Evaluation Series | Participatory Evaluation
Understanding Power
Understanding power is important in any participatory process. Without an awareness of how power influences the process, the tools and approaches used for information gathering can be extractive or manipulative. An evaluation process has to work with an understanding of the many different sources and types of power.
Sources of Power
The power of donors, consultants, implementing agencies, the state (national and local government, police etc), richer/more vociferous stakeholders derives from many different sources including:
- Wealth/Resources
- Force
- Ownership
- Position
- Access control
- Knowledge
- Skill
- Obligation
- Trust
- Self determination
Types of Power
Power over...the ability to carry out one's own will, even against resistance
Power to...the real, perceived, or potential ability to perform or bring about significant change
Power with...the ability to influence and act based on cooperating with others
Power within...the ability to influence and act based on intention, clarity of vision or charisma
A key question for NZAID is how can the participatory evaluation support those with least power to have a voice in analysing their own situation?
Keeping power in mind...
- Respect the different cultural, language and communication characteristics of others - all of which are key to sharing power.
- Make room for those who are excluded to fully participate (in their own language - without NZAID or an implementing agency present).
- Be aware of inequality in gender, caste, ethnic identity, religion in all work.
- Become sensitive to power relationships, starting with your own behaviours, attitudes and assumptions.