The Journey to Silence: Understanding TFGBV and Its Impact on Young Women’s Civic Engagement
As part of ARDD’s Reclaiming the Future Campaign, and within the framework of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Renaissance Strategic Center (RSC) held a dialogue session on Monday, December 1st, addressing the effects of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) on the civic and democratic participation of young women. Dr. Miriam Abu Samra, Director of the RSC, opened the session by emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about the various forms of violence women face, stressing that the conversation must continue beyond the 16 Days of Activism. Her remarks were followed by the launch of the RSC study titled “The Journey to Silence: How TFGBV Affects the Democratic Participation of Young Women.” The study examines the nature and manifestations of TFGBV, particularly within the Jordanian context, and explores how societal expectations intensify its impact. It identifies two interconnected types of barriers that hinder reporting and response: legislative barriers and sociocultural barriers. Together, these barriers compound the effects of TFGBV, especially for young women who may lack the financial resources or social capital needed to combat such violence. The study sought to answer the question: How does TFGBV affect the democratic participation of young women? Findings reveal that young women often withdraw from online spaces after experiencing harassment, cyberbullying, or blackmail, perceiving digital spaces as hostile and unsafe. Those who were previously outspoken on social issues reported resorting to anonymous accounts and limiting themselves to “apolitical content,” which significantly restricts their civic and democratic engagement. Following the presentation of findings, a panel discussion was held featuring three speakers who shared insights from their respective fields. Carla Ammary, a senior at Al-Mahreq Schools, presented research conducted as part of her curriculum on TFGBV and the lived experiences of digital natives. She explained that for her generation, the boundaries between the digital and physical worlds are blurred, with identities shaped by both local surroundings and global online interactions. Carla highlighted that increased time spent online exposes young people—especially young women—to a continuum of digital violence, exacerbated by both age and gender. Yara Al-Rafie, researcher and project officer at the Jordan Open-Source Association (JOSA), offered a technical perspective. She discussed how algorithms contribute to the marginalization of women online, particularly Arabic-speaking women. She also addressed the limitations of content moderation systems, noting that cultural and linguistic gaps often lead platforms to dismiss reports of harmful content: “Sometimes you report something, and they say it doesn’t violate guidelines—but they don’t know it violates our community guidelines,” she explained. To address this gap, JOSA developed an open-source AI-enabled tool to help researchers detect online gender-based hate speech across various Arabic dialects as well as Kurdish. Finally, Roa’a Abu Nada, a freelance journalist, shared her experiences working on sensitive issues in Jordan. She described the discouragement she faces as a woman pursuing investigative stories and emphasized the power of narratives and language in shaping public perceptions of violence. Phrases like “boys will be boys,” “what was she wearing?” or “why was she online?” normalize violence and shift blame to victims rather than perpetrators. Roa’a concluded by reflecting on the guilt she felt after deleting posts due to external threats, balancing her safety with the desire to ensure her work reached the public.
ARDD Participates in Global Convening on Strategic Fundraising
ARDD took part in The Fund for Global Human Rights’ convening, “Strengthening Strategic Fundraising,” held in Greece on December 2–3, 2025, following an official invitation from the Fund. Lobna Al-Khatib, ARDD’s Head of the Administration Department, represented the organization as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance institutional capacity and advance sustainable funding strategies. The convening brought together organizations from various regions to exchange experiences and strengthen strategic fundraising skills. Sessions addressed the evolving funding landscape, donor engagement, compliance requirements, business continuity planning, and approaches for long-term diversification. Reflecting on the experience, Al-Khatib noted: “Strengthening our fundraising strategies is not just about securing resources—it is about ensuring ARDD’s long-term ability to serve communities, uphold rights, and expand our impact across regions.” Through this participation, ARDD reaffirmed its commitment to cross-regional learning, operational excellence, and continuous institutional development.
A Session Exploring the Gaps Facing Women in Green Entrepreneurship
Lawyers Ahmad Akhou Ameira and Mousa Al-Zyoud from the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) participated in delivering a presentation on the legal challenges and opportunities surrounding women’s participation in economic development, whether through establishing small and medium enterprises or pursuing available employment opportunities. This took place during a roundtable session held in Amman on 20 November 2025, as part of ARDD’s cooperation with the Movement for Peace – MPDL Jordan, in collaboration with the Be Positive Association, aimed at supporting the economic and social participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and refugees within the framework of the green economy. The roundtable session, titled “Gaps and Challenges Facing Women in Green Entrepreneurship: From Idea to Financing, and the Impact of Environmental Awareness on Project Sustainability,” was organized under the project “Enhancing Women’s Effective Participation through a Comprehensive Rights-Based Approach in Jordan,” implemented by Movement for Peace – MPDL Jordan in partnership with a group of local associations. The session brought together representatives from government institutions, civil society organizations, and experts in the field of the green economy. Participants discussed the key challenges hindering women’s entry into the green entrepreneurship ecosystem, starting from idea development and proposal writing, to the difficulty of accessing donors, and finally, to meeting the requirements for sustaining environmental projects. Attendees emphasized that low environmental awareness is one of the most significant barriers to the growth and continuity of women-led projects in this sector. Other obstacles were also highlighted, including the concentration of most projects on recycling without expanding into emerging green sectors; limited knowledge of environmental systems and licensing complexities; the absence of databases for supporting institutions; skills and technical gaps; and high production costs relative to the local market. The Ministry of Environment and the Vocational Training Corporation presented overviews of the support available, including technical consultations, connecting women entrepreneurs with specialized partners, and providing training programs in energy, water, sustainable agriculture, and waste management. They also reviewed the national standards for assessing green projects and the relevant national policies. In conclusion, participants stressed the need to enhance environmental awareness, facilitate access to financing, and develop institutional support pathways to ensure the sustainability of green projects. They also called for fostering creative thinking and building women’s capacities in feasibility studies, marketing, and preparing competitive proposals.
Empowering Women in Gaza – Lessons from Global Contexts
The Renaissance Strategic Center (RSC), as the think-tank hub of the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), organized a webinar, titled: Empowering Women in Gaza: Lessons from Global Contexts on Tuesday 11th November within the framework of UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, the event highlighted the urgency of integrating women’s leadership into peacebuilding and decision-making processes. Speakers included Sir Charles Petrie( ARDD Senior Advisor and former UN Assistant Secretary General), Mr. Nicolas Burniat(UN Women Country Representative Jordan and Officer-in-Charge UN Women Palestine) and Ms. Heba Zayyan (Regional Advisor, Women, peance, security and humanitarian action for UN women). The discussion was moderated by Dr Sana Jelassi(Senior Advisor for ARDD’s Program on Women and Youth Empowerment ). Sir Charles Petrie opened the webinar by explaining its genesis, noting that preliminary discussions around peace plans for Gaza revealed a common concern: the international community risks sidelining women and local actors, allowing those “with the arms” to define priorities instead of the people sustaining Gaza’s daily survival.Drawing on global experiences, including Syria, Papua New Guinea, Sudan, and Myanmar, he showed how women consistently become the backbone of resilience, leading community responses, mediating social tensions, and sustaining essential services. He emphasized that the purpose of the webinar, aligned with the commitments of UNSCR 1325, is to equip donors and policymakers with concrete arguments for women’s inclusion in peacebuilding. Mr. Nicolas presented the humanitarian situation in Gaza, citing UN estimates that tens of thousands of women and girls have been killed since the start of the war. In line with the Women, Peace and Security agenda, Nicolas stressed that women’s voices must be central to ceasefire negotiations, early recovery discussions, and governance reforms. Local women’s organizations have kept essential services running despite immense exhaustion, and their leadership must guide peacebuilding efforts. Ahead of the recovery conference planned in Egypt, he called for inclusive participation mechanisms that guarantee women’s leadership from the earliest stages. Rebuilding Gaza must include structures that amplify women’s voices and restore transnational governance links essential for long-term peace. Ms. Heba discussed the historical evolution of the Palestinian women’s movement, rooted in the national liberation struggle and deeply connected to political participation. Organizations such as Miftah have long advocated for legal reform and political representation across the West Bank and Gaza. She highlighted how the 2007 political split and the blockade severely disrupted women’s activism, limiting legal space and fragmenting organizational networks. Repeated wars have destroyed infrastructure, erased memory spaces, and undermined community identity. Despite this, Heba emphasized that women remain at the heart of Gaza’s resilience and are indispensable to rebuilding the social fabric. Her intervention underscored a key principle of UNSCR 1325: women’s meaningful participation is inseparable from national rights, sovereignty, and representation. Palestinian women will not accept decision-making processes that exclude Gazan voices. Across all interventions, speakers reaffirmed a unified message, Gaza’s peacebuilding must be rooted in the Women, Peace and Security agenda and the principles of UNSCR 1325. Women’s leadership, community-based resilience, and local governance structures are not secondary considerations, they are essential foundations for sustainable peace, social cohesion, and recovery. The webinar called therefore on the international community to prioritize women’s participation, create institutional space for their leadership, and commit to recovery strategies that reflect the lived realities of Gaza’s communities. Only through inclusive, gender-responsive, resilience-driven approaches can Gaza’s future be rebuilt on a stable and equitable foundation.
ARDD Shares Research on Adaptive Social Protection and Climate Resilience at IDOS International Workshop
Last week, Dr. María del Mar Logroño Narbona, Senior Advisor at ARDD, presented our recent research on adaptive social protection and climate resilience in Jordan’s refugee camps during the International Workshop “(How) does social protection promote climate change mitigation and adaptation? Empirical evidence and way forward,” organized by the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) at the IDOS Campus in Bonn, Germany, from 26 to 28 November 2025. The workshop brought together researchers and specialists from around the world, providing a platform for dialogue on the relationship between climate change, adaptive social protection, and vulnerability. Dr. Logroño Narbona’s presentation, “From Safety Nets to Climate Resilience? Adaptive Social Protection and Governance in Jordan’s Refugee Camps,” shared evidence on how climate risks, such as heatwaves, dust storms, and flooding, interact with governance structures, shelter conditions, and declining humanitarian assistance in Zaatari and Azraq camps. ARDD emphasized the importance of climate-responsive humanitarian safety nets, strengthened health systems, and effective camp governance approaches that support refugee agencies as crucial elements for future climate adaptation efforts. This contribution aimed to inform ongoing global discussions on the intersection of climate change, displacement, and adaptive social protection.
The International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on Israel’s Obligations Towards UN Agencies, Other International Organizations and Third States: Initial Reflections
Amman, 17 November 2025 – The Question of Palestine Program at ARDD’s Renaissance Strategic Center (RSC), in partnership with Law for Palestine (L4P), hosted a high-level hybrid event titled “The International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on Israel’s Obligations Towards UN Agencies, Other International Organizations and Third States: Initial Reflections.” The panel brought together leading experts and practitioners, including Ardi Imseis, who served as part of the legal team contributing to the proceedings that led to the ICJ Advisory Opinion; Michael Lynk, former UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory; Mona Ali Khalil, whose extensive expertise on UN legal frameworks and the law governing international organizations offers a vital lens through which to interpret the Opinion; Anis F. Kassim, a foundational figure in advancing legal scholarship on Palestine’s international legal status and the rights of its people; and Matthew Hoisington, Chief of International Law at UNRWA’s Department of Legal Affairs, whose internal perspective provided a unique reading of the ICJ Advisory Opinion and its implications for UNRWA’s mandate and operational space. The discussion was facilitated by Ihsan Adel, Founder and Chair of Law for Palestine. The event concentrated on the Advisory Opinion the International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently delivered on the 22 of October 2025, as requested by the UN General Assembly in December 2024. The Opinion addresses the responsibilities of states and international organizations in the face of an ongoing genocide and humanitarian catastrophe, and calls out for a third time Israel’s role as an occupying power and as a UN member state. It builds on the ICJ’s earlier 2004 and 2024 Advisory Opinions, and forms part of a growing legal framework addressing the illegality of Israel’s prolonged occupation and its conduct during ongoing hostilities. This coherent legal narrative challenges impunity and centers Palestinian rights. The request indeed, even though it’s not directly addressed in the question, was triggered by Israel’s ban on UNRWA and its escalating restrictions on humanitarian access at a time when Gaza is experiencing unprecedented levels of destruction, famine, forced displacement, and collapse of essential systems. Across the panel, experts highlighted that the Advisory Opinion reaffirms fundamental and binding principles of international humanitarian and human rights law. The Opinion not only restates core legal norms but also provides factual findings, particularly regarding humanitarian obstruction and attacks on UNRWA, that are likely to influence current and future international litigation. The panel stressed that the ICJ decisively rejected allegations questioning UNRWA’s neutrality and found no substantiated evidence supporting Israel’s claims. The Opinion situates UNRWA’s decades-long presence and “unique and sustained connection” with the population of Gaza within the framework of international law, reinforcing the agency’s mandate and highlighting Israel’s obligation to cooperate with it in good faith. Speakers noted that attempts to delegitimize or dismantle UNRWA, through military attacks, legislative bans, withdrawal of immunities, and political pressure, have direct and devastating consequences for Palestinian civilians, and that diminishing the agency’s capacity only increases Israel’s own legal responsibilities as the occupying power. Israel, as an occupying power, must ensure the provision of essential supplies to Palestinians and must facilitate, not obstruct, relief operations by the UN, particularly UNRWA. Under Article 59 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, the occupying power is obligated to provide relief schemes and to refrain from any form of forcible transfer or deportation. Panelists noted that Israel’s sustained attacks on UNRWA’s operations and its obstruction of humanitarian assistance constitute an implied attempt to withhold relief from the population, thereby creating conditions that could pressure residents to leave the territory. The Court explicitly connected the withdrawal of relief schemes to the prohibition on the forcible transfer of the protected population. The Court also clearly reaffirmed that Israel has no claim to sovereignty over any part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and that its occupation is unlawful, with the UN General Assembly already having set 18 September 2025 as the deadline for Israel’s complete withdrawal. Panelists emphasized that, for years, international debates had centered on managing the occupation within the framework of international law rather than on bringing it to an end. The ICJ’s 2024 Advisory Opinion marked a decisive shift by explicitly determining that Israel’s continued physical presence in the territory is itself unlawful. Yet, the international oversight of the Israeli occupation reveals a persistent gap between the clarity of international law and the lack of meaningful international accountability. While the legal framework governing occupation, humanitarian protection, and the right to self-determination is well-established, the political determination to enforce these norms remains critically lacking. Several panelists noted that Israel’s disregard of its obligations under the UN Charter, as well as its obstruction of UN agencies and humanitarian actors, raises fundamental questions regarding its continued standing within the United Nations. Should Israel persist in defying binding decisions of the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the ICJ, its position and status in the UN system may be challenged, and similar measures adopted for Apartheid South Africa’s membership in 1974 could be considered by the General Assembly. The Advisory Opinion may thus serve as an authoritative legal reference demonstrating that Israel has engaged in sustained violations of its duties to act in good faith, to cooperate with the United Nations, and to respect the privileges and immunities of the UN and its personnel, as its actions aimed at restricting UNRWA’s work are incompatible with its obligations under the UN Charter and the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. Panelists underscored that the ICJ’s findings apply equally to Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur mandated by the Human Rights Council to monitor and report on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, whose functions are likewise protected under international law. The event concluded with a unified message: the ICJ Advisory Opinion provides a clear legal foundation that must now translate into political action, operational protection, and meaningful accountability for a government that has dishonored itself internationally. The
ARDD Participates in Barcelona’s Regional Civic Forums
The Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) participated in the Barcelona meetings held from 12 to 16 November 2025, joining Euro-Mediterranean partners to address rising authoritarianism, shrinking civic space, and the urgent need for collective action on justice and human rights. ARDD’s engagement in the Non-Violence Factory and the UNSILENCE Forum directly supports its mission to strengthen civic actors, advance democratic values, and strengthen international solidarity with Palestine. During the Non-Violence Factory, ARDD joined activists and human rights defenders from across the Euro-Meditarrenean region to explore how prevailing narratives, social tensions, and environmental pressures are shaping new forms of authoritarianism and to identify non-violent strategies to confront them. The collaborative workshops and group reflections aligned with ARDD’s commitment to empowering grassroots leaders, supporting non-violent advocacy, and advancing localization. The exchange of experiences reinforced ARDD’s work on protecting civic space, building community resilience, and strengthening the role of youth and marginalized voices in public life. At the UNSILENCE Forum, ARDD joined panels discussing militarization in Europe, disinformation, and new threats to democratic participation, key themes within ARDD’s regional policy and research agenda. The Forum’s strong focus on Palestine, including the launch of the ActXPalestine campaign, echoed ARDD’s long-standing advocacy for Palestinian rights and its leadership within regional and international solidarity platforms. ARDD’s participation in the Barcelona meetings strengthened its partnerships across the Euro-Mediterranean region and supported its strategic priorities for 2025–2028, particularly its efforts to expand Euro-MENA collaboration, defend civic freedoms, and promote rights-based approaches to peace and development. These engagements reaffirm ARDD’s role as a regional actor dedicated to advancing social justice, protecting civic space, and upholding the rights and dignity of all peoples.
Renaissance Strategic Center Partners with Social Change School
The Renaissance Strategic Centre (RSC) is enthusiastic to announce a partnership with the Social Change School (SCS) [https://www.socialchangeschool.org/en/], formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed this November. As a pioneering educational institution in Europe, SCS is dedicated to empowering young professionals and managers to lead and innovate nonprofit organizations, driving stronger social impact. The SCS Career Service Coordinator based in Jordan, Bruno Clerici, and our RSC Coordinator, Mariam Abu Samra, recently met to launch this collaboration, which will provide field training periods for SCS students at ARDD/ RSC Jordan, upon completing their SCS master’s programs. Through this initiative, SCS students from Europe will have the opportunity to join our RSC Internship Program in Amman. SCS will cover some of the associated costs, while RSC will offer guidance and mentorship throughout this hands-on experience. SCS students will actively engage in ongoing projects aligned with RSC’s programmatic areas, which are rooted in evidence-based practices and policies. This partnership will expose students to context-specific research, networking strategies, and civic engagement initiatives, enhancing their understanding of the region. This agreement establishes a framework for collaboration and knowledge exchange between Europe and Jordan, aiming to strengthen connections between academic institutions and policy research platforms. It is designed to enrich educational opportunities through hand-on experience, while fostering innovative research outcomes. This partnership reflects ARDD/RSC’s commitment to bridging academic theory with practical applications, promoting knowledge production, and nurturing the next generation of scholars, practitioners, and youth-focused collaborations.
ARDD reaffirms its commitment to child protection and participates in a field visit to the Center for the Care and Rehabilitation of Female Beggars in Al-Dhulail
The Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD),as one of the founding members of the National Working Group to Combat Child Labour established in 2022—took part in a field visit organized by the National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) to the Center for the Care and Rehabilitation of Female Beggars in Al-Dhulail District. The visit coincided with Universal Children’s Day and the World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse. The visit was carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Social Development and Plan International, with the participation of representatives from government bodies, international organizations, and civil society institutions. It aimed to review the services provided to children at the center and to discuss updates on national efforts addressing child labour and begging, as part of the Working Group’s regular meeting agenda. During the visit, ARDD was represented by lawyer Mousa Al-Zyoud. Participating entities presented key national priorities and achievements in reducing child labour, including: the adoption of the Juvenile Protection Regulation No. 36 of 2024 concerning working and begging children, aligned with the Juvenile Law No. 32 of 2014; the establishment of a National Coordinating Committee to develop a database for child labour cases and to follow up on outcomes of related projects and conferences; and the review of the Ministry of Social Development’s 2025 internal procedures manual for handling cases of working children and children in need of protection. In this context, ARDD stresses that since the Working Group was founded in 2022, it has participated in all meetings and national efforts led by the committee, and has contributed to supporting its outputs aimed at strengthening the national child-protection system and ensuring complementarity between governmental and non-governmental roles. Regarding ARDD’s efforts to reduce child labour and enhance child protection, Al-Zyoud explained that the organization’s participation in the visit reflects its ongoing approach to safeguarding children through a wide range of programs and initiatives. These include, notably: Education and child protection projects: delivering awareness and training sessions for children and parents on educational and behavioral challenges; and implementing the “Investing in the Future” project in partnership with Vision Hope International e.V. to integrate artificial-intelligence technologies into education, strengthen student and teacher engagement, and contribute to reducing school dropout and learning gaps, vocational training grants including providing support to adolescents and youth most in need, alongside implementing the “Student Support (Ma‘ounat Taleb)” initiative to supply schoolbags, tablets, and stationery to students, in addition to free legal services: offering legal awareness sessions in the field and online, legal consultations, mediation, and courtroom representation for all nationalities. ARDD also conducts regular monthly visits to juvenile care and rehabilitation centers (from September 2024 through June 2026) to provide legal-awareness sessions for children and to build the capacities of staff. On advocacy and national policies, Al-Zyoud noted that ARDD continues its leadership on the right to education through founding the National Alliance for the Future of Education in Jordan (NAFE), which strengthens efforts to protect educational rights for all, including refugees. The organization also publishes studies, research, and position papers through its Renaissance Strategic Center, addressing child protection and rights, learning loss, accountability, and governance in the education sector. In conclusion, ARDD reiterates its firm commitment to supporting national efforts to protect children, reduce child labour, and promote a safe environment that guarantees children’s rights in Jordan.
ARDD and Amna Amplify Community Perspectives Through the “PhotoVoice” Initiative
As part of its ongoing Prevention and Protection Interventions project with Amna – Refugee Healing Network, ARDD has successfully implemented the PhotoVoice Initiative—a creative and participatory tool designed to monitor and evaluate the project’s impact on local communities. Delivered in collaboration with Amna’s partner in Jordan, the Collateral Repair Project (CRP), this youth-centered initiative empowers young people to document and express their lived experiences through photography, providing a safe and engaging platform for expression, reflection, and dialogue. As an internationally recognized participatory methodology, PhotoVoice enables individuals to communicate their perspectives through photographs accompanied by guided group discussions. By capturing meaningful images, participants highlight the issues that matter most to them, share their aspirations for the future, and spark conversations within their communities. Within this initiative, PhotoVoice serves two intertwined purposes. It enhances the evaluation of the Community Partnership Program (CPP) by generating deeper, human-centered insights into the daily experiences of participants. At the same time, it encourages youth expression and strengthens community engagement by fostering creativity, confidence, and constructive dialogue among adolescents. ARDD and CRP engaged 20 young participants aged 12–18, who took part in an introductory training delivered by an Amna expert and focused on the basics of photography and storytelling. Throughout the project, participants captured photographs in response to thematic prompts such as “What makes you feel safe?” and “Where do you feel you belong?”. They also participated in reflective group discussions to explore the meanings behind their images and selected a series of photos and personal narratives to be featured in a final public exhibition. This process encouraged young people to observe their surroundings more closely, think critically about their experiences, and express their stories in impactful and visually compelling ways. Importantly, several parents accompanied and supported their children during the sessions, and they, too, are direct beneficiaries of the Prevention and Protection Interventions project implemented by ARDD. The initiative culminated in a PhotoVoice Exhibition co-organized by ARDD and CRP at CRP’s community space, where selected participants proudly presented their photographs and stories. The event welcomed families, partners, and community members into an inclusive and warm atmosphere that encouraged conversation and connection. Attendees explored the visual narratives, listened to youth reflections, and engaged in meaningful dialogue inspired by their artwork. Through the PhotoVoice initiative, ARDD reaffirms its commitment to amplifying community voices, particularly the voices of youth and children, and ensuring that their perspectives help shape future programs, narratives, and opportunities. The initiative stands as a testament to ARDD’s dedication to fostering creativity, strengthening dialogue, and ensuring that the lived realities of young people are seen, heard, and valued.