Advocacy Characteristics and Contexts
Marian Wright Edelman has been a strong advocate for children and families for the past several decades. As founder of the Children’s Defense Fund and Stand for Children, Ms. Edelman diligently advocates for the rights of children and families, especially for those who are most at risk. The voiceless in the society needs representation and care to eliminate chances of exploitive misconduct (Edelman, 2014). Advocacy has seen the vulnerable children and individuals in the community achieve a healthy and conducive living atmosphere just like other ordinary citizens in a country
Definition of advocacy
Advocacy is the process of supporting or taking an initiative to represent another person or a group of persons to air or express their views on a particular policy or issue in society. A group that is being supported lacks the means and the ability to present their views and feelings about a policy or access to some utility in society (Wilks, 2012).
Important characteristics of an effective advocate
An effective advocate in the contemporary world should able to communicate effectively between the group requiring support and the agency to address the matter under contention. Communication works to identify the existing gap and allow the delivery of a feasible solution to the situation (Edelman, 2014). Communication helps to create a link between the vulnerable group and the agency responsible for the fulfillment of the policy or matter under concern.
An effective advocate should be knowledgeable and well informed on the matter needing a resolution. The advocate should first conduct an in-depth analysis of the critical issue to be addressed and come up with the most feasible solutions to the matter. The advocate should be able to identify the department or organization that has failed to expedite their mandate. Proper analysis information helps to prove and find the root cause of the issue being addressed that leads to an accurate determination of the necessary solution (Edelman, 2014). The advocate should possess some good research work skills that enable a thorough analysis of a situation.
An effective advocate should be creative enough to avoid causing friction between the two groups involved in a tussle. The advocate should navigate between the two sides and pull them together into a common understanding. Creativity helps to formulate a stepwise approach into finding a solution to an issue affecting the society or a nation. The advocate should be supportive to the vulnerable individuals and provide counseling therapy to make them feel part of the society (Wilks, 2012). The advocate should carry the worries and concerns of the weak in society and create a close association with the people needing advocacy.
An effective advocate should have basic skills in handling people of different backgrounds and school of thoughts. The advocate should be in a position of making sound decisions regarding people’s behavior (Edelman, 2014). The advocate should be able to persevere to the different conditions that might present is a scenario where two sides are opposed to each other.
Personal initiatives on Advocacy issues
In my careers as a human right activist, I have always championed for the provision n of quality education and universal healthcare for children in my country and other parts of the globe. All the children and family have a right to quality and effective healthcare services both at private and public facilities. I have championed for the provision of affordable medical cover plans for children and families from the vulnerable groups living in our society (Wilks, 2012).
References
Edelman, M. C. (2014). Marian Wright Edelman: Fighting for Children’s Rights. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Pub.
Wilks, T. (2012). Advocacy and Social Work Practice. Milton Keynes, United Kingdom: McGraw-Hill Education (UK).