It's a Family Affair Engaging Fathers and Grandmothers for Real and Lasting Change -- Aubel

1. Grandmothers:
an abundant and underutilized
resource to promote the
health and well-being of
women and children
Judi Aubel, Executive Director

2. Overview of presentation
• Why involve GMs in MCHN/RH/Adolescent Health
programs?
• How can GMs be involved most effectively in these
programs?
• Results and lessons learned from using a
grandmother-inclusive approach

3. Grandmother Project-
Change through Culture

4. Goal of our programs 
to promote optimal norms and
practices related to
health/nutrition of women &
children, especially girls

5. Critical first step 
• to identify roles and influence of family and
community members
• Focus on Families and Culture  a rapid
assessment methodology

6. NEWBORNS
BIRTH
PREGNANT
WOMEN
YOUNG
CHILDREN
SCHOOL
AGE
CHILDREN
ADOLESCENTS
YOUNG
MARRIED
WOMEN
GRANDMOTHERS’ ROLE & INFLUENCE THROUGHOUT
THE LIFE CYCLE OF WOMEN, CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS
© 2013, Grandmother Project

7. Why involve GMs in
MCHN/RH/ADO health programs?
1. Because of their role and influence
2. Sustainable change requires change in socio-
cultural norms.
Norms are set and passed by elders

8. How can GMs be involved
most effectively in these programs?
• Characteristics of GMs:
– Older
– Have experience
– Are proud of their experience
– Resent that many programs have not involve them
– Will not easily abandon existing practices

9. Approach no. 1 toward GMs
Their role &
experience
is ignored.
They do not
feel
respected
and valued.
They will
not be
motivated
to
participate.
They will
not learn
and not
change.
They can
become
opponents.

10. Their role &
experience
is
recognized
and
respected.
They feel
proud and
confident.
They will
be more
motivated
to
participate.
They will be
more open to
new ideas, to
revisting their
old ones &
possibly to
adopting new
ones.
Approach no. 2 toward GMs

11. GM-inclusive approach
• Depends on building respectful relationships
• Focuses on listening and dialogue
• Works with social networks of GM
• Identifies and strengthens GM leaders
• Uses adult education methods
– Starting point is their experience rather than our
messages
– Challenges them to reflect on past experience and
to consider new ideas
– Encourages collective change within GM groups

12. Relationship-building &
Adult Education Methods
• To establish relationships and increase their
self-confidence
– Special activities for GMs
– Songs of praise
– Days of Praise of GMs
– Increasing recognition by other community
members of their role and experience

13. • To share new information and elicit dialogue
– Stories-without-an-ending
– Problem-posing interactive games
– Discussion of problem-posing drawings
– Group discussion
Relationship-building &
Adult Education Methods

15. Results of GM-inclusive strategies
• Increases respect of GM by other community
members and by health/development agents
• Improves their relationships with younger
women and male family members
• Increases their self-confidence and
engagement in all community development
activities

16. Results of GM-inclusive strategies
• Contributes to improving their knowledge,
practices and advice
• Contributes to collective change among GMs
that in turn influences socio-cultural norms
and behavior

17. Conclusion/Lesson Learned
Grandmothers are an abundant and
underutilized resource for programs dealing
with their areas of expertise and influence:
 MCHN
 Newborn health
 Adolescent health
 ECD
 Early marriage, teen pregnancy, FGM
 Hygiene

18. Conclusion
• In societies in which GMs play an active role in
transmitting & reinforcing cultural norms &
practices, they should be actively involved in
programs in order to:
– increase recognition of their experience;
– strengthen their knowledge;
– increase program results.

19. “According to our traditions, in
order for a development activity
to be successful, the elders must
be involved…”

20. “…We are delighted that the
grandmothers are involved in
these nutrition activities
because it is their role to teach
the younger women everything
they need to know to care for
their children.”
A village leader

21. Before, the NGOs did not involve us. When you have
knowledge on a subject and others do not involve you in
the discussion of that subject you feel hurt in your heart.
Today, as GMs, we have a feeling of great satisfaction in
our hearts. You have recognized our role, you have given
us new knowledge and we are going to renew our efforts
to guide younger people.”

22. www.grandmotherproject.org