The Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) has adopted this year’s 16 Days of Activism slogan: “Together to eliminate violence against women and girls in war and in peace.” This powerful message reflects Jordan’s commitment to protecting women in armed conflict environments and underscores the urgent need to address violence in both regional and global contexts. By amplifying the voices of women affected by conflict, the initiative highlights the importance of raising awareness about their struggles and the gaps in international action.
Globally, the 16 Days of Activism, observed from November 25 to December 10, focuses on violence against women as a critical human rights issue. This year’s theme, “Towards 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women,” aligns with the UN’s “UNiTE by 2030” initiative. It calls for decisive efforts to prevent gender-based violence, particularly gender-related killings, and to strengthen protections for women and girls worldwide. Together, the local and international campaigns emphasize the shared responsibility to combat gender-based violence and advocate for systemic change.
Global Trends in GBV: Persistent Threats and Rising Risks Amid Conflict
Despite decades of advocacy, GBV remains pervasive. Globally, nearly one in three women — approximately 736 million — have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a partner or others at some point in their lives[1]. In 2022 alone, about 48,800 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members _ an average of more than five deaths per hour caused by those closest to them[2]
Moreover, with the escalation of armed conflict around the world, more women are susceptible to arbitrary killing, torture, sexual violence, and forced marriage. Following the October 7th aggression on Gaza, 11,346 women and 16,765 children were killed, constituting 69% of the victims[3]. Conflict-related sexual violence has surged by 50% since 2022, with women and girls making up 95% of reported cases. This is especially true if one considers that the number of women and girls living within 50 kilometers of active conflicts has risen by 41% since 2015[4]. For instance, in Sudan, Human Rights Watch recorded 262 cases of sexual violence in less than a year[5]. Recently, there have been also reports of mass suicide among Sudanese women occurring after incidents of rape [6] and in an attempt to avoid such violence[7].
Beijing +30: Jordan’s Efforts in Combating GBV
As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Jordan has made notable strides in expanding women’s access to justice, economic opportunities, and workforce participation, while ongoing challenges remain in addressing gender wage gaps, underrepresentation in leadership, and the needs of marginalized groups, including refugees and rural women. Jordan has progressed also regarding addressing violence against women and girls. Both the Jordanian government and civil society have advanced efforts to combat GBV, focusing on prevention, protection, and accountability for survivors.
However, despite these national initiatives, cases of domestic and gender-based violence continue to increase, with reports indicating a rise in domestic violence in Jordan by 38% in 2023 compared to previous years, totaling 58,068 cases[8]. Of these, 80% involved female victims, with spouses identified as perpetrators in 62% of cases. Additionally, women represented the majority of victims in family-related homicides. In 2024 alone, 9 out of 12 family-related homicide victims were women[9]
At a deeper, less visible level, economic violence not only fuels domestic violence but also prevents women from reporting their abusers. With women’s economic participation in Jordan at only 14%, many remain in abusive situations out of fear of losing their homes or their children, or not being able to pay for legal support.
Beyond the personal toll, GBV also directly impacts Jordan’s economy, with the annual costs of domestic violence against women and girls aged 15 and above estimated at 130,124,787 Jordanian dinars in 2021—approximately 4% of the country’s GDP. This figure encompasses household costs, economic losses, and the expenses associated with service provision, advocacy, and coordination[10].
Steps Towards a Safer Future: addressing GBV in Jordan
As part of this year’s 16 Days of Activism, Jordan has the opportunity to take decisive steps to combat GBV. This year’s theme, "Towards 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action", is a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come — and how much work remains.
In fact, while Jordan has put in place laws to protect women from domestic violence, enforcement remains a challenge. Training law enforcement, judges, and healthcare workers on GBV-sensitive approaches is crucial for ensuring survivors receive justice and protection.
For those escaping violence, knowing where to seek help is crucial. Survivors need accessible, reliable support systems. Expanding shelters and counseling centers, particularly in rural areas, is essential to provide a safety net. These facilities must offer trauma counseling, legal support, and protection. It’s equally important to raise awareness about organizations that provide these vital services. Organizations like the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), Solidarity is Global Institute (SIGI), and tools like the Amaali mobile app by the Jordan River Foundation play critical roles in connecting survivors with essential services.
Not every community is the same, so why should every solution be? Localization is key to effective GBV prevention. By working closely with local leaders and grassroots organizations, programs can be tailored to fit the needs of individual communities.
Women should also be at the heart of this process. Whether they’re survivors, activists, or leaders, women’s voices need to lead the conversation. Their experiences and insights can create strategies that truly resonate and bring lasting change.
Ending GBV isn’t a one-person job — it requires collaboration. Governments, civil society, and women’s rights organizations must work hand-in-hand. Funding and supporting grassroots organizations is particularly important since they’re often the first line of defense for survivors.
A Call to Action: Beyond the 16 Days of Activism
While the 16 Days of Activism provides a critical platform for raising awareness, we must keep this momentum year-round. Working to eliminate GBV cannot be confined to just 16 days; it requires sustained, consistent efforts. Jordan must commit to maintaining a strong focus on GBV prevention and response throughout the year, ensuring that support systems, legal frameworks, and educational initiatives remain active and effective.
References:
Al Jazeera. “One Year of Israel’s War on Gaza: Key Moments since October 7.” Al Jazeera, October 7, 2024. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/7/one-year-of-israels-war-on-gaza-a-simple-guide.
ESCWA. “Estimating the Economic Cost of Domestic Violence against Women in Jordan.” ESCWA, 2023. https://jordan.un.org/sites/default/files/2024-04/Economic%20cost.pdf.
Gharaibeh, Zuhour. “A Slight Decrease in Family-Related Homicides in the First Half of 2024 Compared to the First Half of 2023.” SIGI (blog), 2024. https://www.sigi-jordan.org/en/article/6390.
Human Rights Watch. “‘Khartoum Is Not Safe for Women Anymore!’: Sexual Violence against Women and Girls in Sudan’s Capital.” New York, NY: Human Rights Watch, 2024.
Sunday, Chinomso. “Sudan: Hundreds of Women Died by Suicide to Avoid Rape— Hala Kirbi.” News Central TV | Latest Breaking News Across Africa, Daily News in Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Egypt Today. - Africa. First. (blog), October 30, 2024. https://newscentral.africa/sudan-hundreds-of-women-died-by-suicide-to-avoid-rape-hala-kirbi/.
UN Women. “Gender-Related Killings of Women and Girls (Femicide/Feminicide): Global Estimates of Female Intimate Partner/Family-Related Homicides in 2022,” 2023.
UN Women and UN DESA. “Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2024.” New York: United Nations, 2024.
Wafula, Ian. “Sudan Civil War: Women Raped by RSF Fighters in Gezira State Die by Suicide, Activists Say.” BBC, October 31, 2024, sec. BBC Africa. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8xpqvz0e88o.
World Health Organization. “Violence Against Women Prevalence Estimates 2018: Global, Regional and National Prevalence Estimates for Intimate Partner Violence Against Women and Global and Regional Prevalence Estimates for Non-Partner Sexual Violence Against Women.” Geneva: World Health Organization, 2021.
[1] World Health Organization, “Violence Against Women Prevalence Estimates 2018: Global, Regional and National Prevalence Estimates for Intimate Partner Violence Against Women and Global and Regional Prevalence Estimates for Non-Partner Sexual Violence Against Women” (Geneva: World Health Organization, 2021).
[2] UN Women, “Gender-Related Killings of Women and Girls (Femicide/Feminicide): Global Estimates of Female Intimate Partner/Family-Related Homicides in 2022,” 2023.
[3] Al Jazeera, “One Year of Israel’s War on Gaza: Key Moments since October 7,” Al Jazeera, October 7, 2024, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/7/one-year-of-israels-war-on-gaza-a-simple-guide.
[4] UN Women and UN DESA, “Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2024” (New York: United Nations, 2024).
[5] Human Rights Watch, “‘Khartoum Is Not Safe for Women Anymore!’: Sexual Violence against Women and Girls in Sudan’s Capital” (New York, NY: Human Rights Watch, 2024).
[6] Ian Wafula, “Sudan Civil War: Women Raped by RSF Fighters in Gezira State Die by Suicide, Activists Say,” BBC, October 31, 2024, sec. BBC Africa, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8xpqvz0e88o.
[7] Chinomso Sunday, “Sudan: Hundreds of Women Died by Suicide to Avoid Rape— Hala Kirbi,” News Central TV | Latest Breaking News Across Africa, Daily News in Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Egypt Today. - Africa. First. (blog), October 30, 2024, https://newscentral.africa/sudan-hundreds-of-women-died-by-suicide-to-avoid-rape-hala-kirbi/.
[8] Zuhour Gharaibeh, “A Slight Decrease in Family-Related Homicides in the First Half of 2024 Compared to the First Half of 2023.,” SIGI (blog), 2024, https://www.sigi-jordan.org/en/article/6390.
[9] Gharaibeh.
[10] ESCWA, “Estimating the Economic Cost of Domestic Violence against Women in Jordan” (ESCWA, 2023), https://jordan.un.org/sites/default/files/2024-04/Economic%20cost.pdf.
