Step 5: Know the decision-makers

After having identified the decision-makers in Step 3, you then want to better understand their perspectives, background, and interests. This will help you to better formulate your message to them (in Step 6).

• How much power do these decision-makers have to influence the issue?
• What is their interest in the outcome?
• How volatile is their position (i.e., how likely is it to change by your advocacy efforts or by other influences)?
• What is their profession or background?
• Have they made any statements for or against gender discrimination?
• Whose opinion do they care most about?
• Are they willing and able to act on issues of gender?
• What do the decision-makers value? (e.g., maternal health, women’s rights, cost-effectiveness of public health programs, youth?)_
• Are the president, minister of health, regional- and district-level leadership, and the manager of your facility supportive of gender equality?
• Is it an election year and could any of these decision-makers’ posts be affected?
• How should you approach each decision maker?