Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 8

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering these questions.

SAQ 8.1 (tests Learning Outcome 8.1)

Identify the phrases from the jumbled up letters and write the correctly spelt words next to their definitions in the table below:

  • ECMOPMOMWUENRIMTEYNT
  • COLINUSIN
  • LACISICYOTOUNCITABAL
Phrase                           Definition
Involving communities in the development and implementation of a programme or project.
Making sure that marginalised and underserved communities are considered and incorporated within the programme or project.
The idea that service providers are accountable to the user communities. Community members can ask questions and have a right to be answered.

Answer

PhraseDefinition
Community empowermentInvolving communities in the development and implementation of a programme or project.
InclusionMaking sure that marginalised and underserved communities are considered and incorporated within the programme or project.
Social accountabilityThe idea that service providers are accountable to the user communities. Community members can ask questions and have a right to be answered.

SAQ 8.2 (tests Learning Outcomes 8.1 and 8.2)

In addition to the phrases that appear in SAQ 8.1 there are two other cross-cutting issues that you will have seen in earlier study sessions. These are:

MAGINESANTERDEMIRNG and YABUSINTILASIT

Unscramble these two additional cross-cutting issues. Explain why each of the five issues you have named in your answers to SAQs 8.1 and 8.2 is important.

Answer

MAGINESNTRDEAEMIRNG = gender mainstreaming

SAUBSITLAIITNY = sustainability

All the cross-cutting issues are important when considering initiatives because ignoring them will lead to greater inequality and inefficiency.

Gender mainstreaming ensures participation by women and girls in all aspects of programme planning and implementation and supports equality between both genders.

Community empowerment will make projects more likely to succeed because it encourages a sense of ownership among the people who benefit from the scheme.

Sustainability of projects means that their benefits will be sustained into the future which provides long-term improvements for more people.

Inclusion of all marginalised, elderly, disabled and underserved communities is essential to achieve equitable WASH services for all.

Social accountability is important for community empowerment so that users of WASH services can be properly informed by the service providers.

SAQ 8.3 (tests Learning Outcome 8.3)

Which of the following statements are false? In each case explain why it is incorrect.

  • A.It is more important that rural communities get adequate water supplies than urban ones.
  • B.It is more important to get a ‘quick fix’ even if everyone does not understand why an activity is being conducted.
  • C.Girls should be free to go to school rather than fetch water.
  • D.It is important to engage communities with planning.
  • E.There are some things about planning you need to keep to yourself and not share with the community or from other levels in your organisation.

Answer

A is false. Everyone has a right to a safe water supply although this may be harder to achieve for some rural and pastoral communities.

B is false. ‘Quick fixes’ are unlikely to be sustainable. It is important for communities to participate in decision making so they can contribute their local knowledge.

E is false. Sharing information with others in the spirit of transparency (which you read about in Study Session 5) will make for better decisions and more effective and sustainable projects.

Summary of Study Session 8