NCFA, UNICEF urge ‘stronger role’ of media in ending violence against children

AMMAN — The National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) and UNICEF convened a meeting with leaders and representatives of local mainstream and online media outlets on Sunday to discuss a stronger role of the media in supporting the ongoing “Allem La Tallem” national campaign to eliminate all forms of violence against children in Jordan.

The “Allem La Tallem” social media campaign recently launched by the NCFA and UNICEF with the support of influential voices and media professionals, has received over 15 million impressions and 70,000 active engagements to date, according to a statement from the UN body.

During the meeting, Fadel Al Hmoud, the NCFA secretary general, stressed that, while the campaign has achieved a very high reach in its first month, efforts must continue, especially through stronger collaboration with the media sector as a long-term partner in ending violence against children in the Kingdom and advocating for children and women rights.

He added that the NCFA, chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania, is deeply committed to the “Allem La Tallem” campaign which is “closely linked to its mandate for children and their protection through partnerships with the different governmental and non-governmental institutions and donors”.

The 12-week social media campaign was launched last month as part of the “Ma’an” (together in Arabic) national campaign implemented in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, UNRWA and military education schools. Launched in 2009, the “Ma’an” campaign, which initially focused on violence in schools, has been expanded in 2017, to address violence against children in all settings in the country, according to the statement. 

Addressing the meeting, UNICEF Jordan Representative Robert Jenkins thanked the NCFA, media personalities and the public for their active role during the campaign, and underlined the continued critical role of the media sector and civil society in creating a safe and protective environment for children.

“The success of the campaign in the first month is evidence of what we can achieve if we work together — the government, civil society, private sector, and all individuals. UNICEF is committed to continue supporting this joint effort to protect every girl and boy against all forms of violence in Jordan,” Jenkins was quoted in the statement as saying.

Ending all forms of violence against children is a global commitment as reflected in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development endorsed by all nations at the UN General Assembly in 2015. 

UNICEF, with support from key donors like Canada, Germany, the UK and the US, will continue collaborating with the Government of Jordan and the civil society in strengthening national protection systems, according to the statement. 

Some of the key actions include supporting continued public dialogues online and through consultations; raising awareness in communities; the roll out of the national tracking system for family violence cases, training service providers; building the capacity of national institutions including the Ministries of Social Development, Health and Education and the Family Protection Department, on prevention and responding to case of violence against children in Jordan, the statement concluded.