Life and Security in Rural Afghanistan

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Despite the fall of the Taliban, Afghanistan remains a country in dire need of strong international support. Only with an understanding of the conditions in both urban and rural areas will the international community be able to offer aid and remain committed to long-term development.
This fascinating and clearly written book mines a rich and unique array of data, which was collected in rural areas of Afghanistan by an expert team of researchers, to analyze countrywide trends in the relationship between human security and livelihoods. The team's research and recommendations, published here for the first time, suggest that international assistance or national development strategies that ignore the long-term developmental and structural goals and sideline the moderate elements of Afghan society will be doomed to failure.
The authors' deeply informed policy recommendations will help to focus further action on vital issues such as co-optation of aid by armed political groups; water scarcity; contamination and degradation of the environment; education; health care; agriculture, livestock, and land health; and justice. A valuable resource for students, policymakers, donor governments, and national and international organizations, Life and Security in Rural Afghanistan opens a rare window into the otherwise hidden lives of the people of rural Afghanistan.

Neamatollah Nojumi is senior research fellow at the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution of the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University. Dyan Mazurana is associate professor and research director at the Feinstein International Center at Tufts University. Elizabeth Stites is senior researcher at the Feinstein International Center at Tufts University.

Introduction
Chapter 1: Provincial Background and Overview
Part I: Rural Afghans and Human Security
Chapter 2: Physical Security
Chapter 3: Social Issues
Chapter 4: Women's Rights
Chapter 5: Family and Sexual Systems
Chapter 6: Peace
Chapter 7: Part I Concluding Thoughts: Seeking Security
Part II: Rural Afghans and Livelihoods
Chapter 8: Livelihoods and Natural Resources of Rural Afghans
Chapter 9: Rural Livelihoods, Labor, and Income
Chapter 10: International Assistance
Chapter 11: Part II Concluding Thoughts: Linking Human Security and Livelihoods
Part III: Rural Afghans and Systems of Justice: Formal, Traditional, and Customary
Chapter 12: Formal Justice Systems
Chapter 13: Traditional and Customary Systems of Justice
Chapter 14: Part III Concluding Thoughts: Strengthening Justice and Rule of Law Systems
Chapter 15: Moving Towards Human Security
Afterword