The Potential of Participatory Video Action Research in WASH Programming

Sanitation and hygiene issues often deal with uncomfortable, hidden and sometimes taboo areas of life, which people don’t want to talk about publicly, let alone look at. It can be profoundly powerful to get people to face unpleasant challenges if done in a way that is respectful. This is where the creativity encouraged by visual methods, such as participatory video, can be very useful. Participatory video is a powerful group-work method for people whose needs and priorities are often overlooked. Through the process, barriers faced by the group can be explored, helping gain a deeper understanding of how certain people experience, understand and respond to their realities. This paper outlines key elements within a participatory video process and how this process can be valuable to the sanitation and hygiene research and programming.