By Lucy N and Hattie
Storytelling has long been a part of the international development charity sector. The process of collecting and sharing stories has often been unconsidered and unethical but, fortunately, the tide is turning and more charities are joining the conversation around ethical storytelling.
More and more charities are updating and improving their content collection processes to prioritize the wellbeing and dignity of respondents, and ensure an honest portrayal of their story.
The power of stories is immeasurable – “they are more powerful when they are told and retold, passed on and celebrated, connecting us through our shared humanity.”* – Every Mother Counts
However, we must endeavour to keep that power in the hands of the storytellers themselves, as much as possible. This is why informed consent is at the centre of how Child.org collects stories: we want the people whom we work with to understand:
- what they are taking part in ;
- where their words and images will be seen ;
- and are given the time and space to feel confident in their decision to take part or not.
In the last two years, we have worked hard on how to collect consent which is truly informed, rather than simply a checkbox on a form. Our full consent process is laid out in our Ethical Image Policy, and today we share with you our top tips and priorities when it comes to collecting consent:
1. Content Collection is not a boardroom conversation
In our previous content collection trips in Meru, Kenya, we were reminded that consent goes beyond a signature on a form. Real consent is built on the ground, shaped by meaningful interactions and conversations with participants – and it must always prioritize the respondent’s well-being.
2. Consent requires consideration
Before any photography of, or interviews with, participants, we talk to respondents about our intentions and how the collected content will be used. We endeavour to have this preliminary discussion 48 hours before we collect any interviews and/or photos, giving respondents time to consider their participation, discuss it with others, and weigh their options.
3. The importance of clear communication – and why hearing ‘no’ is a good sign
As well as explaining our intentions, we also bring examples of how images and videos will be used, showing previous social media posts and printed materials. This transparency helps respondents make informed decisions.
During our more recent content collection trip in Meru, several respondents chose not to have their images taken. While some might see this as disappointing, we were very happy about it. It shows that our message was clear, and that respondents felt empowered to make their own decisions.
4. Avoiding coerced consent
We are aware of the fine line between informed consent and consent through intimidation. We must make it very clear to respondents that declining participation in content collection does not affect the benefits their participation in our projects. This approach fosters trust and respects the autonomy of the individuals we work with.
5. Consent is dynamic
Consent is a dynamic process that evolves with each interaction. It’s built on respect, clear communication, and the genuine wellbeing of the respondent. We are continually learning and improving our methods to ensure that our consent process is as healthy and respectful as possible.
6. Withdrawing consent
Our participants must feel safe and comfortable enough to withdraw consent at any point during the collection process (this includes days, weeks or years later). How to do this is made very clear to our participants, and we leave them with a name and number to call. We also suggest that they can talk to their local Community Health Promoter (CHP) to withdraw consent, and the CHP will pass the message onto the Child.org team. This is important in case the respondent doesn’t have a working mobile, or our contact details get lost.
Our full consent collection process, and our other ethical storytelling practices, can be found in our Ethical Image Policy. Child.org recognises that ethical story-telling is an ongoing process which will change and adapt according to updated research and new schools of thought. The key is keeping an open mind, never getting complacent, and ensuring the conversation around ethical storytelling continues.
That’s why we’d love to hear from you if you have any suggestions or questions – just email Lucy (our Comms Officer in Kenya), or Hattie (our Comms Officer in the UK).
*Quote from a recent Every Mother Counts newsletter.