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A crucial aspect of knowing how to get better is knowing what worked previously and why it worked. A paper I recently read on policy engagement highlighted 7 elements of a successful advocacy campaign. I will like to show how this worked in #EndSARs 
. A thread.
. A thread.
1. Identify a clear problem. Clarity is the key word. Focus aids clarity. #EndSARs focused on one of many existing problems: police brutality. The unambiguity grew the campaign to such a strong point that the identified problem eventually served as a pointer to the others.
focused on one of many existing problems: police brutality. The unambiguity grew the campaign to such a strong point that the identified problem eventually served as a pointer to the others.
2. Understand the political context. Knowing the ways things worked in Nigeria added the needed fuel. E.g. protests continued in spite of the government' initial response of the disbandment of SARS because of the populace's contextual awareness as a result previous disbandments.
3. Form effective coalitions. This was one of the strongest wings upon which #EndSARs flew. Coalitions were formed across several needs, individuals and orgs. Finances. Legals. Welfare. Medicals. Media. Etc.
flew. Coalitions were formed across several needs, individuals and orgs. Finances. Legals. Welfare. Medicals. Media. Etc.
4. Communicate effectively. This was very key. From daily tweets, to a simplified #5for5 agenda, to images with the names of lost victims, to personal stories of real people who have being victims. The communication was vivid, accessible, easily-digestible, and action-provoking.
5. Generate credible evidence. Videos especially played a major role in #EndSARS . Evidences that prioritize credibility (real names, real faces, real stories) increased the legitimacy of the cause and helped improved its effectiveness.
. Evidences that prioritize credibility (real names, real faces, real stories) increased the legitimacy of the cause and helped improved its effectiveness.
6. Be persistent. This goes without saying. The persistence of offline and online protests, funding support and more, inspite of the many challenges took the cause as far as it went. Farther than many of us imagined it could ever go.
7. Stay engaged through the whole policy process. This is where we are now. The protest started the policy process by agenda setting. Current updates such as the new judiciary panels are taking the process up from there. Hopefully we would keep finding ways to engage the process.
