Flow explorer

Reported amount

$285,969

Contribution type

financial

Flow type

Standard

Donor

UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women

Recipient agency

JoWomenomics

Destination

Jordan

Plan

Unspecified

Sector

Protection - Gender-Based Violence

Decision date

03 Nov 2024

First reported

01 Apr 2025

Reference

27_46176

Multi-Sector - GBV Programming (Why:) This project addresses a critical and pervasive issue in Jordan, where 40% (of reported sexual harassment and exploitation incidents occur on public transportation. Marginalized women, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who rely on public transit, are disproportionately affected due to their limited access to private transportation and the prevailing lack of awareness and effective strategies to combat Violence Against Women and Girls (VAW/G). The pervasive culture of harassment, compounded by societal norms that foster survivor-blaming, silence, and male entitlement, significantly undermines women's autonomy, freedom, and economic participation, thus exacerbating Jordan's already low gender equality rankings. Moreover, the absence of a coordinated response among key stakeholders—including the Ministry of Transportation (MoT), Land Transportation Regulatory Commission (LTRC), Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), and Public Security Directorate (PSD) in Amman and other governorates in Jordan —has resulted in insufficient measures to ensure the safety of women in public transit. The need for comprehensive legal and regulatory reform, anti-harassment training, widespread community awareness, and the creation of inclusive and gender-sensitive environments is both urgent and essential to counter this growing threat. The project feeds into the implementation of the economic modernization vision and the engendered strategy for women’s empowerment. (Who:) The primary beneficiaries of this initiative are Jordanian, Syrian, Palestinian and refugee women who endure sexual harassment and intimidation in the densely populated governorate of Amman, particularly those commuting to and from governorates, industrial areas and key employment hubs. These women, often engaged in precarious work, are especially vulnerable due to their socioeconomic status, which necessitates lengthy, overcrowded commutes where they face heightened risks of harassment. Secondary beneficiaries include essential stakeholders such as GAM, LTRC, PSD, private transportation companies, and bus drivers in Amman, as well as male and adolescent commuters of various nationalities who also utilize public transportation. By adopting a holistic approach, this project aims to create a safer and more equitable environment for all. (How:) This project will implement a comprehensive strategy to combat harassment in public transportation through targeted partnerships and interventions. Collaborating with ten women-led Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in Amman, the project will enhance their capacity to empower women with knowledge and resources to report harassment and abuse in public transportation systems effectively. Preventative measures will be instituted in collaboration with commuters, transportation operators, and relevant authorities. Through strategic partnerships with GAM and LTRC, JoWomenomics (JW) plans to introduce and enforce anti-harassment policies, by-laws, and regulatory standards, mandating transportation operators to undergo anti-harassment training. The renewal of permits for privatelyowned mini-busses, which is annually, will be contingent upon drivers completing this training, and licensed buses will be required to display prominent anti-harassment messaging, voicing explicit support for environments of safety, inclusion, and positive masculinity. Complementing these institutional and regulatory efforts, a community engagement campaign will drive cultural change by promoting empathy, responsibility, and respect. Additionally, a mobile and web application will be developed to enable real-time reporting of harassment, facilitate open dialogue on the issue, and help commuters navigate transportation systems with greater safety. JW will mange the app and through its FICRI, analysis will be conducted. (Where:) The project will be implemented at the bus terminals in the Amman governorate, the economic heart of Jordan, which serves as a nexus for employment opportunities and transportation networks connecting the broader region. Amman’s public and private bus services transport tens of thousands of workers daily from neighboring governorates to various employment hubs. However, the overcrowded and often claustrophobic conditions of these vehicles create an environment ripe for harassment, exacerbated by societal taboos that discourage reporting and accountability. (What:) The project seeks to achieve the following high-impact outcomes: 1. Empower women and girls who rely on public transportation by providing comprehensive support mechanisms, including training, capacity-building programs, access to vital information and services, and tools to report harassment and identify safe routes. 2. Forge robust institutional partnerships with key stakeholders, ensuring the enforcement of anti-harassment policies, practices, and regulations within GAM, LTRC, PSD, and private transportation companies. 3. Enhance the expertise and capabilities of frontline staff on anti-harassment protocols, leading to a significant reduction in sexual harassment incidents within public transportation systems. 4. Foster a societal shift in attitudes through widespread public awareness campaigns, media engagement, and open dialogue, promoting a culture of respect, safety, and positive masculinity in public spaces. Project Cost: $997,500