RABAT – The Affiliated Network for Social Accountability – Arab World (ANSA-AW) was launched last Thursday in Rabat, with the presence of seven Arab countries’ representatives including Yemen.

The ANSA is a global initiative, sponsored by the World Bank, aimed at promoting and sustaining concepts and activities of social accountability in many countries. In 2006, the network was established in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and East Asia Pacific.

Recently, the initiative has widened its activities to include seven Arab Countries. It currently plans to urge other Arab countries to take part in the initiative.

Yemen’s team contributed effectively in establishing the network in Rabat. The team represented CSOs, government officials, the media and the private sector.

Nuha Al-Eryani, the program manager at the Humanitarian Forum Yemen, told the Yemen Times that establishing the network will contribute greatly into highlighting the principles of transparency and accountability.

“It will also urge the workers of NGOs to disseminate the concept of social accountability amongst people,” she said.

An independent MP, Abdulmoez Dabwan, said that the network in the current situation in Yemen is very important.

“Establishing the network at this time is a good step towards strengthening the aims of the revolutions in some Arab countries,” he said. “It will definitely reinforce good governance in these countries.”

Mostafa Nasr, head of the Studies and Economic Media Center said that the network of social accountability is a necessary step to turn the citizens from passive people into active ones.

“It will help citizens to be participants in observation and planning with the aim of obtaining better basic services,” he said.

Nasr indicated also that the network is an appropriate mechanism to achieve social justice and improve the use of resources.

“Social accountability is a basic right for citizens to be able to disclose manipulation and ask officials about their shortcomings,” he said.

Tawfiq Al-Budhaiji, executive manager of the Human Rights and Information Training Center, said that implementing social accountability these days is crucial to improving the kind of services provided by the government and put pressure on officials to provide better services.

Najla’a Asda, program coordinator at the Yemeni Women’s Union, said that social accountability is a fundamental base for fighting corruption and enabling citizens to observe the performance of their government.

Olayan Al-Haisami of the All Girls Association for Development stressed the importance of social accountability, especially at this critical time.

He said that the All Girls Association for Development has adopted strategy for supporting good governance and empowering Yemenis to participate effectively in society.