Amman, May 14 (Petra) -- Jordan will join the international community on Friday in marking the International Day of Families, observed annually on May 15, with this year’s theme "Families, Inequality, and Children’s Well-being," underscoring the role of families in society and the importance of policies that support their development and cohesion.

The National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) said the occasion highlights national efforts to strengthen family-related policies and raise awareness of issues affecting family members across different age groups.

Secretary-General of the NCFA Mohammad Miqdadi said the council has worked over the past years in partnership with national and international institutions to develop strategies, plans, and programs aimed at supporting families and improving services provided to them, acting as a coordinating body to align efforts and avoid duplication.

He noted that over the past 25 years, the council has implemented a range of strategies and policies, including the Early Childhood Development Strategy, the National Juvenile Justice Strategy, the Strategy for the Elderly, and the National Strategy to Reduce Child Labor, forming a national framework for institutions working in the sector.

Miqdadi said the council relies on data-driven approaches and indicators reflecting the realities of Jordanian families, issuing periodic reports that assess their demographic, social, economic, educational, health, marital, and housing conditions, while reviewing the alignment of national policies with family needs and identifying key priorities.

He added that awareness and guidance remain central to strengthening family cohesion, noting the development of the National Strategy for Family Counselling, which aims to institutionalize the profession and expand counseling services through centers established across governorates, including 10 family counseling centers nationwide.

The NCFA has also implemented initiatives aimed at strengthening supportive environments for child development and enhancing women’s economic participation, including the "Bukra" project, which seeks to reduce childcare burdens on working women and facilitate their entry into the labor market, alongside the establishment of institutional and home-based nurseries.

On digital risks, Miqdadi said the council, in cooperation with UN Women and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has conducted training programs addressing cybercrimes and online exploitation, targeting judges, judicial bodies, and protection and social development personnel to enhance responses to gender-based violence in digital spaces.

He added that the council, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UNICEF, and the National Team for Protection from Violence, has prepared the National Executive Plan for Prevention and Multi-Sectoral Response to Child Protection, Domestic Violence, and Violence Against Women and Girls for 2026–2030.

The plan outlines a comprehensive national framework focused on prevention and early intervention, survivor-centred responses, strengthened institutional coordination and accountability, and the development of legislation and policies aimed at ensuring a safe and violence-free environment for children, women, and families.

//Petra// AJ