Queen says child deaths as result of domestic violence unacceptable

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Monday said that institutions in charge of protecting children must be held accountable when they fail to do so.

At a meeting with members of the National Framework for Family Protection Committee, the Queen said child deaths as a result of domestic violence are unacceptable.

Alarmed by the killing of six children at the hands of their parents last year alone, Her Majesty added that what was more disturbing was the fact that some of them had been identified as victims of domestic violence by various government institutions.

The committee is part of the National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA).

The Queen met with the committee to discuss ways to curb violence against children, and address its recent shortcomings in child protection, according to a statement from Her Majesty's office.

Queen Rania said Jordan has been successful in its child protection efforts, but there has been a decline in family protection services. She called on the committee to address legal and social loopholes that hinder the framework’s ability to safeguard all family members.

Her Majesty added that the National Framework for Family Protection is a cohesive system, based on intervention roles by several institutions. 

But she added that this system is destined to fail if all the parties do not work together.

The Queen emphasised the importance of upholding the rule of law and raising awareness about the dangerous social consequences of domestic violence.

Closed circuit television networks in courthouses that have allowed victims to give private testimonies have helped curb violence against children. Tracking systems that have allowed government agencies to share reported cases of violence have also been useful. This is why Her Majesty called on the committee to invest in technology that serves child protection.

Members of the committee briefed Queen Rania on the challenges that hinder the implementation of the framework’s action plan based on a set timeline. 

The discussion also concluded that there is a need for a compliance agreement between all stakeholders defining their roles and responsibilities.

The committee consists of several ministers, including Education Minister Mohammad Thneibat, Interior Minister Salameh Hammad, Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury, Health Minister Ali Hiasat and Awqaf Minister Hayel Dawood. 

Other NCFA board members who attended included Rajai Muasher, deputy chair of the NCFA board of trustees, and representatives of the Prime Ministry and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

The framework committee has been reviewed and updated with funding from UNFPA, UNICEF and UNHCR.

The new framework guarantees the creation of rehabilitation, care, and integration programmes for victims of domestic violence.