Jordan: Breaking the cycle of fear and abuse

An LWF program equips survivors of violence with tools to overcome fear and transform their lives

(LWI) - Breaking the Cycle of Fear is the name of an initiative which has been pioneered by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Jordan to support and empower survivors of violence. The initiative was one of 16 stories featured by UN Women in a publication for last year’s 16 Days of Activism.

“I used to live in a closed circle of housework and fear,” says one woman, identified simply as Samah, who benefitted from the program and has now taken on a leadership role helping others to break the cycle of violent abuse. “Now I value myself and know how to manage my anger and the challenges of parenting. Every woman must break the barrier of fear and take every opportunity for growth,” she says.

Samah’s story illustrates the life-changing impact that the program is having for many women and girls in Jordan. Formerly trapped in an abusive relationship with her son, she worked with trained case managers and psychosocial support specialists to regain her self-esteem, set boundaries and improve the relationship with her adult son.

Building trust, resilience and long-term wellbeing

Targeting communities particularly affected by violence in the family, the program serves primarily women and girls, but also some men and boys. It offers counseling, group workshops and skills building activities focused principally on conflict resolution, stress management and economic empowerment.

With a focus on building resilience and promoting long-term wellbeing, the initiative equips survivors of violence with the tools to transform their lives. Survivors can also be connected to more specialized services offering follow-up to ensure a sustained impact of the transformation process.

Each year, some 500 people benefit from the program, with its positive impact extending beyond the survivors to include their families and wider communities. The initiative also exemplifies the power of collaboration between LWF, local organizations, case managers and the survivors themselves. By building trust and providing safe spaces, many like Samah have been able to rebuild their lives and become local community leaders.

Ameera Khamis, Country Director for LWF Jordan and Syria, commented: “We are immensely proud to see our efforts in Jordan showcased in the ‘16 Impact Stories for 16 Days’ publication. The Breaking the Cycle of Fear through our case management initiative embodies our solid commitment to empowering survivors of violence and creating a ripple effect of positive change in their communities.”

Reaffirming a commitment to addressing violence in all its forms, she concluded: “The inclusion of this story in such a significant platform amplifies the voices of survivors and underscores the collective strength of community-focused interventions.”