Training held on addressing gender-based violence

AMMAN — Ministry of Social Development officials and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) representatives Thursday participated in a training session on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the vision of the 16 Days against Gender-based Violence campaign.

The session, organised by Expertise France (EF) in partnership with the social development ministry, saw the participation of Ministry officials working in protection directorates and centres as well as in homes for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, and CSO activists and representatives working with survivors of violence, according to a statement from EF.

Ministry of Social Development Deputy Secretary-General for Administration and Development Affairs Bashar Dalaeen, who was representing the Minister of Social Development, said that this workshop is an opportunity to involve CSOs and providers of social services with the work of the ministry, and exchange experience and knowledge in dealing with cases of violence. 

He emphasised the importance of following a participatory approach that allows everyone to contribute to Jordan’s social protection policies according to a human rights approach, and that encourages improvement of services provided to victims and survivors of violence.

Marie Keirle, project leader at Expertise France, highlighted the various roles CSOs have in addressing GBV, including awareness raising, advocacy and supporting victims. 

She also highlighted the importance of measuring facts and statistics about GBV, and presented the “Violentometre”, a tool to measure if a relationship is based on consent and does not involve violence. 

The session also included project presentations on this topic implemented by CSOs through a grant scheme launched by the Expertise France. 

The CSOs’ activities are very varied in their approaches and techniques and include online awareness campaigns, art and sport activity with school students, open and dialogue sessions with key stakeholders in addition to announcements about introducing new legal or social protection services. 

The session, held in the main theatre of the Social Development Ministry headquarters, came as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence Campaign, which is an annual international campaign that kicks off on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and runs until December 10, Human Rights Day.