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ANE Regional Programs
>> Regional Overview >> Regional Programs Overview Program Data Sheet
498-037USAID PROGRAM: Asia and the Near East Regional
PROGRAM TITLE: South Asia Regional Democracy Fund (Pillar: Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance)
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE AND NUMBER: Improve South Asia Regional Stability through Democracy and Human Rights, 498-037*
STATUS: Continuing
PLANNED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $1,272,000 DA and $3,500,000 ESF
UNOBLIGATED PRIOR YEAR FUNDS AND FUNDING SOURCE: $6,439,000 ESF
PROPOSED FY 2003 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $922,000 DA and $2,000,000 ESF
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 2001 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: ContinuingSummary: The United States has a vital interest in maintaining stability and strengthening the democratic form of government in South Asia. In addition to the challenges of Afghanistan reconstruction and the India/Pakistan nuclear threat, several countries in South Asia face armed insurgencies. The development of democratic institutions is incomplete across the region. Government accountability is poor and corruption is high, undermining investment potential and public confidence in government institutions. Human rights abuses abound, demonstrated by the low status of women, the trafficking of women and children, and widespread exploitation of child labor.
The fund supports two components:
- The anti-trafficking program supports regional advocacy efforts; pilots new activities and documents and disseminates best practices; supports local efforts to improve the status of women and children who are trafficked by improving their education levels, negotiating/bargaining power, and social and economic status; and addresses the dearth of reliable studies on the demography of trafficking.
- The strengthening of democratic institutions program includes public advocacy training, electoral reform, training for newly elected women leaders, legal aid and human rights assistance, and electoral reform.
Inputs, Outputs, and Activities: FY 2002 Program: 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 programs targeting women;
- Sri Lanka—programs for at-risk youth, including child soldier rehabilitation;
- Nepal—literacy training for women; and
- India—combating abusive child labor practices, and supporting women’s microfinance programs.
In FY 2002, USAID will explore activities to support India-Pakistan reconciliation and other conflict resolution efforts in the region.
FY 2003 Program: USAID will conduct similar activities in FY 2003.
SUBMISSION OF THIS PROGRAM DATA SHEET CONSTITUTES FORMAL RENOTIFICATION OF USAID’S INTENT TO OBLIGATE FY 2002 FUNDS FOR THE ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED ABOVE. Performance and Results: The following activities are illustrative.
- 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.
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.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Partners for democracy and governance activities include: The Asia Foundation, Agha 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.
* In FY 2001, ESF resources for this program, including Pakistan, were 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.
US Financing in Thousands of Dollars
498-037 Improve South Asia Regional Stability Through Democracy and Human Rights CSD DA ESF Through September 30, 2000 Obligations 0 0 0 Expenditures 0 0 0 Unliquidated 0 0 0 Fiscal Year 2001 Obligations 272 12,179 4,538 Expenditures 0 0 0 Through September 30, 2001 Obligations 272 12,179 4,538 Expenditures 0 0 0 Unliquidated 272 12,179 4,538 Prior Year Unobligated Funds Obligations 0 0 6,439 Planned Fiscal Year 2002 NOA Obligations 0 1,272 3,500 Total Planned Fiscal Year 2002 Obligations 0 1,272 9,939 Proposed Fiscal Year 2003 NOA Obligations 0 922 2,000 Future Obligations 0 0 0 Est. Total Cost 272 14,373 16,477
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
