Applying Community-Driven Approaches to Rural Development and Women’s Empowerment in Afghanistan

Abstract

Community-driven approaches have become popular in the development field over recent years. By establishing community development councils (CDCs), this approach enables strong community engagement in the projects’ design and execution while proactively promoting women’s participation, leading both to improved service delivery and effective implementation of more sustainable projects. In addition, using a community-driven approach in the implementation of rural development programs in least developed and post-conflict societies can help with raising awareness about democratic processes. In Afghanistan, two national programs, the National Solidarity Program (NSP) and the Citizens’ Charter National Priority Program (CCNPP), embraced a CDD approach in the implementation of their projects. RCT studies indicate that the NSP has been one of the most successful programs in the country while reports, so far, indicate the same about the CCNPP. Both programs have made an impact by creating gender-balanced CDCs through elections based on secret voting and universal suffrage. These programs have significantly contributed to the enhancement of women’s participation in the society. Nonetheless, maintaining this progress requires a stable, supportive socio-political environment in the long run. Policymakers should consider the successes and difficulties related to the NSP and CCNPP when creating community-driven approaches to development in the future.