Ghazni Province, Afghanistan ― July 21, 2010 ― Non-violent conflict resolution in local communities is an essential tool for bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan. In the recent history of this war torn country, the most effective agents for advancing peace and security at the local level have been indigenous structures such as Shuras, Jirga councils, and Maliks. Malik’s are key local power brokers who serve as arbiters in family and community conflict.

In this predominantly rural and traditional society, men usually take on the role of leader and mediator. However, despite this cultural norm, Afghan women throughout history have also played remarkable roles brokering peaceful outcomes to disputes between families, tribes and local communities.

To enhance women’s role in the stabilization effort USAID and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan have provided support through a grants program within the Provincial Strategic Roads (SPR) program. This is in step with the development principle that road construction needs to go hand in hand with community development along road alignments.

A grant for institutional capacity and community-based peace building was created for the Malistan and Jaghori Districts in Ghazni Province. This grant enables women to realize their potential as peace builders in their communities.  

One success story is Nafisa, the head of the Tabarghanak Female Peace Shura. She brokered peace deals between local neighbor’s such as pathway access. Prior to Nafisa’s peaceful mediation between these families the conflict was so tense, that for years, the wives and children of these neighboring families were not allowed to speak to one another.

Despite doubts and discouragement from the men in the community, Nafisa and the Shura eventually bought an end to the conflict. Nafisa said “They did not want us to intervene in the conflict. They thought that women were unable to end conflicts. We were told that only men have this ability.  After the conflict ended, their mindset changed, they began to see women as having the skill and power to deal with social problems.”