Social change in Afghanistan
Sustainable change needs to be built on initiatives that are owned and driven from within Afghan society, addressing the underlying causes of multidimensional poverty.
We believe social change is possible when people have access to opportunities in life and the awareness and capacity to organise and advocate for their rights. We also believe change requires that those holding duties understand their obligations, have capacity to respond to legitimate demands, and are held to account.
For social change in Afghanistan to be effective and sustainable, it needs to be owned and driven from within society. Local organisations and networks are crucial for ensuring that voices from the ground are heard and influence priorities. To address power imbalances between international and local actors, we support the ‘localisation’ of development cooperation through which local actors are put in the lead.
We have learned that progress in Afghanistan must be cultivated within its cultural and religious frameworks, respecting the nuances of Afghan society. By focusing on locally rooted approaches and working closely with community-based structures that align with Afghan traditions, there is a greater chance of contributing to lasting impact.
