Women Taking the Lead in Mobilising Resources for the Most Vulnerable in Drought-Affected Ghor

Ghor is one of the provinces hardest hit by the current drought in the country. According to the Famine Early System Network, this crisis is particularly impacting poor households who are dependent on rainfed wheat production. The most vulnerable households are expected to experience difficulty meeting basic food consumption requirements until next year’s spring harvest.

In Joy Badal Ha village of Lal wa Sarjangal district of Ghor province, women are taking the lead in mobilising resources for their grain bank to help the most vulnerable households.

Tahira, a member of the Lal wa Sarjangal CDC explains, “Since we are facing with drought in Ghor province, many people are suffering its impact on normal life. Establishing this grain bank, tried to distribute the food items to the neediest people and makes sure at least no one loses their life.”

Tahira is working with women in her community to collect donations for the grain bank, including wheat, potato, clothing, home accessories, and cash.

What is collected in the grain bank with the help of Tahira’s mobilisation of her village will then be distributed to the most vulnerable households who are hardest hit by the impact of the drought.

Tahira, whose husband works as a daily wage labourer feels that it is the responsibility of better-off villagers to help vulnerable households in such difficult times.

Despite not having formal education, Tahira has been an active member of her CDC. She has been encouraging women to participate in sub-committees, and also played a key role in facilitating the process of resource map, social map, livelihood analysis, women mobility map, seasonal calendar, and the development plan of Joi Badal Ha village successfully.

Since then, Tahira continues to focus on engaging women in her village in all Citizens’ Charter activities to ensure their voice is heard throughout the program.

Citizens’ Charter is working with the Community Development Councils (CDCs) to establish grain banks in villages by encouraging better-off households and businesses to donate to very poor households during the lean season and help mitigate seasonal hunger.

The Citizens’ Charter carries a detailed well-being/poverty analysis in each community to identify and target the most vulnerable households, including women headed households, IDPs, and households headed by people with disabilities. In addition to food, communities’ in-kind contributions can include heaters, fuel, soap, blankets and other non-perishable goods. The donations are always voluntary.

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