Queen stresses need to automate procedures related to domestic abuse cases

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Monday chaired the National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) annual board of trustees meeting.

As chairperson of the council, the Queen emphasised the importance of automating national procedures related to family abuse cases and connecting all stakeholders to facilitate referrals, ensure proper follow up and avoid duplication of efforts.

Queen Rania also called for building on previous national accomplishments and projects in the areas of family and childhood protection, which Jordan has put a great effort into building and pioneering in the region, according to a statement from Her Majesty’s office. 

However, many of these projects are not being utilised like the installation of closed-circuit television in juvenile courts in the Kingdom.

Rajai Muasher, vice chairman of the NCFA board, spoke about the importance of utilising the expertise of the board members through the various subcommittees and their roles in making sure the council’s objectives are fully achieved.

NCFA Secretary General Fadel Al Homoud presented an outline of the council’s future plans and development projects which serve NCFA’s strategic goals that aim to strengthen the fabric of Jordanian families, the statement said. 

He said the NCFA will support and follow up on the work of other public and private organisations that work in the same field so as to coordinate between them and maximise the outcomes of their work.

Homoud also explained that the council is in the process of automating family abuse cases, and is about to release a training manual on early childhood programmes. The NCFA will also establish two centres that provide family counselling services.

In addition, the council will work with trainers who will be giving courses on safe Internet usage for families and children.

Moreover, the NCFA will issue a report on the characteristics and conditions of the Jordanian family as well as develop the National Strategic Plan for Family Protection against Family Violence, the National Framework for Family Protection and the National Jordanian Strategy for Senior Citizens.

The council is working to improve services provided to newborns and children under the age of four, as well as standards of nurseries and foster care homes in the country.

Last year, the NCFA issued a foster care guidebook in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and Save the Children.
The manual, which has been distributed to foster families in the country, tackles the best practices in dealing with foster children until they turn 18, serving as a reference for families and institutions working with foster children.

During Monday’s meeting, board members discussed different issues including the need to build on the capacity of existing family counselling centres and conducting holistic studies on the characteristics of the Jordanian family. 

They also talked about the importance of applying and constantly developing legislation that aims to protect and empower the family unit, as well as increasing the role of religious figures in promoting concepts that would positively affect families in Jordan.