically
dimensional.3 Individuals will be truly empowered if all
useful and effective tool so that significant conclusions
spheres of their lives are covered. For instance, a
regarding its impact can be reached and donors can
woman can advance professionally but still be
make use of it in their interventions.
humiliated, undervalued and with low self-esteem at
home. Cooperation programmes should foresee that
empowering a single sphere of life does not necessarily
I. Measuring
empowerment in
post-conflict
scenarios1
Difficulties in Measuring Progress
entail empowering all. Second, empowerment has both
objective and subjective elements. Even if there has
been some methodological progress4 in this field, it
must be said that evaluating the subjective dimensions
of empowerment still poses a challenge to donors. An
added problem of empowerment – and of how to
measure it – is that it only has a meaning when
analysed in a specific context. The behaviour and
features that define empowerment in a specific context
The very nature of empowerment hinders its
measurement (and not only in post-conflict scenarios).
The main obstacles are the variety of definitions of the
term and the ambiguity surrounding it; its intangible
nature; the need to measure it in a given context; the
difficulties of process2 evaluation and the lack of data
over an extended period of time. For all these reasons,
a clear definition and a set of measurable and
observable indicators are vital. Only under these
conditions can the impact of strategies be analysed and
results obtained and compared (overtime and with
1 See in general the book by Deepa Narayan (ed), Measuring
Empowerment, World Bank, 2005; and more specifically the article by
C. Moser, ‘Peace, Conflict and Empowerment: the Colombian case’. See
also C. Gibson and Michael Woolcock, Empowerment and Local Level
Conflict Mediation in Indonesia: A Comparative Analysis of Concepts,
Measures, and Project Efficacy, Harvard University, 2005.
2 It must be borne in mind that empowerment has been defined as
a process occurring over an extended period of time.
Development “In Perspective” 03
could vary substantially when observed in a different
context. For instance, a project aimed at empowering
conflict victims in Sudan has nothing to do with
empowering victims in Sri Lanka.The power relations,
the economic, political and socio-cultural models or
identity and history, among other elements, could vary
substantially
depending
on
the
geographical
framework. The changing nature of empowerment
poses a challenge in terms of consistency and
comparison. In order to compare an empowerment
process in different contexts, the M&E system must be
consistent and flexible. It should also be adapted to the
3 The different dimensions of empowerment have been classified as
follows: economic, social, cultural, organisational, political and
psychological.
4 Methods such as the gathering of memories or experiences (both
oral and written) have been considered as effective tools to identify a
process of empowerment over a specific timeframe.
3
specific context so that it can provide as much
negative results for those being empowered and for
information as possible on the changing process. The
society in general.6 This is why M&E systems must
studies that apply the same indicators to different
have mechanisms to control the impact of processes
contexts can be extremely useful to compare
and
international or interregional cases.
Interventions must not only consider the results, but
to
minimise
potential
negative
effects.
also the effects that it could have over individuals and
One of the main methodological challenges of
society in the long-run.
empowerment M&E is how to measure a process.
Some authors believe that it can only be done by
Despite the aforementioned obstacles, monitoring and
looking into different approaches (health, education).
evaluation are key elements of intervention. It is the
Others claim that this type of indicators cannot capture
only way to measure and find out whether and how
the subjective dimensions of empowerment. In order to
the goals set have been reached and to learn the
accomplish this, a series of indicators have been
lessons for future interventions. M&E systems are
created to measure certain aspects such as decision-
also useful to find out whether intervention is relevant
making, choice, control, and power, amongst others.
and meets the needs of recipients, gives account of
Ideally, the best way to measure this concept is to
resources used, analyses costs and benefits and
evaluate the process over a time period. This could be
verifies that the hypotheses formulated in the
done by taking two time slots and analysing the goals
identification stage are valid.
reached over the interval. It should be borne in mind,
however, that not all dimensions of empowerment
require the same time periods to succeed and that some
Measurement systems
factors depend on the achievement of others. Some
interventions, therefore, could be short (one to three
years) while others could last for decades. Taking all
1) The concept in practice: power analysis and
empowerment dimensions
these factors into account, the main challenge donors
need to face is how to adapt to the circumstances.
When monitoring and evaluating empowerment, the
Given that empowerment is a question of power
first step is to analyse power structures, relations and
distribution, an increase in the power of an individual
unbalances within the context in which intervention
or group implies a decrease in the power of others.5 An
will take place. This is the key reference when
efficient monitoring and evaluation system will need to
measuring impact and effects. The analysis must take
take into account the potential scenarios resulting
the key dimensions of power – traditional, formal and
from an empowerment process. The system also needs
informal – into account, as well as how and by who
to take into account that individual or collective
power is exerted. It must also include the economic,
transformations could lead to power imbalances, with
political and socio-cultural differences between those
who have power and those who do not. Finally, the
5 Thus, for example: in a refugee camp, victims are fully dependant
of aid given by donors, who have the power to make decisions. If at
some point refugees decide to protest because they believe that aid is not
delivered appropriately and actually manage to change things, this
would entail a change in power distribution and their empowerment
could increase.
6 For instance a woman receiving a micro-credit in a conflict’s
rehabilitation phase could become more economically independent but
this could also have some negative effects at home (gender violence,
heavy workload and more responsibility, among others).
Empowerment in Practice: Post-conflict Scenarios
December 2006
4
study must investigate the distribution of power (past
empowerment can be broken down into different
and present) of the various socio-economic groups.
dimensions (see chart 1 below). This methodology
could help put the concept into practice and give
Due to the fact that the concept of empowerment is
donors a general framework to be used in M&E.
open to interpretation, evaluating its impact is quite a
challenging task. Measuring intervention can be done
As stated above, empowerment is multidimensional.
in two different ways. Internally, intervention can be
The dimensions of the term vary depending on the
measured by looking into its objectives in relation with
author7 and the aims of intervention. This chart
empowerment and also by finding out whether goals
includes the most significant ones, which have been
have been reached and to what extent. Externally,
divided into groups so that they are more functional.
measuring empowerment could require an analysis of
Given that each of these dimensions is extremely broad,
local power structures. This analysis would highlight
it is necessary to include a series of sub-dimensions
the factors that shaped these social structures. In most
which will be used as a guide for the analysis.
cases, reporting the impact, even in the long-run, of
Economic empowerment focuses on the economic
intervention requires both approaches.
capacities aimed at improving access to productive
resources and to economic opportunities. Experience
In order to facilitate evaluation and monitoring and
shows that war victims are usually excluded from the
conceive the concept as a dynamic process,
market due to its regulations, discrimination and lack
Chart 1. Dimensions of empowerment
DIMENSIONS OF EMPOWERMENT
SUB-DIMENSIONS
OF EMPOWERMENT
ECONOMIC
INSTITUTIONAL SOCIOCULTURAL
PERSONAL
PSYCHOLOGICAL
ORGANIZACIONAL
Property of
productive
resources
Legal
empowerment
Cultural practices
Access to
education
Identity and selfimage, self-esteem
Collective identity,
struggle for common
interests
Control of their
own properties
Participation in
legal institutions
Social inclusion,
social relations
Access to
health services
Psychological wellbeing (trauma,
fear, insecurity,
etc.)
Participation in the
decision-making
process power and
right to vote
Wage security
Access to political Discrimination,
insecurity
Access to
information
Emotional features Organisational
capacities
of family/
community (lack of
support, fear, etc.)
Entrepeneurial
skills
Organisational
leadership
Struggle for rights
Links between
Access to basic emotional
circumstances of
services
present and past
Knowledge of
political system
Source: elaborated by Paula San Pedro, Researcher at FRIDE, based on Peter Oakley (2001)
7 Authors such as Rowlands also include individual, family and legal
dimensions. See J. Rowlands, Questioning empowerment, Oxfam, 1997.
Development “In Perspective” 03
5
of information. Institutional empowerment must be
main actors - especially conflict victims - should
understood as the right to vote, the right to have a voice
actively contribute to the selection process since they
and to make use of the intrinsic values of the
are the best suited to indicate the changes that should
democratic system. Socio-cultural empowerment
take place as a result of intervention. Also, it is
refers to social status, dignity and cultural expression.
important to point out that indicators need to be able
Personal empowerment (also known as human
to measure processes and, therefore, need to be
empowerment) includes elements related to access to
adapted to changing scenarios. If goals are to be
and quality of basic services. Due to its subjective and
reached, indicators should be:
intangible nature, psychological empowerment is
difficult to be identified and measured. Finally,
organisational
empowerment
refers
to
the
• Specific. Linked exclusively to those aspects to be
modified by intervention;
their
• Consistent. In order to measure change over a time
organisational capacities and the capacity to have a
period, indicators must also be conceived for an
voice in the decision-making process.
extensive period of time;
participation
in
the
collective
sphere,
• Easy to gather. Information gathering should be
This framework can also be divided into aggregation
done over a time period and must have reasonable
levels – family, community and society –, thus
costs; and
facilitating the monitoring and helping identify the
• Clear. They must be clearly defined so that
obstacles that exist to obtain empowerment on each
measurement and interpretation do no lead to
level. Depending on the context and the development
ambiguity.
level, promoting empowerment of a single dimension
could play a catalysing role to bring about change in
M&E systems must go beyond information gathering
other dimensions. Evidence shows, however, that
on activities and products obtained, no matter what
promoting empowerment of a specific dimension does
their nature and contents are. They must identify the
not necessary lead to empowerment of other
process through which those who did not have a voice
dimensions. If sustainable empowerment is to be
are now empowered. It is, therefore, necessary to
achieved, a holistic approach will be necessary.
understand what happens throughout the whole
process, from the short to the long-run.The first phase
measures the efforts by looking into the results of the
2) Indicators
implemented activities. The second phase measures
project results by looking into the effects it has had
Indicators describe and measure changes occurred
over the disempowered people. The term ‘effect’
after intervention. They indicate that something has
includes, therefore, the immediate, tangible and
taken place, either tangible results or intangible
observable changes occurred in relation to the initial
effects. The existence of a certain number of
context and the aims established.The last (third) phase
indicators will either validate or invalidate the initial
is the most difficult one since long-term changes –
aims of intervention. As a first criterion, indicators
many of them subjective and intangible – are
will need to be chosen in a participative way. The
measured.
Empowerment in Practice: Post-conflict Scenarios
December 2006
6
Chart 2. Types of indicators
Type of indicator
What is being measured
Indicators
Product
Effort
Implementation of activities such as
number of hours and resources
employed, etc.)
Results
Effectiveness
Describes the results of intervention
(for instance, quality of information,
number of trained people, etc.)
Impact
Change
Change with respect to initial
situation (change in attitudes,
behaviours, etc.)
When monitoring and evaluating a process with a
applied over the last few years. The World Bank9 has
psychological
subjective
substantially developed this work, as well as other key
intangible elements of empowerment into figures,
authors,10 who have contributed to bridging the
percentages, graphs or charts becomes a complicated
methodological gap. The World Bank has not only
task. It is, therefore, necessary to use qualitative
created the analytical framework but also the Human
indicators8 that capture the ideas and perceptions of
Empowerment Index (HEI)11. This index measures
individuals in an empowerment process. This type of
empowerment levels within a specific context by
indicators has been criticised because, unlike
looking into the economic, political and social
qualitative ones, they are not easily verifiable or
dimensions of empowerment from a holistic approach.
measurable. If they are properly developed and
The HEI is an extremely useful tool to provide
interpreted, however, they could play a key role in
guidelines and facilitate decision-making, prioritise
identifying those obstacles for intervention that would
policies, assign resources and deal with issues related
otherwise be ignored. The use of qualitative indicators
to equity and exclusion.
dimension, translating
is beneficial for the participatory process of M&E
systems. Monitoring and evaluation, therefore, must
include both types of indicators in order to measure
products, quality and impact.
This type of analysis can be developed to a large extent
thanks to the new methodologies in social development
8 Some examples of qualitative indicators are: story-telling,
information gathering and thoughts. Their use will depend on what is to
be measured, which means that they will need to adapt to the
circumstances.
Development “In Perspective” 03
9 See Ruth Alsop and Nina Heinsohn, Measuring Empowerment in
Practice: Structuring analysis and framing indicators, World Bank.
2005; and Deepa Narayan (ed), op. cit.
10 See Jeremy Holland and Simon Brook, Measuring
Empowerment: Country Indicators, University of Wales Swansea,
2004; and Peter Oakley, ‘Empowerment and its evaluation’, INTRAC,
Management and Policy Series, No 13, 2001.
11 See the UNDP Human Development Report , Nepad 2004.
7
2) Creation of small and medium-sized enterprises
II. Tools to promote
empowerment
according to its
dimensions
(SMEs)
Experience has shown that the creation of SMEs
represents an effective tool for job creation, poverty
reduction and growth. If the activity includes
programmes specifically aimed at marginalised
sectors, it can facilitate access to micro-credits and
Empowerment can be fostered through all of its
promote policies that strengthen local organisational
different dimensions: economic, institutional, socio-
capacities, inclusion and participation. It can also
cultural, personal, psychological and organisational.
promote a process of empowerment. If these issues are
These tools have an impact on all three levels:
not taken into account, the inequality gap may widen
individual, collective and institutional. The information
and only the elites could benefit.
below includes some of the most important tools to
strengthen empowerment. It could also be a useful
guide for donors, even though they will need to bear in
Institutional
mind that these measures will vary depending on the
1) Decentralisation strategies
context and the specific needs of society.
The idea behind decentralisation is that bringing
decision-making closer to individuals will lead to public
Economic
decisions that better reflect local needs and priorities.
This will translate into higher efficiency of public
1) Studies on the entrepreneurial sphere
expenditure, higher equity levels and more effective
The aim of this type of analysis is twofold. First, studies
governance. A successful decentralisation would
seek to identify the obstacles, limitations and shortages
strengthen empowerment thanks to the control
that hinder business development. Thanks to this,
individuals would have over their decisions. Empirical
government institutions are responsible for establishing
evidence has shown, however, that decentralisation
the necessary mechanisms needed to create successful
processes in post-conflict countries are far from what
enterprises.
facilitate
theory claims. Central governments are usually
transparency and accountability, disclosing inside
unwilling to carry out these processes given that they
information. As a consequence, both consumers and
reduce their power. Also, local governments have the
government institutions have a higher decision-making
power but lack resources to carry out their duties.
Second,
they
seek
to
capacity.The chances for success will therefore also be
higher. The usefulness of these studies as instruments
for empowerment will depend on the degree of
accessibility to information.
2) Participatory budgeting
Process in which a group of individuals (civil servants,
businessmen, experts, general public, marginalised
Empowerment in Practice: Post-conflict Scenarios
December 2006
8
groups) actively participate in the planning,
infrastructures, which is the case of post-conflict
management and monitoring of budgets. The fact that
countries. So far, experience with this instrument has
budget decisions are taken by a number of people with
been limited to two sectors: education and health. Its
different interests makes policies more distributive,
effectiveness in more complex fields (financial, public
slows down the interests of elites and favours those
administration) is still unknown.
who have never participated in decision-making
processes by giving them a chance to exercise their
rights. In terms of empowerment, participatory
Socio-cultural
budgeting is a useful tool that enables individuals to
direct public policies towards the results they wish to
1) Social accountability
obtain. Certain conditions must be met, however, if this
instrument is to succeed: sufficient resources,
Mechanism through which civil society demands
information mechanisms, an active civil society and a
accountability. In practical terms, this translates into
political power willing to carry it out. If these
different actions through which individuals analyse and
conditions are not met, chances are that either a small
demand responses from institutions. These actions
elite will end up controlling the participatory budgeting
range
or that it will simply have no impact.
participatory budgeting or studies on public
from
participation
in
policy-making,
expenditure, to the creation of citizen councils or
political pressure campaigns.
3) Studies for monitoring public expenditure
This is an umbrella tool which comprises others and
This instrument seeks to document the distribution of
includes the benefits and challenges of all of them. As
services from the supply side (schooling rate, number
far as other actions are concerned (such as the citizens’
of health centres). This will turn expenditure of public
council), the main obstacle they will face would be the
funds into quality and quantity of services offered.This
possibility of putting them into practice. Even if they
is a very useful tool to identify areas in which
could do so, this body would also need to be able to
improvement is needed and offers information on the
present its demands, which could also be a difficult
relationship between the different levels of government
task. All these actions will therefore need a legal
involved in the distribution chain. If this information is
platform promoted by donors and facilitated by central
public and accessible, the empowerment process of
governments.
individuals – which are at the end of the chain as
service recipients – becomes stronger since they can
demand accountability from the respective authority
2) Participatory processes
and hence improve the supply. Despite the potential of
this instrument, there are several obstacles. The study
It is defined as a process in which a particular issue is
may not be published or may not be accessible. Also, it
analysed through all of its dimensions. It includes a
is quite difficult to gather this kind of information,
wide range of actors during all phases of the process:
especially in places with limited resources and
planning, implementation and follow-up. It is a type of
Development “In Perspective” 03
9
work that gives individuals the possibility to define the
ensure sustainability of these initiatives would be to do
kind of development they intend to obtain and the
a follow-up in order to measure the impact and the
means through which they wish to obtain it. In the
results reached, which could be then compared to
long-run, this approach ensures commitment and a
costs.
strong feeling of belonging. In this sense, participation
itself is the backbone of empowerment. Participation
2) Educational sector
itself, however, is not enough. Depending on how it is
used, it could become manipulative and passive instead
Education is a recurrent factor in empowerment
of inclusive and active. Experience has shown that if
processes. Education – either elementary or specialised
participatory processes are to foster empowerment,
– gives power to individuals as they can make decisions
there is a series of elements to be included: access to
with greater knowledge. An educated person is more
information, inclusion in decision-making processes,
capable of making an appropriate choice than a person
and capacity of local organisation to present demands
who is not. Also, knowledge allows them to demand
to institutions and to see their accountability.
accountability. Education therefore allows individuals
to expand their knowledge.
Personal
Past experience has shown that not all current
educational systems are adapted to users’ needs. This
1) Information and communication technologies
creates major deficiencies in community development.
This instrument enhances empowerment in multiple
ways: access to services, improvement of governance
Psychological
and support to businesses. Above all, it allows victims
to break free from isolation and integrate in the
1) Supporting groups
community. If this is to become an effective
instrument, it should be easily accessible to all and
After a conflict, a widespread atmosphere of mistrust
in
and silence over each other’s vulnerabilities are the
a changing, unstable environment such as a post-
main characteristics of the most common survival
conflict scenario.The process of creating, installing and
strategies adopted by those who live in a violent and
using these technologies should therefore include the
uncertain environment. The result is social and
participation of potential consumers. This would make
emotional isolation, which reinforces fear. In order to
the whole process more extensive and sustainable.
stop this vicious circle, this tool can facilitate spaces in
adapted to the needs of those who will be using
it12
which individuals could express their feelings and fears.
Financial sustainability is the main problem this
While it is true that fear will not go away with this type
instrument faces. A number of projects have been
of groups, it is also true that it could become less
initiated but no goals have been reached. One way to
painful and more tolerable. It should be said, however,
12 For instance, it should be written in local languages, be visual,
easy to understand and use, among others.
that speaking overtly about traumatic experiences will
not always be possible. It is then by using similar
Empowerment in Practice: Post-conflict Scenarios
December 2006
10
examples or cases in other communities that people
due to the number of actors involved and their different
feel free to talk about them and lose their own fear.
interests and agendas. First, local organisations will
Experience has shown that the most important
need to be able to negotiate in order to serve as
external support that a victim can have is to be heard.
interlocutors between the state and the rest of civil
society - this role could become questionable in conflict
scenarios. Also, there seems to be some reluctance to
2) Mechanisms to cope with change in social roles
include local governments in organisations when
governments are corrupt and only represent the elite.
These types of changes may become extremely
However, this is necessary in order to avoid the creation
disturbing for the people involved.They must learn new
of parallel structures or dependency links between the
abilities and endure new kinds of stress, which ends up
community and the donors.There are formulae on how
having an impact on their identity and self-esteem.
to reduce obstacles: increase local capacities,
These mechanisms could help, for instance, that a
strengthen election systems, specify functions of local
woman that has to be in charge of her family can do so
governments, establish monitoring systems and
without it causing any trauma, and that her new
facilitate access to information.
responsibilities can be translated into a higher level of
empowerment. Social changes derived from losses –
such as a father who can no longer be the main family
support – are even more difficult to cope with.
Empowerment will only work if the understanding of
the loss entails some questioning of traditional roles,
that is, if this change in roles is an issue to work on.
III. Activities to
promote
empowerment
according to groups
of victims
Organisational
As previously indicated,13 acknowledging oneself as a
1) Local organisations
conflict victim is a very personal and non-transferable
task. It is not about someone trying to determine who
This instrument transfers control of decision-making,
is a victim or who is not. Victims themselves must do
resources and services (water supply, creation of health
so according to their personal judgement. This process
services) to communities. Thanks to this, communities
has two main goals: it is the first phase in the so-
are
development
needed reconciliation process and the beginning of
programmes. The current trend is to include local
their own recovery. Acknowledgement is an essential
governments in this process, since they play a key role
internal phase and a basic element if they are to
in ensuring the sustainability of this type of projects as
become citizens with full rights and entitled to
able
to
lead
and
manage
well as in consolidating empowerment processes (both
those of communities and of local governments). The
challenges local organisations must face are multiple
Development “In Perspective” 03
13 See ‘Post-conflict as Seen by Victims’, FRIDE Development “In
Perspective”, December 2006.
11
participate in the public agenda.This is how they begin
encouraging organisations; to providing legal help or
to build their empowerment process.
creating capacities to generate income.
Victims can be categorised in order to facilitate the work,
Ex-combatants
without contradicting what has been previously said.The
categorisation is not the same in all contexts and will vary
Cooperation programmes targeted at this group of
according to the characteristics of each context. It must
victims can be targeted at promoting empowerment.
also be borne in mind that apart from direct victims,
There are many activities going in this direction such as:
there are many sectors in society that suffer the
facilitating access to information (on their rights and
consequences of conflict even if they are not catalogued
duties as ex-combatants, job opportunities and training);
under any specific group. According to the categorisation
creating discussion groups; facilitating mechanisms so
already established,14 below is a series of activities that
that all actors (veterans, wives, relatives) participate in
promote empowerment specifically for each group. They
the demobilisation process; providing psychological
shall be used as a guide when planning intervention.
assistance in order to overcome traumas; or integrating
ex-combatants into reconstruction programmes.
Women and girls
Promoting empowerment of women could be done
Relatives of missing or murdered
persons
through a series of specific activities such as
developing strategies aimed at promoting the new role
There are also specific programmes for this group of
of women within the family (capacity-building,
victims which increase their empowerment level and
professional
relevant
take their vulnerabilities into account. Some of these
information for the development of women, creating
are: providing legal assistance to families; supporting
mechanisms which allow women to join the labour
organisations made up by relatives; encouraging the
market or creating psychological support groups.
creation of human right organisations; and providing
training),
disseminating
psychological assistance.
Refugees and displaced persons
Tortured and political prisoners
There
are
specific
activities
that
promote
empowerment of refugees and displaced persons, which
There are also specific activities for this kind of victims
vary depending on the phase of displacement These
which increase their empowerment level.These include,
activities range from analysing and supporting the
among others: providing legal and political support so
decision to leave; training them for the future;
that the law is complied with; mobilising actors at
facilitating mechanisms to overcome their past; and
national and international levels; facilitating the
support
14 Ibid.
of
victims
during
and
after
their
imprisonment; or creating family support groups.
Empowerment in Practice: Post-conflict Scenarios
December 2006
12
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