Exploring Participatory Video

The process and its impact on gender-based marginalization in a participatory development context

- Namita Singh

What is Participatory Video ?

It is a process during which marginalized communities make their own video on shared needs, which can be used to further a change-process at the various levels of a person, group, community and the society. This process should build capabilities of the participants and drive their agency as citizens.

PV Practice around the world

Why India? • Extensive use of Participatory Approaches

• Strong interventions from the government, international aid agencies and the civil society

• Multiple contexts in the same country

• Acute gender-based marginalization

• Several PV initiatives in different contexts

Key Concepts

Participation

In such a way that people can

Build their capabilities

Realize their agency

Key Concepts

Community

Formed on basis of shared needs and

experiences

Participation

In such a way that people can

Build their capabilities

Realize their agency

Of

Key Concepts

Community

Formed on basis of shared needs and

experiences

Participation

In such a way that people can

Build their capabilities

Realize their agency

Governance Where they

Steer issues and take decisions

Collaborate with

both government and non-government agencies

Of

For

Key Concepts

Development Where people have the

freedom to

Achieve their desired well -being

Community

Forme d on basis of shared needs and

experiences

Participation

In such a way that people can

Build their capabilities

Realize their agency

Governance Where they

Steer issues and take decisions

Collaborate with

both government and non-government agencies

Of

For

Leads to

Key Concepts

Development Where people have the

freedom to

Achieve their desired well -being

Further

Community

Forme d on basis of shared needs and

experiences

Participation

In such a way that people can

Build their capabilities

Realize their agency

Governance Where they

Steer issues and take decisions

Collaborate with

both government and non-government agencies

Of

For

Leads to

A Gender Perspective ‘While gender is never absent, it is never present in pure form. It is always interwoven with other social inequalities…’ (Kabeer, 1995:65)

Community

Participation

Gender and

Governance

Development

Analytical Framework

Research Questions

Who are the different

stakeholders involved?

What are the different levels

at which PV works?

How do different

stakeholders understand

PV?

In what ways do

they engage with PV?

What does this engagement

lead to? How is it relevant to

the bigger goal?

How does it work on

those levels?

How do the participants

understand and articulate PV?

How does PV impact gender in the development context?

How is Participation in Development understood ?

What is the PV Process? Why is a gender perspective important

in development?

Is PV a sustainable process?

What are the indicators of

participation and empowerment?

How effective is PV as a participatory &

empowering process?

How does it facilitate the inclusion of women and

their voices?

In what ways is it linked to

empowerment?

In what ways is it linked to

PV?

How is the empowerment

development process started?

Can change and development be

sustained through the use

of PV?

What changes are necessary in the current scenario?

How is PV relevant in changing

it?

What are the changes seen at different levels: individual, comm unity, society, policy?

Do these changes lead to empowe rment and

development? If yes, h ow?

How does it affect: a) Power relations?

b) Participation of women? c) Representation of

women? d) Gender Issues?

How can it be

sustained? How does it create a

participatory space for women?

In what ways d oes PV facilitate participation

& empower: a) individuals? b) community?

What do they participate in? How

does that participation lead to empowerment?

Research Approach

• Constructionism

• Qualitative

• Participatory

• Case Study Approach

Methods

• Participant Observation

• Participatory Video

• In-depth Interviews

• Semi-structured interview

• Focus Group Discussions

• Reading Media Text

Data Collection Plan

The Organizations The Local contexts

The ParticipantsThe Process

“My Fear is gone now.” – Habiba, Hyderbad

“The TV reporters never come to the slums. We are the only local reporters here.” – Zulekha, Community Producer, Mumbai

“The government was forced to change their policy for slums.

They announced that they would halt the privatization of water."

– Vishwajeet, Community Producer, Mumbai

“After the scr

eening of the

film, we took

out a campaign

and

750 applicatio

ns were filed

demanding land

. People fough

t for their ri

ghts"

– Ne

eru, Community

Producer, Guj

arat

“The first time we went to the village, people were shy to speak.

But now when we visit they all want to speak.”

– Rajeshwari, Andhra Pradesh

Quotes