21.April.2021 Bamyan.  Azhdar-e-Payeen area is located in district 4 of Bamyan municipality, many of the inhabitants of this area don’t have access to the basic urban services and there are many dark streets during the night which meant for many they were denied any opportunity that required them to come or go from their houses at night, limiting a range of work and social opportunities.

The community, through the local CDC decided their priority was to improve street lighting and this street lighting was installed with the technical assistance and funding of the AUSSP project in order to improve the safety and security and diminish the safety concerns that had been holding people back.

28 years old Hamida, a member of community development council of Azhdar-e- Peyeen area is happy for installation of the street lights in her living area. “I am a woman who works in a NGO and spend much of my time outside home. So, in my point of view, safety for women in a society should be considered first and women should feel safe and secure when going to Bazar, public spaces, work and, before the implementation of the street lighting project by AUSSP, we were not able to go out during the dark nights or come back to home, if we were in another place, we were not feeling safe and secure, because of the dark, everything can happen during the night, when there is no light.” Hamida said.

Azdar-e-payeen area before the implementation of the street lighting project

“Luckily, Afghanistan Urban Safety and Security Programme (AUSSP) selected the right PD in Bamyan because many marginalized groups live in PD 4. Once the AUSSP staff provided awareness of the programme, the residents got happy and said this is the programme that we need. Also, the other positive point with the AUSSP is that they consider capacity building and pursue immediate priority of the residents.”  Said Hamida.

Ms. Hamida is happy for implementation of the street lighting project

So, when CDCs are established and AUSSP explained and has done the Safety Assessment and Walkthrough activities, the communities understood very well the safety and security issues and challenges. During the Walkthrough and the Safety Assessment, CDC/community members realized much more challenges do exist in the neighborhoods than they used to think.

The families in PD 4 really appreciate how this project also gave women the chance to participate and contribute to the decision-making, design and implementation process.

“Furthermore, 50% of CDCs members are female so it means women are involved in decision making. Now, even female members of CDC#3 feel responsible on behalf of the whole community especially women and other marginalized groups and we try to develop comprehensive plan to address the most needed issues of neighborhoods.” Hamida said.

With the consultation of community, they selected the street lighting project and AUSSP installed the solar lights.  the communities prioritized street lighting project as safety related issues and underlined the importance of having a peaceful mind and safe environment. Street Lighting project made the neighborhoods luminous and on the other hand, it reduced petty crimes such as thieving and robbery within the neighborhoods.  Now, the residents can commute during the nights safe and securely.

She added, thanks and appreciate for Afghanistan Urban Safety and Security Program (AUSSP) and its donors for promoting safety and security not only in Bamyan but other cities as well. The Bamyan city really needs such a programme as the neighborhoods are enjoying and satisfied from Street Lighting project and being utilized by the residents.

Azhdar-e-payeen area, before the implementation of the street lighting project

Azhdar-e-payeen area after the street lighting project

Afghanistan Urban Safety and Security Program (AUSSP) is funded by Kingdome of the Netherlands and Swiss agency for Development and Cooperation. Implementing by UN-Habitat with the Government partners (Ministries of interior affairs, Women affairs, Urban Development and Land, and deputy ministry of municipalities) of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.