Women’s knowledge gained from their experiences powers movements for change
FPAR builds on research methods developed as Participatory Action Research (PAR) but integrates feminist perspectives and processes. Feminist and PAR are natural allies as both are fundamentally interested in challenging entrenched, unjust power relations.
PAR has been described as “...a method of social investigation of problems, involving participation of oppressed and ordinary people in problem posing and solving. It is an education process for the researcher and participants, who analyze the structural causes of named problems through collective discussion and interaction. Finally, it is a way for researchers and oppressed people to join in solidarity to take collective action, both short and long term, for radical social change. Locally determined and controlled action is a planned consequence of inquiry”–Patricia Maguire
A feminist analysis is central to FPAR and ensures that gendered power relations at all levels are interrogated. A feminist approach means that we recognise and validate women’s experiences and the researchers similarly share and contribute to the knowledge of gendered experience. FPAR aims to empower women as advocates and authors of policy solutions thus challenging patriarchal systems.
Find out more about our previous FPAR projects through these resources:
- Feminist Participatory Action Research- Our Journey from Personal Change to Structural Change
- Women Warming Up
- Climate Justice Briefs: Women’s Adaptation Strategies
- Feminist Participatory Action Research Briefs
Our ongoing FPAR projects :
Climate Justice (2017-2018) The CJ FPAR supports rural, indigenous, migrant and urban poor women to monitor, engage and influence climate policies that impact on them. The 18-month programme aims to support women’s movements essential to advance both climate justice and women’s human rights.
Breaking out of Marginalisation (2015-2017) APWLD extended support to movements of rural, indigenous, migrant, urban poor women a to build capacity, evidence and engage in advocacy to bring about just and sustainable solutions towards advancing Development Justice