ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: Asia and the Near East Regional
TITLE AND NUMBER: Improved South Asia Regional Stability Through Democracy and Human Rights, 498-037*
STATUS: New
PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $3,800,000 DA (including $1,800,000 in FY 2000 carryover); $272,000 CSD; and $10,464,000 ESF
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $1,000,000 DA; $272,000 CSD; and $7,000,000 ESF
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 2001 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: Continuing
Summary: The United States has a vital interest in maintaining stability and strengthening the democratic form of government in South Asia because of the threat of nuclear proliferation and potential political unrest that could close the door to Western investment and economic development, which is critical to improving the quality of life in one of the poorest regions of the world. South Asia, home to over one-fifth of the world's population, is becoming increasingly unstable. In addition to the India/Pakistan nuclear threat, several countries in South Asia face armed insurgencies. The development of democratic institutions is incomplete. Government accountability is poor and corruption is high, undermining investment potential and public confidence in government institutions. Human rights abuses abound in each country in the region, demonstrated by the low status of women, the trafficking of women and children, and widespread exploitation of child labor.
Key Results:
- Elements of democratic systems strengthened: While elections do take place in South Asia, and the basic institutions of democracy do exist-parliaments, judiciaries, and executive agencies-these institutions are often weak and ineffective. This activity will be oriented to address the substance of needed democratic reforms.
- Promotion of women and children's equity: The low status of women and girls, combined with persistent poverty, contributes to high rates of trafficking in women and children, domestic violence and child labor. This activity will be designed to encourage implementation of laws and practices that reduce human rights violations against women and children and to support greater opportunities for the equitable participation of women and children in social, political, educational, and economic life.
- Confidence building: There are compelling economic and global issues that are galvanizing certain groups in the region to advocate for the difficult but necessary tasks of national reconciliation and regional cooperation. These groups are making inroads on important issues, such as water sharing, free trade and joint ventures, anti-corruption, and cooperation in the energy sector. This activity will support these efforts as an essential step toward building the basic level of confidence within and among countries in the region.
>Performance and Prospects: The following activities and funding amounts are illustrative.
- In FY 2001 and FY 2002, this objective will support efforts to strengthen democratic systems throughout the region, complementing and reinforcing bilateral activities. In FY 2001, approximately $2.1 million ESF will be obligated for the following:
- Bangladesh - election preparation and monitoring, labor rights promotion
- Nepal - public advocacy training, training for newly elected women leaders
- Sri Lanka - legal aid and human rights assistance, electoral reform
- In FY 2001 and FY 2002, the objective will support efforts to improve the status of women and address human rights abuses, particularly related to women and children. In FY 2001, approximately $3.8 million DA, $272,000 CSD, and $964,000 ESF will be obligated for the following:
- Bangladesh - anti-violence against women
- Sri Lanka - programs for at-risk youth, including child soldier rehabilitation
- Nepal - literacy training for women
- India - combat abusive child labor practices, women's micro-finance program
- In FY 2001 and FY 2002, this objective will explore activities to support India-Pakistan reconciliation and other conflict resolution efforts in the region. In FY 2001, approximately $300,000 ESF will be obligated to support community-based organizations in developing inter-ethnic confidence building measures in Sri Lanka.
- In FY 2001, this objective also will provide approximately $7.1 million ESF for planned programs in Pakistan, including the Pakistan NGO Initiative ($2.2 million); democracy and governance ($2 million); basic education ($2.5 million); India-Pakistan confidence building measures ($300,000); and anti-trafficking ($100,000). Prior to implementing any activities, a national interest determination will be made, and these activities will be the subject of a separate Congressional notification.
Note: This objective also will support a small grants program managed by the Department of State. In FY 2001, $1.4 million is planned (not included in the above funding amounts). The small grants program will be the subject of a separate notification by the Department of State.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: Starting in FY 2001, this regional objective includes funding for and reporting on activities previously notified under the objectives "South Asia Regional Democracy Fund" (498-014) and "South Asia Regional Initiative/Women's and Children's Equity (498-030).
Other Donor Programs: A number of bilateral and multilateral donors are engaged in human rights and democracy issues in the region. USG programs are well coordinated. Other major donors include: European Union, UNDP, the World Bank, and Canada. Child labor and anti-trafficking programs are designed in coordination with the International Labor Office's International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, UNIFEM, and other U.N. entities.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Partners for democracy and governance activities include: The Asia Foundation, Aga Khan Foundation, International Foundation for Election Systems, National Democratic Institute, International Republican Institute, and other contractors and grantees to be determined. UNIFEM is implementing a three to five year regional anti-trafficking program, complemented by bilaterally-funded NGO activities. In India, the child labor program includes grant support to UNDP, CARE, and Catholic Relief Services that in turn provide sub-grant assistance to leading local NGOs. The micro-finance activity will be implemented by a local NGO, Friends of Women's World Banking.
Selected Performance Indicators:
- Number of laws/conventions/policies developed with input from USG-assisted organizations and coalitions
- Number of targeted beneficiaries supported by model programs for educational and vocational programs focused on women and girls
- Number of women and children's rights advocacy networks strengthened
- Establishment of databases that provide timely information on trafficking and child labor
* In FY 2001, ESF resources for this program, including Pakistan, have been allocated from "South Asia Democracy" and/or "South Asia Women and Children Support Funds" and/or "South Asia Regional Stability" in accordance with the Department of State Congressional Presentation. In FY 2002, ESF resources are budgeted from resources allocated for the "South Asia Regional Fund" in accordance with the Department of State Congressional Presentation.
U.S. Financing
(In thousands of dollars)
| |
Obligations |
|
Expenditures |
|
Unliquidated |
|
| Through September 30, 1999
|
0 |
DA |
0 |
DA |
0 |
DA |
| 0 |
CSD |
0 |
CSD |
0 |
CSD |
| 0 |
ESF |
0 |
ESF |
0 |
ESF |
| 0 |
SEED |
0 |
SEED |
0 |
SEED |
| 0 |
FSA |
0 |
FSA |
0 |
FSA |
| 0 |
DFA |
0 |
DFA |
0 |
DFA |
| Fiscal Year 2000 |
0 |
DA |
0 |
DA |
|
| 0 |
CSD |
0 |
CSD |
| 0 |
ESF |
0 |
ESF |
| 0 |
SEED |
0 |
SEED |
| 0 |
FSA |
0 |
FSA |
| 0 |
DFA |
0 |
DFA |
| Through September 30, 2000 |
0 |
DA |
0 |
DA |
0 |
DA |
| 0 |
CSD |
0 |
CSD |
0 |
CSD |
| 0 |
ESF |
0 |
ESF |
0 |
ESF |
| 0 |
SEED |
0 |
SEED |
0 |
SEED |
| 0 |
FSA |
0 |
FSA |
0 |
FSA |
| 0 |
DFA |
0 |
DFA |
0 |
DFA |
| Prior Year Unobligated Funds |
1,800 |
DA |
|
| 0 |
CSD |
| 450 |
ESF |
| 0 |
SEED |
| 0 |
FSA |
| 0 |
DFA |
| Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA |
2,000 |
DA |
|
| 272 |
CSD |
| 10,464 |
ESF |
| 0 |
SEED |
| 0 |
FSA |
| 0 |
DFA |
| Total
Planned Fiscal Year 2001 |
3,800 |
DA |
|
| 272 |
CSD |
| 10,914 |
ESF |
| 0 |
SEED |
| 0 |
FSA |
| 0 |
DFA |
| |
|
|
Future Obligations | |
Est. Total Cost | |
| Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA |
1,000 |
DA |
0 |
DA |
4,800 |
DA |
| 272 |
CSD |
0 |
CSD |
544 |
CSD |
| 7,000 |
ESF |
0 |
ESF |
17,914 |
ESF |
| 0 |
SEED |
0 |
SEED |
0 |
SEED |
| 0 |
FSA |
0 |
FSA |
0 |
FSA |
| 0 |
DFA |
0 |
DFA |
0 |
DFA |
|
