Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Enhanced Integrated Framework ...

Current Situation in the SectorAfghanistan has come a long way in the last 7years. In 2000 the World Bank assessed the‘quality’ of Afghanistan’s governance institutionsas falling in the bottom one percent of allcountries. The rule of law, adherence to goodgovernance practices and respect for humanrights in Afghanistan is weak but improving.The ANDS vision for this sector is the establishmentof a stable Islamic constitutional democracywhere the three branches of governmentfunction effectively and openly, are accountable,inclusive and abide by the rule oflaw.Progress since 2001 includes the adoption ofthe constitution; successful parliamentary andpresidential elections, and progress in improvingthe livelihood and welfare of females andother disenfranchised groups. In addition, theANDS sets out a series of reforms to addressthese constraints:• Justice: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) isstrengthening the review process for lawsand regulations and identifying areas forreform, including instituting a code of ethicsand professional standards. In March2007, the Supreme Court, the MoJ, and heAttorney General’s Office presented newcomprehensive reform strategies at theRome Conference. These include plans torestructure the institutions; develop meritbasedand transparent recruitment; promotionand accountability mechanisms forimproving professional standards, ethicsand discipline; improving the conditions ofservice for justice officials; and increasingwomen’s representation at all levels of thejustice system.• Corruption: The High Level Commissionagainst Corruption has been established toassess and analyze the factors contributingto corruption. The Commission presentedrecommendations to prevent corruptionand developed the roadmap in its document“Fighting Corruption in Afghanistan- Strategy and Action”.• Legislative Reforms: Progress is beingmade in reforming the legal framework ofthe country. Laws have been enacted topromote investment and trade. Measuresto deal with illegal drugs, corruption andmoney laundering are under review andbeing enacted. As part of the judicial reformprogram a number of other importantlaws will soon be approved.• Gender: The National Action Plan forWomen of Afghanistan is being implementedto establishing greater genderequality by eliminating discrimination,building of women’s human capital andpromoting their participation and leadership.• Governance: Public administration is generallyrecognized as being weak. The Governmentwill undertake comprehensive institutionalstrengthening and capacitybuilding within the ministries, provinces,districts, municipalities and villages. Thiswill achieve improvements in the deliveryof services to the people and communitiesliving in the provinces, districts, municipalitiesand villages.A number of constraints continue to face thesector: weak public sector capacity; a lack ofresources and unsustainable fiscal outcomes; arestrictive legislative environment that limitsprivate sector activity; limited legislative oversightand representational experience of publicfigures; extensive corruption; excessive centralization;a lack of coordinated decisionmakingacross Government; limited femaleparticipation in the Government; limited directaccountability to clients; and state capture byillicit power-holders.Policy Framework: Sector StrategyThe governance agenda addresses three majorchallenges: pervasive corruption, low publicsector capacity and human rights deprivationsfor girls and women in Afghanistan.80 percent of provinces identified reducing corruptionin public administration as a priorityduring sub national consultations.The policy framework for the proposed reformprogram to strengthen governance includes allnational and sub-national government, parliamentary,civil society and political structures.The mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues ofanti-corruption, capacity building and genderare of particular relevance to this pillar. Insummary, the policy framework for this pillarincludes the following goals:62Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS)