Grandmother-inclusive Methodology

This methodology was developed by The Grandmother Project, a United States-based non-profit, for working with grandmother networks in Africa and Asia in order to strengthen their role and knowledge in promoting optimal practices related to maternal and child health and well-being. According to a study from February 2006, in each setting where the methodology was used communities strongly supported the idea of grandmother inclusion, most grandmothers participated actively, acquired new knowledge and agreed to combine new ideas with traditional knowledge.

The five key steps in the methodology are:

1. rapid assessment of grandmothers' role and influence in the household and community related to the issue of interest;
2. public recognition of grandmothers' role in promoting health and development of families and communities;
3. participatory communication/education activities that engage first, grandmother networks, and second, other community members, in discussion of both traditional and modern practices;
4. strengthening the capacity of grandmother leaders and networks to promote improved practices with other grandmothers, in families and in the community-at-large; and
5. ongoing monitoring and documentation for learning.

Click here to download a PDF of "Grandmothers Promote Maternal and Child Health" for more information about this methodology.