Girl reading in front of class while standing outside

Fledgling Democracies

Australia is part of an international effort to help Afghans and Iraqis rebuild their countries after decades of conflict, oppression and instability.

National elections in Afghanistan and Iraq are milestones in each country's democratic transition.

In Afghanistan, Australia's aid program contributed $9 million through the United Nations Development Programme to help manage successful presidential and parliamentary elections. In 2004, adult Afghans took part in a free and fair election which was won by President Hamid Karzai with a comfortable majority of 55 per cent.

The following year, more than 6.8 million people voted in the Afghanistan parliamentary and provincial elections. Female candidates won 68 of the parliament's 249 seats in elections to the Wolesi Jirga or 'House of the People'. The electoral system reserves 64 seats for women.

Through the Asia Foundation, AusAID continues to support the newly formed Afghan Independent Electoral Commission by offering technical expertise, management training courses and study tours. It has also established an elections resource centre. Australia is behind the efforts of the international community and the Government of Afghanistan to achieve a stable and self-sustaining democratic state. Australia will provide up to $150 million over 2006-2010. This support will target security and governance efforts, and improving basic services, particularly women's and children's health, and literacy.

In December 2005, national elections in Iraq were an historic step towards democracy. An unprecedented 70 per cent of eligible voters took part.

An 'out of country voting' facility through the Australian Electoral Commission allowed Iraqi citizens in Australia to vote in their national election. Australia also funded an adviser to the International Mission for Iraqi Elections.

Through the United Nations Development Group, Australia provided $17 million to support the electoral process. This has led to the formation of a government of national unity headed by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. This funding has contributed to training 160,000 polling officials, updating the voter register and paving the way for some 12 million Iraqis to vote.

Australia's support is ongoing with a commitment of $173 million over 2003-2007. Beyond the polling booth, Australia is supporting governance reforms and efforts to rehabilitate agriculture, and the law and justice sectors. It's also providing humanitarian relief (including $6.8 million allocated to assist Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons).

Above: Girl at a Community Organised Primary School in Afghanistan, established by CARE with support from AusAID. (Photo: CARE, Afghanistan)

Note: This and other stories about Australia's aid program can be found in AusAID's Focus Magazine.

February 2007