AFGHAN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM

WHAT WE DO

Since 2013, the Afghan Civic Engagement Program (ACEP) has promoted civil society and media engagement that enables Af-

ghan citizens to influence policy, monitor government accountability, and serve as an advocate for political reform.

Implemented by Counterpart International, in partnership with Internews Network, Aga Khan Foundation and the International

Center for Not-for-Profit Law, ACEP builds the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) and media, through providing civic

education, skills training and organizational development.

PERIOD DECEMBER 2013 - DECEMBER 2018

Women’s Empowerment Grants

ABOUT US

To promote political reform and capacity building activities, 34 Women’s Empowerment Grants were awarded during the pro-

gram, benefiting more than 14,200 women across Afghanistan. Over four years, these ACEP grants provided to women-led and

women-focused CSOs have supported dissemination of messages advocating the reduction of harassment and violence against

women, while facilitating internships and skills training activities that enable women to enter the workforce.

ACEP has empowered women-led and women-focused CSOs to raise awareness among local communities in relation to human

rights, behavior and social issues affecting women, and explained government policies like the Elimination of Violence Against

Women Law, and democratic entitlements, such as the right of women to participate in elections.

Women’s Empowerment Grants have increased female participation in sub-national and national dialogues, and enhanced the

scale and effectiveness of women’s communication networks. A focus on women in leadership and gender mainstreaming has

resulted in the development of advocacy campaigns that engage citizens, and highlight women’s involvement in areas concern-

ing civil rights, education, policy reform, monitoring local governance and broader government accountability.

ACEP connects communities with government authorities at sub-national and national levels across Afghanistan. Through a pro-

gram of community dialogues and civic education, it enables village and district leadership to discuss local and provincial issues,

and collaboratively identify and initiate community-driven solutions. Women’s empowerment and advancing the rights of

women is at the forefront of many ACEP activities, and features in legislation and policy advocacy (such as Family Law), and me-

dia activities that provide a voice for women, and support women’s participation in areas including education and employment.

ACEP Program Activities Contributing to Women’s Empowerment

182,399 women reached through civic education and awareness raising activities.

3,926 women participated in community level dialogues across Afghanistan.

2,019 women participated in district and provincial level dialogues across Afghanistan.

Awarded 168 grants overall to CSOs and media organizations to undertake a range of activities

with focus on gender mainstreaming.

2016 Women CSO Leaders’ Summit in Kabul (130 women-led CSOs and female advocates).

Annual Emerging Civil Society Leaders (ECSL) Program; 136 (53 women) participated.

ECSL technical assistance input over two years towards development of the Afghanistan Na-

tional Youth Strategy.

Established ECSLs Alumni Network to ensure all past members remain in contact.

Provided technical assistance to national level advocacy groups including:

Civil Society Advocacy Group on National Budget;

Family Law Parliamentary Technical Working Group (FL-PTWG); and

Advocacy Committee for People with Disabilities (ACPD).

facebook.com/Counterpart.Afghanistan twitter.com/Counterpart_Int youtube.com/Counterpartafg counterpart-afg.org

Salam Watandar national radio: Produced and broadcast 515 episodes of Negah-e-Naw,

Generation Hope and My School programs, featuring 644 women interviews.

Nai—Supporting Media in Afghanistan: Trained 1,793 women through 461 journalism

courses in nine provinces. A survey of 50 media houses by Nai revealed the number of

women working in media has increased by 12% since 2016, with total of 2,133 women em-

ployed in the media sector, representing 17% of total media staff.

Young Journalists’ Internship Program: Total 63 female journalists completed the annual

internship program with most currently engaged in full-time employment with various me-

dia organizations and international NGOs.

Multimedia Centers: Trained 995 women through 246 multimedia training sessions, in

four provinces.

Media Law: Conducted Media Law Moot Court competitions over four years that includ-

ed 33 women law students participating from 11 provinces, and included women judges.

Afghan Youth Voices Festivals (AYVF): Reached a total 3,673 women from across Afghani-

stan through AYVF.

Afghan Media Conference: Conducted the annual Afghan Media Conference, attended by

292 women journalists from 31 provinces.

Innovation Labs (iLabs): Engaged 311 women in iLabs activities in four provinces, and sur-

veyed 194 women from four regional hubs under the Annual Journalist Survey.

Grant Awards Areas: Civic education

Women’s empowerment

Government accountability

CSO capacity development

Youth inclusion and volunteerism

Capacity Develop-ment Areas: Organizational development

Proposal writing

Civic education

Community mobilization

Gender mainstreaming

Good governance

Peace-building

ACEP Sponsored Media Activities