Combating domestic abuse in Jordan from the top-down: liberal and/or democratic statebuilding?

Watkins, Jessica (2019) Combating domestic abuse in Jordan from the top-down: liberal and/or democratic statebuilding? Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding. ISSN 1750-2977

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Abstract

This article explores how liberal statebuilding can produce unexpected results by examining Jordan's campaign against domestic abuse. Jordan's Family Protection Initiative exemplifies the executive's implementation of externally-supported measures promoting women's empowerment. However, ambiguities over its central mission have resulted in the state pressuring victims to reconcile with abusive family members. I argue that the Initiative reflects regime survival strategies, designed to deflect international calls for democratic reform, co-opt the Jordanian women's movement, and circumvent Islamist and tribal opposition. Critics' accusations that the Initiative is ‘foreign’ are largely veiled criticisms of the executive for politically marginalising them and/or usurping their authority in family matters.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/risb20/current
Additional Information:	© 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
Divisions:	Middle East Centre
Subjects:	J Political Science > JC Political theory H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Date Deposited:	11 May 2020 11:00
Last Modified:	13 Sep 2024 23:26
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/104328

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