Participatory Methodology: Rapid Care Analysis

Overview

The Rapid Care Analysis is a rapid assessment tool to improve the design of a wider programme through gathering evidence to promote the recognition of care work and the identification of practical interventions.

A key aim is to reduce the time or labour required for daily housework and caring for people, and thus increase women’s:

• participation
• empowerment
• leadership
• representation in both the public and private spheres. 

It can also be the start of a longer process of awareness-raising and change for gender justice. The Rapid Care Analysis was revised in 2016 based on learning from the methodology over three years and across more than twenty countries. 

The Guidance for Managers and Facilitators provides the background for making adequate and effective use of the RCA tool, and for making decisions on resources, timeframe and choice of exercises based on the programme objectives and types of outputs required. It should be read before undertaking the exercises in the Toolbox.

The Toolbox of Exercises presents a concrete method for implementing RCA using participatory exercises which can be adapted to various contexts. The Toolbox also includes templates for capturing findings; for presenting findings and lessons learned, and for ‘action points for advocacy’.

In addition, practitioners can access the Rapid Care Analysis Training Modules, which includes presentations for managers and facilitators as well as exercises and worksheets. The modules are available in English, Spanish and French.