Landscape Analysis
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In the past few years interest and awareness in birth justice has grown tremendously, as has philanthropic support and impact investing. There is no doubt that increased attention and investment is sorely needed. However, without an understanding of what the landscape includes, who is there, doing what, and why, that increased attention and investment could be ineffective or even harmful. This reminds us of the way a sudden downpour impacts the land in the dry west where Elephant Circle is based. Mapping and planning can help maximize the benefit of much needed water, while mitigating the harms. We are working to make sense of what’s happening in our landscape so that people can plan and strategize. To receive outreach and updates add your name here!
A view of state infrastructure destroyed by heavy rains, with some areas receiving as much as 18 inches in a 24-hour period in Boulder, Colo., Sept. 14, 2013. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Wallace Bonner/Released)
Plan for a Landscape Analysis for the Birth Justice Movement
In response to poor outcomes in maternal health, persistent experiences of structural racism and gender-based violence, poor quality and disrespectful care, local communities have generated a movement for “birth justice” to create perinatal health services, support systems, and policies that address and improve these conditions. Understanding the response mechanisms communities are using to address these problems, and the ecology, is key to understanding birth justice and how to maximize opportunities for change.
The goal of the project is to provide a reproductive justice framework for understanding who is doing what, and why, for people in the perinatal period, in the U.S.
A deep understanding of community led strategies through a national birth justice landscape analysis will allow birthworkers, activists, researchers, donors, and policymakers to identify key strategies for collective impact, enable tangible improvements, and scale up. Elephant circle is uniquely positioned to conduct the landscape analysis with a team of researchers, activists and change makers who are deeply connected within the birth justice movement. Through a community led qualitative landscape analysis over six months we will:
Define the birth justice movement and why and how it is both part of, yet distinct from the reproductive justice movement.
Describe the networks and alliances within the birth justice movement. and map the services and strategies offered for people in the perinatal period, in order to create a picture of the existing change-infrastructure.
Describe the funding needs of the birth justice movement and how funding for various services and strategies may impact it.
Caution against funding strategies that could be detrimental to the movement and its participants.
Recommend a strategic approach for the larger maternal public health/early childhood health landscape to work with the birth justice movement and participate in improving outcomes.
The process will include pathways for individuals, invited organizations, and sponsors to engage and inform the report.
Individuals can participate in community meetings, interviews and surveys. Some individuals will also be invited to be reviewers.
Organizational partners host community meetings or invite their networks, recommended interviewees, participate in and share surveys, and provide reviews. Organizational partners are invited or nominated by other partners.
Sponsors make a financial commitment to support the work of the report. Funders that contribute at least $10,000 will be recognized. Organizations that sponsor at a rate that is commensurate with their budget will also be recognized. If you’re interested in being a sponsor contact Indra at indra@elephantcircle.org
To receive outreach about community meetings and interview opportunities, or updates about our progress, add your name here! Check our events page for more about the Community Meetings.
Thank you to Orchid Capital Collective for encouraging us to take this leap! And thank you to Perigee Fund and Ms. Foundation for their support of this effort.