AMMAN - The Noor Al Hussein Foundation (NHF) on Wednesday launched a project for strengthening the capacity of local societies to better understand the human rights of vulnerable groups.
Funded by the European Commission (EC), the project focuses on acquainting local communities with the human rights of vulnerable groups such as children, women, refugees and people with disabilities.
It also seeks to limit gender-based and domestic violence in society by building the capacities of civil society organisations and training them to respond to and address the needs of vulnerable groups in the community.
NHF Executive Director Hana Shaheen underscored the importance of familiarising local communities with respect for human rights in order to combat poverty and improve living conditions of people, regardless of their gender, age or nationality.
"We aim at eliminating the marginalisation of certain groups in the community... women must become efficient members everywhere, whether in their homes, at their microprojects or in municipal councils," Shaheen said at the launch yesterday.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Social Development Secretary General Mohammad Khasawneh noted that civil society institutions play a pioneering role in embedding respect for human rights in local communities as they "monitor the status of human rights and introduce individuals to their guaranteed rights".
Implemented under a 200,000 euro grant from the EC, the project will cover east Amman, Sweileh, Irbid and Balqa governorates, including Salt, Ain Al Basha, Deir Alla and Mahes/Fuheis.
Under the project, counselling will be offered to victims of gender-based violence, while Iraqi families in Jordan will receive psychological and social counselling.
Patrick Renauld, head of the EC Delegation to Jordan, said the Kingdom's greatest assets are its youth and the high education levels, but society can only benefit from such capabilities when "highly qualified" women are recognised as economic and social pillars of the community.
"Evolutions of traditional behaviours do take place whenever societies face a need. Jordan needs more active women. We need all their capacity and skills," Renauld said yesterday, adding that sustainable development can only be achieved through the inclusion of all components of society.
By Hana Namrouqa
© Jordan Times 2009
