- Title: JORDAN: Jordanian women speak of domestic abuse in the kingdom
- Date: 6th March 2014
- Summary: AMMAN, JORDAN (MARCH 5TH, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF THE EXTERIOR OF THE FAMILY PROTECTION DEPARTMENT SIGN READING' THE FAMILY PROTECTION DEPARTMENT' POSTER OUTSIDE THE CENTRE READING' PROTECTING FAMILIES IS A NATIONAL DUTY' RECEPTION AREA OF THE DEPARTMENT HALLWAY IN THE DEPARTMENT COUNSELLOR AT THE CENTRE SPEAKING TO AN UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN, SAYING: "I suffered from domestic abuse, from my parents at first, they married me off at a young age, and forced me out of school, and recently I suffered from my husband, who threatened to take my girls from me. He was going to put them through the same tragic circumstances that I suffered through, he wanted to take them out of school and marry them off. So I was forced to leave my country, and I came here for refuge." WOMEN IN THE DOCTORS CLINIC IN THE CENTRE SIGN READING' MEDICAL EXAMINER' (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN, SAYING: "I believe the most important thing for a woman is education, and to get married by choice, not as a result of pressure from her family or tribe. She should get married whenever she wants, and the older she is the better. I got married at 16, I had no idea what I was getting into." COLONEL INAD ALRIKAIBAT, DIRECTOR OF THE FAMILY PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, SPEAKING TO JOURNALIST (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) COLONEL INAD ALRIKAIBAT, DIRECTOR OF THE FAMILY PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, SAYING: "The role of women is sacred in all societies and countries. Her role is great because she is the one who raises the family. The notion of family protection, we find that people who live in the cities are more accepting of this, but at times, people who live in the countryside are more attached to customs and traditions, and social norms which are quite constricting." SIGN ON THE DESK THAT READS: COLONEL INAD ALRIKAIBAT (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) COLONEL INAD ALRIKAIBAT, DIRECTOR OF THE FAMILY PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, SAYING: "We try to raise awareness through lectures in schools, universities and various centres. We also use all media outlets to spread awareness. In the Family Protection Department and the Public Security Department, we try to use any opportunity we have to explain to people what our role is, and the importance of protecting the family unit." EXAMINATION ROOM IN THE MEDICAL CLINIC (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN, SAYING: "Most of the people in our society here see that women have no rights. Her only right is looking after the house. Speaking for myself, I saw that my family, my tribe and my husband's tribe believe that a woman's only place is in the kitchen and raising her kids, she has no right to speak or argue, or even get an education. She has no rights at all." ONE OF THE INTERVIEW ROOMS IN THE CENTRE VARIOUS OF MONITORS
- Embargoed: 21st March 2014 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Jordan
- Country: Jordan
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAOKSYQ6MHGYE4TPPJHJ6J8C8F
- Story Text: As International Women's Day approaches, Jordanian officials released figures showing that the number of women facing abuse has been on the rise over the past few years.
According to the study conducted by the Ministry of Social development, 79 percent of those who seek protection services from abuse are women over the age of 18.
Figures released by the study show an increase of 5 percent in the number of those seeking protection in 2013 when compared to 2012.
The Family Protection Department (FPD) in Jordan is where vulnerable women, who have been victims of domestic violence, come for help and support.
One of the women at the department, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she was forced to get married and denied an education.
"I suffered from domestic abuse, from my parents at first, they married me off at a young age, and forced me out of school, and recently I suffered from my husband, who threatened to take my girls from me. He was going to put them through the same tragic circumstances that I suffered through, he wanted to take them out of school and marry them off. So I was forced to leave my country, and I came here for refuge," said the woman.
"I believe the most important thing for a woman is education, and to get married by choice, not as a result of pressure from her family or tribe. She should get married whenever she wants, and the older she is the better. I got married at 16, I had no idea what I was getting into," she added.
Established in 1997, the department's main aim is to protect the family unit and vulnerable individuals.
The FPD deals with cases to do with sexual abuse, domestic violence and physical abuse of individuals of all ages. The department says they work in a way to protect all those who seek refuge here, protecting the identity of those who walk through its doors.
Colonel Inad Alrikaibat, Director of the FPD, says the influence of cultural norms in rural areas are more prominent than in cities, and this may contribute to higher cases of abuse.
"The role of women is sacred in all societies and countries. Her role is great because she is the one who raises the family. The notion of family protection, we find that people who live in the cities are more accepting of this, but at times, people who live in the countryside are more attached to customs and traditions, and social norms which are quite constricting," he said.
The department includes forensic and psychiatric clinics as well as a social services office and various interview rooms for children and women.
Alrikaibat adds that the department continually works on awareness and educational campaigns around the country in order to improve the status of women in society.
"We try to raise awareness through lectures in schools, universities and various centres. We also use all media outlets to spread awareness. In the Family Protection Department and the Public Security Department, we try to use any opportunity we have to explain to people what our role is, and the importance of protecting the family unit." he said.
Officials in the department say they handled 7,473 cases in 2013, these included domestic abuse, as well as cases of neglect and sexual abuse.
Of these, 2,494 went to court, while the majority of the issues were resolved in the department.
One woman, who also chose not to be identified, said she faced abuse at the hands of her husband and her own family, who threatened to take her children away from her.
She says a lot more needs to be done in the kingdom to protect women.
"Most of the people in our society here see that women have no rights. Her only right is looking after the house. Speaking for myself, I saw that my family, my tribe and my husbands tribe believe that a woman's only place is in the kitchen and raising her kids, she has no right to speak or argue, or even get an education. She has no rights at all,'' she said.
Despite Jordan's reputation as a progressive state, a Thomson Reuters Foundation poll found Jordan to be the second-worst country in the category of honour killings, and 681 cases of rape and sexual assault were reported to the Family Protection Department in 2012.
Since the department's establishment it has grown to include 12 centres around the country. There are hopes to increase the number within the coming year so that a centre will be operational in each government in the Kingdom.
There are also plans to establish a specialised family court, that deals with the cases reviewed by the department. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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