Culturally Sensitive Approaches

Lessons from the Field

Guatemala

Finding Common Ground—and Building on It

The passage of a groundbreaking new law in Guatemala that promotes better health for women and their families was the product of a year and a half of negotiations and consensus-building among a wide range of stakeholders, facilitated by UNFPA.

WHAT WORKS? Lessons from Guatemala

  • Knowing the opposition and understanding its views can be key to successful negotiations. Analyse the rationale on which it bases its arguments and develop a logical response.

  • Developing a different advocacy strategy for each stakeholder is often the most effective way to achieve consensus.

  • Mistrust can often be dispelled through a transparent process of consultation and negotiation in which all parties have full access to information.

  • Confidence can be promoted by following through on every commitment.

  • In culturally complex environments, evidence-based data on issues of common concern can help to bring stakeholders together. Follow up with advocacy on these issues.

  • Ownership of programme objectives can be achieved by involving as many actors as possible in the process.

Read the full case study