Public Oversight of the Security Sector (Pashto)

This Handbook provides structured guidance for civil society organizations (CSOs) on the role they
can play in democratic security sector oversight: principally, how they can plan, structure and implement their activities in an informed and efficient manner.
Given that public confidence in the security sector is vital for the creation and maintenance of strong
and independent democratic institutions, the engagement of credible civil society organizations
(CSOs) in the security policy domain strongly contributesto accountability and good governance. Advocacy by civil society groups representing local communities and interest groups helps to give voice
to sometimes marginalized actors, as well as opening up the policy-making process to a wider set of
perspectives. CSOs have a vital role to play not only in established democracies but also in post-conflict, post-authoritarian and undemocratic states, where the activities of CSOs can still affect the decision-making of elites that monopolize the political process.