Amman, Dec. 18 (Petra) -- The Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), on Thursday launched a policy paper titled "Breaking the Cycle of Violence: Economic Empowerment of Survivors of Domestic Violence in Jordan." The paper aims to analyze the challenges hindering the economic empowerment of survivors of domestic violence aged 18 and above, assess the impact of weak economic empowerment on their psychological, social, and economic conditions, and present practical and comprehensive recommendations to decision-makers and legislators. The proposed policies and programs seek to strengthen the economic empowerment of survivors of domestic violence in Jordan.

The launch event was attended by Deputy Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament Hala Jarrah, female MPs, members of the National Team for Family Protection from Violence, representatives of relevant government and national institutions, Jordanian universities, civil society organizations, and international institutions.

MP Filiha Khedeer, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Women and Family Affairs, and Director General of the National Aid Fund Khitam Shneikat participated as speakers in the accompanying panel discussion.

Secretary General of the JNCW Maha Ali stressed that the economic empowerment of women survivors of violence is a core pillar in rebuilding their lives in an effective and sustainable manner.

She noted that economic empowerment helps survivors break free from cycles of abuse by reducing dependence on perpetrators, positively impacting their lives, their children, and their families, and contributing to more stable, equitable, and just communities.

Ali said the policy paper falls within the JNCW’s mandates, pointing out that the National Strategy for Women 2020-2025 emphasizes the importance of creating an environment free from all forms of violence against women and girls. She added that the strategy’s executive plan for 2023-2025 focused on developing policies and mechanisms to combat violence against women and girls, including economic empowerment.

For his part, Secretary General of the National Council for Family Affairs Mohammad Miqdadi said Jordan has made tangible progress in recent years in developing systems for protection and response to gender-based violence, particularly in case management and service integration. He noted that this progress has shifted responses from fragmented interventions to a comprehensive approach that places survivors’ needs, safety, and dignity at the center.

He added that national and global experiences alike have shown that the effectiveness of case management and integrated services remains limited without a clear and structured path toward economic empowerment. Many survivors, despite receiving psychological and legal support, face real challenges in making long-term decisions due to the absence of economic security, which may force them back into unsafe environments.

UNFPA Representative in Jordan Himyar Abdulmoghni emphasized that economic empowerment is a key entry point for breaking cycles of violence and enhancing women’s independence and safety. He reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to supporting national efforts, in partnership with government bodies and civil society organizations, to enable survivors to rebuild their lives with dignity, independence, and active participation in development.

Director of the Phenix Center for Economics and Informatics Studies Ahmad Awad presented a summary of the policy paper, which provides an analytical reading of the problems and challenges affecting weak economic empowerment among survivors of domestic violence.

The paper draws on findings from focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, covering social, psychological, economic, and legislative challenges, and outlines key recommendations proposed by the study.

//Petra// AO