My name is Saifull Rahman Mazloum, and I am 45 years old. I live in Suri Pan, Sabreo District. As one of the community leaders and an activist in the HRWMO self-help group networks, I have participated in various capacity-building workshops organized by HRWMO. These workshops focus on alternative dispute resolution, mediation, and sustaining civil peace. They cover a range of important topics, including different forms of violence against women and girls, community management, and individual social responsibility toward the community.

Our community is deeply affected by family and intercommunity conflicts, which often lead to tragic consequences. These disputes frequently result in injuries and even fatalities between families. In many cases, local jirgas, led by community leaders and religious scholars, resort to sacrificing girls, including minors, in an attempt to resolve these conflicts. Unfortunately, this practice is quite common in the province.

Mr. Mazloum talks about the enmity between two families, Damtak and Dikki, of Mechi village in Sabri district. The conflict began when a person named Mattak was killed while watering the soil at night. The late Mattak’s family suspected that a member of their family was killed by Dicky’s family. This hostility lasted for six years, during which time their children and young people were deprived of education and many basic necessities as both families blamed each other.

Mr. Mazloum says, “I utilized the skills that I had learned in the workshops. With the efforts of the local tribal leaders and the district governor, we formed a strong ten-member Jirga to facilitate peace between the two families.”

We met with these families 20 times. We discussed the harm caused by hostility, the future of their children, their education, and their rights. Finally, we convinced them to accept our jirga and make a fair decision between them, turning hostility into friendship.

As a result of the customary rule, the Jirga made a fair decision between them after thorough deliberations, which resulted in both sides feeling happy and satisfied. Their enmity transformed into a lasting friendship.

Before the family living were afraid to send their children to school, so they were deprived of education. Now, children over the age of 7 are being enrolled in school for education.

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