1. Carla Sutherland, PhD Head of Programmes, the Other Foundation
Reframing Global Human Rights Debates for Local Contexts:
Using social attitudes surveys to strengthen SOGI advocacy in South Africa
Carla Sutherland, PhD
Head of Programmes, the Other Foundation

2. a global context
major differences in how SOGI is treated around the world
increasing activism at the global, regional and national levels
increasing resources going to the sector
a number of important victories: including constitutional protections and marriage
major backlashes: hardening of attitudes and introduction of laws and regulations

3. Displacement Process donors fund INGOs
Multilateral Agencies Apply Pressure on African Governments
Voices, Identities and of African LGBTI people become ‘displaced’ in this Global power politics
African governments resist pressure and react with a backlash
Gather Evidence & Lobby Northern Governments
International NGOs define the problem in Northern Advocacy Terms
Nascent civil society groups, with limited support, tackling deep social prejudices, social policing, and violence
Alliances with national social justice organizations by-passed

4. Inclusion Strategy Lobbying Governments in multi-lateral Governments
Direct engagement with policy makers in Africa
Build alliances with INGOs and work on informing and shaping advocacy strategies
Authentic Voice and Agency of African LGBTI people creates lasting change
Build alliances with research institutions, social justice and human rights organizations in Africa
Build African philanthropy
engage with wider social justice organizations to seek common ground
Redefine problems to reflect realities in region: shift away from individual rights to social justice and transformation

5. What does this mean in practice?
Everyone has freedom to live a safe and dignified life, have a family, and make their contribution to society
changed laws and policies
changed beliefs, attitudes and practices
more informed and empathetic public officials, with winnable solutions
more informed and empathetic public, especially key stakeholders: media, religion, employees, tradition and culture leaders
Engage in dialogue with key public officials and policy makers
Engage in outreach, particularly with key constituencies
develop an evidence base
develop grounded strategies
the vast majority of people don’t regard this as a problem
influential allies
Stigmatized Minority, prevented by both laws and social norms from living a safe and dignified lives, with family of choice, and ability to make contribution to society

6. The SA Social Attitudes Survey: What and Why?
Nationally Representative annual survey
3,000 interviews
eight languages
250 questions
Core set of demographic, and attitudinal variables
Rotating modules on specific themes
Provide attitudinal evidence to inform policy and academic debate
Why?
Long-term account of speed and direction of changes in public values
Tool for monitoring evolving social, economic and political values
Anticipatory mechanism to inform decision- and policy-making processes
The SA Social Attitudes Survey:
What and Why?

7. The SOGI Module
32 question module was developed for inclusion in SASAS survey
Designed by technical team drawn from range of Southern African institutions
Regarded as experimental for further refinement, with intention to use it beyond South Africa
Purpose to develop empirical data base to strengthen advocacy

8. Framework Informing Research
Hypothesized Factors Influencing Attitudes
(alongside broader demographic issues like age, sex, class etc)
Hypothesized Attitudes Impacting Behavior and Policy
Hypothesized link
between attitudes and “outcomes”
personal experience of SOGI
Behaviors
(incl experiencing violence, stigma, rejection)
contact / awareness in family and community of “non-conforming” SOGI
Gender
(including identify and expression)
Same-Sex Orientation
(in particular)
Policy Frame for Protection and Policing
understanding / knowledge of SOGI
Sexuality
(in general)
moral frame and sources, especially religion, tradition, culture

9. A Multi-Pronged Approach
Credible Empirical Evidence
Analyzing and Presenting Evidence
BUILDING THE FIELD
SHIFTING PUBLIC OPINION
Embargo on Data
to allow (black) South African researchers to write seminal articles for international publications
INFLUENCING POLICY
Particularly by South African Institutions
Strengthening advocacy efforts through engagement with key LGBTI organizations and allies
Making research accessible and building capacity to use it effectively
High level policy briefs in partnership with National Gay and Lesbian Task Team
Cohort of PhD students to build field and integrate into curriculum
‘Bridging’ convening / workshop
Grant / Contracts to support work
Leveraging access to high level Ministries
Feeding into global advocacy through UPR
partnering with HSRC
identifying participants from key constituencies
funded initial planning meeting
driving forward the process
purchased SOGI module (subsidized by HSRC)
International Symposium
Funding for PhDs (SA gov or multi-lateral)
Feeding into global advocacy
Strategy workshops
RFP grant making

10. Anticipated Outputs Public data set: (HSRC)
Scholarly publications: Technical team and beyond
Government briefing papers: (Other Foundation and civil society)
Civil Society strategy papers: (Other Foundation and civil society)
Cohort of PhD students: (partner universities)