Using MICS3 for Evidence-based policy advocacy
The case of CEE/CIS countries
From the planning phase, CEE/CIS made special efforts to ensure that MICS findings will be disseminated at the maximum extent as possible to inform evidence-based policy making. For additional information on the role of M&E in evidence-based policy making, pls download the book “Bridging the gap”.
1. Strong focus on MICS3 Dissemination.
At the 4th Regional MICS Workshop – which was the first one at global level – CEE/CIS actively contributed to having a full day on Data dissemination, plus another on Further analysis. The Regional CEE/CIS Communication advisor attended the MICS workshop, while the Regional M&E Advisor delivered a one-morning session on MICS dissemination at the Regional Communication Workshop.
COs were recommended to come up with a MICS Dissemination Plan. As result, this round of MICS saw an increased dissemination of key findings, using new and innovative strategies:
- 3 countries produced executive summaries
- Almost half of the countries developed/are developing dedicated web pages
- Most of the countries developed printed material dedicated to MICS3 results. The type of material that has been developed include: fact sheets and booklets, leaflets, Calendars.
- Most of the countries prepared media releases at the moment of launching, which were instrumental to the printing of articles and broadcasting of TV services
- In Serbia, a 26 episode documentary TV serial ‘ Serbia fit for Children’ - based on key MICS3 findings - was produced and broadcasted.
 |
|
© Unicef |
|
MICSInfo.org |
To facilitate easy access to MICS3 findings, data have been uploaded to DevInfo:
RO developed MICSInfo, which includes MICS3 indicators from 12 countries disaggregated by region, U5R, sex, wealth, ethnicity and level of education.
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan developed a local adaptation of MICSInf.
Macedonia and Serbia included MICS3 data in the existing DevInfo national databases.
2. MICS3 findings are been used to inform further analysis and studies.
MICS3 findings have been instrumental in informing strategic documents produced both at regional and country level:
- The Regional Office used MICS3 data to produce the following publications:
- Emerging challenges for children in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. The publication presents the key MICS3 findings from 12 countries, with a focus on disparities.
- Education for some more then others? This Regional Education Report includes several MICS3 indicators.
- Right at birth. The regional Birth Registration Report was also informed by MICS3 data
- Regional Nutrition Study, also informed by MICS3 findings
- In Albania, MICS3 findings informed the following report:
- In Bosnia and Herzegovina, MICS3 findings informed the following reports:
- Situation Analysis of children and women
- ECD Sector Analysis,
- Child Protection Analysis
- Child Poverty Study
- In Macedonia, MICS finding informed the following report:
- In Kyrgyzstan, MICS3 findings informed the following reports:
- Situation Analysis of children and women
- Child Poverty Study
- In Serbia , MICS3 findings informed the following reports:
- In Tajikistan , MICS3 findings informed the following reports:
- In Uzbekistan , MICS3 findings informed the following reports:
- Child Poverty Study
- Situation Analysis of children and women
3. MICS 3 findings are being used for Evidence Based Decision Making
MICS3 findings have been used in several countries for evidence-based policy advocacy. For example:
- In all countries, MICS3 findings were presented at Government policy makers and major stakeholders, including to the Parliament in Kazakhstan
- MICS3 findings have been presented in strategic national Conference, such as at the EU Conference on Social Inclusion in Macedonia and the National Conference on Poverty in Tajikistan
- In Serbia, the MICS3 findings informed the public hearing at the National Parliament on “Child health. Challenges and solutions”
4. Preliminary results achieved through the use of MICS3 findings for evidence-based policy advocacy
Even if it’s too early, some preliminary results achieved through the use of MICS3 findings in policy making are already been reported:
In Serbia, MICS findings were instrumental to initiate:
- the establishment of the National Commission on Young Children Nutrition and feeding practices;
- the initiative to ban corporal punishment, coordinated by the Serbian NGO network in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy
Please contact Marco Segone, Senior Regional M&E Advisor, and George Sakwarelidze, M&E Specialist, for additional information.
