Speech for the UN Resident Coordinator at the Launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign 2024

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Colleagues, and Friends,

Today, we gather to shine a light on one of the darkest and most pervasive human rights violations in the world: violence against women and girls. 

Worldwide, nearly one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence at least once in her lifetime. That equals over three-quarters of a billion women. In the past year alone, 1 in 8 women experienced violence from their husbands and other intimate partners. And without accelerated action, 9 million girls will marry in childhood by 2030. Online violence against women is also surging. A 2021 Arab States study revealed 60% of female internet users experienced online violence.

These are not just statistics. This is a pandemic.

Jordan is not an exception. Women here also experience various forms of violence, highlighting a persistent challenge that affects individuals, families, and communities. 

According to last year’s Demographic Health Survey, 18% of ever-married women in Jordan reported experiencing emotional, physical, or sexual violence from their husband. And over half neither sought help nor told anyone, but rather dealt with it alone.

The cost of inaction is staggering—not just morally but also economically. A 2021 study conducted by the Jordanian National Commission for Women and the UN revealed that domestic violence against women and girls cost Jordan over 130 million Jordanian dinars, or 0.4% of GDP. This is a drain on resources that could otherwise be invested in education, healthcare, and economic growth.

Beyond Jordan, when looking across the region, we can see clearly how armed conflict and displacement exacerbate vulnerabilities for women and girls. In these contexts, the number of women at risk of suffering gender-based violence doubles. 

Yet efforts to prevent and respond to such violence is often among the most poorly funded. Women themselves are too often overlooked, as is the role they play in protecting themselves and their daughters. 

I ask you to ponder this: how many of the negotiators working on ceasefires for Gaza and Lebanon are women? Where are the voices of Palestinian mothers in the discussions on what the future of Gaza looks like? On how women and girls can be safe and respected, families restored, and peace achieved? 

Yet, amidst these challenges, we can take hope from the good progress being made here in Jordan.

Here, significant strides have been made in strengthening the legislative framework to protect and empower women. The amendment to Article 6 of the Constitution and the 2017 Domestic Violence Protection Law are key milestones. These laws underscore Jordan’s commitment to equality, justice, and survivor-centered support.

The UN family in Jordan is proud to stand beside the government, civil society, and the people of this nation in advancing these efforts.

We are also working together to advance policy, prevention and response, through coordinated efforts. 

In the area of policy development, the UN is supporting the National Council for Family Affairs and the National team for Family Protection in developing a five-year Multi-Sectoral National Action Plan for the Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence, Child Protection, and Family Violence. This builds on lessons from current plans, aiming for holistic, survivor-centered approaches.

In the area of prevention, through partnerships with the Jordanian National Commission for Women and civil society, we are working together on raising awareness, and promoting the message that violence is never acceptable.

In the area of response to those that are survivors of violence, the UN is helping build survivor-centered services that meet global standards, through efforts such as developing gender policing guidelines and supporting shelters like "Dar Amina." Over the past few years, 190,000 women and girls in Jordan have accessed GBV prevention and response services.

And to bring the efforts of many together, in order to maximize impact of our collective work, the UN supports national mechanisms like the National Team for Family Protection in ensuring a unified response to violence.

Distinguished Guests,

This is indeed good progress, but we need to keep going. 

Because violence against women is preventable. 

And we know what it will take to achieve this: comprehensive, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches backed by dedicated funding and survivor-centered policies. 

Transforming harmful masculinities, challenging discriminatory norms, and addressing structural inequalities are essential steps toward a more just society.

Let us take advantage of this moment to uniting our efforts, voices, and measures to end gender-based violence.

As we launch these 16 Days of Activism, 

Let us continue building on recent achievements. 

Let us prioritize survivor-centered prevention and response services. 

Let us strengthen legislation, enhance coordination, and ensure that no woman or girl is left behind.

To every Jordanian in the room who works to eliminate violence against women and girls in the Kingdom, allow me to recognize and commend your efforts. You are the leaders, you are champions, and you are lighting the path forward. It is through your efforts that violence against women and girls in Jordan will one day be eliminated. And the United Nations will stand in partnership with you every step of the way. 

Together, we can amplify the voices of survivors, transform communities, and create a future where gender-based violence is no longer a reality.

Thank you.