Reflections on Equitable Implementation in Communities
By Dr. Sobia Khan, Director of Implementation
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Equity is on everyone’s minds. It is amazing that we are discussing it in such depth, and important that we practice it in meaningful and non-performative ways. Authentically showing up with the intention to positively impact equity and justice while also embodying equity and justice is paramount.
But what does it mean to embody equity? We are hosting a free event in September where we will dive deeper into the topic, but at a high level, it means this:
We practice equity in our actions by capturing social and structural determinants of change, that we are considering equity in our strategies, and that we are collecting and assessing data that inform us of disparities.
That we move beyond just actions and reflect on how we interact with one another, and how our principles, beliefs and interactions manifest into the actions that we adopt and implement in the world.
We recognize power imbalances and the systems and structures that create them.
That we point out injustice, listen with an open mind and heart, have the courage to speak up, and question the systems and institutions in which we live and work.
How we approach communities matters
These latter points are important to keep in mind when we are doing any implementation work but are particularly relevant when working within communities that are historically and structurally marginalized. Many of us occupy positions in which we enter communities and say, “I want to help you”. This is a noble cause, but problematically impacted by savior complexes and colonial undertones. We are taught to identify needs and gaps, and to intervene on communities to meet those needs and bridge those gaps. This can be paternalistic, and downright traumatic to people who have been historically “intervened on” over the years.
An equitable approach to implementation might mean a shift in how we see the roles of people in the implementation system. It might start with us, as implementers, saying, “I want to help improve our systems and conditions so you can help yourselves.” It might be followed by listening to what communities have identified as their needs and by responding to their needs. It might involve meeting people where they are, and shifting power dynamics so that community-led solutions and community-led implementation are prioritized. It might mean ensuring that communities are able to sustain change because the right capacities are held by all and not just a few. It might involve recognizing the colonial and oppressive roots of many of our institutions, and using our privilege to change systems.
What are some ways to interact equitably with communities?
People ask me all the time how I engage with communities in equitable ways. There are a few things I do to try to be equitable in my interactions in particular. First, I see community partners as true partners; I place value on their expertise, work on relationship building, and try to dissipate any power dynamics as best as I can. Second, I am usually occupying a support role, and don’t approach that role as an expert who has all of the answers, but as someone who they can problem solve with and bounce ideas off of. Third, I meet them where they are by adapting implementation jargon, methods, and approaches to suit their needs. Finally, the biggest thing I do is try to understand where they are coming from and to reflect on the systems in which we live and work to see the bigger picture. I listen to experiences, engage in a lot of dialogue, try to learn about what I don’t know (and am blatant about the fact that I don’t know something), and try not to avoid having uncomfortable conversations.
There are many others who have been engaging communities in implementation work in equitable ways for a longer time than I have, and who we all can learn a tremendous amount from.
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