Sweden increases support to Afghanistan

Photo: Pawel Flato

The Government has instructed the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida, to pay particular attention to democracy and human rights, the education sector and the fostering of better conditions for small enterprise. It also stresses the importance of improving the situation for women and girls in Afghanistan. An initiative is also expected to enhance domestic civilian capacity in key areas like the legal sector and the security sector.


− Despite great progress in recent years, Afghanistan is still one of the poorest countries in the world. The Government's aid strategy reflects this, especially with regard to the vulnerable situation for women and girls. Sweden is also prepared to contribute to further progress in the democratisation, stabilisation and reconstruction of the country, says Minister for International Development Cooperation, Gunilla Carlsson.


To create synergies with other Swedish action, about a quarter of the funding will be used in the four provinces in northern Afghanistan, where Sweden is leading a Provincial Reconstruction Team, PRT, as part of the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF. The country also has police officers based in the region as part of the European Union Police Mission, EUPOL.




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