
FBA's International Research Working Groups form an important part of the agency's evidence-based approach. From left: Mathilda Lindgren, FBA; Corinne Bara, researcher; Sara Lindberg Bromley, researcher.
Folke Bernadotte Academy – Swedish agency for peace, security and development
The protracted conflict in Afghanistan is having a profound impact on a population where over 70% are too young to have ever experienced peace. Although education levels have risen over time, literacy rates are among the lowest in the world.
During the twenty-year US-led military presence in Afghanistan, institutions of democracy, human rights and the rule of law were partially strengthened, but after the Taliban takeover, this progress risks being lost.
Many key members of the public administration have fled, the country's capacity to deliver public services is weak and over 90% of households lack sufficient food. In addition, over three million people are internally displaced.
The situation of Afghan women and girls is and has long been particularly vulnerable, characterised by systematic discrimination, abuse and limited opportunities for self determination. Their access to education is worse than men's, and only one in four Afghan women is literate. The Taliban has further increased discrimination against women and girls and restricted their freedom of expression.
FBA works in the following areas within the framework of Sweden's strategy for development cooperation with Afghanistan:
Together with the Finnish CMI - Martti Ahtisaari peace foundation, FBA provides the secretariat for a major forum for Afghan women leaders, with the aim of enabling Afghan women to represent themselves in discussions and dialogues on the future of their country, women's rights and the situation of Afghan women.
Together with Sida, FBA also supports the Afghan civil society platform Voice of the Afghan people. The platform aims to create meeting places for the Afghan population to jointly formulate their priorities and needs. The platform also provides opportunities for civil society to communicate these priorities to the country's de facto rulers - the Taliban movement - to enable accountability. FBA provides ongoing support and advice to the secretariat managing the work of the platform.
FBA also works with other civil society organisations and representatives to promote strategic thinking and devise strategies for long-term survival as well as influencing on the country's development. The aim is to enhance the capacity of civil society, particularly women and women's rights organisations, to promote, and participate in, inclusive dialogues on governance, conflict resolution and peace-building.
Lessons from the Afghanistan Experience with Security Sector Reform 2001-2021
Homeland: Scenarios for the future of Afghan civil society
From Hubris to Irrelevance: The Demise of the Western State-building Project
MORE FROM HOME
Participating in FBA’s International Research Working Groups offers a unique opportunity for researchers to contribute to the work for peace, security, and development. The thematic scope is now expanding with five new groups, inviting interested scholars from around the world to apply.
2025-03-13 16:49Gender equality is both a goal and a prerequisite for sustainable peace and development. FBA’s Gender-Responsive Leadership (GRL) Initiative is designed to support leaders and managers within organizations such as the EU, UN, ECOWAS, OSCE and the African Union to fulfill their central role in enabling gender equal peace, security and development work.
DocumentsWhen I joined the Leadership and Cooperation Unit at the Folke Bernadotte Academy in August 2018, after working many years mainly in the private sector, I had a feeling that this job really would offer me an opportunity to use my skills and experiences to make a difference, and at the same time grow as a professional. FBA was at the time already working actively with leadership development support for leaders in key functions within the ... Read entire post »
2021-06-03 10:54Part One of this post highlighted the importance of the rule of law in supporting crisis response in countries struggling with the effects of conflict. One of the most important rule of law principles in such settings is accountability, particularly “downward accountability”, in which state authorities focus on serving citizens dependent on them.
Corruption and poor governance can lead to excessive upward accountability directed toward political superiors, leaving a gap between the state and ordinary citizens. Civil ... Read entire post »
The post Civil Society as a Critical Partner: Rule of Law and Accountability in the Liberian COVID-19 Response, Part II first appeared on FBA-bloggen.
2021-02-15 13:43Right before the winter break, 236 women and men from 105 different organizations and 46 countries around the world joined our International Dialogue on Gender-Responsive Leadership, to discuss an absolutely critical and often missing part of the gender equality puzzle: gender-responsive leadership.
After twenty years of struggling to achieve the commitments of the global women, peace and security agenda, we at the FBA have learned that executives and managers are essential to success. Not just as supporters, ... Read entire post »
The post Time for a joint vision on gender-responsive leadership first appeared on FBA-bloggen.
2021-02-10 16:09FBA has both increased and adapted its work in Ukraine in the wake of Russia's invasion.
FBA in UkraineKlara Grenhagen works as a specialist at FBA's Africa unit with a focus on dialogue, reconciliation and peace processes.
More about our expertsFBA is part of Sweden’s development aid within the area of peace and security
Read more about the countries where we workOur site, like most other web sites, works best when you allow us to use cookies. When you visit our site, we may send and store a cookie on your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Read more about cookies.