Amman: A joint committee of the Senate, led by Senator Yassin Husban, convened on Monday to deliberate on the social, health, and security dimensions of the family protection system and explore proposed solutions. The meeting, which brought together key figures including Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa, Minister of Health Ibrahim Bdour, Senator Khawla Armouti, and Brig. Gen. Butai Al-Shishani, focused on the multifaceted approach needed to address family protection.
According to Jordan News Agency, Husban underscored the comprehensive nature of family protection, emphasizing that it extends beyond legal and security measures to encompass the psychological, physical, and social well-being of family members. He highlighted the necessity for collaboration among institutions such as the Ministries of Health and Social Development, alongside the legislative oversight provided by the Senate. The Health Ministry's role in delivering extensive healthcare services, improving reproductive health, and expanding mental health coverage was particularly stressed by Husban.
Husban also emphasized the importance of providing psychological support to women and families affected by stress or domestic violence, in collaboration with relevant authorities. He pointed out that healthcare providers should serve as the initial contact point for identifying domestic violence cases and offer emergency and therapeutic care while maintaining confidentiality.
Senator Khawla Armouti, head of the Senate's Women's Committee, articulated that family protection is a collective national responsibility requiring coordinated efforts among various institutions and stakeholders. She advocated for enhancing the family protection and counseling system to ensure nationwide access to services, personnel training, sustained social follow-up, and the adoption of preventative policies.
Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa highlighted the significance of a preventive and proactive strategy to mitigate domestic violence. She detailed the ministry's implementation of psychological, social, and parenting support programs through community development centers, which aim to improve parenting skills, anger management, and self-expression to tackle the root causes of violence.
Health Minister Ibrahim Bdour emphasized the health sector's crucial role in identifying domestic violence cases, noting that medical professionals are often the first to detect signs of violence. He stressed the importance of training medical personnel to recognize indicators of violence and respond appropriately, alongside community awareness campaigns to educate the public on domestic violence prevention.