Women Improve Livelihoods in the Rural

In addition to developing communities and social welfare, the Citizens’ Charter National Priority Program (CCNPP) helps to create unified villages so that everyone can actively take part in the construction and infrastructure projects in the villages and cities through this community-driven development program across Afghanistan. Ensuring an equal part for both men and women through Community Development Councils (CDCs), the Citizens’ Charter has facilitated the grounds for women to play a key role in decision-making process. Giving voice to the most vulnerable groups especially women in the communities is one of the top priorities at CCNPP. The Citizens’ Charter mobilization process including certain community participatory exercises such as the Leaking Pot, Well-being Analysis, Seasonal Calendar and Resource Map, has had a positive result on women participation and awareness in the villages. One of the successful cases is in Zendajan district of Herat province. Ms. Maryam Shaikh, Deputy Head of CDC in Chuqor Mahala village of Zendajan district, is trying to improve livelihood for women in the village. Maryam Says: “As CCNPP started its operation in our village, I was elected as the Deputy Head of Chugor Mahala CDC. Working with the village women, I noticed that women in Zendajan district, were breeding silkworms and converting it to silk cord, to weave carpets and make shawls. They were working so discretely and were facing a lot of challenges in their efforts to make good result. I thought it is a good idea to provide the women with necessary facilities to come together and work systematically”. Maryam started to meet the village women and seek ways to get them together. “I met women from 7 CDCs and talked to them on how to start our work together by our own. Ideas emerged, we also talked to several donor funded projects that promotes women businesses in the rural areas. So, there was a great opportunity for us to attract some support and came to a decision to establish Herat Women Silk Production Company”, Maryam added. Maryam Sheikh says that they got a business license for the company and currently 750 women are member of the Herat Women Silk Production Company. She says: “Together we are producing much more and now the women’s income has significantly increased in the village”. In Citizens’ Charter, men and women have alike role in planning, implementation and access to core infrastructure and social services. The objective is to amplify women’s voices, ensure they are heard, be able to participate in analysis, planning and action. Based on the Citizens’ Charter policy, there should be 2 male and 2 female members to lead the CDC executive committee, who are selected through democratic election process in the communities.

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