5.5 Illustration of spheres of influence
As an example of how these spheres of control, influence and concern work in practice, please read this short case study from Brazil.
Brazil
Brazil is one of the largest economies in the world and also one of the most unequal. Black women disproportionally experience economic and political marginalisation, precarious working conditions, and sexual violence. Without confronting the structural racism and sexism in Brazilian society, the country will not achieve a more equal, democratic and sustainable pattern of development.
In this context, five friends from a feminist collective wrote an article in 2012 in Brazil’s national newspaper about the invisibility and unattended rights of women who lived at the periphery of large cities, and at the margins of society. It was shared widely on social networks and lots of letters were sent it. It appeared there were many others who felt the same way.
They went on to establish a news website called ‘We, women from the periphery’ (‘Nós, Mulheres da Periferia’) led by Black and peripheral women to provide a space for journalism that they couldn't find anywhere else. The site includes stories and opinion from Black transgender and cisgender youth and women and aims to democratise public debate. It offers a different way of seeing events in Brazil and in the world and contribute to the construction of a plural, anti-racist and non-patriarchal society.
In 2021, Nós Mulheres da Periferia, in partnership with Oxfam Brasil, carried out the initiative ‘Recados sobre Nós’. This action involved sending letters to Black women leaders across Brazil to strengthen their experience of self-care and encourage the expansion of political participation of Black women in decision-making spaces.
Now let’s understand the different spheres in relation to We, women from the periphery.
Sphere of control: The resources of the group: the digital platform, how they spend their time and funds; their journalistic skills; the commitments they make; the plan and activities they will deliver; their social networks and social media accounts, and the support of the community around them.
Sphere of influence: The people who can be persuaded to write and read the news articles and letters; local media who may be interested in covering the issues more; the decisions or position of the local authority and the local politicians to do something on the issues; other local groups in the area who may also be concerned about what happens on the issues; the attitudes of people in authority locally; the attitudes of the community from one of acceptance of the present state to one of wanting to make change happen.
Sphere of concern: The decisions and position of the national government; the budget and authority they give to the local authority; the wider social norms in society that might help perpetuate what is considered acceptable in local politics and which overlook the voices of young people in decision making; the wider economic and social state of the country that inhibits local authorities’ and local groups’ ability to act.
Activity 5.2: What can you influence?
Now it’s time to apply this framework to the change that you, your group or organisation are working on.
- What is in your sphere of control?
- What is in your sphere of influence?
- What is in your sphere of interest or concern?
Add your thoughts to the free text box, in the Make Change Happen Plan or in your own notebook.
5.4 Understanding your sphere of influence
