Afghanistan

Context

Afghanistan is considered one of the world’s most fragile states, with a history of conflict, political instability, and weak state institutions. The recent Taliban takeover has further exacerbated the country’s fragility. The takeover by the Taliban in August 2021 has impacted the lives of the Afghan people socially, politically and economically. Ongoing humanitarian crises have deepened. Although the Taliban rule has put an end to most armed conflict in the country (except for attacks by ISIS-K), socio-political reconciliation has not happened. Shock and feelings of insecurity prevail, especially among those who worked for the former government. The drivers and underlying causes of violence remain unchanged and are not being addressed. These range from social and political exclusion, ethnic disparities and ideological disagreements and hatred, to growing unemployment and extreme poverty. The space for civil society to operate fast decreased in 2022. Any civic activity that is perceived to be undermining the current regime’s position is actively suppressed. CSOs and peacebuilding actors, including those promoting non-violence and inclusion, are grappling with the sudden changes and trying to find an anchor point. 

Regions

The Just Future Alliance and its local partners are active in 8 provinces: Balkh, Bamyan, Herat, Kabul, Kandahar, Khost, Nangarhar, Paktia 

 

Activities in 2022

Implementing programmes in Afghanistan, remained a challenge, especially for non-humanitarian projects, due to the scepticism of the de-facto authorities (DFA) about such programmes. On 24 December 2022, the Ministry of Economy issued a letter banning female staff of national and international NGOs from working at offices. This led to the pausing of many development and humanitarian programmes. The JFA adjusted its programme to the new context and focused on maintaining space for civil society, by creating spaces for citizens and their organisations to connect, discuss and express their ideas, and to strengthen capacities for dialogue with power holders – engaging local level actors, such as religious leaders and scholars, which can be powerful allies for working on reconciliation and social cohesion.

Due to the Taliban takeover, the JFA’s efforts centred around research, commissioning a report and policy briefs on Pashtunwali and Sharia to influence international donors and the rule of law and justice actors to nuance their approach to CIJ in Afghanistan. 

The Alliance has focused on enabling spaces for advocacy, including providing physical spaces for dialogue, town hall gatherings, and provincial meetings between CSO activists and key stakeholders. 


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OUTCOMES

  • State security institutions collaborate with communities in conflict zones, consult with the most excluded constituencies, and develop a mechanism of accountability better service
  • Primary stakeholders’ capacities are strengthened, and they take ownership of local and regional security governance mechanisms
  • Needs and aspirations of communities are addressed by security governance actors, which adopt measures to include most excluded constituencies in the decision-making bodies of the security apparatus
  • Create communication channels between key security actors and communities
  • Strengthen capacities of communities and CSOs on lobbying & advocacy, monitoring, evaluation
  • National and regional lobby & advocacy
  • Technical support
  • Training of security actors on human rights standards
  • Supporting media for greater transparency and accountability
  • Access to justice services for the most excluded constituencies improved
  • Collaboration and coordination between statutory and customary justice actors strengthened
  • Primary stakeholders equipped to advocate for the inclusion of most excluded constituencies
  • Promote and strengthen the exchange between various justice actors
  • Support local CSOs, community leaders and local authorities to promote the application of formal justice for conflict resolution
  • Technical support to judicial institutions on reforms and policies to improve accountability
  • Training justice actors (customary, statutory and religious) to comply with human rights standards
  • Support creation of community accountability systems
  • Strengthen capacities of communities and CSOs on lobbying & advocacy, monitoring, evaluation
  • Supporting media for greater transparency and accountability
  • Create relationships with international organizations for international advocacy
  • Facilitate access of rural communities to courts and legal services (transport, mobile courts)
  • Primary stakeholders equipped to advocate for the inclusion of most excluded constituencies
  • Local, regional and national actors implement ratified national, regional and international commitments on inclusion
  • Most excluded constituencies, local and national authorities access consultative spaces to facilitate and monitor inclusion
  • Primary stakeholders are sensitized about rights of most excluded constituencies, processes of inclusion and involved in advocacy and influencing actions
  • Sharing lessons learned for sustainability of achievements
  • Strengthen capacity of youth and women’s associations
  • Establish networks of young mediators to participate in political decision-making
  • Support mentoring initiatives to bring young people and adults together
  • Use media to engage in dialogue with young people
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