A fresh approach to visual communications in development: allow me to illustrate

Isabelle KermeenActive citizenship, Rights

2020 brought many surprises. At the beginning of the pandemic, the last thing I expected was to be coaching voice actors down a crackly line to a recording studio in Afghanistan. My organisation, Integrity Action, was producing an animated video to showcase one of the impact stories from our work – this was part of our shift, over recent years, …

Between a feminist and operational approach to Afghan women in the police

Dr. Jorrit KammingaGender, Participation and Leadership

Political uncertainty has reigned in Afghanistan following the US-Taliban deal signed in February 2020 and the dispute around who the legitimate president was following the elections in September last year. On 9 March two presidents were sworn in on the same day. The dispute was solved in May but political divisions continue to hamper the functioning of the Afghan government. …

Afghanistan: the tragedy of return

Dr. Jorrit KammingaConflict, Refugees and IDPs

Are the returnees to Afghanistan safe in what is still a conflicted and fragile state? Dr. Jorrit Kamminga introduces a new report which explores this.  With headline news carrying stories about a string of bloody attacks in Afghanistan, it’s important to remember that there is another side to the Afghan tragedy that is not making the headlines. In addition to the …

Local partnerships and protecting human rights in conflict

Phil VernonFragile contexts, Governance

Phil Vernon from International Alert shares his views on working with partners on conflict contexts, as part of our release of a recent joint report on the subject.  A healthy and active civil society is both an essential indicator of a resilient society, and an essential vehicle for achieving one, through activism and service delivery. But civil society is under …

Being a better partner in conflict situations

Mark GoldringConflict, Fragile contexts, General, Research

A new report from Oxfam and International Alert looks at how violent conflict impacts local civil society and how international partners respond. Here Harriet Lamb, CEO of International Alert and Mark Goldring, CEO of Oxfam GB, reflect on the key findings and their implications for future and current partnerships in conflict. Violent conflicts cast a shadow every day over millions …

Testing the gender handbook for emergencies

Jack JenningsGender, Humanitarian

Oxfam is working with UN women and a host of other NGOs on an ECHO funded project to revise the 2006 Gender Handbook for Humanitarian Action. We tested the latest version with frontline staff in Ethiopia and Afghanistan, Jack Jennings explains what they found. The revision of the IASC Gender Handbook is an important and incredibly ambitious project in its …