Afghan Civil Society Forum-organization (ACSFo)
Annual Narrative Report 2012
Afghan Civil Society Forum-organization House No. 45, Shahr Ara Wat, Shahr-e- Naw Opposite Malalai Maternity Hospital Kabul, Afghanistan 0093-700-277-284 www.acsf.af [Type text]
Contents Afghan Civil Society Forum- organization (ACSFo) ...... 8 Organizational Mandate and Purpose Statement ...... 8 Vision ...... 8 Mission ...... 9 Goals ...... 9 Objectives ...... 9 Core values ...... 9 Organizational Operational Structure ...... 9 ACSFo Structure – Headquarter Kabul ...... 9 New ACSFo Structure – Regional Offices ...... 10
Advocacy Section ...... 11 Introduction: ...... 11 Goals: ...... 12 Objectives: ...... 12 Main Projects of Advocacy Section: ...... 12 Meeting with Samangan Governor: ...... 12 Meeting with Ghor Governor: ...... 13 Workshop to establish Advocacy Coalition for Good Governance (ACGG) in Samangan: ...... 13 Coordination Meetings in Ghor province: ...... 14 Other activities related to ACGG were: ...... 17
Capacity Building ...... 22
Monitoring ...... 25 Advocacy Campaign: ...... 27 At Regional Level ...... 27 Samangan: ...... 30 Ghor: ...... 30 Advocacy at National Level: ...... 31 Advocacy Projects ...... 33 Civil Society Organizations Sustainability Index (CSOI) 2011 Project ...... 33 Promoting Women’s Right through Civil Society Structures Project (ICCO Project) ...... 34 Advocacy Campaign through Media: ...... 37 My Rights My Voice Project (Kabul and Balkh) ...... 38 Conflict Transformation and Peace Building Project ...... 40 Combating Gender-Based Violence Project ...... 43 Advocacy for persons with Disability Rights ...... 44 Women Empowerment and Leadership Committee ...... 46 Advocacy Committee on Anti-Corruption...... 46 Main Activities: ...... 46 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO)
Afghanistan National Youth Advocacy Association (ANYAA) ...... 46 Workshops and Meetings ...... 47 Outputs: ...... 50 Coordination meeting with Government ...... 50 Participation at other organizations events...... 51 Meeting at Regional and National level ...... 51 Direct Meetings of Local community with Local authorities ...... 52 ACGG and the Network meetings ...... 52 Outcomes: ...... 53 CSOSI Project ...... 54 Main Activities: ...... 54 My Rights and My voice project: ...... 55 Conflict Transformation and Peace Building Project ...... 56 Afghanistan National Youth Advocacy Association (ANYAA) ...... 57 Others ...... 58
Rule of Law Section ...... 59 Introduction ...... 59 Main goals of Community Policing ...... 59 Community Policing Project ...... 59 Main Project Report ...... 59 Goals: ...... 60 Objectives: ...... 60 Introduction: ...... 60 Main Activities: ...... 60 Outcomes: ...... 65 Police Station 1: ...... 65 Police Station 2: ...... 65 Police Station 3: ...... 65 Police Station 4: ...... 66 Police Station 5 ...... 66 Chardara District ...... 66 Ali Abad District ...... 66 Khanabad District ...... 67 Qala e Zal District ...... 67 Imamsaheb District ...... 67 Impact: ...... 67 Success Stories: ...... 68 Police Training in Kunduz: ...... 69 Neighbourhood Watch Committee (NWC) Meeting: ...... 69 Steering Committee (SC) Meeting: ...... 70 Meeting with Police Departments: ...... 71
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Suggestion Box: ...... 71 Community Dialogue: ...... 71 Introduction to Judiciary Workshop ...... 72 Parliament Workshop...... 73 Prejudice Workshop ...... 73 Security Concept Workshop ...... 73 Justice Workshop ...... 73 Introduction to Constitution Law Workshop...... 74 Anti-Corruption Workshop ...... 74 Committee Experience Visit ...... 75 Police Training in Kunduz Province ...... 76 The Police Training in Police Substation One ...... 76 The Police Training in Police Substation Two ...... 77 The Police Training in Police Substation Three ...... 77 The Police training in Police substation Four ...... 77 The Police Training in Police Substation Five ...... 78 The Police Training in Imamsaheb District ...... 78 The Police Training in Khanabad District ...... 78 The Police Training in Aliabad District ...... 79 The Police Training in Qala e Zal District ...... 79 The Police Training in Chahardara District ...... 80 Human Rights Workshop: ...... 80 Civil Society Workshop: ...... 80 Prejudice Workshop: ...... 80 Security Concept Workshop ...... 81 Anti-Corruption Workshop: ...... 81 Community Mobilization Workshop:...... 81 Justice Workshop: ...... 81 Police Meeting: ...... 82 Suggestion Box: ...... 82 School Campaign: ...... 82 Community Dialogue ...... 83 Provincial Conference: ...... 83 Police Resource Centre: ...... 84 Community Resource Centre: ...... 84 Distribution of Stationary to School Students: ...... 84 Radio Talk: ...... 84 TV Talk: ...... 85 Establishment of Library: ...... 85 Monitoring: ...... 85 Impact Survey: ...... 86 Output: ...... 86
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Outcome: ...... 87 Challenges and Recommendations:...... 88
Samangan Province CP Project ...... 89 Police Training in Samangan ...... 89 Neighbourhood Watch Committee (NWC) Meeting: ...... 90 Suggestion Boxes ...... 91 Steering Committee (SC) Meeting: ...... 91 Meeting with Chief of Police ...... 92 Monitoring ...... 92 Sustainability ...... 92 Achievements ...... 93 Challenges and Recommendations:...... 93 Radio Talk ...... 95 Monthly Publications ...... 96
Balk Province CP Project ...... 97 Police Training in Balkh ...... 97 Neighbourhood Watch Committee (NWC) Meeting: ...... 98 Suggestion Box:...... 98 Steering Committee (SC) Meeting: ...... 99 Meeting with Police Departments: ...... 99 Monitoring: ...... 100 Sustainability: ...... 100 Achievements: ...... 100 Challenges and Recommendations:...... 101
Capacity Building Section ...... 102 Introduction ...... 102 Capacity building Section activities over this period: ...... 103 Section and projects major activities: ...... 103 Main Achievements (Output/Outcome: ...... 104 Outputs: ...... 104 Outcomes: ...... 106 Impacts: ...... 108 Lessons Learnt:...... 109
IPACS-II Project ...... 111 Project Introduction ...... 111 Goal: ...... 112 Objectives: ...... 112
Monitoring and Evaluation Section ...... 112 Goals: ...... 113
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Objectives: ...... 113 Main Activities: ...... 113 Initiative to promote Afghani civil society (I-PACS) project, (Training Evaluation) ...... 113 Promoting civil society network project in Ghor and Samangan provinces: ...... 114 Trust building in between community and police project (donor, HBS): ...... 115 Small Project Fund (SPF), Nangarhar ...... 115 Community policing project (CPP), Kundoz province ...... 116 Community policing project (CPP), Balkh and Samangan province ...... 116 Afghan Electoral Reform consultative Forum (AERCF) project ...... 117 Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)project ...... 117 My Voice My Right (MVMR), Kabul and Balkh Project ...... 118 Finland Project ...... 118 ICCO1, Bameyan ...... 118 M&E database and projects’ data entry process ...... 119 Contribution in developing proposal ...... 119 Miscellaneous ...... 119 Output and Outcome ...... 120 Challenges ...... 121
PR/Media and Coordination Section ...... 121 Goals: ...... 122 Objectives: ...... 122 Main Activities: ...... 122 Website: ...... 122 Membership: ...... 122 Database: ...... 123 Magazine: ...... 123 Media Outreach: ...... 124 In addition ...... 124 Representation: ...... 125 Brochure:...... 125 Meetings: ...... 125 Main Achievements:...... 126 Outputs: ...... 126 Outcomes: ...... 126 Challenges and Recommendations:...... 127 Afghan Electoral Reform Consultative Forum (AERCF): ...... 127 Project Objectives ...... 128 Project key achievements/ Activities details ...... 128 Method of Implementation plan: ...... 129 Consultative meeting with relevant people: ...... 130 Submission of Draft election law:...... 132
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Annexes : Success Stories ...... 133 I-PACS II ...... 133 I-PACS-II Success Story ...... 134 ACSFo Training Success story from Samangan ...... 135
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Afghan Civil Society Forum- organization (ACSFo)
The Afghan Civil Society Forum- organization (ACSFo) was developed in partnership between Afghan civil society actors and “Swisspeace” (a Swiss private foundation for the promotion of peace) at the request of 76 participants of the first Afghan Civil Society Conference in Bad Honnef, Germany in 2001. This conference was facilitated by Swisspeace parallel to the meeting of political representatives organized by the UN at Petersburg near Bonn. The goal of the conference was to involve Afghan civil society in the peace and reconstruction process of their country in order to achieve a more sustainable post-conflict reconstruction than a simple top-down Government approach. The Afghan Civil Society Forum-organization began its activities in February 2002 after initial funds were secured from the Swiss and German Governments.
The ACSFo Office in Kabul was opened two months later in May 2002. ACSFo having one decade of tremendous achievements and experiences, it is committed to its mission” to facilitate the process of citizen building and state building through advocacy, capacity building and coordination”. ACSFo has been able to reach to the remotest areas (directly or through partners) of Afghanistan. It has implemented many different projects in the areas of advocacy, rule of law, civic education, peace building, youth and research. ACSFo, being a major civil society forum has served the purpose of improving coordination and networking among civil society actors as well as bridging the gap between the citizens and the Afghan Government. As a result, ACSFo has established the widest network of grass-root Civil Society Organizations, donors, partners, and committed individuals all over Afghanistan with around 450 members and partners (137 member organizations, 58 individual members and around 290 partners). ACSFo Regional Offices are located in Balkh, Nangarhar, Paktia, Kunduz, Samangan and Bamyan.
Organizational Mandate and Purpose Statement ACSFo believes that while it is necessary to address the immediate needs of the Afghans, it is essential to continue to promote and build civil society in order to ensure that Afghanistan has a foundation for democracy. Due to the notion that the Government is facing tremendous challenges in numerous areas of state building, the civil society has the responsibility to address these gaps and to facilitate, supplement and complement this process. In order to adjust to the current environment, ACSFo has reviewed its vision and mission statements in order to meet the challenges of civil society development over the next three years.
Vision A democratic, dynamic and vibrant society based on citizenry values.
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Mission To facilitate the process of citizen building and state building through advocacy, capacity building and coordination.
Goals To foster the development of a diverse, inclusive and united civil society
Objectives To coordinate, expand and foster civil society networks in Afghanistan. To identify, raise and incorporate the needs, concerns and views of Afghan citizens into the political, social and economic development processes. To build institutional capacities of public and civil society entities. To promote citizenry values and volunteerism.
Core values Gender and ethnic equality. Transparency and accountability. Impartiality and independence. Participatory and democratic leadership. Honesty and integrity.
Organizational Operational Structure ACSFo has re-organized its organizational structure. Priority is given to revise and empower the program section to oversee all of ACSFo’s programs and liaise with the coordinators of the four core thematic areas.
ACSFo Structure – Headquarter Kabul The new organization structure of ACSFo shows a lean approach with the integration of a Program Coordination Unit, which will serve as an intermediary between the Executive Director and program units of the organization.
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New ACSFo Structure – Regional Offices In order to fulfill the basis for ACSFo to go back to its roots of capacity building, networking/coordination and advocacy, ACSFo’s field offices should function less as an implementing agent and more as a platform and resource center. Therefore, the regional and Provincial offices will undertake the following tasks: Each office shall have a local database and map in each province/District where CSOs are and provide such information to donors and Government. Each office shall have a resource center for CSOs (incl. Computer/internet) in more remote provinces. Each office can facilitate talks/meetings of CSOs (at least once a month)
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Advocacy Section
Introduction: In March 2006, ACSFo established a separate section for Advocacy so as to enable a more focused and structured approach. Since then, the section was mainly advocating for the rights of persons with disability and environmental protection, as well as enhancing the Government’s cooperation with social organizations.
ACSFo continues to be a major partner in the CS-ANDS, the initiative of Civil Society to be involved in the I-ANDS. In January 2006, ACSFo conducted a nation-wide consultation on the ANDS in all 34 provinces of the country. This delivered the input for the above-mentioned Pre-London conference and the corresponding civil society statement. In 2007, the Advocacy section expanded its focus by including activities on youth, transparency and accountability, and the ANDS. In 2008 and 2009 ACSFo was mainly involved in advocacy for youth, persons with disability, environment protection, women rights and as well as convening conferences to prepare national strategy for civil society organizations in Afghanistan. Lobbying and advocating for amendment of some laws through meetings with MPs and president are other worthy activities of ACSFo’s Advocacy Section which resulted in tremendous achievements with joint work and support of other civil society institutions.
In 2010, ACSFo Advocacy Section with financial support of European Union implemented a big project on Advocacy. The project contributed to develop a Manual on Advocacy methods, train around 50 local CSOs and establish a National Wide Advocacy Network. Advocacy for the rights of women, youths, and persons with disability, environment protection and struggle against corruption were among the priorities of Advocacy Section in 2010.
In 2011, Advocacy Section mainly was involved in three projects as well as regular policy and event advocacy efforts. “Promoting Civil Society Network in Ghor and Samangan provinces of Afghanistan” is a 3 years long project that has been implementing since January 2011. Besides, Advocacy Section implemented two other projects under the name of “Women Political Participation, Transparency and Accountability” and “Women Empowerment through Advocacy” in 2011.
It is worth mentioning that Advocacy Section based on nature and diversity of its efforts, is engaged into two specific types of activities: (1) Project Based Activities; those activities which set forth under advocacy projects that differ from a project to other project and (2) Core Activities; those activities that are beyond of projects and mostly addresses the requirement and nature of advocacy efforts.
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Goals: The Advocacy section aims at empowering the poor, marginalized and vulnerable segments of the society and as well as the civil society to have a voice on important issues and influence policies for their own benefit.
Objectives: Supporting persons with disabilities and protection of environment Fostering human rights and women rights Contributing to the mainstreaming of civil society in the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (CS-ANDS) Promoting transparency and accountability in Governmental and non- Governmental Institutions Establishing, expanding and strengthening National Advocacy Network to coordinate advocacy efforts on Provincial and national level.
Main Projects of Advocacy Section: Promoting Advocacy Network in Ghor and Samangan provinces (January 2011- December 2012). This project is funded by Oxfam Novib to expand and strengthen the CSOs Network in Ghor and Samangan provinces to advocate for the rights of citizens, ensure citizens’ participation in the decision-making, and decrease the gap between the citizenry and Government. The project aims to improve the mechanism for good services delivery to the people by doing the following: conducting research and survey to identify the priorities of the people, conducting workshops to capacitate the local authorities to enhance the services delivery. Within this project in addition to enhancing the capacity of local CSOs network members and government local authorities, the capacity of the involved ACSFo staff will also be enhanced.
During these two years, five workshops will be held in which around 100 people will participate; moreover, the members of network will be increased to 85 people, six round tables will be convened, two TOTs for 32 CSOs and four trainings for local government authorities will be conducted. Furthermore, as part of this project two local and one national conference will be held. This project consist of various and inter-linked components such as networking and coordination, capacity building, advocacy and monitoring.
Meeting with Samangan Governor: On January 22, 2012 the Executive Director of ACSFo along with Samangan and Balkh office’s staff met with the governor of Samangan. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss with the governor about the outcomes of the roundtable and the results of the research conducted by
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ACSFo in Samangan. The governor of Samangan was concerned that ACSFo led roundtables and research had created negative image on the process of development in the province. Due to this perception on the part of governor, he had ordered the suspension of activities of ACSFo in Samangan.
At the meeting the ACSFo Executive Director for the purposes of eliminating the misunderstandings elucidated for the governor that the purposes of the roundtables and research were to facilitate the process of development and government development activities. He highlighted that the key components of the ACSFo project in the province are good governance, accountability, and responsibility. Hence he explained that the roundtables are meant to engage the citizenry in the process of development by bringing their input and suggestions. The meeting with the governor was successful. Thus, ACSFo resumed its activities in Samangan.
Meeting with Ghor Governor: The governor of Ghor had accused the provincial ACSFo staff of distributing night letters against him in the province. Therefore, the ACSFo Advocacy Project Manager and the M&E Manager on January 22, 2012 met with the governor of Ghor province in Kabul to discuss this controversy and eliminate the misunderstanding. After a lengthy discussion it was concluded to assign a truth-finding team to the Province to investigate the matter. The assigned team reported its findings to the ACSFo’s Board of Directors, the ACSFo Management and Oxfam Novib.
The truth-finding team after lengthy discussions with the ACSFo’s staff in the province, CSO Networks, individuals outside of CSO Networks, local government authorities and community elders and a thorough investigation of the matter reached to the conclusion that the accusation against the ACSFo personnel was unfounded.
Workshop to establish Advocacy Coalition for Good Governance (ACGG) in Samangan: On June 28, 2012, ACSFo Samangan Office organized a workshop. Intellectuals, religious figures, civil society activists, provincial council members, youth organizers, and journalists from six districts: Hazrati Sultan, Dara-e-Suf, Roy Doab, Feroz Nakhjir, Khuram wa Sarbagh, and Ayubak attended the workshop. A total of forty people, 26 male and 14 female participants attended the workshop. The main focus of workshop was to establish a coalition for good governance, electing members of the coalition and amending and approving the proposal for action. During group discussions, the participants identified the following points as priorities for the advocacy efforts in coming months:
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Separating the Samangan Education and Agricultural University from Balkh University. Follow up the work of digging 10 deep wells in Aybak. Bringing the attention of government and nongovernmental organizations to the marginalized people. Coordination between government and CSOs. Increasing interaction between local government and citizens. Asphalt construction of 10 Km city roads. Training police and army to enhance their capacity to win public trust and support. Increasing access to electricity by using new technology. Completion of the work of unfinished school buildings. Construction of clinics in Roy e Doab & Dara e Suf Districts. Enhancing the role of people’s representatives in the decision making process. The representatives will share the people’s problems with government and follow up the promises. Increasing access to drinking water channel from Sarbagh spring water to Aybak city. Improvement of health services to the people in Samangan.
Most of the participants affirmed the work of CSO advocacy network very effective and useful and they expressed their satisfaction with the effectiveness of advocacy, capacity building and coordination efforts of ACSFo in Samangan. Nine members for Advocacy Coalition Steering Committee were selected and the Head, Deputy and Secretary of Steering Committee were also elected. By the end of the meeting a Drafted Proposal of the Action plan was reviewed. After thorough revisions and amendments, the Action plan was accepted and approved to be implemented in Samangan by stakeholders.
Coordination Meetings in Ghor province: Between February 2012 and July 2012 Coordination Meetings in Ghor Province were held. Following are the details of the meetings held:
During February 2012
Meeting with newly established Shafaqat Social and Cultural Association. ACSFo participated in a meeting initiated by the Directorate of Education on the issues such as teacher recruitment and reopening of schools.
During March 2012 ACSFo participated in an event in Chaghcharan celebrating March 8 (International Women Day).
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ACSFo participated in a meeting organized by local government officials to hear peoples’ complaints and their views.
During April 2012
ACSFo participated in RAMPAP two days long workshop on drafting municipality bylaws. The workshop discussed the articles of the draft law proposed modification according to the requirements of and priorities of people in Cheghcheran. The role of CSOs Advocacy Network was very important in this workshop and in the modification in the contents of the law. ACSFo participated in a meeting organized by UNAMA. Agenda of the meeting was to eliminate corruption, and promote a counter corruption network. Acting governor, acting head of appeals court, representative of attorney general’s office, head of justice office, representative of provincial council, and ACSFo representative were the main speakers of the meeting. ACSFo met with Advocacy Network members. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Education Directorate’s attempt of blocking the hiring of employees who had passed the Administrative Reform Exam.
During May 2012
ACSFo participated and contributed in provincial council meeting. The agenda of the meeting was that government departments of agriculture, irrigation and livestock and public welfare to report to community representatives, CSOs, and community elders. At this meeting the reports were presented and discussed with more than 100 participants.
ACSFo met with the governor of Ghor on May 11, 2012. The purpose of the meeting was to coordinate advocacy and capacity building activities. At the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012 as a result of tense relations between the provincial government and the ACSFo, the ACSFo activities had come to a halt. Once the controversy was resolved, the governor allowed government staff to participate in two rounds of capacity building workshops. ACSFo arranged a coordination and consultation meeting in central office. The purpose this meeting was to elect candidates to participate in a CSOs conference in Kabul in June 2012. And further 16 CSO’s representatives from the province and 14 representatives from Kabul will participate in Tokyo
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Conference to present their ideas and recommendations regarding the international aid and the future of Afghanistan post-2014. ACSFo became a member of the exam committee in education directorate which evaluates teachers for schools in Ghor.
During June 2012 ACSFo participated in a provincial council meeting. The agenda of the meeting was to review current security situation in Ghor. The meeting requested to increase the number of security personnel to avoid instability in the province. ACSFo participated in a municipality meeting called by municipal authorities to collect suggestion regarding the green areas and entertainment parks.
During July 2012 ACSFo Executive Director accompanied by Monitoring and Evaluation Section Manager, Program Manager and Advocacy Officer met with deputy governor of Samangan to discuss and shed light on the ACSFo activities in Samangan. Moreover, the Executive Director of ACSFo aimed to further obtain the collaboration of the provincial government in connection with its programs for more effectiveness and wider outreach. Then the deputy Governor on behalf of Samangan Provincial Government promised and declared his support and cooperation for the better implementation of the projects at the provincial level. The same team held a joint meeting with the Head of the Economy Department in Samangan to brief him about transparency and accountability in ACSFo projects and activities. A meeting was held with Samangan chief of police to brief him about the ACSFo programs and activities at the Provincial level. A coordination meeting was with members of the steering committee of the Advocacy Coalition for Good Governance (ACGG). Conducting an orientation regarding the ACSFo for the ACGG steering committee members. Preparation of structural chart for the members of ACGG. Meeting with the members of the provincial council regarding the introduction of ACGG members and type of their activities and seeking their collaboration for the mentioned coalition. Preparation of monthly plan for the coalition’s steering committee according to the priorities which already had been identified through the CSOs workshop.
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ACGG Education Sub Committee performed activities such as intervention working plan, implementation and standard system of teaching, student and teacher attendance, recruitment, reconstruction, faculty establishment, independency of Samangan Faculty from Balkh University. ACGG Health Sub Committee performed activities such as proper health services, quality and price of medicine, establishment of new health clinics, monitoring services, health awareness and environmental and sanitation awareness raising. ACGG Livelihood Sub Committee performed activities such as plumbing of Khuram Wa Sarbagh natural spring water inside Aybak City, water dam construction, completion of Aybak Power substation and extension of power cables to the villages.
Other activities related to ACGG were: Recruitment of qualified personnel as head of offices through competency and legal procedures and avoiding corruption, working opportunity for youth and monitoring current construction projects.
On 16 July 2012 a representative of ACSFo, attended a Development Councils meeting at Chaghcheran. The aim of the meeting was to coordinate the activities of development Councils within the City. On 26 July 2012 ACSFo along with the Network members attended a meeting called by representative of the Ministry of Higher Education in Chaghcheran. The aim of the meeting was to collect donation for the first year budget of the Ghor Institute of Higher Education. The meeting was attended by representative of provincial council, Human Rights Commission, CSOs Network and University. On 29 July 2012, a representative of ACSFo participated at general gathering of CSOs in Chaghcheran organized by Youth National Organ. The aim of the gathering was to identify the main problems of Ghor province and introduce their representative to CSOs regional gathering in Herat province.
During August 2012
A coordination meeting was held with Samangan Provincial Governor and head of private sector services. Issues such as society and development were discussed. In addition the provincial Governor thanked and appreciated the good governance and social development activities of ACSFo; and stated that
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ACSFo plays an important role in Civil Society Organizations coordination and networking at provincial level. A coordination meeting was held with 16 registered entities. The participants discussed challenges, lack of financial resource for payment of their office rent and purchasing necessary equipment. The entities members appreciated the established resource centre and capacity building programs of ACSFo at Aybak city of Samangan province. A coordination meeting was held with the residents and elders of Hazrati Sultan District regarding the challenges at the District level. The meetings aimed to advocate on security at District level and find ways to overcome the challenges.
a)Photo During the meeting in Hazrate Sultan b) Photo During coordination meeting
On 28/08/2012 the monthly meeting of ACGG was held at ACSFo office. On 8 August 2012 ACSFo attended a press conference that was called by office of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and CSOs to address the increasing human rights violation, violence against women in Ghor province. On 12 August 2012 ACSFo participated in Development Council meeting at the Municipality. On 15 August 2012 ACSFo became a member of the Cooperation Committee of Ghor Institute of Higher Education. On 16 August 2012 ACSFo participated at a SIPAN meeting that was discussing the challenges and recommendations and ways to seek the cooperation of the judiciary departments and security organs. CSOs Network along with other organizations and provincial council members, elders and religious leaders held a meeting and demanded the governor of Ghor to resign. They accused the Governor of corruption, incompetence and involved in the ethnic tensions in the province.
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a) Meeting during demanding resignation of Governor b) During coordination meeting
During September 2012
ACSFo participated in a provincial meeting organized by UNDP with the Samangan provincial governor and the heads of the divisional departments in the Governor hall. On 25/09/2012 ACSFO held coordination and networking meeting of 18 registered CSOs. At this meeting CSOs results were shared and issues of advocacy and technical training to the CSOs were discussed.
During October 2012
The CSOs coordination meeting was held on October 2, 2012 in ACSFo Samangan field office to exchange views on advocacy efforts in the province. During the meeting issues such as participation of the representative of civil society entities at donor conference and planning exposure visits inside and outside Afghanistan and many more were discussed. The ACSFo Executive Director held a general meeting with 29 members of civil society entities, which also included 14 female members, provincial council & advocacy committees at the Samangan ACSFo office. The agenda of this meeting was to identify prior challenges and mitigation ways, political situation, holding press conferences and peaceful demonstrations. On 02/10/2012 the CSOs Network hold a peaceful demonstration in front of National Assembly in Kabul. The aim of the demonstration was to draw the government’s attention towards issues such as drinking water, electricity, asphalting of street and development budget of Samangan province. Governor
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shared his concern and stated that he will share the issues at the donor meeting in Kabul.
ACSFo Advocacy Officer held a meeting with the head of four CS entities that have been working in four districts of Samangan. The meeting concentrated on issues such as reporting system, follow up with issues at District, Provincial and national level, etc.
a) During meeting in ACSFo b) Left and Right during meeting with Governor
ACSFo regional office held a meeting with the head of Samangan Provincial Council. The aim of the meeting was to highlight the cooperation between CSOs and the Provincial Council and improve the interaction for good governance in the provinces. In addition the head of the Provincial Council acknowledged the importance of holding a peaceful demonstration for raising the voice of the people in Samangan. ACSFo organized a regional meeting with the head of Information, Culture and Tourism Department. The ACSFo representative gave brief information regarding their activities in the province level. Then the head of the Information and Culture department suggested ACSFo to include sustainable and long terms projects in the program such as training journalists, computer training and English language courses. He also proposed to ACSFo and others participants to print and publish the works of famous writers and poets as a a cultural heritage. On 21/10/2012 a monthly meeting of CSOs Network was held in Samangan ACSFo office with the participation of the Advocacy Officer, the Assistant and the Network steering committee members.
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During October the advocacy network visited Samangan jail and found the following problems: lack of a Mosque for prisoners, health and sanitary problems, lack of recreational opportunities for prisoners, lack of access to a library or media. The findings of the visit were shared with head of the prison, but he suggested sharing the concerns with higher authorities. On 22/10/2012 a monthly meeting of ACGG was held at ACSFo office with its all steering committee members. The ACSFo members visited Samangan health department where they observed the following problems: low access to medicine, limited access to transportation, and many more. The findings were shared with Head of DoPH. He addressed the concern by stating that there is shortage in fuel for emergency cars and problem with the medicine will be assessed as soon as possible. During the month of October the committee also paid a visit to Samangan University and collected the complaints of University students who were unhappy with teaching and education system.
During November 2012 On 15 November 2012, Advocacy Officer of ACSFo in Ghor province held a meeting with the governor of Ghor province at the Governor’s office. Concerns such as weak management, weak monitoring, nepotism/favouritism, presence of illegal armed groups, limited capacity, poor health and education facilities. The Governor promised to follow up the issues and find solutions. On 19/12/2012 the Network of CSOs along with regional office of Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) organized and coordinated a demonstration in Cheghcheran where the participants were children. Demonstrators demanded quality education, security and asked to end corruption and violence in the Province. The demonstrators walked from the city center to governor’s house where they were welcomed by the Governor of Ghor province. ACSFo attended a session of National Research on sexual abuses and honour killing. This session was organized by Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission on 10/12/2012 in Cheghcheran. Meeting with a commissioner and delegate of AIHRC on 10/12/2012 for further coordination and cooperation on human rights activities and advocacy against human rights violation in Ghor province. Meeting with PRT and USAID team on 12/12/2012 in Cheghcheran on helping CSOs through implementation of small projects to effectively raise awareness and promote education.
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Capacity Building
During this year activities performed under Capacity Building are as follows:
Training government staff on good governance in Samangan: On June 16, 2012 A Good Governance 3 day’s workshop was carried out. In this workshop 19 government staff (2 females and 17 males) participated. The issues discussed at this seminar were good governance, good governance from Islamic perspective, assessing the last 10 years of governance in Afghanistan, approaches to attaining good governance and indicators of good governance.
Training Government staff on Rule and Responsibilities of the State in Samangan: The second workshop was held on 19th June 2012. In this workshop 20 government employees (3 female and 17 male) attended the workshop where they were taught how to increase the service to citizens, coordination and cooperation, and their responsibility towards the state. The effectiveness of the workshop was evaluated through assessment forms where average score taken before workshop was 5.5 and average score taken after workshop was 8.31. Successful participants were given certificates.
TOT for CSOs in Ghor Province: On May 11, 2012 three days TOT was carried out for 19 male and 4 female who came from local CSOs. Topics such as training basics, difference between pedagogy and andragogy, training cycle, SWOT and SMART analysis, training methods were discussed. The aim of the training was to capacitate local CSOs on training methods and to give them the ability to conduct training in effective and helpful way. It is worth mentioning that pre-test at the beginning and post-test at the end of training was taken. The pre test average result was 3.87 and post test result was 7.73. At the end of the workshop all the participants received certificates.
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Training to Government staff on Role and Responsibility of State in Ghor: On 14-16 May 2012, a 3 days long training workshop on Role and Responsibilities of State was held for 19 government staff in Cheghcheran city by ACSFo. The aim of the workshop was to enhance the knowledge of government staff on role and responsibilities of state and tasks of government personnel for effective services delivery. The objectives of the training were to increase the knowledge of participants on the concept of the state and its types, encouraging sense of responsibility of government staff, strengthening interaction between government and civil society, building capacity of government staff on their tasks and responsibilities towards social and moral issues and laws. Participants showed high interest in the workshop. After test and post test the average score before workshop was 2.94 and average score after test was 7.36 which indicated high effectiveness and benefit of the workshop. All participants were given certificates at the end.
Training to Government staff on good governance in Ghor: On 8-19 May 2012, 3 days training workshop was held for Government staff on good governance in Cheghcheran City. The aim of the training was to increase the knowledge of 20 senior government staff on good governance, their responsibilities, interaction between civil society and government and promoting rule of law and improved service delivery. Pre test indicated the average knowledge of the topic by participants 6.11 and after 3 days workshop the post test indicated average score 8.84. Feedback received from the training was very positive and one of the participant stated that he learned more in the workshop then during his years as government employee. At the end of the workshop participants recieved certificates.
CSOs Advocacy Committee Meeting in Samangan: On June 26, 2012, a meeting was held with Advocacy Network steering committee members. The aim of the meeting was to discuss existing problems and advocate citizen’s rights. Challenges such as lack of access to drinking water, establishment of an Agriculture Faculty in Samangan, drilling wells, gender balance in recruitment, preventing of poppy cultivation, aid to affected residence by flood, and etc were discussed. The mentioned points were determined as priorities of CSOs Advocacy Network to meet the need of the people in Samangan. Through CSOs Advocacy Networks and support of local community and Provincial Council problems such as equal distribution of irrigation water, providing power to five villages, awareness on environmental issues, drilling 10 wells, providing Karti Sulh residents with drinking water, establishing education faculty, providing aid through ICRC to affected families, reactivated clinic in Dari Sauf and Roi Duab Districts.
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Training Manual printing: Three manuals on Good Governance, Role and Responsibilities of state and Project Cycle Management (drafted and edited in late 2011) were printed out in February 2012. The details on the contents of the manuals were given in the previous report (July-Dec 2011 narrative report).
Training workshop to CSOs in Samangan: On 10/09/2012 three days long training was held regarding management and leadership. From 21 entities in Samangan province, one member participated in the training at ACSFo Samangan office. From total 21 participants there were 7 female in the training. The training method was participatory, lecture and group work. At the end of training certificate were distributed to the participants. The participants appreciated ACSFo office in Samangan and they requested from ACSFo office to conduct more trainings to the entities members. The local Radio Shahrwand broadcasted a report on the mentioned training workshop in Samangan.
a) Left and Right photos during training
Advocacy Training workshop to CSOs in Ghor: ACSFo office in Cheghcheran convened a training workshop for 16 members of CSOs including 6 women. The aim of the training workshop was to capacitate the local CSOs and Provincial Council and social actors to manage their activities and program and increase the affects of their advocacy for good governance and better service delivery. The topic of the training workshop was Advocacy and its methods. The trainers used different methods to make interesting and understandable the contents of the training workshops and the participants actively took part in activities within the training. At the pre-test average score was 3.4 and after training the post test showed significant improvement and the average score were 5.7. At the end of training workshop the participants were distributed a certificate by ACSFo.
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a) Left and Right Photos During the Workshop in Ghor
Leadership Training Workshop to CSOs in Ghor: On 9-10 December 2012 there was a training workshop on Leadership for CSOs in Ghor Province. Topics discussed during the training were: what is leadership, difference between leader and manager, types of leaders, sources of power and influence, etc. Total 17 participants including 6 female were selected from CSOs, social actors and Provincial Council to join the training workshop. The participants indicated their satisfaction from the training contents, trainers and facilities. At the end they were given certificate by ACSFo.
Monitoring
During this reporting year activities performed under Monitoring are as follows;
ACSFo monitoring section paid one visit to Ghor province in 7-13 February 2012 to prepare monitoring report on day-to-day activities and progress of the project as well as to evaluate the outcomes of the advocacy campaign and ACSFo activities. The monitoring manager met, ACSFO Ghor office, Advocacy Network, CSOs, Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, Agriculture Directorate, Education Directorate, Public health directorate, Labour and Social Affairs directorate, Attorney General’s office, Security head quarter, National Department of Security office, local community. The report confirmed past activities and revealed some of the positive changes as a result of advocacy campaign, implemented project components and Advocacy Network efforts. The Advocacy Network and ACSFo activities have been expanding to other Districts as well. ACSFo and the Advocacy Network won the support of CSOs and local community and as well as some of Governmental staff. It is recommended to ACSFo to increase capacity of staff on Advocacy Methodology and improve their communication skills. The findings of the monitoring should be shared with management and the relevant staff as lesson learned to improve the future performances.
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Similarly, from 16-21 June 2012 monitoring specialist had a trip to Samangan province to monitor the project activities and overall ACSFo office operation. The more specific purpose of the visit was to monitor the changes on public participation and interaction with local authorities for improved governance and basic social service delivery in livelihood, health and education.
Monitoring team held a roundtable with local authorities of Samangan Province. The purpose of the visit was to publicise the achievements and lessons learned during Good Governance practice.
During the visit monitoring specialist convened several meetings with local government, non-government organizations, and local community heads. Members such as: Pohnayar Khairullah Anosh (Governor), Najibullah Danish (ACSFo), Dr.Abdul Hamid (DPH), Abdul Razaq Rahimi (DAIL), Abdul Manan Mayar (DE), CSOs and Community members were present. At the meeting governor shared his concerns regarding the research findings (details already provided in Advocacy Section of the report). Representative of Public Health Directorate stated that a good relationship has been built between Afghan Civil Society Forum Organization and Department of Health at Samangan province. At the end of the meeting the head of a community Council highlighted the problems in the field of education, health and livelihood showed his satisfaction bout education in his area.
Roundtable on information dissemination: this roundtable was held on June 19, 2012. Government Department representative (Dr. Abdul Hamid, Abdul Razaq, Musadiqullah Muzafari, Razaq Rahimi, Khawaja Sediqullah, Sediqy Basheer Ahmad and Sediq Aziz) and CSOs (Najibullah Danesh and many other) attended the meeting. The aim of the roundtable was to measure the quality impacts of the project, lesson learned and information sharing to pave ground for good governance. The discussion and report of the roundtable was broadcasted by the local TV of Samangan.
a) During the roundtable on information dissemination
26 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO)
Developing Monitoring Policy, Guidelines and Indicators: The newly hired Monitoring Specialist with contribution of Advocacy and Program Sections developed a comprehensive Monitoring Policy for Afghan Civil Society Forum- organization (ACSFo) as well as Guideline, tools and indicators for Promoting Civil Society Network in Ghor and Samangan provinces of Afghanistan Project. Advocacy Campaign: At Regional Level
On 9 January 2012 a roundtable was organized by ACSFo in Aybak city in ACSFo sub office where a representative of Education Directorate, two local CSOs, Public Health Directorate, Provincial Council, Directorate of Labor and Social Affairs, Directorate of Agriculture, two local community members, local Government Radio and TV and another local radio were present. The aim of the roundtable was to discuss on the findings of the comprehensive research conducted by ACSFo in Samangan on Security, livelihood, good governance, education, health and transparency and accountability.
A roundtable was convened on February 9, 2012 in ACSFo office in Aybak city. In this roundtable ACSFo have passed a critical confrontation with the local authorities and governor because of the roundtable held on January 9, 2012 and advocacy campaign held in the area. The participants of the roundtable were Mr. Sediq Aziz the spokesman of Governor, Mr. Muzafarullah Muzafari the Security Commander, Mr. Nematullah Babaqanbari a representative of the community, Mr. Imam Nazar Aria, Ruhullah Habib, Mr. Naqibullah from CSOs, and Mr. Nasir from Haqiqat radio.
On January 5, 2012 a roundtable was convened by ACSFo office in Cheghcheran. The aim of the roundtable was to advocate on the findings of the research and disseminate the information through media. The participants of the table were from Directorate of Education, Mr. Nabi Yagan the Director of Public Health Directorate, Mr. Joma Khan Bakhtary Acting Director of Agriculture Directorate, Mr. Gul Ahmad Osmani Director of Labor and Social Affairs, Mr. Nabi Saqi a Journalist and lecturer, Mr. Den Mohammad Shikib from CS, Ms. Gulafroz Ghafoori Acting Head of Provincial Council, Ms. Aqila Sharaf Human Rights Promoting Officer with AIHRC and Mr. Mahboodb Akbari, Noor Mohammad, and Reza Pedram Civil Society activists. Main findings of the research were discussed that day where issues with education, health, assistance to agriculture sector, limited access to open markets, etc. Role of media and advocacy was also discussed at the roundtable.
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During the roundtable and hard talk the provincial council admitted that the government departments know not much about the PC law and the people do not understand the tasks and limit of authorities of the Provincial Council and their expectations are higher. Lack of coordination between the Government and PC is another challenge that affects the service delivery to the people. The members of the Council also have been suffering from lack of coordination and cooperation. The PC cannot use its legal authorities and the amendment that was inserted in the PC law is still not passed. Also it was mentioned that the Government does not pay attention to the cases of the people they refer to the CS, PC and their representatives in parliament.
On 18 January 2012 the second roundtable on advocacy issues were held in Cheghcheran to cover more governmental and non-governmental departments, organizations and individuals. The participants of the session were Mr. Abdul Hai Khatibi from local governor’s office, Mr. Amrullah Hamidi from Administrative Reform Commission, Mr. Sultan Ahmad representative of CS and local community, Mr. Nabi Saqi media activist and lecturer, Ms. Leda Irfani from Provincial Council, Mr. Abdul Rashid Bashir from police Head Quarter. The representative of the governor talked about the 60% dissatisfaction of the people, their plan for improving good governance and government service deliveries. He explained that existence of armed insurgents, illegal armed groups, unqualified senior staff in the government departments, misbehaviour of the civil servants with the people etc constitutes the causes of the dissatisfaction of the people.
The Government must disarm the anti-Government elements and attempt to win the trust of the people by reform in the administration. Without the support and cooperation of the people, government will fail to address the issues existing. To better understand the existing issues the complaints boxes in different corners of the city were installed so that people can share their problems and suggestions. Discussion went to the hot topic of corruption where government officials did not agree on the results of a research and stated that to end corruption a holistic approach must be used. More training on anti corruption efforts must be given. Also they recommended increasing number of police and army personnel to improve the security. Another concern on not allowing provincial councils to audit the local Government was discussed. Provincial councils want the Government to share annual reports with them so the progress track is visible to them.
A round table was held at Samangan National TV Studio on August 27, 2012 by ACSFo office. The participants were from Appeal Attorney Office, chief of Criminal Office, member of religious council, member of NDS and representative from Samangan provincial governor’s Office. The discussion
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concentrated on the security issues which became more vibrant after few cases of child kidnapping, burglary, murders and many more. The authorities urged citizens’ cooperation and requested to collaborate closely with the security entities. On September 23, 2012 the provincial council with encouragement of CSOs Network organized a report hearing session where the departments of Telecommunication, Justice and Anti Disaster Departments shared their activities, challenges and plans to the media and people. On September 19, 2012, ACSFo in Cheghcheran hosted a roundtable where it invited Ghor Provincial Police General Commander Mr. Sayed Hussain Safawi, National Army Commander and two members of provincial council to discuss the security situation. The authorities assured people about the security improvement and launching a military operation in six districts to disarm the illegal armed forces. On September 26, 2012, a roundtable was organized by ACSFo in Cheghcheran. The participants of the roundtable were head of provincial council, head of education department and a representative of AIHRC. The agenda of the session was shortage of text books, lack of professional and educated teachers, limited number of school buildings and monitoring of the progress. On September 27, 2012, 3rd roundtable was convened on health issues with the participation of head of Public Health Department, Dr. Saber (head of Development and Education Organization) who is in charge of implementation of health programs in 9 districts in Ghor province, member of PC and the health committee of the CSOs Network. The main topics of the discussion were on lack of clinics, insufficient medicine, doctors and nurses. The head of the health department said that there are 57 health centres including one hospital in Cheghcheran and ten hospitals in districts. He added that they proposed to the ministry of public health 30 other health centres for Ghor province. He further explained that there is mechanism in place to monitor all health centres. A member of the provincial council also said that his council has conducted several visit from the health centres and shared the shortcoming with the health authorities. Dr. Saber assured the participant that his organization recruited some health care personnel from Tajikistan and supplied the health centres with medicine for 6 months. On September 14, 2012, ACSFo received the membership of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee. The members of the committee are selected by the governor and ACSFo.
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Through advocacy campaign ACSFo conducted direct meeting with many local authorities in different districts of Samangan and Ghor provinces. Through these direct meetings issues and challenges of every particular area were discussed. Such meetings are stated to be effective to address concerns by the people of the districts as it creates face to face discussions. In areas where the direct meetings were held are as follows in chronological and province order;
Samangan:
a) Direct meeting of local community with government. b) Direct meeting of local community with government in Roye Doab district.
c) Direct meeting of local community with government in Feroz Nakhjir district.
d) Direct meeting of local community with government in Khuram wa Sarbagh district.
e) Direct meeting of local community with government in Hazrati Sultan district.
f) Advocacy for the Dolaina district in the provincial capital Cheghcheran.
g) Local community direct meeting with the local authorities in Cheghcheran.
Ghor:
a) Local community direct meeting with local authorities in Dolaina district of Ghor.
b) Local community direct meeting with local authorities in Lal-o-Sarjangal district of Ghor.
c) Local community direct meeting with local authorities in Dolatyar district of Ghor.
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d) Meeting with the Public Health Department in Ghor.
e) Local community direct meeting with local authorities in Lal-o-Sarjangal district of Ghor.
f) Local community direct meeting with local authorities in Dawlatyar district of Ghor.
g) Local community direct meeting with local authorities in Roy-e-Doab district of Ghor.
h) Local community direct meeting with local authorities in Dolaina district of Ghor.
i) Local community direct meeting with local authorities in Dawlatyar district of Ghor.
j) Local community direct meeting with local authorities in Dolaina district of Ghor.
k) Local community direct meeting with local authorities in Dawlatyar district of Ghor.
l) Local community direct meeting with local authorities in Dolaina district of Ghor.
m) Local community direct meeting with local authorities in Lal-o-Sarjangal district of Ghor.
n) Local community direct meeting with local authorities in Lal-o-Sarjangal district of Ghor
Advocacy at National Level:
On September 11, 2012, the network member held a meeting with Public Health Minister Dr. Suraya Dalil in Kabul. The aim of the meeting was to share the concern of Ghor people regarding the poor health services, insufficient medicine, health care personnel, insufficient clinics/hospital and equipment with the high ranking authorities at national level. The Minister appreciated the work of CSOs in Ghor and promised to send a team to assess the situation closely and provide a detailed report to the ministry for further action. On September 11, 2012, the same delegate of the Network met with the deputy of Education Ministry in Kabul. Concerns such as closed schools, lack of school building, shortages of school textbooks, dense recruitment and many more shared with the deputy. The deputy promised to pass the
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concerns of the Ghor people to the Education Minister and take necessary steps. On September 22, 2012, the delegation succeeded to meet with members of parliament elected from Ghor province and shared all the problems from security to health, education and low attention of the central government. The MPs promised to put the health and education problems of the Ghor province in the general session of the parliament and responsible commissions would summon the ministries for explanations. On September 15, 2015, a meeting was arranged with the head of the Herat provincial council to discuss coordination among the CSOs in Ghor neighbouring provinces and their joint advocacy for their common interest priorities such as main high way between Ghor and Herat. On the same date a press conference was convened and the Network members of the Ghor and Herat expressed their concern and insisted on their solidarity. Due to the weakness of local media in Ghor a request from Herat media and journalists was made to cover issues in Ghor Province. On October 12, 2012, the CSOs network organized a huge demonstration between the border of Ghor and Bamyan provinces in where thousands of demonstrators demanded construction of Ghor-Bamyan –Kabul road. The participants of the demonstration were from CS, teachers and students, media and social activists, provincial council and local people. They demanded government and international community’s attention to the highway construction that could play a major role in improving the economic situation of the people.
a) During the Demonstrations in Ghor Province
A representative of the Ghor CSOs Network had a meeting on November 10, 2012 with UNAMA officials in Herat province on topics such as: peace, education, health and supporting the CS. The aim of the meeting was to seek the support of international community on advocacy efforts in Ghor province.
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A representative of Ghor CSOs network met Herat provincial Governor on November 18, 2012 to draw his attention to the Herat-Ghor high way construction as well as ensuring security along the road. The Governor showed his support to Ghor province CSOs and promised to facilitate transportation and other necessary means for CSOs and Media in Ghor to cover the advocacy effort in that province in raising their voice at regional and national level. On November 10, 2012, Network members along with other social actors and MPs from Ghor province coordinated and organized a demonstration in Kabul in front of the Parliament to advocate for the construction of Kabul- Ghor- Herat road. The participants of the demonstration were representative of MPs from Ghor, Herat, Bamyan, Wardak and Daidkundi provinces as well University students and people. ACSFo was granted the honour of membership in Ghor Province Peace High Commission during a general gathering in governor’s office in Cheghcheran on 20 December 2012.
Advocacy Projects
Civil Society Organizations Sustainability Index (CSOI) 2011 Project
CSOI project was funded by Management Systems International (MSI) from October 2011 to May 2012 to draft a country report on Afghan civil society organizations sustainability in 2011. MSI was awarded a contract by the Aga Khan Foundation to expand the CSO Sustainability Index (CSOSI) into Afghanistan for one year (2011- 2012).1 MSI in partnership with the International Centre for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) successfully executed the Index in the Europe and Eurasia region for over five years, successfully adapted the index and methodology to Africa since 2009, and is beginning to implement the Index in the Middle East and North Africa region. This is the first time that such kind of report is preparing on Afghanistan which would be a base for the future reports. The Index measures CSO sustainability based on seven dimensions: legal environment; organizational capacity; financial viability; advocacy; service provision; infrastructure and public image. Each of the seven dimensions is rated along a seven-point scale with 1 indicating a very advanced CSO sector and 7 indicating a fragile, unsustainable sector with a low-level of development.
Main Activities: 1. Prepared a work plan for the 2011 exercise, including a timeline of all tasks and submission of deliverables, a detailed explanation of how the regional panels
1 The CSOSI was formerly named the NGO Sustainability Index (NGOSI). 33 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO)
proposed represent the country’s regions, recommendations for the process of aggregating regional and national level data, and a detailed outreach plan. 2. Prepared a budget for the project. 3. Attended an orientation workshop in Jordan. 4. Prepared a list of panel members (regional and national). 5. Collected additional relevant background materials and information, including previous reports on the civil society sector in Afghanistan. 6. Hired 3 temporary focal points for Mazar-e-Sharif, Jalalabad and Herat to facilitate the regional panel meetings. 7. Conducted orientation training to project involved staff including the focal points on the project activities, requirement and methodology. 8. Conducted one panel meeting in Mazar-e-Sharif, one in Jalalabad and one in Herat and one national meeting in Kabul where representatives of the CSOs participated in and discussed on 7 dimensions, indicators and scores. The focal points prepared regional meeting reports to ACSFo in Kabul. 9. Developed a country report for the year 2011 based on the regional and a national meetings that, included a discussion of both the national situation and regional variations. 10. Prepared a revised report based on input from the Editorial Committee.
Promoting Women’s Right through Civil Society Structures Project (ICCO Project) Since December 2011, ACSFo with financial support of European Commission through ICCO initiated a project under name of “Promoting Women’s Rights through Local Civil Society Structures in Herat and Bamyan”. It aims to be more focused on women’s rights. In particular, this project aims to Increase understanding and boost capacity of CSOs and local communities on EVAW Law, CEDAW and UNSCR 1325 in targeted areas. This project consists of five main components: 1) Manual Development and ToT 2) Capacity Building 3) Networking and Establishing Support Committee 4) Advocacy Campaign 5) Complain Boxes.
Main Activities of ICCO Project: 1. Manual Development and ToT:
For manual development a manual development expert was hired to develop unique and quality manuals. Retrospectively, series of activities carried out to develop concise and comprehensive manual. Through two coordination and consultation meetings it was decided to develop three different manuals 1) Elimination of Violence against Women 2) Manual on convention of Elimination of All Types of Discrimination against Women 3) Manual on UNSCR 1325. After manual development a three day long ToT was given in ACSFo main office. Somaya Yosufi and Ali Jan Fasihi from AWEC’s Herat Office, Abdulhayat Koosha and Hussaindad Ahmadi from ACSFo Bamyan Office were trainees in the ToT. This ToT training facilitated by Ms. Sediqa Nawrozian, Master trainer and manual developer. The main purposes of ToT training were to educate participants on content of manuals and to capacitate them on training methodology in
34 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) order to enhance their capacity and skills for the purpose of conducting effective training in their working areas.
1. Printing and Disseminating Manuals:
Considering Communication and Visibility Manual of EU, ACSFo signed a contract with Etesam Printing Press to print pre-developed manuals. It is to be mentioned that every manual has its own unique design. Six thousand copies of manuals were printed. Around half of them submitted to AWEC for capacity building programs in Herat province. Also ACSFo disseminated manuals among its organizational members and other civil society organizations. It is obvious that all members of Advocacy Network in Bamyan province and training participants deserved to have a copy of each manual. There is still huge demand for manuals.
2. Capacity Building:
After manual development, ToT, and printing ACSFo with consideration of project requirements, expanded its capacity enhancement programs to Bamyan province. ACSFo Advocacy Section conducted three trainings for members of Advocacy Network, local civil society organizations, university students, youths and Government entities in Bamyan province. Those three trainings were: training on EVAW Law and Declaration, training on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and training on UNSCR 1325. Over all participants of the training were from different parts of society such as network members, university students, Government employees and community development Council attended the workshop.
3. Networking and Establishing Support Committee:
Since the project initiation, ACSFo Provincial team started identification and mapping local civil society organizations in order to be part of CSOs Network. As a result, around 41 local CSOs and individual identified. Before establishing the CSOs Network, ACSFo sent a high delegation at May 25, 2012 into Bamyan province. The delegation members were: Mr. Aziz Rafiee (ACSFo Executive Director) and Mr. Sharif Sharafat (Advocacy Section Manager). The delegation aimed to organize coordination meetings with local Government officials and local civil society organizations in order to pave the way for official establishment of Network. Briefly, the delegation successfully implemented the following activities:
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Town Hall gathering: This gathering facilitated by the Executive Director and Advocacy Manager in which different local government entities, head of Bamyan provincial council, journalists and local civil society representatives were invited. During the gathering, socio-political situation of Bamyan province was thoroughly analyzed with focus on women’s rights situation. It was highlighted that the existence of a network is necessary in order to advocate for promoting women’s rights throughout Bamyan province. Conducting Seminar on Civil Society and Networking: This seminar was facilitated by Executive Director. Participants (30 male and 11 female) were members of civil society organizations, journalists, and governmental and non-governmental agencies, Writers Association and university students. The seminar has covered issues such as existence of initial civic notions, shaping socio political system and drafting laws, creation of legitimate social regimes, introduction and principles of CS, purpose of advocating and networking in Bamyan and many more. Establishment and Activation of Advocacy Network on Good Governance Advocacy Network on Good Governance officially established at 29 August 2012. This network aims to improve good governance in Provincial level through advocacy, monitoring and research. After establishment of the Network the advocacy section shared already drafted Operational procedure/Code of Conduct. Changes were made to the drafted document. After revising the document a final CoC has been approved. As per procedure election has been carried out and as per networks’ structure General Assembly has highest decision making body under which Executive Board and Secretariat is functioning. As per CoC four individuals must be selected as Executive Board members. Election were transparent and monitored by Asadullah Rasouli (Member of the Organization of Social and Economic Cooperation), Soheila Rezai (Representative of Gawharshad Association), Sayed Sikander Balaghi (Training in charge of Cooperation Centre for Afghanistan CCA), Hakimeh Akbari (Financial Manager of the Afghanistan Women Association). As result, after vote count, the following candidates got the highest vote and elected as Network Executive Board: 1- Taeeba Khawari 2- Nazir Jafari 3- Sayeed Naseer Urfani 4- Saeed Zaheer Ehsani 5- Hussaindad Ahmadi
Note that according to the procedure the secretariat of this network belongs to the ACSFo this is why Hussaindad Ahmadi elected, out of internal election process. It is to be mentioned that head of network and his/her deputy is elected by executive board. As result, Nazir Jafari selected as a Head of Network and Sayeed Zaheer Ehsani as Deputy.
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Considering the provision of Network’s Code of Conduct, it is stated that ordinary meeting of network to be organized on monthly bases. Immediate meetings will be carried when required.
Network Meeting: The first meeting of Advocacy Network on Good Governance conducted at 3 November 2012. It was a consultative meeting in which Lawyers, CSOs representatives, officials of Independent Election Commission, journalists and members of Bamyan provincial council have taken part. It was a consultative meeting and aimed to collect people’s views and demands in order to be incorporated into draft version of Election Law. This program was facilitated and organized by ACSFo in Bamyan.
Second meeting of the network was held at November 2012. Only members of executive board attended the meeting. They discussed the issues of expanding network to strengthen it at provincial level as well as at national level. It was agreed that executive board of network should identify more local civil society organizations and social organizations from other districts of Bamyan province while they monitor the progress and promotion of women’s rights.
Bamyan Advocacy Network with cooperation of Ghor Advocacy Network organized few peaceful demonstrations at different times to advocate for the rights of central highland people, follow up the case of Shakila who was murdered, and improve security condition of roads ending to Bamyan province.
Committee Establishment: According to Elimination of Violence against Women Law, a committee at provincial level to be established in order to investigate and follow up the cases related to violence against women. Thus, a committee under name of “EVAW Committee” already established and organized by Habiba Sarabi, (Governor of Bamyan province). ACSFo got the observatory membership of EVAW Committee. After this, Advocacy Network can monitor cases of violence and report to EVAW Committee for further investigation and follow up. Besides, ACSFo will be able to collect complaints from complain boxes and bring to EVAW Committee. It is to be mentioned that all members of EVAW Committee are government entities.
Advocacy Campaign through Media: Development Process: Developing radio messages started right after hiring radio message development expert. Content of radio messages derived from three developed manuals. All three messages were successfully broadcasted and copies of messages were given to AWEC to be broadcasted in Herat Province. Reporting: Radio Bamyan has 300-Watt transmitter and can cover centre of Bamyan and close Districts with approximate population of 100,000 residents. Based on report received from Radio Bamyan, radio messages reached around 100,000 people. It means that advocacy campaign for women’s rights hit the highest effectiveness and 100,000 became aware of EVAW, CEDAW and UNSCR 3125.
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4. Complain Boxes: Based on project requirement, 10 complaint boxes to be installed in 10 different areas of Bamyan city. In this regard few challenges were faced; at the beginning, some influential people were opposed to instalment of complaint boxes, cultural conservatism which has intensified due to security challenges and problems, may threaten and prevent victims of violence to drop their complaints into complaint boxes, installation of boxes at schools, villages, clinics, mosques and public stations took time and caused delay. Despite of abovementioned problems, ACSFo regional office succeeded to install 20 complaint boxes in different villages of Bamyan city and Yakawlang Districts.
My Rights My Voice Project (Kabul and Balkh)
My Rights My Voice project is a multinational project (8 countries) which mainly covers the Asian countries including Afghanistan. The project is undertaken to promote the rights to education and health of Afghanistan’s youth and children through advocacy and establishment of youth groups. Additionally, the project promotes the sense of voluntarism among youths in order to establish a stronger movement.
This reporting period covers the preliminary activities of the project which are important to take place for an effective project implementation. During this reporting period ACSFo undertook the mapping process and few informal awareness raising sessions. ACSFo was able to complete the mapping process in order to pave the way for the further essential steps necessary to achieve the broader outcomes. ACSFo’s main achievement during this quarter has been the maintaining and establishment of healthy coordination and cooperation through discussions and awareness raising sessions with the people’s council, shuras, mullahs, elders and the provincial authorities for establishing a stronger foundation to further run and establish the youth committees at the community and district level.
The focus of the project will be for youth to actively participate in improving education and health outcomes for youth and children, by enhancing awareness and recognition of youth and children rights, particularly in education and health, and increasing mainstreaming and prioritization, as well as funding for improved youth and child education and health services. The project will aim to increase youth leadership through collective and coordinative youth focus groups at the national, provincial, district and community level to influence national and sub-national policies to ensure that these reflect children and youth issues.
Through some programs with implementer organization and youth representatives, the project will mobilize and train youth focus groups on children and youth rights, advocacy and campaigning, budget tracking and monitoring. Provincial youth focus groups will be established or strengthened in each of the 4 target provinces. At the
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district level 2 district youth focus groups will be established in each of the 12 districts and have representatives in the provincial focus group. District youth representatives will train community groups. The focus groups will be a platform for youth engagement and networking and will reach out to and lobby with stakeholders and duty bearers at the provincial, District and community level. From four mentioned provinces ACSFo is working in six districts of two provinces Kabul (Paghman, Qarabagh, Bagrami) and Balkh (Dehdade, Khulm and Mazar-e-Sharef). Therefore, in the first year of the project we are supposed to establish 60 youth committees from both (boys and girls) in targeted provinces and conduct 60 formal awareness session and 60 informal awareness sessions as well but because of gender sensitive in targeted areas we conduct the activities separately it means (120 setting up committee, 120 formal awareness session and 120 informal awareness session), so in the second part of 2012, our completed activities are as following.
Coordination Sessions: the performance of activities need coordination and as part of advocacy methods, ACSFo organized around 300 coordination meetings and face to face discussion with local influential of 55 villages for three key activities (formal awareness session, informal awareness session and setting up committees) to influence and convince the people to stop preventing youth’s to exercising their rights and consider them as agent of change. This point is frequently mentioned that without presence of girls and young women, youth forums will not be established.
Awareness sessions with the CDCs, village elders, parents and youth on the need for youth forums. ACSFo facilitated these sessions in target districts to ensure support and understanding the purpose of youth focus groups i.e to build community support, increase the interest of diverse youth group to join the youth forum and focus groups. 60 communities are in target and the focus participation in these sessions is women, especially from women shuras, of female teachers and adolescent girls. The sessions also stresses on the need for both young males and females to become part of and actively participate in the youth focus groups, as well as within the communities. ACSFo convened (110) formal awareness raising for CDCs, village elders, parents, youth and Maliks in Kabul and Balkh provinces so as to educate them on project’s goal, objectives and benefits. Besides, prior to formal awareness sessions, punctual coordination at the village was secured.
Setting up Youth Focus Groups: A community set up 10 communities in each district and each have two representatives within the district youth focus groups. The groups will be trained on youth and child rights issues by their two representatives in the district youth focus group. The community youth groups will be the focus of activities at the community level and will participate in monitoring, outreach and awareness raising activities within their communities, supported by our trainers. Although it was intended to establish mixed committees but due to gender sensitivity, most of committees were established separately. So ACSFo established (110) youth focus
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groups in all six districts of targeted provinces from both boys and girls (55 boys, 55 girls).The established committee members are 60% male and 40% female. The members of each committee are around 20 – 25 members.
Awareness raising sessions with local level actors, including community and religious leaders, on youth and children rights and issues: building on the continued dialogue initiated with community level actors to ensure an enabling environment for youth group development, informal dialogue sessions conduct with CDC members, shura members, religious Councils and leaders, teachers and parents, including the parent school committees. The sessions lead with ACSFo focal point trainers. Therefore Pre-awareness rising sessions was our colleagues arranged several meetings with Government institutions such as MoE, MoWA and DMoYA to know their progress on implementation of CRC provisions with focus on children’s health and education. Following to that, moreover we conducted 100 informal awareness raising sessions with local actors, community and religious leaders on youth and children’s rights, also we successfully conducted a series of meeting with local actors to inform them on government’s plans for youth and children based on national laws and CRC it is worth to be mentioned that residents of 55 villages of targeted provinces (Kabul and Balkh) informed on youth and children’s rights and find the relative gaps. Based on our findings in each session 15 – 25 persons participated.
Conflict Transformation and Peace Building Project Conflict Transformation and Analysis project (1st November 2011- 31st December 2012) that is funded by ICCO intends to empower different youth groups (from age 14-25 years) in the capital district of the Bamyan province for more effective participation in the socio-economic, cultural and political processes. It wishes to positively contribute to a sustainable environment of mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence. In that, ACSFo promoted the voice of the youth and build the confidence among stakeholders through consultations, civic education, coordination and networking, peace building/conflict transformation trainings, leadership training and technical assistance. The direct as well as indirect beneficiaries were Afghan youth, youth organizations, students, schools, CSOs, unions, political parties, religious leaders, intellectuals and other community influential. By building viable capacities and skills and by enhancing their citizenship knowledge, ACSFo intends to encourage and mobilize the citizen’s participation in order to work for a better future for Afghanistan.
The overarching goal of “Peace Building and Conflict Transformation Project” was to create an environment for youth groups at the centre of Bamyan city where mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence are observed. To this, ACSFo implemented a set of interlinked activities so as to reach effective mechanism for eliminating conflicts and ethnic discriminations.
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Establishing Resource Centre: 1. Library To provide a platform where citizens can interact and benefit from the services, aresource centre is established in the city of Bamyan, where facilities like library and Internet will be accessible for the users. A peace club is to be established within this resource centre where individuals will be asked to obtain a membership to be able to participate in round tables and focus group discussions. Around 100 copies of useful books purchased and donated to recourse centre. For more equipment of recourse centre, 66 copies of Afghanistan’s Constitution and collection of other laws, training manuals, magazines and other necessary sources provided and donated to the library. Interested university students and other youth groups get the membership of recourse centre through filling out the membership form. Subsequently, they can use recourses available in recourse centre. It is to be mentioned that non members of recourse centre are also allowed to use it. Resource Centre is open to all its clients and users from Sunday to Thursday (8:00 AM–4:00 PM). Up to now, totally 157 individuals (33 female and 124 male) have obtained the RC membership and totally 466 users (123 female and 343 male) regularly used the RC library.
2. Internet Facility Resource Centre members are enjoying other privilege that is internet facility. Different youth groups got the membership and able to use internet, but most users of them are university students. They use internet for academic research, accessing to digital libraries and e-books. Under this reporting period, 106 clients (22 female, 84 males) have enjoyed internet facilities. 3. Awareness Campaign In order to create peaceful environment among youth groups in Bamyan city, ACSFo organized and facilitated five events with participation of 116 participants of different group of young, leaders, university and school student, civil society activist, government and non-government employees, community members, representative of people’s councils and village representative, in which they found the opportunity to discuss on their problems that cause conflicts. The topics which discussed on sessions was conflict and conflict resolution, violence, civil society, roles of civil society, and future of Afghanistan civil society, elimination of violence, conflict resolution and how to bring peace.
Establishing Peace Club: To provide a platform where young leaders can interact and share their viewpoints, ACSFo established a peace club. Around 30 of RC’s members gathered and constituted the peace club. Selection criteria for peace club were education, age,
41 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) activeness, general knowledge and volunteerism. The member of peace club is able to participate in roundtables and focus group discussions. Therefore, Focus Group Discussion and Roundtable are two activities which come under Peace Club.
1. Focus Group Discussion: During 14 months of the project seven focus group discussions were organized in ACSFO Bamyan office with participation of 138 members of peace club and different group of youths and community members, governmental and non-governmental employees and CSOs. In session was discus on Challenges against Peace in Bamyan Province. This causes to create tension, violence and dangerous wars. Prejudice, corruption and misconceptions were counted as other main causes of insecurity as well.
2. Roundtable: During 14 months of the project seven roundtables were organized in ACSFo Bamyan office with participation of 141 University students and representatives of local civil society organizations, media reporter, government employees and community member, teachers, CSO staff, member of peace club and different group of youths and community members. The topics which discussed in session were Challenges against Peace in Bamyan Province, concept of social movement, causes of under- development of third world countries, and main ways for reaching peace and development from view of social movement, what is conflict and how can reach to peace?, gender concept, roles of gender on maintaining peace, and other issues which related to gender, "what the role of youth on reaching peace?", concept of peace, importance of peace in Islam, what are human rights? Role of human right for reaching peace?" How to maintain peace?” Participants agreed on this point that building peace is not possible without identifying the roots and causes of conflict. They agreed that interference of neighbouring countries, low level of awareness, unemployment; drug trafficking and illegal armed groups are the main causes of insecurity. They stated that awareness raising is must in order to bring peace and security. In this regard, quality of education and higher education was improved. They agreed that public sector; educational institutions, media, mosques, mullahs, influential individuals and families are channels and actors of peace and have the responsibility to work for peace and conflict transformation honestly. They stated that Government is responsible to conduct capacity building programs in order to enhance the capacity of Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP) on citizens’ rights so as to educate them on how to work and how to thread with the citizens. The last interesting point for participants was promotion of culture of tolerance and peaceful co-existence.
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3. Trainings/ Workshops: During 14 months of project 7 trainings were conducted on the following topics: Leadership Human rights Conflict and conflict management Constitution law
The training duration was two days and totally 183 target beneficiaries participated in the trainings and were trained.
4. Academic Lectures: During 14 months of the project two academic lectures organized for 55 participants. The lecturers discussed on needs of peace, war and peace, Islam and peace, definition of Islam, importance of peace in Islam.
Combating Gender-Based Violence Project Combating gender-based Violence in Afghanistan is 11 months project (October 2012- September 2013) funded by UNWOMEN to address the gender-based violence in Kandahar and Paktiya provinces. Central parts of the provinces will be directly targeted during the project; while the project will indirectly benefit all areas of the two provinces. ACSFo head-office in Kabul will be responsible for overall coordination, supervision, monitoring of the project while ACSFo regional offices will be responsible for field level project implementation. ACSFo will work through its member organization in Kandahar province. This project aims to decrease gender-based violence against women and girls through applying both precautionary and supportive measures. Moreover, the project aims to build the capacity of civil society organizations, community-based organizations, NGOs, staff of MoWA, community elders, religious leaders and community members on "Combating Gender-based Violation in Afghanistan”, in two provinces of Afghanistan.
Besides, it aims to provide psychological support to victims of gender-based violence through building the capacity of police, women-led CSOs, prosecutors and MoWA Provincial staff.
The project covers series of interlinked activities in order to ensure that gender-based violence is decreasing. Awareness raising of citizens on how to reintegrate victims of gender-based violence into ordinary life and how to behave with victims of gender-based violence is part of our activities. Meanwhile, developing training manuals on “Combating Gender-based Violence in Afghanistan" and "Psychological Rehabilitation of Victims of Gender-based Violence are the
43 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) other activities that helps beneficiaries to be capacitated. The project will be implemented in the centre of Kandahar and Paktiya provinces. It indirectly benefits all two provinces.
Advocacy for persons with Disability Rights To focus on the rights of Persons with Disability (PWD), ACSFo with the cooperation of other organizations made Advocacy Committee for Persons with Disabilities (ACPD). The committee is involved in policy advocacy and issue advocacy on the rights of persons with disabilities. It had annual meetings with second vice president, Mr. Karim Khalili, on the issues of disabilities such as endorsement of disability law, joining the international conventions on Ban Cluster Monition, proposing issues in London conference and allocating 1.5 % of national annual revenue to disabled people. Likewise, the committee headed by ACSFo Advocacy Section developed a report on disability issues for Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyred and Disabled. In May 13, 2012, a representative of ACSFo participated in a meeting in Community Centre for Disabled to discuss on issues relevant to persons with disabilities. The meeting participants were from AIHRC, CCD, ABRAR, ANAB, HI and ACSFo. The agenda and discussed issues in the meeting were:
Appreciation letters which were distributed through Elder’s House of National Assembly for some members of ACPD Report from the meeting of MoIC with parliament, the meeting in which the participants agreed to make a joint committee consisting of government (MoIC), parliament and civil society. Three disabled students have been introduced through a formal letter to the Ministry of Higher Education and they passed the examination successfully. But lack of a specific procedure about PwDs in Higher Education is a problem. Therefore, the ACPD discussed to sign a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with MoHE. Discussing on prejudicial decree of president than PwDs. Discussion regarding ACPD advocacy methodology. The participants agreed to work on membership policy, action plan and strategy of ACPD. ACPD committee doesn’t have budget. The committee should work on allocation of specific budget for specific activities. Discussion on prejudicial articles of new Draft of Electoral Law and proposing the necessary amendments on. Finally in 11 July 2012 the members of ACPD met with Minister of Justice and gave him the ACPD suggested amendments. Therefore the Minister promised to ACPD to think on.
On May 20, 2012, a representative of ACSFo participated in DSCG meeting the conference hall of Ministry of Martyred and Disabled. There were representatives of AIHRC, SERVE, ICRC, CAF, MHI, AOAD, IRD/ACAP2, HI, MOLSAMD, SCA, EPOS/MOPH, BARAN, FWF, WOLOSI JIRGA, MACCA, AABRAR, ALSO, ROAWV, KOO, and RTA.
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The Agenda and discussed topics: Update on the latest disability development (Deputy Minister). Discussion on issues of Media and Disability. Discussion on signatory of MoU between MoLSAMD and stakeholders on disability. Discussion on Stakeholders support to the capacity of deputy ministry staff. 147 cases of land distribution of Padola area processed with Kabul Municipality, where 3 cases were rejected after being found out that they got land in the past, women with disabilities and widows are among the beneficiaries, in regard to land distribution, eventually cabinet approved 50% discount in 20 years instalment payment for persons with disabilities. Amending the disability law is under discussion and proposed to parliament. More than 100 eligible candidates for scholarship passed within two rounds of examination, the agreed MoU on scholarship is under implementation. One round of joint meeting held in RTA on media and disability, hereby we would like to thank the disability commission of Wolosi Jirga once again for their advocacy and push forward to develop the media and disability programs within RTA and other Medias. Mr. Mohibi updated the participants about the last meeting on media and disability at RTA, participants discussed about the importance of disability and media issues and shared their comments on how to have a better disability and media programs within RTA and private media, RTA also updated about their programs in the past for the disability purposes. Mr. Shahreyar shared the programs on disability within Rahi-e-Farda TV that they had in the past and also will launch new series of 20 programs on disability for coming months. The proposed MoU between MoLSAMD and stakeholders finalized and soon we will have another meeting to sign the MoU. 22 National and international organizations (AABRAR, AAR, ADVA, AVDS, AIHRC, ALSO, AOAD, CAF/BARAN, CCD, CPI, DAO, EC, FWF, HI, IAM, ICRC, KOO, MACCA, ROAWV, SAEDA, SCA and SERVE) shared their list of staff with disabilities and list showed that in 22 organizations where total number of employees were 2206 staff with disabilities numbered 857 where 712 were male and 146 female (37 widows).
AAB, AAPT, ACSFo, ANAD, ANAB and PTI have not shared the list of their staff. Comparing to the last year list, there were 1019 persons with disabilities including 184 women with disabilities working in 26 stakeholders organizations, there is 162 difference comparing to the last year. It is worth to note that ACSFo also has 3 employees with disability in its main office in Kabul.
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Women Empowerment and Leadership Committee WELC was established by Advocacy Section of ACSFo to promote the women and their leadership and capacitate the women. The committee aims to share the update political and social information and advocate for the rights of women in Afghanistan. On November 5, 2012, 19 women from different government and non-government organizations and independent individuals were invited to a meeting in ACSFo. The participants discussed on code of conduct of the committee and the prepared draft distributed to the participants for their inputs.
Advocacy Committee on Anti-Corruption
Main Activities: In January 2011, the Advocacy Section identified and prepared a list of members for establishment of “Advocacy Committee on Anti-Corruption.” The first meeting of Advocacy Committee on Anti-corruption was held on February 7, 2011 in ACSFo. The purpose of the meeting was establishment of a committee and consultation of operational procedure of the committee. The draft of the operational procedure was also presented to the meeting in order to get their comments and feedback. In the same month the second meeting of committee was convened. The agenda was enrichment of the operational procedure of the committee. The next meeting of Advocacy Committee on anti-corruption was held in 10 August in order to discuss and decide on the action plan, seminar and conference as well as to identify hot issue of the day related to corruption. In Sep 2012 the committee was re-established by Advocacy Section after a year delay: On November 18, 2012 the ACAC held its meeting after some months delay. The participants of the meeting were representatives of the Citizen’s Organization, AIHRC, Shuhada Organziation, OSA, SPO, CCD and ACSFo. The agenda of the meeting:
- Reasons behind the absence of the committee meetings. - Discussion on increasing the number of committee members. - Discussion on hot issues in transitional period 2013-2014.
The participants suggested ACSFo to conduct a research for identifying organizations that have been involved in anti corruption efforts and their mandate focusing on fight against corruption in Afghanistan. They also discussed on celebration of international anti-corruption day.
Afghanistan National Youth Advocacy Association (ANYAA) The first session of Afghanistan National Youth Advocacy Association (ANYAA) held on Tue 10/23/2012 09:30 AM to 03:30 PM by participation of 22 active youth. At the first gathering the primary goal was to edit and improve our association’s procedure
46 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) and as well as there were many topics covered during the meeting and all the participants did an outstanding job of sharing their point of view on being and reassembling of the youth association. Most of the participants were requested to have the procedure via email and drop their valuable comments accordingly. Hence, the procedure submitted to them electronically to collect the participant’s point of view from 10/23/2012 to 6/11/2012. The session held at Thursday, December 6, 2012 from 01:30 pm to 03:45 pm at Afghanistan Civil Society Forum-organization, Meeting Hall. But, unfortunately around less than 15 members took part. We named our committee into association, which has planned the first draft of Afghanistan National Youth Advocacy Association (ANYAA) procedure finalized. The ANYAA has come up to hold its sessions after every 15 days till the Afghanistan National Youth Advocacy Association (ANYAA) Procedure and Policy would be finished completely. The next session will be shared to the members with its agenda accordingly.
Workshops and Meetings On different occasion, ACSFo Advocacy Section organized and joined many conferences, workshops, meetings and events to advocate for the rights of deprived segments of the society and raise the voice of Afghan civil society on various issues. Organizing and participation in such events contribute to the main mission of ACSFo that focuses on cooperation, coordination and networking among the civil society, donors and government entities.
On April 30, 2012 a representative of the Advocacy Section of ACSFo attended a meeting which was called by Right and Democracy to discuss on Orphan Patronage Law and Access to Information Law. A representative of Advocacy Section of ACSFo participated in ACPD committee meeting on May 27, 2012 to discuss on RTA disability programs. On June 5, 2012 ACSFo representative participated at a meeting which was initiated by OSA to discuss on MoU for PWC (Peace Watching Committee) and PWC strategic plan in OSA. On July 2, July 19, and June 12, 2012 a representative of ACSFo joined meetings that were facilitated by Integrity Watch Afghanistan. The participants discussed on some articles of Access to Information Law draft, the participants brought some necessary changes. After a review the mentioned amendments will be given to Ministry of Justice. On June 17-20, 2012 ACSFo representative participated in proposal writing workshop that was convened by ACSONP (Afghanistan Civil Society organizations Network for Peace) and Oxfam. On May 23, 2012, a representative of ACSFo Advocacy Section participated in a roundtable on Legal Review of the Afghan Penal Code in the Ministry of Interior: how the government, international community and civil society joint
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efforts to update the law. The government ministries, AIHRC, Attorney General Directorate, ACSFo, UN agencies, GTZ/GI, APPRO, Afghanistan Justice Sector Support Program and some other representatives from embassies and EU delegation.
On June 24 and 25 2012, a representative of ACSFo Advocacy Section joined two days long workshop working on development of National Social Peace Strategy in International Club in Kabul. The meeting was organized by ACSONP (Afghanistan Civil Society organizations Network for Peace) with the financial support of Oxfam GB. The workshop aimed to draft a National Social Peace Strategy through strong inclusion of civil society, women and youth. In mentioned workshops, the primary draft of this strategy was prepared through working groups and participants discussion.
On June 27, 2012 ACSFo representative attended a meeting on the draft of Mass Media Law in Nai Office. Executive Director of Nai discussed new draft of Mass Media law which was prepared by the Government.
A representative of ACSFo attended a meeting called by OSA in CSHRN office in Kabul. The participants spoke regarding Peace Watch Committee (PWC) strategy and they could finalize this one and in the second they agreed to organize a news letter, afterward some organization such (Ertebat, CSHRN, ACSFo, OSA, 8 Sob) accepted to work on first version of news letter.
From November 25 to 27, 2012, five representatives of Advocacy Section of ACSFo attended at a workshop on Convention on the Rights of Children that was organized by Oxfam Novib in Kabul. In the first day of the workshop the trainer spoke regarding (youth and children rights according Islamic Sharya, national and international law, option Protocols on youth and children rights and Elaboration on Afghanistan link with CRC and its optional protocols) in this day the workshop closed on 3:00 o’clock. And the second day the workshop conducted regarding (youth and children punishment, youth rights on course of trial, Afghanistan judicial system on the child violation commitment and introduction on child inquiry law, managing Offender Children) at the end of the workshop Mr. Babrak Osman on behalf of Oxfam thanked the participants and trainer and added regarding the importance of the issue. The program ended at 3:00 o’clock. It is worth to be mentioned that each day workshop started on 9:30AM.
On July 31, 2012, ACSFo participated at Afghanistan Contemporary Arts Centre (CACA) new project inauguration ceremony that aimed to fight against violence against women in Afghanistan.
ACSFo helped CACA to hold a workshop on civil society and role of young photographers and artists struggling against violence on August 11-13, 2012.
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A lead trainer of ACSFo facilitated the training workshop for around 60 participants of university and school students.
On September 25, 2012 ACSFo participated at national conference of 250 persons on development of educational policy for Afghanistan that was organized by Counterpart International. A group of 50 persons worked on the policy and at the end a group of 10 people were give the task to finalize it.
On 30 September 2012, participated at conference on protection of human rights in ministry of justice of Afghanistan. The conference aimed to draft an annual report on international law implementation in Afghanistan to UN. So, the UN monitoring mechanism for the action plan was adopted, the Universal Periodic Review, the UNCR and universal convention on economic, social and cultural rights from 2012-2016 was reviewed.
On November 13, 2012, a representative of ACSFo attended a coordination meeting of AWN. The aim of the meeting was to draft a complementary to Afghanistan National Action Plan on women and peace. The responsible body is the Ministry of Interior but its technical supporter is Afghan Women Network. ACSFo distributed its printed manuals like training manual on UN 1325 Declaration, CEDAW, EVAW
ACSFo facilitated a training workshop on advocacy to government 30 staff and provincial council members and CDCs from 31 November to 8 December 2012 in Nimroz province. In addition ACSFo facilitated a TOT to 30 staff of Relief International in Nimroz province. The workshop was funded by Relief International Total 30 persons.
ACSFo established a Networks of CSOs in Nimroz province where 10 persons got its membership and developed the code of conduct of the network.
On December 18, 2012 participated at CACA photo exhibition. The aim of the exhibition was to follow up the youth activities in the field of photography to reflect the violence against women in society and struggling against the violence.
ACSFo advocacy section as one of two representative of civil society signed an MoU with parliament (Wolosi Jirga).
Advocacy section attended a series of lobby meeting in parliament.
Advocacy section as active member of AEITI process, participated in MSG meeting and CSOs coalition.
Advocacy section attended several conferences on Family Law.
Advocacy section attended the meeting on natural resource.
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Likewise, advocacy section joined Natural Resource Network.
Advocacy section attended the conference on analyzing 1392 national budget.
Outputs: Re-normalized the relations between ACSFo offices in Ghor and Samangan with the local Governments. Developed a detailed report on fact finding mission to Ghor and Samangan for Oxfam Novib. Updated priorities for advocacy in Ghor and Samangan through CSOs workshops Established 2 Advocacy Coalition for Good Governance (ACGG) in Ghor and Samangan. Established 8 Sub committees of ACGG in Ghor and Samangan. Approved the proposed Action Plan for advocacy in Ghor and Samangan by CSOs and stakeholders. Convened 2 workshops of CSOs in Ghor (36 male and 4 female ) and Samangan (26 male and 14 female). Trained 19 persons including 2 women of Government staff in Samangan on Good Governance. Trained 20 persons including 3 women of Government staff in Samangan on Rule and Responsibilities of State. Conducted a TOT for 19 persons including 3 women of 19 CSOs in Samangan. Trained 19 Government staff in Ghor on Rule and Responsibilities of State. Trained 20 Government staff in Ghor on Good Governance. Printed 3 manuals on Good Governance, Role and Responsibilities of State and Project Cycle Management. Provided 21 persons including 7 female staff of local CSOs on Management and leadership training workshop Samangan. Provided 16 persons including 6 female staff of local CSOs on Advocacy training workshop. Provided 17 persons including 6 female staff of local CSOs on leadership training workshop in Ghor.
Coordination meeting with Government
Executive director held a meeting with deputy Governor of Samangan. Held a meeting with Economy department. Held a meeting with Governor and chief of private sector.
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Held a meeting with governor of Samangan on peaceful demonstration. Met head of Samangan provincial council head on seeking their collaboration. Held a meeting with the head of Information and culture department. Held a meeting the governor of Ghor on District level problems. Held a meeting with the governor of Herat. Held a meeting with chief of police of Samangan. Held a meeting with AIHRC delegate in Chaghcheran Met with PRT and USAID team on small projects on education and public awareness raising in Ghor.
Participation at other organizations events
Participated at Developing Council coordination meeting in Ghor. Participate at Education department meeting. Participated at CSOs meeting to introduce a person to Herat regional conference. Participated at press conference called by AIHRC. Participated at Developing Council meeting at municipality. Participated at SIPAN meeting on Children. Participated CSOs gathering who demanded the governor’s resignation. Participated at UNDP and Government meeting on development projects. Participated at AIHRC conference on sexual abuses and murder.
Meeting at Regional and National level
Held a meeting with Public Health Minister in Kabul. Held a meeting with Deputy Minister of Education in Kabul. Held a meeting with parliament members of Ghor province. Held a demonstration in Ghor. Held a demonstration in Bamyan. Held a meeting with UNAMA in Herat for advocacy. Held a demonstration in front of national assembly in Kabul with the support of MPs. Organized a meeting with head of Herat Provincial Council. Organized a press conference in Herat on problems of Ghor province.
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Direct Meetings of Local community with Local authorities
Conducted 3 direct meeting at Lal wa Sarjangal District with 95 participants. Conducted 3 direct meeting at Dawlatyar District with 60 participants. Conducted 1 direct meeting at Hazrate Sultan District with 20 participants. Conducted 1 direct meeting at Roy e Doab District with 20 participants. Conducted 3 direct meeting at Dolaina Districts with 60 participants. Organized a Children demonstration for their basic rights.
ACGG and the Network meetings
Convened 5 coordination meeting of CSOs Network. Convened 4 meetings of Advocacy Coalition for Good Governance. Organized 3 roundtables in Samangan and Ghor on Education, security and health. Developed monitoring policy for ACSFo and program section. Developed monitoring guideline, tools and indicators for project. Conducted 4 advocacy roundtables in Ghor and Samangan. Paid 2 periodic monitoring to Ghor and Samangan. Prepared 2 monitoring report on Ghor and Samangan. Conducted 21 coordination meetings with CSO, Network and Government in Ghor and Samangan. Assessed 5 training workshops by participants in Ghor and Samangan. ACSFo won the support of local community and local CSOs in Ghor and Samangan. Convened one roundtable for information dissemination in Samangan. Gotten interaction with local authorities and CSOs and local communities. Convoyed the real concept of civil society to local community directly and indirectly through workshops and meetings, roundtables and media. Recognized the CSOs role by the local government. Increased cooperation and coordination between ACPD and other stakeholders. Improved the cooperation and networking. Shared the information with other CSO and Government. Increased the cooperation and coordination between CSO.
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Outcomes: . Distributed equally the irrigation water for the farmers by Samangan Water Supply and Management Department. . Extended the power cable into five villages. . Conducted awareness through health department regarding the usage of water and prohibition of throwing garbage into water to protect the environment and decrease the level of disease. . Started the work of 10 deep wells in 10 different villages. . Extended the drinking water network to Karti Sulh residential area through NSP budget. . Recruited some of educated females in Governmental and NGOs offices through competency and eligibility process. . Established an education faculty in Samangan University. . Finished the construction work of Samangan new education faculty building and transferred the students to the new building. . Received a promise from Anti Narcotics Department regarding prohibition of poppy cultivation and encouragement of youth against the narcotic addiction. . Transferred some emergency aid through ICRC to recent flooded families which were identified. . Reactivated one of the inactive clinics in Dari Suf District and another clinic in Roy Doab District. . Built a Local Clinic. . Recruited around 10 qualified doctors from Tajikistan. . Provided free spice for the patients. . Built good relationship between Afghan Civil Society Forum Organization and Department of Health at Samangan province. . Provided improved seeds for the farmers. . Provided professional consultation and technical guidance for the farmers. . Constructed some streams. . Provided some agriculture equipment for the farmers. . Distributed fruitful trees to the farmers. . Forestation and reforestation at some areas. . Constructed 18 schools by the government. . Reopened 17 closed down schools by the government. . Recruited 452 female and 1062 male qualified teachers by the government. . Supplied medicines to some clinics. Deployed 10 doctors, nursemaid and nurses to District clinics. It is expected to recruit some nurses from Tajikistan to central hospital.
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Constructed a new hospital by the fund of Japan in Cheghcheran. The work on other complex of the hospital will start soon to meet all the requirements of the people. Granted 2 ambulances to clinics in Charsada and Shahrak Districts.
The CSOs Network and Provincial Council convinced the some government department to announce their annual reports and plan.
ACSFo got the membership of cooperation committee to support higher education institute in Ghor.
ACSFo got the membership of High Peace Council in Ghor. CSOSI Project
Main Activities: o Prepared a work plan for 2011 exercise. Prepared a budget for the project. Attended in Orientation workshop in Jordan. Prepare a list of panel members (regional and national). Collect additional relevant background materials, including previous reports on the civil society sector in Afghanistan. Hired 3 temporary focal points for Mazar Sharif, Jalalabad and Herat. Conducted orientation training to project involved staff. Conducted one panel meeting in Mazar Sharif, one in Jalalabad and one in Herat and one national meeting in Kabul indicators and scores. Prepared 4 regional and 1 national meeting reports. Develop a country report for the year 2011. Prepare a revised report based on input from the Editorial Committee.
Promoting Women’s Right through Local Civil Society Structure Project. Two coordination and consultation meetings for manual development. Three (EVAW, CEDAW and UNSCR 1325) competitive and unique manuals developed. Three day-long ToT conducted. ACSFo and AWEC four representatives capacitated. Training on EVAW Law and Declaration conducted. 32 participants educated on EVAW Law and declaration. Training on CEDAW organized. 28 members of advocacy network educated on CEDAW. Training on UNSCR 1325 conducted. 52 participants capacitated on UNSCR 1325. Three radio messages developed and finalized.
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3 Radio messages broadcasted. Around 100,000 people became aware of EVAW, CEDAW and UNSCR 1325. 20 complain boxes made and installed. 41 local CSOs for networking identified. Town hall gathering organized. Seminar on Civil Society conducted. Advocacy Network on Good Governance established. Network CoC prepared finalized and approved. Executive Board of network elected. Consultative meeting on Election Law organized. Three peaceful demonstration organized. Support Committee established. 6,000 copies of manuals printed and disseminated. 6,000 people informed on women’s rights. Awareness of 106116 people on women’s rights increased.
My Rights and My voice project: Recruited staff for My Rights My Voice project for the both target provinces (Kabul and Balkh). Total of 6 trainers and one project officer recruited for the both target provinces. Oriented project staff on the project structure, goal and objectives in both the target provinces. Prepared official letters for the Kabul and Balkh District Governors for smooth project implementation. Finalized the project toolbox. The project toolbox was finalized together with the Oxfam representative. Project mapping completed in all the 6 Districts of the both target provinces. The mapping was undertaken to identify the local power holders in order to establish a strong foundation for a better project implementation. Carried out NGO mapping in all the 6 Districts of the both target provinces. This was carried to identify the potential NGOs who mainly work for the youth and children in order to link and coordinate the activities. Gender and stakeholder analysis conducted in the entire target Districts/communities of both provinces. This was carried to find out what are the youths mainly involved with in their respective communities. Total of 60 villages/communities identified for the both target provinces. These communities are identified in order to establish youth committees.
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Community and youth mapping completed for the both target provinces. These mappings were carried to identify the potential youth groups, clubs and associations active in the area. Awareness raising sessions and meetings on the project held with the all the concerned authorities of the both target provinces (District Governor, peoples Councils, shuras and etc). Separate meetings were held with the women related departments and shuras of the both target provinces in order to have their support for a wider participation of young female. Output: as part of community coordination mechanism, project staff organized various face to face meetings and discussions with parents, people’s Councils, shuras, mullahs, elders and the District authorities in order to get community support for smooth implementation of MRMV project we successfully conducted the coordination meetings and awareness raising sessions in Kabul and Balkh provinces. So these meetings could prepare the grounds to enter in society and conduct the programs successfully. After several meetings, discussion and lobbying, they convinced that establishing girl committees and engaging young women in social activities are not against the Islamic principles. As result, they accepted to pave the way for establishing committees so ACSFo succeeded to establish youth committees consist of boys and girls. It is to be noticed that in some Districts, separate committees and in some other, joint committees established. Generally, 40% percent of youth committee members are girls. Totally around 2000 people including male and female were directly informed on project’s goal, objectives and its necessity. As result, village’s elders convinced to accept and encourage their boys and girls to be part of committees. To avoid possible challenges, ACSFo organized several coordination meetings with Government entities and local Government bodies in order to get permit of establishing committees in targeted Districts and so on. Therefore, the project from the beginning has been being started with a good and rational coordination with Government through formal letters. ACSFo has been able to acquire a strong support for the program at the field level.
Conflict Transformation and Peace Building Project Established a resource center in Bamyan that provide internet and library services for students and youth and CSOs.
157 individuals (33 female and 124 male) got the membership of the resource and so for 466 persons regularly used the RC.
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Launched 5 awareness campaigns with participation of 116 persons.
Established a peace club with 30 members.
Organized 7 focus group discussions with participation of 138 persons.
Convened 7 roundtables with participation of 141 persons.
Conducted 7 training workshops with the participation of 183 persons.
Organized 2 academic lectures with the participation of 55 persons.
ACPD Committee Some of ACPD members received appreciation letter from Elders House of National Assembly. Established a Joint Committee of CSOs, MoIC and Parliament. Introduced 3 persons with disability to Ministry of Higher Education for higher education. Discussed on preparing advocacy methodology, action plan and strategy for ACPD. Prepared suggestions on articles of Electoral Law which are related with disability. Signed a MoU with MoLSAMD. Signed a MoU wigh MoIC and MoLAMD on disability awareness programs which will be broadcasted by RTA. Processed 147 cases of land distribution to persons with disability through Kabul Municipality. Approved 50% discount on land for person with disability by government. Amended disability law. Discussed on Signing of MoU with Ministry of Higher Education. Convened a roundtable on disability issues in RTA. Prepared 20 programs on disability issues for RTA and media. Advocacy Committee on Anti-Corruption: o The name of the committee changed to Counter Corruption Watch Committee (CCWC). o Code of Conduct shared with participants for their feedback.
Afghanistan National Youth Advocacy Association (ANYAA) The ANYAA procedure has been finalized by 5 parts. A- First Part: Action Plan
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B- Second Part: Formation and holding of the Sessions (Associational Structure) C- Thirst Part: Membership D- Fourth Part: The Rights and Responsibilities of the members E- Sixth Part: Financial System ACSFo could get the members agreement to be active and participate at the ANYAA session on regular basis. All the members changed the name of committee into Association. ACSFo could build the trust among the members that the being of ANYAA is very productive and valuable to advocate for betterment of the youth situation in Afghanistan.
Others Discussed on the Orphan Patronage Law. Discussed and modified draft of Access to Information law. Signed a MoU on Peace Watch Committee. Enhanced capacity of Advocacy staff on proposal writing. Discussed on Afghan Penal Code for updating. Drafted Afghanistan National Strategy on Social Peace. Discussed on Mass Media Law for amendment. Signing MoU between ACSFo and Contemporary Arts Centre Afghanistan. 60 participated at CACA workshop. ACSFo selected a member of a technical Committee to draft National Action Plan on women and peace. Delivered a speech in CACA photo exhibition and received an appreciation letter and a poster from CACA as a gift.
PWC Strategy had been organized and the PWC news letter will be published. The primary materials of UNSCR 1325 strategy had been created and the participants understood regarding (Technical Committee, Technical and Consulate Committee and Coordination Committee) of UNSCR 1325 in Afghanistan. Here we understood regarding CRC Islamic Sharya, national and international law, option Protocols on youth and children rights and elaboration on Afghanistan link with CRC and its optional protocols and this training helped us to provide great and comprehensive training manual regarding children rights.
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Rule of Law Section Introduction ACSFo strongly believes in the rule of law not only for the sake of good governance, transparency and accountability but also for an equitable social justice and a sustainable nation-building process. Rule of law is considered one of the most essential criteria for state building and in long run an essential part of peace and prosperity. Working in the area of rule of law can help build up the trust between the Government, people and other stakeholders. It enhances the accountability and transparency of the Government and will increase the participation of the people in political, social and economic decision-making processes. Since 2006 ACSFo has played its significant role in the field of community policing, together with UNDP, GIZ and the Ministry of Interior. The project has improved the security situation and has built trust and confidence among the Afghans significantly in the coverage areas. Main goals of Community Policing
Maintain or increase public confidence in the Police Department. Decrease fear of crime. Listen to and address citizen concerns. Bring community resources together to solve problems. Impact specific crime problems. Reduce repetitive calls for service. Educate the public about its Police Department. Community Policing Project "Community policing" is a development strategy for an improved interaction between citizens, communities and police. It provides a better space for police performance on the rule of law, professionalism and trust-building mechanisms. It fosters the citizens’ involvement to help prevent crime, identify suspects and bring problems to the attention of the police. ACSFo implemented the Community Policing Project (CPP) in partnership and cooperation with GIZ. After having been involved in similar community policing projects in Kabul, six Districts of Balkh and three Districts of Samangan, ACSFo brought its knowledge and successful experiences into the CPP and implemented again in four rural districts and five urban districts of Kunduz province, four districts of Takhar province, thirteen districts of Badakhshan province, five districts of Balkh province and three districts of Samangan province.
Main Project Report As numerous surveys and research papers have indicated a high level of mistrust between people and government, particularly between people and police. ACSFo
59 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) decided to implement this project in cooperation with GIZ in order to reduce the gap created between police and the people. As a result Community Policing Project improved the partnership between citizens, communities and local police in respect of safety, security, public order and crime prevention. In a multi-layered approach, it increased the police sense of responsibility for safety and security of citizens and enhanced its problem solving capacities. Furthermore, it strengthened the communities' ownership in respect of taking responsibility for security and safety of the people in their respective neighbourhoods. Goals: To raise the culture of participation and community engagement by establishing interaction, trust and cooperation between police, community and other law enforcement departments.
Objectives: To build up the capacity of police on laws, policies and regulations of the country To enhance cooperation of communities with police To improve the idea of volunteerism within the community To bring up a coordinated approach for police and community engagement at the regional level.
Introduction: ACSFo started the community policing efforts since 15 July 2011 by covering five Districts (Khanabad, Aliabad, Imamsaheb, Qala e Zal and Chardara) and five police stations (police stations 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) in Kundoz province. With this project, ACSFo and GIZ aims to raise the awareness of citizens, communities and police for establishing an improving sustainable interaction and trustful cooperation. ACSFo in cooperation with GIZ is involved in bringing the necessary capacity to effectively implement the community-policing project.
Main Activities:
Police Training: ACSFo conducted 153 police trainings for 317 policemen. The overall objectives of the trainings were to enhance the awareness of policemen/police officers on police law, rules and regulations in five police stations and five Districts of Kundoz province.
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a) During training in Chandar District b) During training in Qala-e-Zal District
ACSFo provided 13 training modules on topics such as: the executive power, parliament and violence against women, prejudice, characteristics of a good manager, the president, the general contents of crimes and punishments, legal defence, bribery crime, the harms of narcotic, drug, terrorism crime, security concept and emergency situation for local community awareness raising. Further to this, the police capacity enhanced through various awareness raising workshops on regulations and laws from police and community perspective.
ACSFo has facilitated and conducted 53 NWC monthly meetings in five Districts and five police stations of Kundoz province to motivate and mobilize the people to share their concerns about police performances and to help build trust between police and community.
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ACSFo has established 15 suggestion boxes in the populated areas of 5 districts and 5 police stations in Kundoz province. These suggestion boxes aims to gather the suggestions and complains of people who can’t share their concerns to police department. The suggestion boxes were opened monthly By SC members and the remarkable points have been shared with police.
Steering Committee (SC) Meeting: ACSFo has facilitated and conducted 53 SC monthly meetings in five Districts and five police stations areas of Kundoz province. The aims of these committees are to filter the raised points of the NWC about police performances in the monthly meetings and then share the consequences of the meetings to police officials. The SC meetings affected positively in strengthening of interaction and cooperation between police and community. The police departments have accepted the committees as a good mechanism of receiving suggestions and complaints of local community.
Meeting with Police Departments: The ACSFo community policing staffs with SC members conducted 53 meetings with head of police departments in the SC meeting in police station 2 urban and rural Districts of Kundoz province. The SC members including male and female participated in the police meeting and they expressed the NWC and local community concerns to police departments in order to reduce the gap between people and police. The police departments appreciated ACSFo efforts with regards to establishment of committees and supporting police which can play positive role for building interaction, cooperation and trust between police and people.
ACSFo has conducted three workshops on violence against women for NWC, SC members, Community Elders and police in the police station 5, Chardara and Khanabad districts. The purpose of workshops were to enhance the community awareness specially men and police to not abuse and torture women in the society. ACSFo has enhanced the awareness of 144 males and 18 females including police and local community through violence against women workshops.
Five Judiciary workshops were conducted for NWC, SC members and police in Kundoz province. Total of 201 males and 22 females participated in the mentioned workshop. The judiciary workshop aimed to introduce structure and main functions of Afghanistan judiciary body and system for local people and police.
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ACSFo conducted six introductory government workshops in the targeted police stations and districts in Kundoz province. The workshops aimed to introduce the structure of Afghanistan Government to NWC, SC, community elders and police. The workshop participants were composed of 196 men and 45 women including NWC, SC members and policemen.
ACSFo conducted 9 workshops regarding the parliament for 333 males and 107 females in Kundoz province. The workshops aimed to introduce the concept and significance of parliament to the NWC, SC members, mullahs, community elders, policemen and government and public officials.
ACSFo conducted peace building workshops in police station 4 and Chardara District of Kundoz province to build the capacity of NWC, SC, influential people and police on peace building and conflict transformation concepts and topics. The workshops participants were around 90 males and 32 females. ACSFo launched 33 study campaigns for 795 female students and 551 male students in 5 police stations and four Districts of Kundoz province to promote the culture of study and maintaining peace on the ground. This campaign enabled school students, especially female turn to reading books and raises their level of knowledge and takes active part in bringing and maintaining sustainable peace. Seven community dialogues with five heads of police stations and five heads of districts police departments were conducted in Kundoz province. Total 734 males and 111 females including provincial governor representatives, district Governors, police officials, and parliament delegate member, provincial council members, NWC and SC members, mullahs and community elders participated in the community dialogues to share their concerns and views to heads of police departments in an open face to face dialogue between police and the community.
Monitoring: The monitoring & evaluation of the projects is regularly done through ACSFo Kundoz staff members with support of program coordinator. The reports of the M&E process has been produced and shared with the entire project staff for the better improvement of the project quality. The ACSFo head quarter provided adequate advises and technical support to the project staff for smooth running of the project implementation.
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Main Achievements (Outputs /Outcomes): ACSFo has been able to provide 13 training modules for local community awareness-raising in Kundoz province. Four training modules (general duties of police, Interpol, justice police and special duties of police) were provided for police capacity building. ACSFo has conducted 153 police trainings for 317 policemen on police law, rules and regulations of Afghanistan in five police stations and five Districts of Kundoz province. ACSFo has conducted three workshops of violence against women for18 females and 144 males including NWC, SC members, community elders and police in the police station 5, Chardara and Khanabad Districts. Five judiciary workshops were conducted for NWC, SC members and police in Kundoz province. Totally 201 males and 22 females have participated and took active parts through open discussion. ACSFo has been able to conduct six introductions to government workshops for 68 females and 256 males in the targeted police stations and districts in Kundoz province. ACSFo has conducted 9 parliament workshops for 333 males and 107 females in Kundoz province. ACSFo has conducted two peace building workshops for 90 males and 32 females including NWC, SC, community elders and policemen in Chardara District and police station 4 of Kundoz province. ACSFo has conducted 12 ToT workshops on community policing project messages to all project staff to build their capacity for better implementation of the project and good delivery of messages to local community and police. ACSFo has launched 33 study campaigns for 795 female students and 551 male students in 5 police stations area and four Districts of Kundoz province to grow the culture of study and strengthen peace building in the area. Seven community dialogues with five heads of police stations and five heads of district police departments were conducted in Kundoz province. Total 734 males and 111 females including provincial governor representatives, district governors, police officials, Member of Parliament, provincial council members, NWC and SC members, mullahs and community elders participated in the community dialogues to share their concerns and views to heads of police departments in an open face to face dialogue between police and community. ACSFo has facilitated and conducted 53 NWC monthly meetings in five districts and five police stations of Kundoz province. ACSFo has established 15 suggestion boxes in the populated areas of 5 districts and 5 police stations in Kundoz province. ACSFo has facilitated and conducted 53 SC monthly meetings in five districts and five police stations areas of Kundoz province.
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ACSFo staffs with SC members conducted 53 meetings with heads of police stations and district police departments.
Outcomes: Police Station 1: The head of police station 1, after receiving complaint from steering committee members about a female prostitute, immediacy took action and arrested her. Family was engaged in prostitution in the police station area 1, the police department with cooperation of the NWC (neighbourhood watch committee members) and SC (steering committee) members and attorney department imprisoned them. The police patrolling has been enhanced during night. Theft and existence of loafers has decreased in the police station 1 area. Police emergency number (The head of police contact number) was posted in all mosques of police station 1 area. The head of police station one assigned number of police to prevent the disturbance of wicked individuals and to also prevent the spraying of the female students of Khadijatulkubra High School. The police have established two traffic stop along Khadijatulkubra female high school and has also assigned police to guard the school. The police department assigned a police for traffic control in order to provide safety guidance for the students passing the area. Police has checked the schools located in the police station area 1 to prevent any poisoning in the girls school. The police who beat a person in a check point was shifted to a security shell.
Police Station 2: The head of police station two conducted meetings with principal of female schools as well checked girls’ school for prevention of poisoning by the insurgents. The police station two has good relation with NWC and SC members as the police inform them before going to the scene of crime. It shows the mutual cooperation between police and the people. The police ordered to all community elders to inform police about individuals who rents or sells houses in their neighbouring areas.
Police Station 3: Based on suggestion of NWC members to police department for local command community to install bulb on the gates of their houses. Fortunately, the police took action and most of the community members of the police
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station 3 supported the process and installed lights on the top of their houses gates. The police station three with tip from committee members took action against young men involved in harassing female school students. The NWC and SC suggested to police station three to allocate a traffic police for Aisha Female High School for preventing traffic incidents. Fortunately, the head of police station three solved the problem.
Police Station 4: The head of police station four based on suggestions of committees’ members arrested young men who was harassing female students. The police station four distributed its contact number to NWC and SC members to call police in emergency situations. Number of other young men in Sar e Dawra who were harassing female students were arrested. There was a house dispute between a man and a lady the issue was solved with the efforts of NWC members and head of police station four.
Police Station 5 The Police station five NWC and SC members took responsibility for keeping safety of their villages. A group of men and women, who were coming from Takhar to Kundoz in order to do illegal act, were arrested during night with cooperation of SC members in Shirkhan Bandar ( police station 5) There was a man who was intending to spray in Shirkhan Bandar, one of NWC members complained about him to police department, afterwards he was arrested by the police.
Chardara District There was a private dispute between two residents of Nawabad village of Chardara Districtone of the NWC members reported to police, afterwards the police arrived and solved their problems. The NWC and SC members were happy from police performances in Chardara District.
Ali Abad District Police has established a checkpoint through the suggestion of NWC and SC members on the way of Aliabad to Khanabad which affected positively on security situation of both Khanabad and Aliabad Districts. NWC members attended district government meeting held on March 8, 2012 in Ali Abad district. The NWC members stated that some agricultural lands
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plants were eaten by animals. As result the senior management team decided to fine 25000 Afghani the owners of animals which damaged the crops. The police department based on complaint of the SC members jailed some immoral youths who were gambling and walking at the field during nights.
Khanabad District Police has started patrolling at nights which has decreased the level of theft in Khanabad district. The mobile numbers of Khanabad police commander, deputy police commander have been distributed among NWC and SC members to contact police in emergency cases. A large number of people including NWC and SC members under a demonstration admired police activities in Khanabad district which was published in a daily newspaper (8 AM). 15 Taliban insurgents with light and heavy weapons, national army uniform and explosive materials have been arrested in Khanabad District. A police officer in Khanabad police department was accused for sexual relations with a lady, he is sent to Dashti Archi as penalty by head of Khanabad police department which was praised and appreciated by NWC and SC members.
Qala e Zal District There was personal dispute between two families fortunately the NWC members conciliated them through Community Elders. NWC and SC members on behalf of local community of Qalaizal District told that they are observing changes on behavior of police with community. Through the efforts of NWC and SC members on misbehaving of police, two police men shifted as penalty to a far security shell due to their illegal behaviours against local community.
Imamsaheb District The head of Imamsaheb police department sent an official letter to all Imamsaheb police departments to prevent the using of police uniform by irresponsible individuals. Reportedly the police after getting NWC and SC members feedbacks about police performances, they sent official letter to all related police departments to consider the community concerns.
Impact:
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During the community dialogues the NWC and SC members directly criticized the police and as well the police criticized the Community Elders, this was the first time that such discussion took place. The capacity of police staff were built on introduction of Afghanistan law, the rights and duties of Afghan citizens, history of police establishment in Afghanistan, demonstration law, conflict management, violence, basic management, administrative disciplinary, embezzlement crime, narcotic drug harms, terrorism crime, security concept, emergency situation, general duties of police, specific duties of police, introduction of Interpol, justice police and identification of criminals. The numbers of women in the awareness raising workshops have increased which is a good progress for community policing project in Kundoz province. A cooperation, interaction and trust building mechanism have been established between police and community in Kundoz province.
Success Stories:
Abdul Wadood police officer in Ali Abad police department stated that, on 3rd March 2012 one of the vehicles hit a child closed to the District police department. Some local police wanted to kill the driver but we didn't let them. We arrested the driver and behaved well with him based on suspected rights law as well as we took the child to the hospital for treatment. Shukiba is a NWC member in Khanabad District said: “When the applicants visited police department, their money and tools were taken by police and were not returned back. As soon as SC members reported it to head of police department, the police took action and solved the issue within a week. Recently a group of men had brought a lady from Mazar-e-Sharif province for sexual use to Shirkhan Bandar. SC member pursued the matter seriously and called the police station 5, the police advised the committee members to control the location of criminals during night and they will get there by early morning. The police arrived and surrounded the area, arrested a group of men with a woman then police thanked the NWC and SC members for their support. It shows that a cooperation mechanism has been established between police and local community which are strengthening day by day. An explosive was placed with very high power capacity by insurgents under a bridge at Torkmanha village of ShirkhanBandar. The NWC and SC members informed police about it, the police arrived and surrounded the area few minutes later they defused the explosive. This is due to the implementation community policing project which has resulted in a better interaction and cooperation between police and local community. A police officer after attending the workshop on harms of narcotics and drugs decided to quit smoking tobacco.
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Police Training in Kunduz:
In this phase ACSFo has conducted 72 police trainings for 321 policemen, it was aimed to boost the capacity and awareness of police forces on police law, Afghanistan rule and regulations and as well to put them in practice. All contents of police trainings were explained clearly how to deal within the community in their routine duties in five police sub-stations and five Districts of Kundoz province.
In addition, anti-corruption messages were also designed and included in the contents of the training for the police. These messages were mainly designed to raise the awareness of the law enforcement agencies on the topic.
a) Police Training in Chardara District b)Police Training in Qala e Zal District
In order to understand the police training messages well, the different methodologies like power point presentation, flipchart presentation, questions and answers, discussions, group work, lecture, energizer and role play were applied to police trainings.
Numerous feedbacks from police have shown that police are going to respect police law during their security missions as well as the police behaviour has improved.
Overall in Kunduz province through 69 sessions total 396 Officers, 542 Lieutenat, 1252 Soldiers and 100 others participants have received training.
Neighborhood Watch Committee (NWC) Meeting: Total 33 Neighbourhood watch committees (NWC) meetings were conducted in order to identify effective ways of cooperating with police. In total 180 males and 100 females participated in the meeting. The NWC meetings are
69 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) held once in a month targeted police substations and Districts, and were facilitated by ACSFo community policing team. In these meetings the committee members discussed concerns of local people over police performances. Reports were shared with Steering Committee (SC) members for further actions. The issues of followings areas were discussed;
THE KEY PROBLEMS/ISSUES OF NWC MEMBERS IN POLICE SUBSTATION1 AREA:
1. The NWC Members Key problems in Police Substation Two Area: 2. The NWC Members Key problems in Police Substation Three Area: 3. The NWC Members Key problems in Police Substation Four Area: 4. The NWC Members Key problems in Police Substation Five Area 5. The NWC Members Key problems in Qala-e- Zal District: 6. The NWC Members Key problems in Chardara District: 7. The NWC Members Key problems in Imamsaheb District: 8. The Key Concerns of NWC Members in Aliabad District: 9. The NWC Members Key Concerns in Khanabad District:
Steering Committee (SC) Meeting: ACSFo facilitated and conducted 30 Steering Committee (SC) meetings in Kundoz province. Generally the total participants of the meetings were 115 males and 43 females.
The SC members who are usually the influential people have received the NWC members’ feedbacks about police behaviour and miss-used authority and shared their recommendations with police. In the meetings both male and female participants had equal chances to share their views and opinions. Also participants went to police departments to discuss solution to the problems in local areas.
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a) The SC Meeting in Imam Sahib
Through 30 NWC meetings 270 (175 male and 95 female) NWC participants and 158 (43 female) SC participant of whom 23 were police participated.
Meeting with Police Departments: The SC members conducted 30 monthly meetings with heads of police departments in the police substations and Districts of Kundoz province. The SC member after receiving the suggestions and complaints of NWC members about police activities on the ground held meetings with the chiefs of police departments in the individual Districts and police substations to find solutions for the local people considerations. The committee members tried their level best over the police departments to take action for raised points of local community. Up to date the police departments behaved well with the committee members in solving community problems and took action soon for some of people concerns and it is expected that they could be more responsive and proactive in the future. Police responded to every call accordingly and took necessary actions to overcome the problem and situation in assigned areas.
Suggestion Box: 15 suggestion boxes were installed in Kundoz province to receive the suggestions and complaints of the local people who still fear from police and can’t raise their problems directly or through NWC/SC members. The purpose and addresses of suggestion boxes were explained through workshops, community dialogues and radio talks to local communities.
The suggestion boxes are being opened monthly in the separate Districts by SC members and the findings have been shared to police departments to take action for them. The following cases were found in the suggestion boxes and responded to by police.
Suggestion boxes were very effective and people in the area made full use of it and shared their concerns anonymously thorough boxes. Some of the problems informed on through suggestion boxes were such; insecurity and corruption of Governmental bodies and reckless driving by police in Khanabad District, no police patrolling in curtain areas. To this concern police responded promptly and stated that reckless driver are being fined and corruption is a vast problem which they are trying to combat.
Community Dialogue: Community dialogue is the most important aspects of the community policing project which is conducted after every three months in the urban and rural Districts of
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Kundoz Province. The intention is to improve as well as to decrease the gap between police and communities, and consequently lead the community towards the democratic foundation. The results are being is achieved through meetings, workshops and gathering for community dialogues. Therefore, ACSFo was host of the third community dialogue of second phase of the project in Kundoz hotel, where 10 community dialogues with participation of 5 heads of police substations and 5 heads of Districts police conducted in Kundoz province. Almost 734 males and 111 females including Provincial Governor representatives, District Governors, police officials, Provincial Council members, NWC and SC members, mullahs and Community Elders as well as university students participated in these assemblies to share their concerns and ideas in an open face to face dialogue between police and community.
The first part of the program outset with inaugural speeches of local community and government officials where usually the district governors and mullahs discussed about the consultation to the Islamic point of view. The brief security report of police and face to face dialogue between police and participants including (questions, encouragement, ideas, criticisms etc.) was second part of the program however, in the community dialogues of PSS1, PSS2, PSS3 and PSS4. Questions on police employment, reasons for internal and external crime, morality corruption spread through internet clubs and hotels, mugging, killings, mutual understanding between community and police has a gap, presence of anti-government elements in the area, street harassment, and many more were raised. Reasons to crimes by police were explained by low employment, drug addiction, and illiteracy and limited numbers of police in area. However police speaker assured that every case of robbing and killing are being followed up and police are assigned to end moral corruption in internet clubs and hotels along with street harassment. In total 10 community dialogues were held with police officials were 111 participants were female and 734 participants were male
Introduction to Judiciary Workshop ACSFo master trainers have conducted 4 Judiciary workshops for 123 males and 81 females including NWC, SC members and police in Kundoz province. It aimed to state the main characteristics and structure of Afghanistan judiciary body as most of police and people are engaged directly or indirectly to judiciary in their lives. The messages of history of judiciary in Islam, independence of judiciary in Islam, unity of judiciary system in Afghanistan, the judiciary structures of Afghanistan’s constitution and functions of judiciary system were delivered to the trainees in a participatory method that could enable them to learn and utilize it in their different aspects of lives.
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Parliament Workshop A parliament workshop was conducted for 28 males and 16 females in police substation, the area of Kundoz province to raise the awareness of police, NWC, SC and local people on parliament body of Afghanistan as most of people thought they have voted to the parliament delegates but still they don’t know the real functions of parliament. The contents of parliament messages (definition of parliament, structure of parliament, authority of parliament, parliament’s commissions’ duties, process of selecting parliament members and significance of parliament) were delivered to trainees in a participatory method which enabled participants to understand the characteristics of parliament. Prejudice Workshop Total 9 prejudice workshops were conducted for 377 males and 113 females in Kundoz province to decrease prejudice among people and police as some of them are directly or indirectly engaged with it. In this workshop the concept of prejudice (what is prejudice?, points of Holy Quran and Hadith about prejudice, views of psychologists and sociologists on prejudice, features of fanatic, consequences of prejudice, prejudice management and role of police in decreasing prejudice) was explained to trainees through power point presentation, flipchart presentation, group work, flash card, question and answer also role play and energizer methods were used. All the training which was learned well by trainees will be circulated among community members by workshop trainees and power cooperative relation between police and local communities. Security Concept Workshop ACSFo Community Policing team has conducted 6 security concept workshops for 231 males and 67 females, whom were members of NWC, SC and Police in Kundoz province. The goal of this workshop was to enhance the cooperative sense of local community to support police in peace building in the ground and also the police must attract the support of local community in imposing security at the field. In this workshop the peace definition, kinds of peace (personal peace, social peace, national peace) and duties of police and local community in providing peace for trainees were explained. Different methodologies to enable the participants to learn the security concept well were used. Justice Workshop Total 6 Justice Workshops were held for 258 males and 63 females including NWC, SC, influential people and policemen in Kundoz province. It was aimed to raise the justice awareness of the committee members, influential people to follow it in their different aspects of lives. In this workshop the concept of justice from Islam and law points and usages of justice were explained, it was
73 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) stated that everybody should witness and judge based on justice even though it could harm his/her benefits . The various were used for the better understand. Introduction to Constitution Law Workshop ACSFo has been able to conduct one introduction on Constitution Law workshop for 46 males and 20 females, which were members of NWC, SC and other influential people and policemen in Kundoz province. It aimed to introduce Afghanistan Constitution Law for local community and police. The messages of constitution law (definition of constitution law, main contents of constitution law and history of Afghanistan constitution) were delivered to participants and they were able to learn it through different methods used while training. As result the local community especially committee members understanding enhanced on constitution law and it created the spirit to be law enforcement in their minds which can support the rule of law in Afghanistan. Anti-Corruption Workshop ACSFo master trainers have conducted 3 anti- corruption workshops for 144 males and 10 females including NWC, SC members and police men to overcome corruption through enhancing participants understanding on corruption, anti-corruption and effects of corruption related to Afghanistan Government. In this workshop the definition of corruption, corruption from Islamic view, kinds of corruption, corruption and verities of corruption in Afghanistan, factors and effects of corruption in Afghanistan and anti-corruption were explained to trainees in a participatory method. Apart the expressing corruption factors, consequences of corruption and anti-corruption methodology in the Government body of Afghanistan, the trainees were divided to three groups to work individually to address questions like a) What is corruption? b) What are the factors of corruption? c) What are the ways to fight corruption?
All the groups separately had worked on above questions and mostly they focused over bribery and illegal recruitment of Government staff as main based corruption in the Government of Afghanistan. They had believed that the factors of corruptions are poverty, unemployment, recruitment of uneducated people, low the salary of Government staff, high prices of goods in the market, low level of law enforcement and weak supervisory employees. In addition, they have expressed that all community members should coup against bribery, nobody should bribe judges, the youth should not pay money against recruitment, the salary of Governmental staffs must be raised, the law must be implemented on all, the police should neither get bribes from criminal and nor support guilty.
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Generally the anti-corruption workshop concept was very interesting and useful that the participants eagerly took part during workshop and their understanding increased on corruption and anti-corruption to overcome corruption in the field.
In Kunduz following trainings with number of participants were held: 16 anti-corruption trainings in 3 Districts with participation of 144 male and 10 females
3 Introduction to Constitution Trainings in 1 district with participation of 46 males and 20 females 29 Justice Trainings in 6 districts with participation of 258 males and 63 females 2 Parliament Trainings in 1 district with participation of 28 males and 16 females 2 Peace Trainings in 1 district with participation of 38 males and 18 females 21 Prejudice Trainings in 9 districts with participation of 377 males and 113 females 26 Security Concept Trainings in 6 districts with participation of male 231 and 67 females 12 The Judiciary Training in 4 districts with participation of 123 male and 81 females
Committee Experience Visit A Provincial committee experience visit was conducted for 99 NWC and SC members including males and females in Kundoz province in order to exchange their experiences and views with each other to be further mobilized and functional in the field. In this committee experience visit, initially the ACSFo delegate expressed the concept and achievements of community policing project. At the meeting one of the committee member spoke about corruption and its effects on social lives of the people. Subsequently the NWC and SC members of rural Districts of Aliabad, Khanabad, Imamsaheb, Chahardara, Qala e Zal and the Police Substation One, Police Substation Two, Police Substation Three, Police Substation Four and Police Substation Five divided to ten groups and exchanged their views, experiences and challenges on community policing project. This meeting was very fruitful and linked the NWC and SC members of different districts and as well it provided the opportunity for them to learn from each other experiences and practice it in the ground. It created a positive competitive condition between the committee and finally further mobilized the committee members to be functional in the field.
During the meeting in total from NWC 65 (39 male and 26 female) and from SC 34 (20 male and 14 female) participants were present.
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Police Training in Kunduz Province
Likewise, ACSFo conducted 76 police trainings for 330 policemen in Kundoz province. The trainings were aimed to capacitate the police in rules, regulations and Afghanistan police law. Majority of the police personnel are not professional and have not attended any major police institution at police academy level. However, they had fighting skills against Anti Government Elements but unfortunately they did not understand the main duties of police and citizen rights which resulted to misbehavior and during their security operations. Such flows created major obstacles between the police and community and the community started to have negative on police overall. Therefore, it was a dire need to have much disciplined and well behaved police in order to establish a healthy relationship with the community. Topics such as; Harms of narcotics, terrorism, security, emergency situation, general duties, Interpol, justice police, notice and warning, ID recognition , illegal arresting, rights of the suspects, house searching and many more were thought to the police.
Reportedly from field, after conducting police training the legal awareness of police men are raised and they understood that police has the responsibility to provide individual and social security and protect people constitution rights and freedoms. Currently the usual police members respect the culture of local community during security operation as well as the community support police.
The Police Training in Police Substation One 40 Suspected Rights 35 The Prisons 30 25 Advocates 20 Searching House 15 Searching People 10 Searching Things 5 0 Keeping Goods Means of Coercion
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The Police Training in Police Substation Two 40 35 30 Officer 25 20 Lieutenant 15 Soldier 10 5 Others 0 Total The Prisons Suspected Advocates Searching Searching Searching Keepings Rights House People Goods Goods
The Police Training in Police Substation Three 35 Attracting and Summoning 30 Criminals 25 Financial Punishment 20 15 Controlling and Arresting 10 Illegal Arresting 5 0 The Prisons Officer Lieutenant
The Police training in Police substation Four
35 30 Suspected Rights 25 Advocates 20 The Prisons 15 Searching House 10 Keeping Goods 5 Using Means of Coercion 0 Officer Total
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The Police Training in Police Substation Five 25
20 Searching House
15 Searching Goods Keeping Goods 10 Using Means of Coercion
5 Using Means of Coercion Using Means of Coercion 0 Officer Lieutenant Soldier Others
The Police Training in Imamsaheb District
50
40 Searching House 30 Searching People 20 Searching Goods Keeping Goods 10 Using Means of Coercion 0 Officer Lieutenant Soldier Others Total
The Police Training in Khanabad District
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60
50
40 Searching House 30 Searching Goods
20 Keeping Goods Using Means of Coercion 10
0 Officer Lieutenant Soldier Others Total
The Police Training in Aliabad District 35 30 25 Searching House 20 Searching People 15 Searching Goods 10 Keeping Goods 5 Using Means of Coercion 0 Officer Lieutenant Soldier Others Total
The Police Training in Qala e Zal District 25
20
15 Searching People Searching Goods 10 Keeping Goods 5 Using Means of coercion
0 Officer Lieutenant Soldier Others Total
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The Police Training in Chahardara District 70 60 50 40 30 Officer 20 10 Lieutenant 0 Soldier Others Total
Human Rights Workshop:
ACSFo has conducted total 3 Human rights workshop for 164 males and 36 females including NWC and SC members, police and other influential people in the Districts of Khanabad, Aliabad and Qala e Zal. These workshops were aimed to raise the awareness of the participants on their fundamental rights and encourage them to approach their constitutional rights. The human rights messages were presented in a participatory method using different as result the participants understanding have increased on human rights. Civil Society Workshop: ACSFo has conducted 6 civil society workshops for NWC, SC members and influential people in the police substation 4 area, police substation 5 area, Khanabad, Aliabad, Imamsaheb and Qala e Zal Districts of Kundoz province. In total 272 males and 109 females participated in the workshop and it was aimed to raise the awareness of trainees on civil society. In these workshops the civil society messages (definition of civil society, independence of civil society, specifications of civil society, the roles of people in the civil society, purpose of civil society and civil society in Afghanistan) were delivered in a participatory method to them and the participants were enabled to understand the concept of civil society. Prejudice Workshop: One prejudice workshop was convened in Kundoz province for 20 males and 7 females including NWC, SC, police members and influential people to enhance their understanding on the topic.
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Security Concept Workshop The community policing trainers held 2 security concept workshops for NWC, SC members, police men and influential people in the police substation one and police substation two areas in Kundoz province. The total participants were 54 males and 10 females. Anti-Corruption Workshop: Eight anti-corruption workshops were conducted for the total of 315 males and 62 females in the police substation one, police substation two, police substation three, police substation four, police substation five, Aliabad, Imamsaheb and Qala e Zal Districts of Kundoz province. This workshop aimed to raise the participants awareness on corruption, anti-corruption and effects of corruption in theAfghanistan Government. Community Mobilization Workshop: Ten community mobilization workshops were held in the targeted Districts of Kundoz province. The total participants were 335 males and 100 females which were composed of NWC, SC members, influential people and police. It aimed to mobilize and motivate the participants specially NWC and SC members to work voluntarily for the implementation of public work. Justice Workshop: ACSFo conducted four justice workshops for 114 males and 34 females in police substation one, police substation three, police substation four and Imamsaheb Districts of Kundoz province to raise their understandings on justice to overcome discrimination and oppression during their witnessing, judgement and other fulfilments in the field.
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Workshop to NWC, SC and Police 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10
0
… … … … … … … … …
Justice Justice Justice Justice
Prejudice
Corruption Corruption Corruption Corruption Corruption Corruption Corruption Corruption
Community Community Community Community Community Community Community Community Community
------
Civil Society Civil Society Civil Civil Society Civil Society Civil Society Civil Society Civil
HumanRights HumanRights HumanRights
Anti Anti Anti Anti Anti Anti Anti Anti
Security Concept Security Concept Security
PSS 1 PSS2 PSS3 PSS4 PSS5 Khanabad Aliabad Imamsaheb Qala e ZalChahardara
No of Participants Male No of Participants Female
Police Meeting: ACSFo has conducted 33 meetings with police substations and police departments in the Districts of Kundoz province to strengthen the interaction, cooperation and trust between police and community. In these meetings the SC members shared the concerns of NWC members to police department and as well the heads and delegates of police departments in the urban and rural Districts promised to take action for the raised concerns. Following are the police Substations addressed by NWC members;
Suggestion Box: Total 14suggestion boxes are installed and functioning in the urban and rural Districts of Kundoz province. They aimed to collect the complaints of local community who are afraid of police and can’t raise their problems to police or don’t have access to NWC and SC members to share their concerns through them. Police Responds to Community Concerns which Found in the Suggestion Boxes accordingly and promised to address every concern of the Kunduz citizens School Campaign: ACSFo conducted 4 school campaigns in Police Substation Three who are main part of society that can play a significant role in the country development specially in establishing interaction, cooperation and trust between police and community. Through this campaign, the concept of community policing project was explained to
82 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) female students and the contact numbers of police and female NWC members were shared. Community Dialogue Ten community dialogues with police officials were conducted in the urban and rural Districts of Kundoz province. In the community dialogue the NWC, SC members and influential people were invited to meet police official face to face and raise their concerns. Generally 561 males and 141 females including police officials, NWC, SC members and other influential people have participated in the dialogue and eagerly stated their opinions about police performances and commitments in their Districts and also the police responded to all community concerns in a very good manner.
A) Community Dialogue Participants
100 95 86 90 80 80 80 74 70 68 69 69 70 63 64 57 60 56 53 55 48 50 49 50 45 Male 40 36 Female 30 21 15 15 17 16 20 14 12 11 14 Total 10 6 0
Provincial Conference: One Provincial conference was conducted for 199 males and 19 females in Kundoz province. It aimed to address the concerns of local community which were not solved in the District. In this conference all District NWC, SC members and influential people were invited to Kundoz city to subject their problems to head of Kundoz police department, Provincial Governor and head of Provincial Council to find solutions for them.
Indeed, this dialogue besides providing the opportunity of a face to face meeting between head of police commander and Community Elders, responded to the District community concerns which were not solved.
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Police Resource Centre: Total 10 police resource centers were established in the urban and rural Districts of Kundoz province to access police easily for different legal, social and political information centers in the police centers. A resource center is allocated for every police substation and district police department and equipped with various informative books to respond to the police studying requirements. Community Resource Centre: ACSFo has established 10 community resource centers for the local community in the urban and rural Districts of Kundoz province. It aimed to access the local community to social, political and legal information easily in their field through providing various informative books with required books shelves. The location of resource centers with coordination of NWC and SC members are identified in the public areas where the people take responsibility of the resource centers and function the resource centers on their own voluntarily. Distribution of Stationary to School Students: ACSFo has distributed 14200 packages of stationary for 14200 school students through police with coordination of NWC and SC members in the five urban and five rural Districts of Kundoz province to remove the mistrust of students toward police.
A package of stationary included one pen, one file and two note books which were designed with community policing pictures and messages that both people and police are encouraged through it to cooperate with each other for providing a better security in the field.
. Community cooperation is essential for better security of citizen. . Consultancy for ascertaining better security is a religious entity. . Police, for protecting civil order acts upon law not his personal views. . Police is the guardian of social, national and moral values. . Police must respect the fundamental rights of individuals. . People must be cooperative with the police in order to have a better security situation. . that our children could go to schools without concerns.
The stationary delivery to students was appreciated by the school teachers, students, NWC and SC members and police. It was helpful to create positive impression about police. Radio Talk: ACSFo has conducted two radio talks in which the police commanders and community delegates of police substation one, police substation two, Imamsaheb and Aliabad districts have participated. In the radio talk, police security challenges, achievements and community concerns were discussed and it highlighted the available solutions of police and community working together.
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TV Talk: Two Provincial TV Talks were conducted in Kundoz city in which hosted the spokesman of the Kundoz province police department. It was aimed to address the police security challenges and achievements and local community concerns to find a suitable way to work the police and community together in order to further build security in the ground. Establishment of Library: Total 40 libraries were established for 29892 male and 23450 female students in 40 schools of Kundoz province. The libraries were established through police and coordination of NWC and SC members in the districts to build trust between police and students who are afraid of police and have negative impression from them.
The verities of books and name of schools in the urban and rural Districts of Kundoz province are selected with coordination head of Kundoz education department.
The police staffs, delegates of education department and representatives of committees were present in the process of establishment of libraries in every individual school of the targeted urban and rural Districts.
A) Number of Students (male and female) benefited from the library per District
10000
1000
100 Male Students 10 Female Students 1
Monitoring: ACSFo has conducted several monitoring field visits to measure the progress of community policing project in Kundoz province. In the monitoring process all aspects of the project including weak and strength points were analyzed and proper recommendations by the monitoring team were advised to community policing project staff. As well during this time a professional technical support were received from Kabul program team and used in developing and leading the project toward prosperities.
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Impact Survey: One impact survey was conducted with the total of 500 people in five police substations and five Districts of Kundoz province.
The results of the impact survey report shows promising changes in the attitudes of the people which can positively contribute in building the trust between the people and the police. Another major change, which has been highlighted in the report, is that the community also believes that the civil society can play a major role in bridging the gap between the community and the police.
Although this survey was conducted targeting only the community and not the police, nevertheless it revealed a good understanding by the majority of the public of the necessity and benefits of public-police cooperation within the community. The eagerness of the people to expand the project to the other areas of the province shows the consistency people’s positive thinking regarding the project, as the same result was show in the previous survey reports.
The traditional mechanism such local leaders, local Shuras and village influential are still exercised in the targeted areas. The public still think the community Shuras, mullahs and maliks are the important factors in improving relations between the communities and police as well the most effective factor in improving the security. Output: ACSFo conducted 76 police trainings for 330 policemen in Kundoz province. ACSFo has been able to conduct 3 human rights workshop for 164 males and 36 females including NWC and SC members, police and other influential people in the Districts of Khanabad, Aliabad and Qala e Zal. ACSFo has conducted 6 civil society workshops for 272 males and 109 females including NWC, SC members and influential people in Kundoz province. One prejudice workshop was convened in Kundoz province for 20 males and 7 females including NWC, SC, police members and influential people. The community policing trainers held 2 security concept workshops for 54 males and 10 females composed of NWC, SC members, police men and influential people in the police substation one and police substation two areas in Kundoz province. Eight anti-corruption workshops were conducted for 315 males and 62 females in the police substation one, police substation two, police substation three, police substation four, police substation five, Aliabad, Imamsaheb and Qala e Zal Districts of Kundoz province. ACSFo has conducted four justice workshops for 114 males and 34 females in police substation one, police substation three, police substation four and Imamsaheb Districts of Kundoz province.
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Ten community mobilization workshops were held in the targeted Districts of Kundoz province. The total participants were 335 males and 100 females which were composed of NWC, SC members, influential people and police. ACSFo has conducted 33 NWC meetings for 180 males and 100 females in Kundoz province. ACSFo has conducted 33 SC meetings for 91 males and 54 females in Kundoz province. ACSFo has conducted 33 meetings with police substations and police departments in the Districts of Kundoz province to strengthen the interaction, cooperation and trust between police and community. About 14suggestion boxes are installed and functioning in the targeted urban and rural Districts of Kundoz province. ACSFo conducted 4 school campaigns in Police Substation Three to introduce the concept of community policing for female students. Ten community dialogues with police officials were conducted in the urban and rural Districts of Kundoz province. One Provincial conference was conducted for 199 males and 19 females in Kundoz province. Around 10 police resource centers were established in the urban and rural Districts of Kundoz province. ACSFo has established 10 community resource centers for the local community in the urban and rural Districts of Kundoz province. ACSFo has distributed 14200 packages of stationary for 14200 school students through police men with coordination of NWC and SC members in the five urban and five rural Districts of Kundoz province. ACSFo has conducted two radio talks that in which the police commanders and community delegates of police substation one, police substation two, Imamsaheb and Aliabad Districts have participated. Two Provincial TV Talks were conducted in Kundoz city in which hosted the spokesman of the Kundoz province police department. ACSFo established 40 libraries for 23450 male students and 29892 female students in 40 schools of Kundoz province. One impact survey was conducted with around 500 people in five police substations and five Districts of Kundoz province.
Outcome: The police believed that they are being controlled by local community and they have to respect the people during their missions. An interaction and cooperation mechanism through conducting NWC, SC and community dialogues has been established between police and local community.
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The people mentality improved “they believe that the police can be respected, trusted and empowered. The local community awareness increased as they directly raise their concerns to the police commanders in the community dialogues. The Kundoz police have been capacitated on police rule and regulation resulted to know their duties and responsibilities and currently some of them respect the police law and citizenry rights during their security missions.
Challenges and Recommendations:
Challenges Recommendations It is difficult for the community It recommended to combine these members in the Districts to two committees to function as one understand the main tasks of NWC member body with new job profile. and SC members and distinguish their functions with each other. The Kundoz police head quarter A police resource centre is required educate all the police but don’t have to establish and equip with furniture, the information centre as a reference computer and various informative point for all Kundoz police staff. books.
The Kundoz police need to be No sport uniform for police supplied sport dresses with lithographed community policing messages.
Every female school needs police The female students are being post installed near the school. harassed while reaching to school
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Samangan Province CP Project
Police Training in Samangan
ACSFo Samangan team conducted one police training for 30 policemen in six District of Samangan Province. The overall objective of the training was to enhance the awareness of policemen/police officers on police law, rules and regulations in three Districts of Samangan province, as most of Afghan national police are uneducated and neither have gone to school and nor police academy and as well as they are not aware of their roles and responsibilities in the society thus sometimes they cause dislike to the local community during their security operations. Therefore the police training aimed to capacitate police on their general and specific duties and responsibilities, community rights and responsibilities and other relevant issues in order to reduce gap between police and community.
The main contents of the trainings were; messages (conducting Police Specific Duties, discrimination and outcomes) the training methodologies totally depend on participants and learners cantered.
a) Police Training in Aybak District of Samangan province. b) Police Training in Aybak District Police Department
Considering the training needs and demands of participants the following participatory and not-participatory training methods were applied during the trainings.
Throughout the trainings participatory methodologies were applied that enabled participants to share their views and opinions among each other in an open atmosphere. Further to this, some other materials and tools such as
89 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) flipchart presentation, power point presentation, group work, handout and energizer used to understand effectively the police training messages by police staff. The police participants were composed of soldier, lieutenant and officer. The police trainees were interested to participate in the trainings because of its relevant and comprehensive topics to their duties. As a result of these trainings to some extent the behaviours and attitudes of the police have changed positively and now some of them respect the rights of suspected and accused people during arresting time.
A) Number of Police trained in Ayubak City Samangan
0 10 Officer 3 Lieutenant 30 Soldier 15 Others 2
Neighbourhood Watch Committee (NWC) Meeting:
ACSFo has facilitated to conduct 2 NWC monthly meetings in 2 Districts of Samangan province to motivate and mobilize the people to share their concerns about police performances and to help build trust between police and community. The meetings held in a very open and peaceful environment that provided opportunity both for male and female to share their views and concerns with each other.
These meetings have shown that since starting the community police project the people including male and female are dared and interested to give feedbacks about police performances which are the clear indications of local communities’ awareness from their roles and responsibilities towards police
90 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) but, at the beginning of the project this was opposite. The Key problems/issues of NWC Members of Aybak District of Samangan Province; gambling houses in the area, unemployment, limited number of police staff, bribe, environment sanitation, hospitals at night shifts don’t have enough facilities, protection to women from domestic violence, complaint from Governor, no cooperation between people an police, kidnapping, burglary, escaping of females from home, moral corruption, increasing number of divorces etc. Suggestion Boxes
The ACSFo has established three suggestion boxes in the crowded areas of three Districts in Samangan Province. Through these boxes complaints of the citizens will be compiled. The suggestion boxes are opened monthly By SC members . Last opening of the boxes revealed problems such as; burglary, kidnapping, divorce, escape from homes, gambling, stealing and many more.
Steering Committee (SC) Meeting:
ACSFo has facilitated to conduct three SC monthly meetings in two Districts of Samangan province. The aim of these committees was to filter the raised points of the NWC about police performances in the monthly meetings and then share the consequences of the meetings to police officials. The SC meetings affected positively in strengthening of interaction and cooperation between police and community. The police departments accepted the committees as a good mechanism of receiving suggestions and complaints of local community.
Since establishing of these committees the police commanders are motivated to undertake good efforts for peace building in their working areas.
30 25 20 15 10 Ayubak 5 0 Hazrati Sultan Male Police Female
Participants of NWC Participants of SC
a) Steering Committee Meeting Participation of male and female in Ayubak and Hazrare Sultan
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Meeting with Chief of Police
The ACSFo community policing focal point conducted 1 meetings with head of police departments in the Hazrati Sultan District of Samangan province. The community police focal point participated in the police meeting and she expressed the NWC and local community concerns to police departments in order to reduce the gap between people and police. The police departments appreciated ACSFo efforts with regards to establishment of committees and supporting police which can play positive role for building interaction, cooperation and trust between police and people. Indeed this process provided good opportunity for police officials to meet the local Community Elders in face to face and receive their feedbacks about police challenges and achievements in the field. Indeed conducting SC meetings with police decrease distances and support to strengthen interaction and cooperation mechanism among people and police. As result of meetings mostly the head of police departments impressed and took actions for the community delegates raised points and gradually the people are being satisfied from police. Monitoring
The monitoring & evaluation of the projects is regularly done through ACSFo Samangan staff members with support of program coordinator. The reports of the M& E process has been produced and shared with the entire project staff for the better improvement of the project quality. The ACSFo head quarter provided adequate advises and technical support to the project staff for smooth running of the project implementation process to ensure qualitative management of the program & support to the field staffs. Sustainability
In all its projects and programs, ACSFo aims at achieving lasting effects beyond the project completion period. With regards to the proposed project ACSFo proposes long term impacts on the target beneficiaries. As the long years of war has shattered the Afghan practices of community collaborations and other grassroots’ initiatives thus ACSFo will further increase its access and strengthen its efforts for maintaining and updating the Neighborhood Watch Committees and Steering Committees by respecting, revitalizing, modernizing with update information. This as a result will enable the role of targeted beneficiaries to more effectively participate in social-economic and political processes of their respective provinces. Further to this, the collaboration, coordination and interaction among community, police and
92 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) civil society will be improved. In addition, relatively peace and security will be improved in the targeted area. Achievements
1) Aybak District of Samangan Province Group of police by the help of CPP committee members went to the gambling house and locked it. Increased number of Police Patrolling Kidnapping and burglary has been taken as a priority by police and necessary actions are taken to end it. Arrest of burgulars and terrorists who were placing road mines Arrested pocket thieves 2) Hazrati Sultan District of Samangan Province: Gambling houses are closed Night Patrols became more intensive Cooperation of police have increased Resolved dispute among Tawos, Shirin & Ghulam residents Challenges and Recommendations:
Challenges Recommendations
Iliteracy of some police This issue was resolved by personnel caused the simplification of the lessons to inefficiency of training the middle level and modules at the very first days categorizing the trainees in of the training programs. some Districts.
Since some of the Throughout the project, the problem police officers were on decreased to some extent. their routine duties especially in check points, all the trainees could not attend the classes completely from the beginning till the end and moreover in some Districts because
of transforming and
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shifting of some police commanders and personnel into other places, the training modules were ineffective for the new comers.
Some of the Committee These members were replaced with the members did not take new active and efficient ones. active part in project activities and were a bit idle in the starting month.
There is security It is proposed to provide ACSFo, NWC, concern within SC members a enhanced security and community in the rural protection Districts. Still there are illegal gunmen that endangers lives of NWC, SC members and ACSFo field staff
A number of Arbaki and Strenghten Police and Troops illegal gunmen receive tithe from local community agricultural corps which creates gaps between local community and Government.
Police trainings Share Weekly plans with Dutch Police coincide with Dutch Training Facilitators Police training in Khanabad and Aliabad Districts which caused our program to be cancelled.
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a) Police Training in Aybak District of Samangan province. b) Police Training in Aybak District Police Depa
Radio Talk
ACSFo has conducted five radio talks in which police authorities and community delegates of targeted Districts and police substations of Kundoz Province were present.
In the radio talks various questions related to community policing project, low cooperation and suggestion boxes effectiveness have been asked. The bellows are some of significant questions which were shared to community delegates:
The delegates of people who contributed in radio talks were satisfied from police performances in their Districts and stated that since running of community policing project the cooperation level between police and community increased and the police have closed contact with local people and access to their security requirements in emergency situations. Suggestion boxes were admitted to be very useful to all police and people. Further more discussion on situation of the Districts and peoples cooperation with police has been discussed.
Participants of the Talk Show admired ACSFo community policing project activities and issued that since runnig the capacity building program for police, the corruption level decreased in police department.
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At the last part of the program, police announced their contact numbers to people and expressed that people can call them in any emergency events, and the police would take action soon for it.
The radio talk with police officials was very effective that it brought the police and local community in one radio round table to explain their problems and considerations freely and it made the police and community delegates to be responsive and functional against people. Monthly Publications
ACSFo designed and published 4000 volumes monthly publications (Jamea e Madani magazine) for police and local community in Afghanistan. Almost t 500 volumes of magazines were distributed for Kundoz Police, NWC and SC members. The various cultural, social, political and community policing project activities were illustrated in the publication. It covered the procedures, activities, experiences and structures of community policing in Badakhshan, Takhar and Kundoz Provinces which resulted to improve the police, committee members and local people awareness over cultural, social, political and community policing issues.
A) Sample of ACSFo Publication
.
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Balk Province CP Project
Police Training in Balkh
ACSFo conducted 5 police trainings for 231 policemen in three District of Balkh Province. The overall objective of the training was to enhance the awareness of policemen/police officers on police law, rules and regulations in three Districts of Balkh province, as most of Afghan national police are uneducated and neither have gone to school and nor police academy and as well as they are not aware of their roles and responsibilities in the society thus sometimes they cause to abuse the local community during their security operations therefore the police training aimed to capacitate police on their general and specific duties and responsibilities, community rights and responsibilities and other relevant issues in order to reduce gap between police and community.
The main contents of the trainings were as follows: The community policing messages (General Duties of Police, Specific Duties of Police and Civil Society) delivered to policemen)
a) Police Training in Balkh Center b) Police Trainign in Nahr-e-Shahee District
Throughout the trainings participatory methodologies were applied that enabled participants to share their views and opinions among each other in an open atmosphere. Further to this, some other materials and tools such as flipchart presentation, power point presentation, group work, handout and
97 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) energizer used to understand effectively the police training messages by police staff. The police participants were composed of soldier, lieutenant and officer. The police trainees were interested to participate in the trainings because of its relevant and comprehensive topics to their duties. As a result of these trainings to some extent the behaviours and attitudes of the police have changed positively and now some of them respect the rights of suspected and accused people during arresting time.
A) Training to Police in 3 Districts in Balkh
150 110 100 77 Balkh 56 43 42 44 50 Nahr-e-shahee 27 19 20 8 11 5 Dehdadi 0 Officer Soldier Others Total
Neighbourhood Watch Committee (NWC) Meeting:
ACSFo has facilitated to conduct 3 NWC monthly meetings in 3 Districts of Balkh province to motivate and mobilize the people to share their concerns about police performances and to help build trust between police and community. The meetings held in a very open and peaceful environment that provided opportunity both for male and female to share their views and concerns with each other.
These meetings have shown that since starting the community police project the people including male and female are dared and interested to give feedbacks about police performances which are the clear indications of local communities’ awareness from their roles and responsibilities towards police but, at the beginning of the project this was opposite. Key problems of Balkh Province and its Districts addressed that day were; gambling house, unemployment, increasing number of Arbakis, environment sanitation, police patrolling, bribe, corruption, disturbance caused by motorcycle riders, youth drug addiction, and many more. Suggestion Box:
The ACSFo has established three suggestion boxes in the crowded areas of three Districts in Balkh province. These suggestion boxes aims to gather the suggestions and complains of people who can’t send and share their concerns to police
98 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) department. The suggestion boxes were opened monthly By SC members and problems such as; security, high prices of food, delays in courts, police patrolling is limited, bribery, limited number of police and many more Steering Committee (SC) Meeting:
ACSFo has facilitated to conduct three SC monthly meetings in three Districts of Balkh province. The aim of these committees was to filter the raised points of the NWC about police performances in the monthly meetings and then share the consequences of the meetings to police officials. The SC meetings affected positively in strengthening of interaction and cooperation between police and community. The police departments accepted the committees as a good mechanism of receiving suggestions and complaints of local community.
Since establishing of these committees the police commanders are motivated to undertake good efforts for peace building in their working areas.
A) Participation of NWC and SC in Meetings
60
50
40
30 Balkh
20 Nahr-e- Shahee Dahdadi 10
0 Male Police Female
Participants of NWC Participants of SC
Meeting with Police Departments:
The ACSFo community policing staffs with SC members conducted 3 meetings with head of police departments in the three District of Balkh province. The SC members including male and female participated in the police meeting and they expressed the NWC and local community concerns to police departments in order to reduce the gap between people and police. The police
99 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) departments appreciated ACSFo efforts with regards to establishment of committees and supporting police which can play positive role for building interaction, cooperation and trust between police and people. Indeed this process provided good opportunity for police officials to meet the local Community Elders in face to face and receive their feedbacks about police challenges and achievements in the field. Indeed conducting SC meetings with police decrease distances and support to strengthen interaction and cooperation mechanism among people and police. As result of meetings mostly the heads of police departments impressed and took actions for the community delegates raised points and gradually the people are being satisfied from police. Police respondent to the concerns accordingly and assured that all necessary steps are taken to reduce all the issues in the area.
Monitoring:
The monitoring & evaluation of the projects is regularly done through ACSFo Balkh staff members with support of program coordinator. The reports of the M& E process has been produced and shared with the entire project staff for the better improvement of the project quality. The ACSFo head quarter provided adequate advises and technical support to the project staff for smooth running of the project implementation process to ensure qualitative management of the program & support to the field staffs. Sustainability: In all its projects and programs, ACSFo aims at achieving lasting effects beyond the project completion period. With regards to the proposed project ACSFo proposes long term impacts on the target beneficiaries. As the long years of war has shattered the Afghan practices of community collaborations and other grassroots’ initiatives thus ACSFo will further increase its access and strengthen its efforts for maintaining and updating the Neighbourhood Watch Committees and Steering Committees by respecting, revitalizing, modernizing with update information. This as a result will enable the role of targeted beneficiaries to more effectively participate in socio- economic and political processes of their respective provinces. Further to this, the collaboration, coordination and interaction among community, police and civil society will be improved. In addition, relatively peace and security will be improved in the targeted area. Achievements: Balkh District of Balkh Province
Build passages for water Gambling houses are closed
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Patrolling increase Keeping city clean more frequent 300 police will be recruited for Balkh
Dehdadi District:
Closing gambling houses Sending street drug addicts to rehabilitation Aressting robbers Increasing number of Police Patrols
Nahr-e-Shahee District:
Building security Stations Keeping City Clean (Municipality) Arresting some criminals and loafers
The Governor was grateful of Afghan Civil Society Forum-organization and office of GIZ in addition the Governor handed over a letter of appreciation to security commander of Balkh.
. Challenges and Recommendations:
Challenges Recommendations
Illiteracy of police Lessons have been simplified caused problems while training
Since some of the Throughout the project, the police officers were on problem has be dissolved to their routine duties some extent. especially in check points, all the trainees could not attend the classes completely from the beginning till the end .
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Some of the Committee These members were replaced members did not take with the new active and active part in project efficient ones. activities and were a bit idle in the starting month. They were also not so punctual
a) Police Trainign in Dehdadi b) While sending addicts to rehabilitation
Capacity Building Section Introduction ACSFo capacity building department established in 2005. One of the dire needs of different Afghan entities and institutions, being Government, non-Government or private is capacity. Building the capacity of civil society and Government institutions to provide quality services and work with higher efficiency and effectiveness has become one of ACSF’s goals from the beginning. ACSFo established its Capacity Building Section in the year 2005. The section collaborated with the organizations, which have the same vision and mission as that of ACSFo.
Since 2005 ACSFo is involved in providing capacity building opportunities and services to ACSFo’s member and partner organizations in professional management skills (Participatory Community Appraisal, Appreciative Community Appraisal and Planning, Community Problem Solving, Intermediate Project Design and Proposal Writing, Basics of Management, Intermediate Project Management, Peace Promotion, Communication, “Do No Harm” Adult Methodology, Leadership Skills, General Administration and Human Resources Management, Financial Management,
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Procurement, Planning), Information technology (Basic use of Computer, MS Office Packages and Use of Internet), Language Skill (English), budgetary process , Gender awareness and sexual harassment at work place, report writing , Monitoring and Evaluation , Advocacy and Civil Society related topics. Up to now more than 300 civil society organizations directly or indirectly through other implementing partners have been trained by ACSFo Capacity Building Department; that totals to more than 3,600 staff members of the mentioned CSOs. As impact of CSO, capacities building now, the majority of the trained CSOs are able to manage their managerial and administrative activities efficiently and effectively. Furthermore, the CSOs are enabled to develop and manage their organizational and project planning in a standard and professional way. Further, their proposals developing and fundraising capacities also have been enhanced. Peace Building trainings have enabled the beneficiaries to analyses, structure and transform conflicts that may appear on community level. Their capacities also have been improved on how to sensitize and mobilize people around in order to create and/or maintain a culture of co-existence and peace.
Capacity building Section activities over this period: ACSFo Capacity Building section was packed with different internal and external capacity building activities during this reporting period, and has implemented the activities of the following projects in partnership with international counterparts.
Initiative to Promote Afghan Civil Society (I-PACS II) : (1st January 2011-31st December 2011) Civil Society Empowerment through Capacity Building and Networking in ACSFo Nangarhar regional office (SCA) Organizational Development Fund SCA project Empowerment of Civil Society through Capacity Building, networking and advocacy in Samangan province funded by Finland embassy in Samangan province. Developing proposals Revising and updating ACSFo membership and partnership guideline Developing Gender awareness manual Revising ACSFo policies and procedures Developing Gender mainstreaming action plan Contributing to other programs of the organization Capacity building of 2 Nangarhar ACSFo staff
Section and projects major activities: The primary activities conducted by ACSFo Capacity Building section for ACSFo Headquarter staff and its partner CSSCs and CSOs five provinces during the project period (Kabul, Parwan, Paktia, Nangrhar and Patika) include: Organizational development Interventions Developing CSSCs & CSOs capacity
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Organizing of community dialogue sessions and regional policy conferences Capacity building interventions CSOs capacity building through ACSFo resource center OD assessment of CSSCs CSOs selection and need assessment Developing CSOs capacity assessment plan Strengthening ACSFo systems and structures Developing proposal
Main Achievements (Output/Outcome: Outputs: ACSFo Capacity building section developed proposal for I-PACS II program for the period of one year (January 2013 August 2013) and submitted to it to CPI. ACSFo capacity building section developed facilitator manual on gender awareness. ACSFo I-PACS team was involved in OD assessment of 1 civil society support organizations with CPI. The training needs of target CSOs was analyzed and prioritized as well as were shared with CPI based on which the proposal for next year of I-PACS II program was developed. ACSFo through its Support Centre provided technical assistance to ACSFo partner organizations and its target CSOs, university and school students as well as Government employees on proposal writing, project management, creating new email accounts, report writing, advocacy and community appraisal. In addition, the materials, research reports on civil society and democracy were disseminated with them.
ACSFo community dialogue officer conducted two technical assistance visits to Lugar and Wordak provinces and provided technical assistance to two civil society organizations on how to conduct professional and effective regional policy conferences.
ACSFo staff trained on strategic leadership, M&E log frame, financial management, basic accounting and project management.
ACSFo Nangarhar regional office with close technical assistance and coordination of ACSFo Capacity building section conducted 12 rounds of training on different topics such as human resource management, report writing, proposal writing, project management fundraising and advocacy training to 40 CSOs in Nangarhar province.
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ACSFo Samangan field office conducted 10 rounds of training on planning, proposal writing, fundraising, civil society, Adovcacy citizenry rights and leadership to 25 Samangan target CSOs. ACSFo Samangan Field RCofficer through through its Support Center provided technical assistance to ACSFo partner organizations and its target CSOs, university and school students as well as Government employees on proposal writing, project management, creating new email accounts, report writing, advocacy and community appraisal. In addition, the materials, research reports on civil society and democracy were disseminated with them. ACSFo Nangarhar regional staff with close technical assistance of ACSFo HQ capacity building department prepared and developed two progress and two final narrative reports each in 12 pages comprising a set of lessons learned and recommendations for further improvement of such programs in the eastern zone and submitted to Swedish Committee for Afghanistan. ACSFo HQ capacity building department trained ACSFo Nangarhar two staff through the fund of SCA on human resource management, report writing, proposal writing, and project management fundraising and advocacy topics. ACSFo Nangarhar regional staff with close technical assistance of ACSFo HQ capacity building department prepared and developed the SCA capacity development fund final narrative report in 6 pages highlighting a set of best practices, lessons learned and recommendations for further improvement of such capacity building programs in the eastern zone. ACSFo procedures and policies developed and updated. ACSFo Nangarhar regional office with close cooperation and coordination of ACSFo Capacity building section held 12 coordination and networking meetings and the important issues from civil society perspective discussed. ACSFo Nangarhar regional office with close cooperation and coordination of ACSFo Capacity building section disseminated the civil society, democracy and general management materials among the 40 CSOs in Nangarhar and Laghman provinces. ACSFo Capacity building section conducted 44 community dialogue sessions in Kabul and Parwan provinces on the topics of community needs and priorities, civil society and democracy, how can CDCs access to available resources and to identify priorities goals and objectives for policy actions as well as one regional policy dialouge conference in Parwan province. ACSFo Capacity building section developed Gender training manual. ACSFo Capacity building section provided technical assistance to its CSSC on developing Proposal, report writing and CSOs selection and conducting regional policy dialogue conference. ACSFo capacity building department totally 9 rounds of trainings conducted to target CSOs and CSSC staff as well as ACSFo staff on different topics such as Gender Awareness, Report Writing, UNSCR 1325, Project design and proposal
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writing, Fund raising, Social audit and citizenry card, Intermediate monitoring and evaluation monitoring and evaluation, Adovcacy and business communication to target CSOs. During this reporting period ACSFo resource center was open towards its target CSOs and other clients. Two hundred and ninety one 291 (254 male (37 female) different visitors both of I-PACS and of non I-PACS has benefited from ACSFo RC. The facilitator gender awareness manual was developed. ACSFo capacity building department contributed in developing staff evaluation forms.
Outcomes: The skills and knowledge of the ACSFo capacity building section and other sections enhanced on how to conduct external scan of the organization. Further, the capacity building section developed an 11 pages comprehensive report comprising a set of findings, strategic issues, strategic directions, challenges and recommendations that integrated in the upcoming strategic paper of ACSFo. The capacity of 42 ACSFo staff (38 female and 4 male) increased on M&E log frame, basic accounting, financial management, strategic leadership and project management. ACSFo I-PACS II staff skills and knowledge enhanced on the concept of organizational development and conducting OD interventions. ACSFo policies and procedures updated and developed. ACSFo capacity building section developed 10 pages organizational development narrative assessment report of its target CSSC consisting set of comments and recommendations and submitted to CPI for further action. Totally 9 rounds of trainings conducted to target CSOs and CSSC staff as well as ACSFo staff on different topics such as Gender Awareness, Report Writing, UNSCR 1325, Project design and proposal writing, Fund raising, Social audit and citizenry card, Intermediate monitoring and evaluation monitoring and evaluation, Adovcacy and business communication to target CSOs. As a result, the skills and capacities of the above-mentioned partner organizations enhanced on sexual harassment at work place and gender awareness and as well they have transferred these skills and knowledge to their other colleagues. In addition, they capacities of ACSFo partner organizations have enhanced on how to develop standard and professional reports. Further, the skills and knowledge of ACSFo partner organizations have improved on how to develop monitoring and evaluation plans, monitor their projects, and develop M&E standard reports. Moreover, capacities of ACSFo 21 partner organizations have enhanced on how to develop public budget, budget cycles, and budget stages and sound budget. Further to this, the skills and knowledge of ACSFo 21 partner organizations enhanced on how to design and
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develop effective projects. In addition, their capacities enhanced on how to identify the community needs and prioritize and categorize them. During the reporting period ACSFo Nangarhar section conducted 12 rounds of training on different topics such as human resource management, report writing, proposal writing, project management fundraising and advocacy training to 40 CSOs in Nangarhar province. In total 171 persons (95 male and 76 female) were trained on the above-mentioned topics.
ACSFo Nangarhar regional office with close cooperation and coordination of ACSFo Capacity building section held 12 coordination and networking meetings and the important issues from civil society perspective discussed. During these meeting the hot issues of Nangarhar province were discussed.
During this reporting period. Two hundred and ninety one (254) male (37 female), different visitors both of I-PACS and of non I-PACS benefited from ACSFo RC. As a result the access of ACSFo partner organizations increased to information and civil society and democracy related materials.
ACSFo Capacity building section conducted 44 community dialogue sessions in Kabul and Parwan provinces on the topics of community needs and priorities, civil society and democracy, how can CDCs access to available resources and to identify priorities goals and objectives for policy action as well as one regional policy dialogue conference in Parwan province and 1013 participants (800 male and 213 female) attended these sessions. ACSFo Capacity building section developed a 15 pages narrative report of each session in Dari and English and submitted to CPI community policy engagement department. ACSFo Capacity building section developed a 15 pages narrative report of each session in Dari and English and submitted to CPI community policy engagement department.
ACSFo Nangarhar office conducted 12 rounds of training on different topics such as human resource management, report writing, proposal writing, project management fundraising and advocacy training to 40 CSOs in Nangarhar province. In total 171 persons (95 male and 76 female) were trained on the above-mentioned topics. ACSFo relationships improved with civil society and Government entities. ACSFo outreach has improved. ACSFo capacity building section conducted regional policy dialogue conference which formed 10 pages narrative report comprising of goal, objectives, main topics of the conference and community concerns and submitted to CPI community policy engagement department that they will utilize it for upcoming national policy reform conference and white paper policy and will share it with the relevant authorities.
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During the reporting period Samangan Field office resource center was opened to target CSOs and other clients such as NGOs staff, university students, school students, Government employees and intellectuals who referred to the resource center. Technical assistance and internet facility was provided to them. Technical assistance was provided to them develop and creating emails addresses, check their IDs, download and upload the information required to them. The number of visitors was 800 (710 male & 90 female). Among them the number of clients who benefited from library was 60 (50 male &10 Female). The number of participants that benefited from Resource centre was (450) (400 male50 female) from June 2012 up to December 2012. The ACSFo target CSSC staff skills and knowledge enhanced on the issues of CSOs selection, concept of organizational development, need assessment of CSOs, conducting community dialogue sessions and regional policy conference and as well report writing. The target CSSC staff skills and knowledge increased on developing organizational development action plan and OD interventions. ACSFo policies and procedures updated such as consultant policy initial draft, membership policy and communication policy developed. The ACSFo I-PACS staff skills and knowledge increased on the topics of conducting trainings, developing manuals, developing proposals, CSOs selection and assessment, CSOs need assessment and developing organizational development plan. ACSFo capacity building section capacity was enhanced and developed to some extent on organizational development assessment techniques and strategies/approaches. ACSFo capacity building section capacity enhanced on the techniques of organizing community dialogue sessions by utilizing appreciative inquiry principles. Confidence built among the civil society activists and local communities. ACSFo civil society network expanded. ACSFo relationship improved with local Government authorities in Parwan and Kabul provinces. Coordination and cooperation among ACSFo partner organizations improved ACSFo CSOs network expanded and improved in Nangarhar and Laghman provinces. ACSFo community dialogue officer skills and knowledge on how to mitigate conflicts during the sessions increased.
Impacts: ACSFo staff capacity built on log frame, accounting, financial management, strategic leadership and project cycle management and has been enabled to perform their tasks effectively and efficiently.
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The Capacity of target CSOs built on project management, proposal writing and project design and fundraising and has been enabled to sustain their organization in Kabul, Nangarhar and Balkh provinces. The capacity of target CSOs has been built on managerial issues such as leadership, human resources management and general administration and strategic planning and now they can perform their activities in a well manner. ACSFo Network expanded and enhanced. The clients who referred to RC capacitated on internet use and their knowledge enhanced on different topics.
Lessons Learnt: ACSFo capacity building section learned techniques of CSOs selection and assessment from CPI civil society strengthening department, which is very much beneficial for ACSFo capacity building section. ACSFo training manuals used for training purposes. During the holding community dialogue sessions it was found that the terms of civil society and democracy are still new phenomena and the main problems of communities identified as well followed up with relevant authorities. It was learned that still much work is needed to enhance the awareness of local communities on the concepts of civil society and democracy. During the community dialogue sessions it learned that the role of civil society was not much clear to the local communities. We have learnt that despite numerous problems local community groups are interested not only in the centre of the provinces but also in Districts to have knowledge about the role of civil society. We have learnt that communities are keen to work closely with civil society. We have learnt that most of the local population was not familiar with the name of civil society. Therefore, the local communities recommended civil society to work more on enhancing the awareness of people on the role of civil society. We have learnt and believe that it is necessary to acquire the trust of people, which will build a bridge for better cooperation between the people and the civil society. We have learned that in some areas local populations are very sensitive with terms of democracy that is why much work should be done from Islamic perspective on these issues. What we learnt from previous year implementation of project was that activities were Planned without balance by the quarters. It means that in some quarters more activities
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Were planned comparatively to others that sometimes caused delay in accomplishing them as per the project predesigned plan. During organizing the community dialogue sessions it was learned that still local communities prefer to implement every capacity building program in line with Islamic rules and regulations. It was also learned that In terms of change strategies, donors favour strategic planning, fundraising and financial sustainability planning, and governance. Directors of some CSOs reported that their organizations still lack the capacity to develop their strategic plans and other organizational policies where the capacity building leverage may be greatest. It is interesting to note, that directors expressed the growing concern that traditional strategic planning models may be outdated. Executive directors also reported that strategic leadership and management is the keystone of effective organizations.
It was also learned that the donors heavily rely on consultants as the primary champions for promoting and/or assisting with organizational improvement. Findings from the ACSFo organizational development assessment also suggest that outside assistance is seen as a proven means of promoting organizational improvement in short-run but not for longer-run.
Some directors demonstrated less confidence in the value of outside assistance and believe that successful capacity building does not necessarily require outside support or assistance and thus suggested more trainings on the subject-matters of Afghan employees.
Based on the capacity building section closer working relationships with its partner organizations some important approaches were learned such as a top-down organizational approach which might begin with changing organization strategies and policies; (ii) a bottom-up organizational approach, e.g. resources mobilization both human and financial of organization; (iii) a partnerships approach which involves strengthening the relationships between organizations; and (iv) a community organizing approach in which individual community members are drawn into forming new organizations or joining existing ones to improve the status of community members. Although each of these approaches individually is interdependence and essentially and equally important referred to as being capacity building, changes in one domain (e.g. in the individuals who comprise the organization, the policies and practices of the organization, or the relationships between organizations), will often impact on other domains. Indeed it is sometimes argued that capacity building has not occurred unless more than one domain has been impacted upon other. It was also learned that local communities need more development works which affect their lives and can bring visible changes.
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IPACS-II Project
Project Introduction The overarching goal of the I-PACS II program/project is “to enable Afghan citizens to more effectively participate in the political process, solve community problems, and demand good governance from their leaders in Afghanistan”. The USAID-funded Initiative to Promote Afghan Civil Society (I-PACS) increases the role and viability of civil society in Afghanistan by providing capacity building training and grant support to civil society organizations showing potential to be sustainable, effective organizations. Since 2005, Counterpart International's approach to I-PACS has been to support the development of two local implementing partner Intermediary Service Organizations (ISOs) – the Afghan Women's Education Centre (AWEC) and the Afghan Civil Society Forum-organization (ACSFo) - and eight Civil Society Support Centres (CSSCs) spread around the country as integral components of a robust Afghan civil society infrastructure. It is worth mentioning that this network has been expanded to 7 Intermediary Civil Society Organizations (ISOs) and 12 Civil Society Support Centres (CSSCs). CSSCs serve as conduits through which Counterpart International and its Afghan partners accesses remote geographical regions of Afghanistan and provide capacity building for more than 350 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to ensure broad participation in civil society in a professional, transparent and accountable manner. Working with women and youth is a cross-cutting theme in I-PACS. Over half of all I- PACS grant funding goes to women-led or women-focused NGOs, and half of all the I- PACS partners are women's organizations. I-PACS also provide youth organizations with grants and capacity building assistance. But still Afghan civil societies need to move a long way towards a vibrant, dynamic and inclusive civil society.
Considering the requirement for more Organizational Development interventions for Afghan Civil Society Forum- Organization (ACSFo), and its partner CSOs the second phase of I-PACS started on October 01 2010- and its first year ended on 30 September 2011. This new phase intendeds to support the development of stronger Intermediary Service Organization (ACSFo) which will not only support one Civil Society Support Centre (CSSC) in the assigned region(Kabul, Parwan, Paktia, Paktika & Khost) but also contribute to the development of twenty target Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kabul and Parwan provinces through providing trainings, T.A, awareness, support centre and community policy engagement activities considering gender as cross cutting issue throughout the program. It is significant to include that keeping the considerations of CPI’s priorities that from community versus policy engagement perspective ACSFo will strive to pin point the available associations, unions and other community mobilization structures and they will be benefited from the aver all networking of partners beyond NGOs and also it will have improvement in community and CSOs relationship.
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Goal: The overarching goal of the I-PACS II program is “to enable Afghan citizens to more effectively participate in the political process, solve community problems, and demand good governance from their leaders in Afghanistan”.
Objectives: The objectives of this project are as follows: To strengthen ACSFo internal capacity through various capacity building interventions and technical assistance. To develop the capacity of 1 CSSC and 20 CSOs by delivering trainings and technical assistance and further strengthen the network of CSOs. To increase the awareness of local communities in policy level issues through organizing community dialogue sessions and national policy reform conferences To strengthen the functionality of RC in order to provide better services for client CSOs
Monitoring and Evaluation Section
ACSFo Monitoring and Evaluation section was established in 2006. Since, 2006 ACSFo Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) section has been working independently in order to ensure effective operations and provide constructive feedbacksfor all ongoing projects of ACSFo. The section has regularly monitored the projects along with developing complete monitoring reports to the project staffs and management group to provide them with sufficient information about the ongoing status of the projects to make corrective measures. Besides, the section has been preparing and developing proper monitoring plans and developing and designing monitoring well- defined benchmarks for new projects and proposals developed by different sections of the organization. Monitoring and evaluation section staffs have conducted M&E trainings at different levels of knowledge for the partner organizations. M&E section has recently been provided by computerized and online database.ACSFo M&E department will strive to gather more professional information regarding the M&E database from reliable resources and will be continuously incorporat into the database. ACSFo M&E department will be entering the data in its database both at National and Provincial level and since, then the data will be extracting from the database for analysis purposes. In addition, during the data analysis M&E department will produce the M&E analytical reports, lessons learned and best
112 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) practices reports. These lessons learned and best practices will be integrated in designing the new projects and programs. This will help from avoiding the mistakes in future programs and will channel the higher management towards making sound decisions.
As part of its new organizational strategy, ACSFo established a Monitoring and Evaluation Learning and Design Unit as of 2012. The goal is to establish reflective loops on all ACSFo actions, procedures and M&E systems. It aims at improving the results on both the project and program level and to provide a space for increased learning, improved quality and enhanced impact of the programs.
Goals: To establish reflective loops on all ACSFo actions, procedures and M&E systems. It aims at improving the results on both the project and program level and to provide a space for increased learning, improved quality and enhanced impact of the programs.
Objectives: To contribute in strengthening the M&E systems and procedures through keeping the records of lessons learned and best practices and knowledge management system. To advance the M&E systems and procedures through conducting periodic monitoring of the projects progress and providing constructive feedbacks to ACSFo sections. To analyze, define and prioritize, design, develop, implement, and integrate data in new programs.
Main Activities: This report covers all M&E key activities from 01, January , 2012 to 25, December, 2012
Initiative to promote Afghani civil society (I-PACS) project, (Training Evaluation) Through 2012 M&E section gathered proper evaluation data from12 trainings and monitored 2 community dialogue events, conducted/held by I-PACS project to its partner CSOs and ISOs in both Kabul and Parwan provinces. The data for training evaluation is collected by ITT evaluation form that mostly focuses on training module and trainers’ skills and a newly designed form focuses on time management, training methods, training logistic and so on.
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a) I-PACS Conducted trainings photo
Project Title: IPACS-II Monitoring field Monitoring feedback report Number of report pages Documented 18/12/2011, training 3/1/2012 3 no photo 29/12/201,1 training 3/1/2012 3 no photo 31/1/2012, training 2/2/2012 4 with photo 23/02/2012, training 29/02/2012 3 no photo 15/04/2012, training 18/04/2012 3 with photo 29/04/2012, training 29/04/2012 7 with photo 24/05/2012, training 24/05/2012 8 with photo 28/06/2012, training 28/06/2012 7 with photo 22/05/2012, training 25/05/2012 6 with photo 18/7/2012, training 19/7/2012 7 with photo 21/11/2012, training 25/11/2012 7 with photo 05/12/2012, training 11/12/2012 7 with photo A) IPACS-II Training Monitoring Report
Promoting civil society network project in Ghor and Samangan provinces: Strengthening civil society network project’s second periodic monitoring in Samangan province was performed on October 31, 2011.As it was mentioned in this report before due to tension between ACSFo and Governor senior staff was assigned to do the field visit. To details on the meeting schedule please refer to the table bello
Project Title: Civil Society Network in Ghor and Samangan Monitoring field Monitoring feedback Number of report Documented report pages
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31-31/10/2011, Samangan 5/1/2012 6 Photos 6 –14/02/2012 Ghor 20/02/2012 8 Photos
A) Civil society network project monitoring and evaluation table
B) During the visit in Samangan
Trust building in between community and police project (donor, HBS):
This project was regularly monitored 6 times from late December 2011 to early of January 2012 (according to the prepared monitoring plan). The below table gives the details of the activities:
Project Title: Trust building in between community and police project, funded by HBS Monitoring field Monitoring feedback Number of report Documented report pages 22/12/2011 22/12/2011 4 Photos 26/12/2011 26/12/2011 4 Photos 28/12/2011 28/12/2011 4 Photos 29/12/2012 29/12/2012 4 Photos 1/1/2012 1/1/2012 4 Photos 3/1/2012 3/1/2012 4 Photos 09/01/2012 Monitoring final report 7 Photos
Small Project Fund (SPF), Nangarhar
SCA project works to strengthen the strategic and organizational development of ACSFo, local partner CSOs in Nangarhar province. The project lasts for six months and started on 11 of March 2012. The project activities are under monitoring process of M&E Unit.
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Monitoring field visit was on 8/7/2012 and report was given at the same time. Report consisted 4 pages with photos
A) During Monitoring of SPF Nangarhar
Community policing project (CPP), Kundoz province "Community policing" is a development strategy for an improved interaction between citizens, communities and police. It provides a better space for police performance on the rule of law, professionalism and trust-building mechanisms. It fosters the citizens’ involvement to help prevent crime, identify suspects and bring problems to the attention of the police. ACSFo will conduct the Community Policing Project (CPP) in partnership and cooperation with GIZ. This project has been covered by ACSFo M&E Unit and regularly monitored through 2012 year, as well as the monitoring has been done by the project nominated monitoring persons timely. Below is the table showing monitoring mission by the Unit:
Project Title: Community Policy Project Monitoring field Monitoring feedback Number of report Documented report pages 22-Jul-12 5-Aug-12 4 Photos 13-Oct-12 7-Nov-12 5 Photos
Community policing project (CPP), Balkh and Samangan province
Based on the past GIZ and ACSFo partnership in successful Community Policing project, ACSFo suggested an extension of further six months of work in Balkh and Samangan under an “Extension” contract from the previous project that ACSFo jointly accomplished with GIZ support in 2011. . The below table is going to show the field visit from both provinces by M&E Unit:
Project Title: Community Policy Project Monitoring field Monitoring feedback Number of report Documented report pages
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3-Oct-12 22-Oct-12 2 Photos in Balkh 10-Oct-12 22-Oct-12 2 Photos in Samangan
Afghan Electoral Reform consultative Forum (AERCF) project The project through which election management systems and electoral justice mechanisms is improved is being covered by Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of ACSFo. Subject to the project activities the following monitoring field visits are performed:
Project Title Afghan Electoral Reform consultative Forum (AERCF) Monitoring field Monitoring feedback Number of report Documented report pages 9/10/2012 in Kabul for Photos Paktia 21/11/2012 4 04/10/2012 in Nangarhar 8/10/2012 5 Photos 02/10/2012 in Balkh 8/10/2012 4 Photos 12/10/2012 in Kandahar 16/10/2012 5 Photos 13/10/2012 in Kundoz 16/10/2012 4 Photos
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)project To enhance public participation and interaction with local authorities for improved governance and basic social services delivery is a project under monitoring and evaluation Unit. The main objective of the project is to create a network of local CSOs to actively interact with Government and public for improved service delivery and participation. The project target or coverage area will be the seven provinces of Kabul, Ghor, Samangan, Balkh, Nangarhar, Bameyan, and Kundoz. The project activities are monitored as follows:
Project Title: Swiss Agency for Developing and Cooperation (SDC) Monitoring field Monitoring feedback Number of reporting Documented report pages by 23 /7/2012, Kundoz 12/9/2012 3 Photos 24-25/7/2012 Samangan 12/9/2012 2 Photos 26/7/2012 Balkh 12/9/2012 3 Photos
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13–14 /10/2012 Kundoz 3/12/2012 5 Photos
My Voice My Right (MVMR), Kabul and Balkh Project To contribute to achieving the millennium development goals on education and health in Afghanistan through the building of a strong youth movement is the project being monitored in both provinces of Kabul and Balk. The beneath table is showing the visits to monitor the project main activities on the ground:
Project Title: My Voice My Right Number of Monitoring field Monitroing feedback report pages Documneted 17/5/2012 Kabul, Paghman 20/5/2012 4 Photo 02/8/2012 Kabul, Paghman 12/8/2012 4 Photo 29/8/2012 Kabul,Qarabagh 30/8/2012 5 Photo 26/7/2012, Balkh 16/8/2012 4 Photo 18/9/2012 Kabul,Bagrami 23/9/2012 5 Photo 12/12/2012 Pagman Kabul 24/12/2012 5 Photo
Finland Project To empower civil society through capacity building, networking, and advocacy is a project funded by Finland in Samangan province. This project is covered by monitoring and evaluation (M&E) Unit through 2012.The planned field visit for monitoring has been shown under:
Project Title:To empower civil society through capacity building, networking, and advocacy Monitoring field Monitroing feedback report Number of pages Documneted 24/9/2012 in Samangan province 30/7/2012 4 Photos
ICCO1, Bameyan Youth of different ethnic groups in the Bamyan capital Districts are empowered to create an environment of mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence by the end of 2012 is a project covered by M&E Unit.
Project Title:Peace Building and Conflict Transformation Monitoring field Monitroing feedback report Number of pages Documneted 7-Jun-12 7-Jun-12 5 photo 6-Nov-12 6-Nov-12 7 photo
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1. ICCO2, Bameyan Promoting women’s rights through local civil society structures in Herat and Bamyan province covered by M&E Unit.
Project Title:ICCO 2 Monitoring field Monitroing feedback report Number of pages Documneted Nov 7 2012 20-Nov-12 8 photo
M&E database and projects’ data entry process
The mentioned software was installed in late 2011 as off line, but early in 2012 it was upgraded and is on line now. The data entry process of ongoing projects has already been started by M&E Unit monitoring officer since 2011, and being continued.
The 11 ongoing and 7 already completed projects have been entered in the database. Data collection of completed projects is being lasted. Besides, the ongoing projects’ data entry also being continued when the projects progress report are received. The database is designed to give information on ACSFo (ongoing and completed) projects 11 ongoing projects 7 completed project
Contribution in developing proposal
M&E plan to Tawanmandi, M&E plan to U.S embassy Rule, M&E plan to UN Women, M&E plan to MRMV, M&E plan to ICCO1, M&E plan to ICCO2, M&E plan to SCA, M&E plan to DI.
Miscellaneous The following main activities out of M&E action plan have been done by ACSFo staffs within 2012 year:
Developing 2011annual report, completion Editing ACSFo staff policy, completion
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Giving feedback on ACSFo statute Giving inputs to M&E guideline Attending Police –e- Mardome secretariat Inauguration, MOI Radio Azadi 10th anniversary in (MOI) GMIS forms Training Guideline presentation Project Management Cycle Training Attending 20 different meeting in ACSFo Attending 8 different meeting out of ACSFo Attending 5 trainings to improve M&E staffs capacity To select the best issue as NCPR research project
Output and Outcome 1. Initiative to Promote Afghan Civil Society (I-PACS) Project: 12 Training monitoring 12 Training evaluation report 2 Community dialogue monitoring 2 Community dialogue monitoring report 1 Mentoring from ABRAAR org 1 Mentoring monitoring report 1 M&E training to I-PACS partner CSOs 1M&E Training monitoring and evaluation report
2. Promoting civil society network project in Ghor and Samangan provinces: 1Monitoring field visit, Samangan 1Monitoring feedback report, Samangan 1Evaluation field visit, Ghor 1Evaluation feedback report, Ghor 3. HBS project 6 Monitoring field visit, Kabul 7 Monitoring feedback report included final report
4. Small Project Fund (SPF), Nangarhar 1 Monitoring field visit 1 Monitoring feedback report 5. Community policing project (CPP), Kundoz 2 Monitoring field visits 2 Monitoring feedback report
6. Community policing project (CPP), Balkh and Samangan 2 Monitoring field visits 2 Monitoring feedback report 7. Afghan Electoral Reform consultative Forum (AERCF)
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5 Monitoring field visits 5 Monitoring feedback report 8. Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) 4 Monitoring field visits 4 Monitoring feedback report 9. My vice My Right (MVMR) project 6 Monitoring field visits 6 Monitoring feedback report 10. Finland Project 1 Monitoring field visits 1 Monitoring feedback report 11. ICCO1 1 Monitoring field visits 1 Monitoring feedback report 12. ICCO2 1 Monitoring field visits 1 Monitoring feedback report
Challenges To perform data entry of pervious/already completed projects of ACSFo is a challenge. No accurate or assigned source of data refers to pervious completed projects is available to meet all requirements of M&E database. Data base requires time
PR/Media and Coordination Section
The PR & Coordination Section is the practical link between ACSFo and the civil society, member organizations, partners and donors. The PR & Coordination Section is the channel of communication between ACSFo and the outside world using different online and offline media and tools. The PR & Coordination database is home and source of information to more than 450 members, organizations, individuals and partners.
ACSFo’s PR & Coordination Section is striving hard to fulfil its duties and responsibilities towards the public. Here in this report we have pointed out the most important activities carried out and duties fulfilled by the ACSFo’s PR & Coordination from the beginning of January to end of June 2012.
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Goals: The primary goal of PR & Coordination is to sharpen the profile and image of ACSFo internally and externally. Furthermore the PR & Coordination activities aim to strengthen the existing relations with ACSFo stakeholder and to build up new relations with new beneficiaries and foster dialogue among them.
Objectives: ACSFo’s PR & Coordination section aims at achieving a wide range of objectives but as for the year 2012 we have the following three major objectives, which contain a variety of key activities. Establishing and maintaining regular contact with ACSFo members, project partners, national and international organizations in the field of Civil Society, Contacting media , political, social and cultural stakeholders To increase the number of ACSFo Members (organizations and individuals) Establishing and strengthening network of CSOs Creation and implementation of internal and external communication standards in order to achieve a uniform performance in ACSFo among staff and in the public
Main Activities: Besides having active involvement and contribution in regular and routine tasks assigned within the organization, the main activities which have been done by ACSFo PR/Media & Coordination Section are as followings:
Website: The PR/Media & Coordination in cooperation with IT section redesigned the ACSFo Website. The current new designed website is in English, Dari and Pashto. The English & Dari version updated and Pashto is under construction. ACSFo new vision and mission statements uploaded in the website.Data uploading still running, most of the necessarily data uploaded in English language. Statements , staff profile , work pictures uploaded Annual reports, strategy, organizational, Partners and individual member’s database uploaded. This new version of the website is user-oriented with new functions required for easy access to data and information about ACSFo. The website informs about ACSFo, its structure, activities and staff members and contains all articles from the Civil Society Magazine. Membership: ACSFo member organizations’ number increased to 130 and its individual members’ increased to 59. Still requisition for the ACSFo membership continuing. Moreover, ACSFo has established networks of CSOs in its targeted provinces in good numbers Nangarhar more than 30 CSOs, Bamiyan 30 CSOs, in Kunduz 11 CSOs, in Ghor 15
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CSOs, in Samangan 15 CSOs, in Kabul 40 CSOs, in Balkh 11 CSOs and in Takhar 30 CSOs. It is worth mentioning that these
a) ACSFo Websites
networks will be used for important and hot civil issues and policy advocacy purposes. ACSFo PR section held a coordination meeting and invited its member organizations both from HQ and provinces, 37 member organizations’ representatives participated in this meeting. The main agenda of the meeting was to discuss the current political, socioeconomic situation from civil society perspective, the member organizations’ roles, responsibilities and expectations from ACSFo and their capacity building needs. Also several sessions held by ACSFo through participation of organizational members i.e international peace day conference, Women rights and situation session, Paris conference follow up session, election and good leader and etc..... Database: The ACSFo PR & Coordination in cooperation with the IT Section brought a reform in the whole database system of the organization. A much sophisticated in content and user-friendly database was developed for the ACSFo membership to assure the smoothness of the process and access to this data. The ACSFo members’ database is developed in Excel in order to maintain detailed information about ACSFo individual and organizational members.
Magazine: The Civil Society “Jamea-e-Madani” magazine is part of a family of free and nonGovernmental press in Afghanistan. Its publication was started in February 2003. The magazines contain about 50- 60 pages. Essays and reports published in this magazine have the purpose of strengthening civil society in Afghanistan. The monthly magazines publishes essays that reflects the
123 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) concern and opinion of various dimensions of civil society and topics including human rights, socio-cultural events, professional issues, Advocacy , public awareness ,strengthening democracy concept and issues specifically related to elimination of violence against women and children rights.
A) ACSFo Magazine
During reporting period total of 4 editions have been printed (68, 69, 70, 71) in addition total of 9000 copies from the mentioned editions were distributed across Afghanistan. Media Outreach: 6 press releases and press conferences were held during this reporting period to achieve media outreach on the following issues: a. The result of Bonn two Civil Society conference held in Bonn Germany. b. The CS press conference and press release on AIHRC commissioners. c. Press conference on Resolution of ACSFo in regard of Human Rights violation. d. Press release and conference and advocacy on electoral system. e. Press conference and advocacy on civilian causalities f. Press release on Children Rights violation
The PR/Media & Coordination Section of ACSFo has played important role while organizing and conducing the above-mentioned press releases and press conferences. Many media channels, journalists, human rights and civil society activists and ACSFo organizational members and partners have been invited in the press conferences, the mentioned press releases are available on the ACSFo Website.
In addition ACSFo professionals and experts joint in numerous roundtables in Media channels i.e.
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Kankash, Fara Khabar, Aamaj, Political discourse, Deedgah, Goftmaan, towda khabre and etc... Through such participation ACSFo messaged about civic awareness, advocacy, oversight and monitoring and encouraged people for unification and networking towards welfare Afghanistan, moreover, ACSFo PR/Coordination conducted international peace day conference with ACSONP, participated in international disabled day, Human rights day (Ministry of Justice) , celebrated the week of Human rights along civil society organizations , participated in international ISAF + Civil Society conference on mitigation of civilian causalities , advocacy and participation in reform and recommendation sessions and press conferences for electoral system and law in cooperation with civil society organizations and Democracy international.
Representation: One of the fundamental activities of PR/Media & Coordination Section is to represent ACSFo in events. As such this section has represented ACSFo in meetings, seminars, workshops, national & international conferences and other events in which ACSFo was invited or was organized by it. It is worth mentioning that ACSFo signed a MoU with ACSONP for implementing peace building activities in August 2013. Signed MoU with civil society network on natural resources .Moreover, ACSFo signed MoU with Civil Society network for people’s dialogue program and likewise signed the MoU with Civil society organizations on support to Network for peace and victims , further , the PR officer has represented ACSFo in most and different meetings, seminars ,workshops and conferences, likewise , conduction and coordination for making events through ACSFo partners in relation to advocacy matters also active participation in civil society networks for representation and advocacy voice on natural resources ,youths rights , conflict management/transformation and peace building.
Brochure: One of the most important tasks done by the ACSFo PR & Coordination Section in 2012 was distributing the brochure to ACSFo field offices for further distribution among the member organizations. Likewise, it has been distributing for new members continuously .The ACSFo General Brochure contains information regarding the organization and the sections which actively functioning in ACSFo.
Meetings: During the reporting period in total 15 coordination meetings have been held with ACSFo members. The ACSFo PR & Coordination Section has played major role in organizing and conducting the above-mentioned meetings with the members. The aim of the meetings with members were briefing them about ACSFo current programs, particularly discussing and listening to their recommendations about their needs for capacity building and establishing advocacy committees and coalition for good governance.
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Main Achievements: The PR/Media & Coordination of ACSFo has been involved with activities concerning partner organizations , beneficiaries and other civil society networks for advocacy , public awareness and over sighting based on strategy and action plan, the tasks which have been achieved during 2012 are as below:
Outputs: The major outputs of the ACSFo PR/Media & Coordination Section in 2012 were as followings:
ACSFo website upgraded and official English data uploading ACSFo brochure distributed ACSFo magazine published and distributed Public awareness and coordination Database for membership is updated The ACSFo Website is redesigned and uploaded on the internet Around 30 applications from new organizations are received 8 Civil society networks include of (180) organizations established in 8 targeted provinces Total of 18 members meeting are held with all ACSFo member organizations Presented ACSFo in Afghana Steering Committee Presented ACSFo in ACSONP Presented ACSFo in Natural resources network Presented ACSFo in Peoples dialogue committee Presented ACSFo for support of Network for peace and Victims Presented ACSFo in many other different panels Presented in many series of CS-JAG Advocacy for Electoral system and Law Coordination and advocacy for Human rights and peace building improvement Advocacy & statements on violation of Human rights & people causalities six press releases and press conferences are organized and conducted 4 editions of magazine were designed and printed with numerous different topics 6000 copies of the magazine were distributed across Afghanistan
Outcomes: Exceed of civil society networks Reinforced Media outreach and public awareness Strengthen advocacy voice via representation and participation Concrete and improve linkages with beneficiaries and stakeholders Outstanding of ACSFo profile
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Donors are reported and updated about the progress of ACSFo projects and their further cooperation received. A wide range of data collected regarding influential individuals and those organizations which are not members of ACSFo. ACSFo membership and partnership have reached up to 331 members and partners. User-oriented website upload and accessible to all. Networking and coordination with donors and members maintained and strengthened which helps ACSFo in its further endeavours. Challenges and Recommendations: The PR/Media & Coordination Section in order to run smoothly and efficiently requires fundraising, therefore it is recommended to raise funds for PR/Media & Coordination Section in year 2013. Luck of communication tools Website low capacity for video/sound and picture official data placement .
Afghan Electoral Reform Consultative Forum (AERCF): Weak and vague election law, the executive unjustified mechanism and structures as well as regular intervention and influence from Government and warlords contributed to wide range of objection from inside and outside the country. Afghanistan will face fresh challenges if its electoral law, systems and procedures are not revised and reviewed by the Afghan parliament, the Afghan electoral law, systems and procedures are very basic and that major amendments are needed to clarify the impartiality to conduct the election process properly.
Therefore, there is a vital need to amend and bring inclusive necessary changes to the pending electoral through encompassing the comments and recommendation of wide range community into election law, systems and procedures to insure free, fair and transparent elections in Afghanistan in the future.
For this, ACSFo aims to undertake a bottom top approach and include all the necessary stakeholders in the consultation process for gathering their suggestions and recommendations regarding the electoral law, systems and procedures. ACSFo will facilitate to conduct roundtables and meetings for the AERCF committee in order to gather the suggestions and recommendations regarding the electoral law, systems and procedures from wide range of audience for instance, women led organizations, children organization, community development Councils, religious leaders, university students and politicians.
The project will be implemented in the seven regions of Afghanistan (Balkh, Paktya, Kandahar, Heraat, Nangarhar, Konduz and Bamyan). ACSFo will facilitate to conduct roundtables and meetings for AERCF forum in all the target provinces to gather information and suggestions regarding the pending electoral law systems, and procedures. ACSFo aims to achieve lasting
127 Narrative report 2012-Afghan Civil Society Forum-Organization (ACSFO) results from the project which would contribute to strengthening of the democratic processes in Afghanistan. ACSFo expects to assist the forum in order to identify the unclear articles in the election law and bring improvements in the law through consultation. Additionally, ACSFo expects to establish interaction and coordination between Government, citizens and CSOs.
ACSFo with close consultation of TAF will organize three overseas study tours for AERCF members to learn first-hand how other countries have overcome challenges to their electoral processes and improved electoral management. These overseas study tours will provide AERCF members with valuable knowledge, skills, and information that will complement the domestic consultation meetings, and bolster the AERCF’s efforts to reform Afghanistan’s electoral framework. Potential destinations for these overseas study tours include Turkey, Poland, and Bangladesh, each of which has been proposed for different reasons. Turkey is an Islamic country with a modern electoral system, Poland recently experienced a transition from Communism to Democracy, and Bangladesh has recently conducted electoral reform, in particular with respect to voter registration. Following these overseas study tours, as with the domestic consultation meetings, the AERCF will be better equipped to take a more participatory approach to electoral reform in Afghanistan, and lead to improved electoral.
Project Objectives To understand the current status of AERCF with respect to their capacity, operations and systems.
To identify the current problems in new electoral law, system and procedures well as proposing recommendation from a wide range of groups/stakeholders.
To compile the document and submit it to the parliament legislative commission as a separate attachment with modified electoral law.
Project key achievements/ Activities details Preparation Activities:
Signing of the grant agreement and Kick-off meeting: On Sep 20, 2012, both ACSFo and TAF have signed the Grant Agreement/ kick-off meeting has been conducted. During the meeting the Scope of Work and other contractual obligatory maters have been discussed. The point of Contacts have been identified for project ,both in Kabul and in the field for ACSFo and TAF for further coordination and implementation in the project activities throughout the project.
Hiring of personal (staff) for the project activities: Soon after the singing the grant agreement on Sep 20, 2012, ACSFo started recruitment process of the qualified project
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staff. The Project Officer, Project Assistant, Admin Of and support staff were recruited as per ACSFo HR policy and contract has been signed with them for the period of which has mentioned in the approved and signed budget.
Orientation session for the project staffs: An orientation session was conducted for Project Staff. Staff were briefed with project activity description and their job responsibilities have been reviewed and discussed.
Developing the work plan for the project ACSFo The Asia Foundation (TAF) project team prepared the project work and implementation plan and shared with TAF representative for their approval.
The mentioned plan was prepared according to the scope of work, which is being clarified in the Grant of the project, and a specific time has been given to each province and each single activity to be carried out during the implementation.
Regional consultative meeting for AERCF project: ACSFo project staff and AERCF members participated in regional consultative meeting from Oct 1, 2012 in seven provinces, to make sure they have the opinion and ideas of people about future Election. This eased the process for them in the provinces.
Method of Implementation plan: Staffing: ACSFo recruited one project manager, one reporting officer, seven field monitors and seven civic advocacy facilitators for an effective project implementation. Additionally, ACSFo hired a web designer for designing a well functioning website.
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Orientation: ACSFo conducted an orientation session to the project staff at the first week of the project; it was two days-long orientation session facilitated by the project manager which covered all the main aspects of the project. For this ACSFo also invited all the provincial civic advocacy facilitators to Kabul.
Coordination meetings with the Provincial electoral commission office, local Government authorities, and Provincial Council: Provincial coordination meetings were held in each target province, in order to effectively conduct the roundtables and the meetings. Additionally, these meetings were also held with the Government authorities to describe the main intention behind this intervention. Provincial facilitators were assigned to chair these meetings in the target provinces.
Roundtables and meetings: These sessions were held among the women led organizations, children organization, community development Councils, religious leaders, university students and politicians for collecting their suggestions on the pending electoral law, systems and procedures. Total of 21 roundtables and meetings two days each were held in all target regions (Balkh, Paktya, Kandahar, Heraat, Nangarhar, Konduz and Bamyan).
Designing website: ACSFo recruited a web designer and designed a well functioning website which includes the legal experts, researchers, AERCF members, policy makers and legislative of state and non state organizations suggestion and topics on the electoral laws, systems and procedures.
Study tour: ACSFo in close consultation with TAF organized study tours for the forum members in order to gain valuable knowledge, skills and information that will complement the domestic consultation meetings and bolster the AERCF efforts to reform Afghanistan’s electoral framework. These tours were of ten days in each country (Bangladesh, Turkey and Poland). These trips helped the forum members to acquire the modern electoral knowledge and skills in order to incorporate in Afghanistan’s electoral reforms.
Consultative meeting with relevant people:
Consultative meeting with Heratt people: ACSFo project team and AERCF members (Mr. Sediqullah Tuahidi Director of Nai, Ms. Homa Alizoy member of Child Court, Mr. Abdul Saboor Asheq Project Assistant and Mr. Mohammad Rafi Patwal project Assistant from TAF for Monitoring conducted the Consultative meeting with Heraat people On Wednesday Oct 3, 2012 at Heart Civil Society Institution Network
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The meeting was arranged and welcomed warmly. Mr. Sediqullah Tuahidi and Ms. Homa Alizoy. After introduction explained the scope of work of the project completely, the people of Herat province were very happy about project and assured that they will assist and corporate ACSFo for the implementation of the project. The meeting resulted positively and the AERCF members gathered valuable suggestions on the election law.
Consultative meeting with Jalalabad people: On Oct 4, 2012, AERCF representatives had a consultative meeting with Jalalabad peoples in Spinghar Restaurant. In the Consultative meeting scope of work of the draft law election and the package of suggestions were discussed. The participants were satisfied from the program and assured their assistant. The participants provide valuable suggestions and remarks on the election law.
Consultative meeting with Gardiz people in Kabul: On Monday Oct 8 ACSFo, 2012, ACSFo and AERCF members conducted the consultative meeting with Gardiz people for collecting their ideas about election law. The ACSFo coordination manager introduced ACSFo and the members of AERCF and the goal and objective of the process. The participants assured the continuous support and provide valuable suggestions on the election law.
Consultative meeting with Bamiyan people (Madrassa): AERCF project team (Mr. Abdul Samad Azizi and Shahmahmmud Mall) had a consultative meeting with Bamiyan people Oct 2, 2012 at ACSFo office. The people of Bamiyan were very happy about the program and provided their ideas and suggestion about Election law.
Consultative meeting with Balkh people: On Saturday Oct 13, 2012, AERCF members conducted the consultative meeting with Balkh people for collecting their ideas about law of Election. The ACSFo Coordination manager introduced ACSFo and the members of AERCF objectives. The participants showed interest and enthusiasm for the process and provided valuable suggestions.
Consultative meeting with Kandahar people: On Oct 9, 2012, AERCF representatives conducted consultative meeting with Kandahar people in Shandiz Restaurant. In Consultative meeting scope work of the draft law election and the package of suggestions were discussed. The participants were happy from the program and assured their assistant, they also provide valuable suggestions.
Consultative meeting with Kundaz people: ACSFo project team and AERCF members (Mr. Partaw Naderi Coordination Manager of ACSFo, Mr. Aziz Rafiee Executive Director of ACSFo and Eng. Khalid for Monitoring from
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ACSFo conducted the meeting with Konduz people on Saturday Oct 14, 2012 at Kundaz Civil Society Forum organization.
Submission of Draft election law: The draft election law has 15 chapters and 95 articles, which has been prepared by AERCF members. The AERCF members held a meeting with Mr. Abdul Rauf Ebrahimi the speaker of (wolesi jirga) about the draft election law in addition to the meeting a copy of the draft law was also submitted to him. The following AERCF members participated in the mentioned meeting:
Aziz Rafiee
Partaw Naderi
Farkhunda Zahra Naderi
Abdul Samad Azizi
Shah Mahammud Mall
Mawlawi Abdul Bari
The press conference was held on Monday Dec 31, 2012 at ACSFo office. In the conference the scope of draft election law and major points of the law was presented to the Media. Total 30 different media representatives participated in this conference (TVs, Radios and Newspaper Agencies), and the copy of draft election law was also provided to the media. The draft election law has also been uploaded in AERCF website as well as in ACSFo website. The following AERCF members were in the panel of conference.
Aziz Rafiee.
Farkhunda Zahra Naderi
Abdul Samad Azizi
Jandad Spinghar
Ahmad Saeedi
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Annexes: Success Stories
I-PACS II As one component of Initiative to promote Afghan civil society (in I-PACS II) program is a capacity building services program to partner organizations of ACSFo. Under this program ACSFo provides capacity building trainings on various managerial topics such as basics of project management, proposal writing and report writing.
As many of the participants of the training Mr. Aziz Gul who worked as Lead Trainer with ACSFo has shared his experience regarding the training and materials. He stated that before training he had very vague understanding of project management and proposal writing. His difficulties in both subjects and was difficult for him to apply it at professional level positions. However, after the training that was facilitated to him through I-PACS-II he got the grip of the concepts and now is able to fully cooperate with colleagues in proposal development and project management.
He added that conduction of such capacity building training in future will be very useful .
a) Mr.Aziz Gul ACSFo Lead Trainer
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I-PACS-II Success Story
By the provision of consecutive technical assistance and capacity building services to target CSOs and CSSC on “report writing, proposal writing, gender awareness basics of project management the capacity of target CSO staff has been gradually built. ACSFo’s I-PACS II program through different trainings provided opportunity to many to acquire new skills which will be helpful in professional career.
Mr. Khisrow who is one of participants of the Report Writing Training and employed at OHRS as program officer shared his experience at the training and stated that his report writing skills has vastly improved. He said that now he can write good quality reports and everyone appreciates his new skill at his office. Relation of his office with donors is improved because now they can fully reflect their activities in complete and concise report.
He also added that such trainings are very useful for capacity building and improving professional skills.
a) Khisrow employee of OHRS
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ACSFo Training Success story from Samangan Shamsudin who is a Reporter in Radio Sadayee Haqiqat and Asia Press has been participating in ACSFo trainings for six months and had membership of the library and Internet. ACSFo has conducted different trainings for community development councils and institutions, Civil Societies, and other institutes. Such trainings of ACSFo were very beneficent and Shamsudin who was a trainee stated that he learned new concepts, which were never taught to him, and he added that those skills are very useful in professional career.
The most successful training to Shamsudin was fundraising and advocacy. Through these trainings he expanded the Radio and is now able to raise more money for it.
a) Shamsudin at ACSFo s Library
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