Exploring Governance in Afghanistan

This research document summarises research done in preparation for an Afghan television debate programme Open Jirga that began in September 2012 and in support of programming for a radio series New Home, New Life (NHNL). From the document: "BBC Media Action, with funding from DFID, is working in Afghanistan to deliver a political debate/ discussion programme on television and radio. The programme’s title is Open Jirga and aims to increase accountability between citizens and government. The debates are produced in partnership between BBC Media Action and Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) with national coverage.

...The BBC Media Action research team conducted formative qualitative research to understand behaviours and attitudes to governance, media and accountability in order to inform and support programme development. The research consisted of 96 paired depth interviews among men and women aged 18-55 in both urban and rural areas who were both BBC listeners and non-listeners. Interviews were conducted in the broadcast areas across the Kunduz, Wardak, Uruzgan, Nangarhar, Nimroz and Badakshan provinces. The research sampled the main ethnicities within Afghanistan (Pashtuns and Tajiks) as well as minority groups such as the Baluch and Uzbeks, and covered both Pashtu and Dari speakers."

The research found that participants reported corruption as a primary issue, though reactions to it varied - reluctant acceptance in pro-government areas, hostility in insurgent areas. "Ten years after the establishment of democracy in Afghanistan, participants reported they were still reticent to go to their government as they expected to have to bribe officials. Rather, people looked to their traditional tribal or village elders for conflict resolution and the first level of leadership...." Participants perceived progress in schooling for girls, proximity to health care facilities, and construction, particularly roads, hospitals, clinics, schools, and universities.

In preparation for debates on the programme Open Jirga and for governance-related scenes in the radio series NHNL, the research suggests: "Afghans generally have had negative direct experiences with their government, thereby devaluing democracy to many. This raises the issue that simply aiming to improve understanding of the democratic process may not be sufficient to improve public deliberation and interaction between citizens and political leaders, since the democratic process itself holds little currency in the eyes of some of the population. This would seem to be especially true of the people outside of Kabul, particularly in the south and east of the country where the Taliban and other insurgent groups draw their strength. It may be advantageous for the programmes to explore the value of democracy itself before moving onto its checks and balances.

At present, the Afghan population is reluctant to interact with its own government, preferring the traditional leadership of local elders. Therefore, the role of the local elder is an important one for the radio drama. It is also recommended that elders be monitored as a distinct stratum of decision makers within their own communities."

See related summaries below for more on Open Jirga and NHNL.