Increasing safety and security through participatory decision-making processes
22nd January 2019, Surkh Qoal (Bamyan). Increasing the accountability and transparency of local authorities is a key priority for the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The objective is to make institutions more responsive to the needs of the population and to involve communities in decision-making processes. Through the Afghanistan Urban Safety and Security Programme (AUSSP), municipal and other local authorities, in partnership with communities and UN-Habitat, are conducting safety assessments process in Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif, Herat, Jalalabad, Kunduz, Farah, Nili and Bamyan.
These assessments contribute to a culture of inclusiveness in decision making processes by including the voices of women and marginalized groups i.e. IDPs, Youths of the population. In the views of Mr. Najeebullah, member of the Community Development Council # 1 of Surkh Qoal, in Bamyan, “these assessments have helped our community to identify the key safety and security challenges, involving the participation of women; something that was not normal in our community”.
The assessment in Surkh Qoal revealed that the main concern of the inhabitants of this district was the lack of sanitation and sewage systems which showed to be harmful for the health the community members, especially children playing in the streets. Through these assessments, all relevant stakeholders agreed about the health and social problems derived from the lack of water in the streets and the lack of a sanitation system. Social mobilization and participation is an efficient tool for building trust between communities and municipalities and thus improving the living conditions of the citizens.
“We are very happy for the assessments brought to us by the Afghanistan Urban Safety and Security Programme and for the solutions agreed with the community and the municipality”, a member of the community told us.
Funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, with the technical assistance of UN-Habitat, the Afghanistan Urban Safety and Security Programme will continue to assist the government efforts in improving urban safety and security through participatory decision-making processes.
For more information, contact Mr. Koussay Boulaich UN-Habitat Head of communication in Afghanistan