This research study aims to investigate child labor in Irbid to provide a deep understanding of and knowledge about the socio-economic and cultural context of working children in Irbid. It also aims to propose intervention programs that maximize the effectiveness of the Family and Childhood Protection Society (FCPS);; an NGO in Irbid that works on issues related to children. Various study results have shown that children often work in dangerous and hazardous conditions where they are exposed to physical and psychological abuse;; in addition to exploitation in terms of minimal pay and long working hours. Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used to conduct the research presented in this report. In-depth interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from all organizations working on child-related issues and from working children and their family members.

The report presents an up-to-date analysis of gender disparities in Jordan to inform development assistance programs by the USAID for the 2013-2017 strategic plan. The assessment report is prepared by the Global Health Technical Assistance Project;; funded by USAID Jordan and therefore;; it is based on a literature review and field work of the 21 focus group discussions held in Amman;; Irbid;; Tafileh and Zarqa. The report establishes that Jordan has begun to transition to a knowledge-based economy with the national advantage as its people. It also points out that despite the investments that have helped address gender equality issues;; Jordan continues to bear low female participation in the labor markets;; gender stereotypes about the role of females and males and conservative cultural norms. The report includes a sector-by-sector analysis;; recommendations;; gender review and an illustrative implementation plan. It concludes with key recommendations on the wide breadth of the USAID Jordan portfolio with a key emphasis on gender issues.

The report presents the findings of a desktop survey conducted to review gender studies in Jordan with an overall goal of the survey as to ensure that gender is adequately addressed throughout project research;; analysis and activities of the Public Action for Water;; Energy and Environment Project (PAP). Under the PAP mandate to encourage water and energy conservation and to support behavior change towards more conservation and efficient practices both at the household level and in the commercial;; industrial and civil society arenas using social marketing behavioral methods;; the report is based on a gender desktop review of existing research on gender and natural resource management in Jordan. It capitalizes on the growing body of research on gender across sectors in Jordan including natural resource management;; to apply and adapt the findings to the PAP project activities. The report concludes with recommendations for the PAP projects such as donor collaboration;; improvement of women’s knowledge of water and energy saving methods;; engagement and creation of women’s participation to promote and support opportunities for small;; women-owned business promoting water and energy saving technologies and promotion of alternative technologies.

يتناول موجز السياسات هذا قضية النساء الأردنيات المتزوجات من رجال غير أردنيين واعطائهن الجنسية لعائلاتهن;; حيث يعرض المشكلة والنتائج المترتبة على كل من الزوجة والأبناء والعائلة في حال عدم الحصول على الجنسية;; وكما تناول موقف القانون الدولي من حق المرأة بمنح جنسيتها لأفراد عائلتها وذلك إلى جانب التناقض الموجود في التشريعات الأردنية;; بالاضافة إلى عرض الصعوبات الاقتصادية من جراء عدم التجنيس. وكما تناول الاسئلة الأكثر تكراراً;; وانتهى بتقديم مجموعة من التوصيات موجة لكل من مجلس الأمة والسلطة التنفيذية.

بعد الفرار من العنف والاضطهاد في العراق;; فإن مئات الآلاف من العراقيين الذين يعيشون في الأردن يواجهون تهديداً يومياً للإعتقال والغرامات والترحيل وذلك لأن الحكومة الأردنية تعاملهم معاملة المهاجرين غير الشرعيين بدلاً من معاملتهم كلاجئين. منذ بدء الحرب في العراق في عام 2003;; نزح أكثر من مليون عراقي من بلدهم طلباً للجوء من البلدان المجاورة;; إلا أنه لا يوجد أي من الدول المجاورة للعراق;; ولا الولايات المتحدة;; يعاملونهم كلاجئين. وهذا التقرير يلقي الضوء على محنة اللاجئين العراقيين (والتماس الحلول له) وهي مسؤوليةً مشتركة بين الأردن والدول المجاورة والمجتمع الدولي.

The report is based on the findings of the survey that was designed to review NGO/CBO experience in communication/outreach and assess the capability of individual staff in the relevant NGOS and CBOs. The primary goal of the project is to institutionalize social marketing practices in NGOs and CBOs;; because organizations in the forefront of development depend on their ability to reach target groups and remove barriers to change. The research was conducted as part of the Public Action in Water;; Energy;; and Environmental Project to initiate and establish clear and identifiable behavioral changes amongst the Jordanian public and decision-makers;; to lead to increased efficiency in the use of water and energy;; and to improve solid waste handling practices. The main findings of the research identify sources of funds and grants of the NGOs;; their major activities and partnerships. The report also suggests training for successful fundraising;; social marketing and media campaigns for the NGOs and continued surveys and interviews of the NGOs.

Freedom of expression and press freedom are essential conditions for the conduct of free and fair elections. But in the pre-election period;; Jordanian authorities have used the laws in force;; and other means such as threats and intimidation by internal security forces and government officials;; to restrict free expression;; including press freedom;; in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR);; which Jordan has ratified. This report documents a series of actions taken by the government to tame the print media -- including the temporary closure of thirteen weekly newspapers in September -- and intimidate political critics into silence. Journalists and editors told Human Rights Watch that they have followed a stricter regime of self-censorship since the amendments to the press law were implemented in May 1997;; for fear of being subjected to heavy financial penalties mandated under the new law. In addition;; students;; writers;; and researchers have faced a variety of sanctions -- ranging from detention;; criminal prosecution;; and imprisonment to harassment;; job loss;; and blacklisting -- because they expressed views on political subjects that the government preferred remain off-limits. Such measures have created an atmosphere in which the right to free expression is perceived by many in Jordan as under siege.

This report consists of eight chapters and aims to summarise the key concepts of human development. It introduces the Human Development Index;; provides an overview of Jordan's human development achievements;; examines the regional vulnerability context that has constrained Jordan's options in its pursuit of social and economic development;; provides a platform for the poor to express their views and perceptions in relation to their poverty status;; reviews the policies;; institutions and processes that affect the poor;; examines the government's attempts to stimulate entrepreneurialism;; promotes the application of a rights-based approach;; in which all citizen are equally empowered and have the capacity and the appropriate enabling environment that allows them to claim their entitlements according to law. Finally;; the study examines the various reform initiatives in progress and assesses the extent to which Jordan is committed to the process.