Workshop on Developing the National Strategy for Juvenile Justice
06-08-2023
The National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA), in cooperation with UNICEF, on Wednesday organized a workshop to develop the National Strategy for Juvenile Justice, which aims to develop scenarios to improve treatment for juveniles in line with "advanced" world humanitarian standards.
Speaking at the event, Assistant Secretary-General of NCFA's Technical Affairs, Mohammad Al-Zu'bi, said Jordan's juvenile justice strategy is "a guide to carry out this group's activities and programs," as its development basis relied on a "participatory" approach based on involving stakeholders in this effort.
The strategy covers two levels of performance indicators: results related to the strategic objectives, which have been aligned with international and local indicators to evaluate progress at both local and international levels, and those related to projects and activities specific to each strategic objective to measure them while comprehensively implementing the projects, Al-Zu'bi added.
In turn, UNICEF representative Maryam Al-Qassem underscored the need for the inclusivity of the strategy for all children, ensuring its quality based on the case management criteria. Al-Qassem also noted the importance of reviewing strategies launched in this field, primarily child labor strategy and protection from domestic violence, which should produce "better" outcomes in light of the limited financial resources.
For his part, a representative of the Juvenile and Family Protection Department, Col. Qais Al-Gharaibeh, said the "vital" role of the Public Security Directorate (PSD) is to implement national legislation, specifically, Code of Criminal Procedure, to provide "participatory" and awareness services to resolve disputes that spare children the adverse effects of judicial measures and ensure their sound life healthily and educationally.
The strategy includes several axes that focus on legislation and frameworks that meet the needs of the juvenile justice system. It also underscores prevention, awareness, and enhancing the role of media in raising awareness and educating about juvenile justice concepts. Furthermore, it highlights conducting scientific studies on the juvenile justice system and the protection of delinquent children who are most vulnerable to exploitation.
The overall objectives of the strategy included enhancing the level of comprehensive services for juveniles at all stages of the juvenile justice system. This encompasses mental health, social, educational, and vocational support services. Additionally, it aims to activate collaborative coordination among all local and international ministries and institutions to deal with the juvenile justice system. Besides enhancing the competency of individuals working within this system
