Nidhi Goyal was invited as a speaker for the E-course held between 22nd February 2021 and 2nd March 2021 to talk about the role of Advocacy Research in Dissemination and building Coalition. The aim was to discuss the linkages of research advocacy for which Nidhi also expanded on some of her experiences, challenges and questions as a researcher.
In cases where research becomes the pathway of advocacy, traditional research methods do not always ensure extensive data collection and thus, the data needs to be gathered in more innovative ways with accuracy. Rising Flame had previously conducted an online national consultation for women with disabilities to conduct a small sample research and gather first-hand data. This was further organised in a report that was submitted to UN Women. Some of the challenges encountered were the lack of expression of disability, the stigma associated in the cultural context and the unavailability of comprehensive data.
We also discussed the report ‘Neglected and Forgotten’ launched by Rising Flame in collaboration with SightSavers during the Covid crisis and the Human Rights Watch report around sexual violence and access to justice. With respect to these two reports, she elaborated on the research methodologies, ethical dilemmas, the importance of alliances and collaborations and the challenges faced in terms of expanding the outreach and participation.