Good Governance

In many rural areas, women, youth, and marginalized groups are excluded from decision-making. Resources are not always managed transparently, and weak civil registration prevents citizens from exercising their rights. Without inclusive leadership and accountable institutions, progress in peace, education, health, and for overall individual and collective wellbeing will be limited.

Through the Community Empowerment Program (CEP), communities create spaces for inclusive dialogue and decision-making. At the very outset of the program, they elect Community Management Committees (CMCs) with strong representation of women and youth.  Through dedicated sessions, CMC members strengthen their capacity in decentralization, governance practices, and resource management. They lead community projects transparently and ensure decisions are aligned with the shared vision of wellbeing that the community has established. They also collaborate with local authorities so grassroots priorities are integrated into municipal and regional budgets in gender- and child-responsive ways. Alongside community empowerment, the Strengthening Democracy and Civic Engagement (SDCE) component of the CEP engages municipal and district officials on human rights and responsibilities, participatory budgeting, and accountability in resource management, fostering mutual trust and collaboration between citizens and local government.

In the Tostan classes,  women gain confidence and practice their right to have their voice heard. They then increasingly speak in  community meetings, begin to see themselves as capable leaders and take on new roles in their communities. Their leadership, visibility, and impact inspire other women and girls, while men, seeing women’s growth and contributions, increasingly become key allies in supporting women’s leadership.