Stability In Key Areas (SIKA) – West / Monthly Report – October 2014

The program, led by the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation & Development (MRRD) and the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG), began on January 29, 2012, and is scheduled to end on August 31, 2015. The program's primary objective is to assist provincial authorities and district-level government entities in improving governance programming and increasing the provision of priority basic services, ultimately increasing citizen confidence in and support for the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA). The SIKA-West program operates in four provinces: Farah, Badghis, Herat, and Ghor, incorporating 16 target districts. During the reporting period, 14 GIRoA-led Komite Sobate Woleswali (KSW) meetings were held, providing a forum for district residents and sub-national government entities to discuss current problems and grievances affecting residents within the districts. Participants in these KSWs included Provincial & District Governors, Line Department Managers, District Development Assemblies, Community Development Councils, MRRD District Social Workers, Tribal Leaders, Religious Leaders, and District Residents. The KSWs addressed a range of problems, including insufficient government support to tackle illiteracy, unemployment, and flood concerns. The local governments acknowledged the role of government in addressing these grievances and improving the quality, range, and scope of services, including increased investment in the rehabilitation of district roads, irrigation canals, flood protection walls, and schools. The inclusion of female district residents' views and needs was an important component of these KSWs, with separate meetings conducted in more conservative districts and joint meetings in the remaining districts. The Bala Boluk District Governor and the DRRD DSW visited the work progress of a flood protection wall project in Rahim Abad Village on October 2nd. The female members of the Lash Wa Juwayn Komite Sobate Woleswali discussed community problems where local government support was needed, including the current condition of the Lash Wa Juwayn Girls High School that serves 800 female students and lacks basic sanitary facilities as well as sufficient desks and chairs. With support from the Gender Mainstreaming Unit, this grievance was shared with the District Government-led KSW on October 20th, and the district government quickly agreed to address these conditions by authorizing the school to be rehabilitated. District Government-led Tribal Conflict Resolution Committees (TCRCs) and Conflict Resolution Committees (CRCs) for women identified and addressed a range of conflicts, including familial and tribal conflicts in Kushk Rabat-e Sangi and Qala-i-Naw. The TCRCs and CRCs, with support of the respective District Governors and community elders, organized several mediation and negotiation sessions with the conflicting parties, resulting in all the mentioned conflicts being addressed. During the month, district entities completed 23 of the public outreach activities outlined in the communications plans, such as producing a series of radio announcements and conducting community meetings. The public outreach activities aimed to inform the public about the program's objectives, activities, and achievements, as well as to gather feedback and suggestions from the community. The program also conducted a range of other activities, including training of trainers, community development, and governance programming. The SIKA-West program has made significant progress in promoting stability in key areas of Afghanistan. The program's focus on improving governance programming, increasing the provision of priority basic services, and addressing community grievances has contributed to increased citizen confidence in and support for the GIRoA. The program's achievements demonstrate the importance of community-led initiatives and the need for sustained support to address the complex challenges facing Afghanistan.