Page 23 - Empowerment and Protection - Stories of Human Security

from the provincial areas; however, the degree of pessimism is higher in the provinces than in Kabul. Physical insecurity is a greater threat to those living in rural areas than in urban centres. This can be attributed to arbitrary military operations that
are more prevalent in rural areas than in urban centres. Fears associated with limited economic opportunities, poverty, and bad governance are also higher at the provincial level. The lack of infrastructure development and trickle-down effect of humanitarian aid have also hampered people’s access to basic services.
Gender
According to both male and female interviewees, women tend to face insecurity more than men,
due to orthodox attitudes and their lower social standing. This leads to the unequal treatment of women both in and outside the home. Women interviewed express a fear of ighting for their rights, and gave many examples of the ways in which their freedoms are restricted.
Security Providers
Afghans named a number of sources of security, including family and friends, the government system, non-governmental organisations, jobs, education, laws and mass media.
family ties
Most personal interviewees include family and friends as the greatest contributor to people’s personal security. Irrespective of the presence
of the government or security institutions, most Afghan youth still revert to their family as their main protector and show little trust and faith in the government. This is particularly noteworthy considering that most of the Afghan population is below the age of 30. Qadir, an ethnic Pashtun and university student in Kabul, is a prime example: “without the support of family one cannot survive in such a society.” Sadaf, an ethnic Tajik and university student in Kabul, relects on women’s reliance on family: “My family is the main contributor to my security. Their support
is extremely important for me in all aspects of
my life. For women their family tends to be their best support in all conditions.” Abdul Hakim from Kunar province says that, “There is nothing that contributes to my security but my family and friends.”
“The government
is most important because unlike
the past, when
there was no system, at least now there
is an established government that is elected by the people.”
Legal and political framework
Another commonly cited security provider is
the government system. Paradoxically, many of
the interviewees who mention the presence of
the government as a contributing factor to their security also say that they believe the government is weak and ineffective. These respondents believe the mere presence of the government provides some stability, compared to the situation before 2001. The existence of a constitution, even though not adequately implemented, provides a legal framework that is seen to contribute to human security. Hashmat Mustafa, a 29-year-old Pashtun who works for a private company in Kabul illustrates this point: “The government is most important because unlike the past, when there was no system, at least now there is an established government that is elected by the people. The difference this has made in our society today is evident when you compare it to ten years back.”
Economic opportunities
Improvements in the Afghan economy coupled with better and more employment opportunities are mentioned by interviewees as contributors
to security, irrespective of their backgrounds. Business owners, NGO workers and students all cite employment as a signiicant source of security.
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