In partnership with the Conflict Research and Evidence Lab (CRL), DRG completed a six-month action research project in March 2025 on community-led peacebuilding and rights advocacy for women and other marginalised groups in Afghanistan.

The study, conducted across multiple provinces, documented local experiences and identified culturally grounded strategies for strengthening social cohesion, gender equality, and inclusive governance. Findings highlighted the critical role of inclusive local councils, women-led education initiatives, and legal literacy programmes in supporting community peacebuilding and protection efforts.

The final report (forthcoming) combines community recommendations with evidence-based practices to offer local authorities and stakeholders a practical framework for responsive peacebuilding. As part of the project, DRG’s Director, Dr. Orzala Nemat, led a two-day workshop training over 30 community-based partners in culturally sensitive research methods and ethics, equipping them to monitor and evaluate the impact of their work beyond the life of the project.