The National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) and SOS Children’s Villages have signed a memorandum of understanding, in a significant step towards strengthening services for cases of domestic violence and residential care. The agreement, inked on Wednesday, aims to implement accreditation and quality control standards for services rendered to victims of domestic violence, as well as for facilities providing residential care, including safe houses and children’s villages in key areas such as Amman, Irbid, and Aqaba. NCFA Secretary-General Mohammed Miqdadi, and the Villages’ President, Rana Al-Zu’bi, endorsed the memorandum which reflects the joint efforts of both entities towards improving the quality and standards of services delivered to individuals affected by domestic violence and those in need of residential care. This partnership falls within the larger framework of the project “Enhancing Access to Comprehensive Services Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Jordan”, supported by the European Union and executed by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation. Miqdadi emphasized NCFA’s proactive role in providing technical support to institutions, highlighting the ongoing commitment to bolster the protection system, Noting that it had formulated and approved accreditation and quality control standards for services catering to domestic violence cases. “These standards, endorsed by the Cabinet, serve as a benchmark for national institutions in their response to violence, while also guiding the formulation of institutional policies geared towards family protection. This vital initiative ensures a marked enhancement in the quality of services extended to beneficiaries,” he added. Miqdadi underscored the importance of the agreement, serving to define the overarching framework of cooperation between the Council and SOS Children’s Villages, delineating their respective roles and responsibilities. For her part, Al-Zu’bi underscored the far-reaching implications of the agreement, as it mirrors the Villages’ unwavering dedication to the continuous enhancement of care provided to vulnerable individuals, particularly abused women. She highlighted the agreement’s core objective – to implement accreditation and quality control standards, thereby earning institutional excellence certificates for services aimed at victims of domestic violence who benefit from SOS Children’s Villages’ Safe Houses in Amman, Irbid, and Aqaba. Furthermore, these quality control measures extend to services offered to children and youth lacking familial support, adhering to established accreditation criteria for care facilities. Al-Zu’bi accentuated the importance of national partnerships and collaborative endeavors, reiterating their pivotal role in equipping children and youth with the tools to shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
Source: Jordan News Agency