Jordan—Himaya Activity

Jordanian survivors of gender-based violence face a multitude of challenges when going through the protection system. Survivors are often too intimidated to report their cases to the Family and Juvenile Protection Department due to fear of familial disapproval and social repercussions. Those who have gone through the system have faced questioning and little protection, leading to revictimization and uncertainty about seeking other gender-based services or resolutions.

Service providers and stakeholders from across the Jordanian protection system require improved survivor-centered service delivery methods, better infrastructure, and innovation in gender-based violence response systems.

The Himaya (Arabic for protection) Activity, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), improves protection for survivors of gender-based violence by enhancing the availability and quality of essential services and protection for survivors.

Himaya has two objectives: 1) build the capacity of institutions charged with serving and protecting survivors of gender-based violence, emphasizing a survivor-centered approach; and 2) strengthen the legislative frameworks necessary to protect survivors and prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

The project supports survivors to receive essential services for their protection, healing, and recovery; contribute to a stronger evidence base to inform a sustainable, survivor-centered, and Jordanian-led protection system; and engage in shaping a more equitable and inclusive society to help improve gender equality indicators in Jordan.

Sample Activities

• Conduct needs assessments and provide technical assistance, capacity building, and material support to judicial institutions to improve the management and prosecution of cases of gender-based violence.
• Provide assistance and capacity building to public and private healthcare providers, establish one-stop health demonstration sites, and upgrade infrastructure to ensure safe and confidential services for violence survivors.
• Conduct mapping exercises to prioritize needs, and through grants and assistance, provide technical and material support to civil society organizations and shelters to enhance their capacity to refer cases and deliver essential services.
• Offer targeted assistance and material support to the Family Protection Department, relevant Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Social Development units to establish one-stop shops and improve their ability to refer cases and provide essential services.
• Facilitate networks, platforms, and systems for coordination among government agencies, civil society organizations, and community-based organizations to strengthen the gender-based violence survivors’ protection system.
• Assist government institutions and grants to local organizations to support effective advocacy, legislation, and policy reform processes.