Developing improved systems for preventing and protecting against gender-based violence

Context

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a global phenomenon. The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic intensified this trend across the world, with countries facing a serious increase in the number of GBV cases. Jordan is no exception.

Approximately one in three women worldwide have experienced violence within their home. Moreover, sexual violence against men is increasing with one in six men having experienced sexual abuse or assault, whether in childhood or as adults. Global organisations such as the World Health Organisation and the Lancet indicate that as many as 70 per cent of cases go unreported globally.

Objective

The prevention and protection systems on gender-based violence (GBV) in Jordan are improving through enhanced accountability among Jordanian law enforcement in their handling of GBV cases.

Approach

The project aims to achieve five main outcomes:

• promote effective mechanisms to prevent and protect against and respond to gender-based violence among refugees and Jordanians in private, public and digital spaces.
• improve institutional capabilities in cooperation with civil society to efficiently respond to the increased level of GBV cases in camps and in host communities.
• foster an understanding among police of a victim-centred and a vulnerability criteria assessments approach in their work.
• enhance police capabilities in preventing the escalation of violence and recidivism among refugee and Jordanian perpetrators alike, and in assessing and managing risk.
• organise advocacy campaigns and awareness-raising activities in communities to tackle negative behavioural and social norms surrounding GBV to bring about behavioural changes.

The project activities are organised around three pillars that focus on effectively preventing and protecting against GBV. These are:

• improving the regulatory framework and mechanisms to support this aim
• training law enforcement professionals to handle GBV using modern approaches
• develop and promote GBV awareness-raising campaigns.

Stand: April 2023