Things Need to Change Now

AWT hosted a Violence and Gender Equity workshop with the aim to raise awareness, embrace positive attitudes, and encourage women to challenge the social practices that discourage women from the pursuit of equality and equitable opportunities.

8th of February 2014

Amman, Jordan (ACCTS-AWT) - 14 women attended each session of the workshop. In the first session, the concept of gender roles and equity ignited heated debates. The women were encouraged to trace back to their childhoods and discuss the basic healthy foundations during the early phase of life. Many mentioned the discrimination in treatment between boys and girls since giving birth to a girl in Arab culture is still considered a shame. Moreover, another lady recalled how she was subjected to her sister’s hand-bi-downs while her male siblings were treated to new clothes.

Our second session opened the discussion on violence. Due to the common Arab saying that ‘A man can do as he wishes in his home’, the existence of the Family Violence Law and the Protection Against the Family Law enacted under the Family Protection Law no. 6 of Jordan 2008 is often suppressed in grave situations due to fear on behalf of the victim. As our session progressed, many women began to open their hearts about their own personal experiences. One participator stated, “I will not allow my daughter to make the same mistake I did and get married too young.”

Therefore, many women were thankful for this session as it allowed women with similar experiences to develop progressive attitudes to the injustice opposed on them and speak out.

One woman shared:

“I should dig into the roots. It’s not the surface issue that needs to be resolved, but the core values instilled in me, as a result of the stumbling blocks which impede the development of greater gender equity.”
 

AWT believes that Violence and Gender Equity workshops are instrumental in teaching women of their self-worth. It also aims to encourage the ladies to challenge the gender discrimination.

By the end of the workshop, one lady commented, “This is why we gather here with the aim to change our opinions. That should not be taken for granted or absolute.”

For information, please visit: Who we are, Why women, Women Empowerment.