The regional refugee crisis including the influx of Syrian refugees over the past decade have placed a significant strain on Jordanian social and economic resources and public services. The recent impacts of COVID-19 and the increasing costs of living, spurred by the Russia-Ukraine crisis, impose unstable and difficult living conditions for refugees as well as the most vulnerable Jordanians.

As of 2021, unemployment in Jordan had reached 25% while youth unemployment stood at 48%. 24.1% of the population in Jordan live below the absolute poverty line, surviving on less than $1 a day. Children and youth comprise the largest age group in Jordan (40% of the population is under 18, of which almost 30% are nonJordanian). Poverty, lack of meaningful opportunities and harmful social norms, both trigger and exacerbate violence against children, including child marriage, child labour, children in contact with the law, and domestic violence, and increased Mental Healtg and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) needs.

The project will target a total of 14,920 direct beneficiaries detailed as follow:

-    Through protection services, the project will reach 12,330 vulnerable children (aged 8-18) and youth (aged 18-24)

-    Through awareness raising, capacity buiding and advocacy, the project will reach 2,590 parents, caregivers, community members, CBO staff, CBO volunteers, and governmental employees from the Ministry of Social Development, Juvenile and Family Protection Department and the Ministry of Justice.

An estimated total of 28,550 Indirect Beneficiaries (parents, peers, professionals) will also be reached.

Outcome 1)    Improved access to quality preventative and responsive protection and justice services

Outcome 2)    Increased acceptance of inclusive and protective social norms

Outcome 3)    Strengthened protection and justice systems 

Risultati principali attesi:  

Output 1)    Vulnerable girls, and boys, including those at risk of child marriage and child labour, benefit from case management services.

Output 2)    Women, girls, men and boys at risk, including those in detention or at risk of child marriage and child labour, benefit from MHPSS support services, including the needed support to their families and caregivers.

Output 3)    Increased adoption of positive masculinity by men and boys.

Output 4)    Increased awareness and engagement of men, boys, women, girls, and community representatives for Social Norm Change.

Output 5)    Strengthen civil society capacity to support social norm change.

Output 6)    Strengthened capacity of protection and justice institutional stakeholders to deliver quality child and gender friendly approaches.

Risultati fasi precedenti:  

5000+ beneficiaries reached with protection services. 40 national authorities staff mentored and coached. 4 local organizations have been accredited to provide alternative to detention measures. 84 children in contact with the law have been supported to access alternatives to detention. 53 local organization members have been provided with training on the application of alternative to detention measures. 

The learnings from piloting the positive masculinity curriculum will inform the desing of this project. Key insights include the importance of working with institutional stakehelders with the aim to embed an institutional approach to justice and protection, as well as the importance for local partners to engage more in the direct delivery of services, enabling them to embed themselves further as agents of change within their own communities.