Child protection

Violence against children remains pervasive  

In Jordan, important progress has been made to protect children. Yet many children still experience violence in their daily lives. 

Violence against children takes many forms. It can be physical, emotional or sexual. It happens in every country and any setting – in a child's home, school or online. 

Recent data show the scale of the problem. Nearly 75% of children aged 1–14 years experienced at least one form of violence. While this is a slight decrease from 81% in 2018, the number remains alarmingly high. Most commonly, children faced psychological aggression (72%), and more than 50% were physically punished. 

Children also face other forms of violence. According to the 2020 National Violence Against Children Study, more than 25% of children in this age group, 1 – 14, have experienced sexual violence, ranging from inappropriate speech to more serious abuse. In addition, 13% of children reported being exposed to at least one form of cyber violence. 

Child marriage and labour deny children their childhood

Over the past decade, the number of child marriages in Jordan has steadily fallen — from 13.8% in 2015 to 8% in 2024. Despite the decline, child marriage remains a serious problem: 81,884 children under the age of 18 were recorded as married between 2015 and 2024, including 5,085 in 2024 alone.  

Girls are affected far more than boys. Of all recorded child marriages over the past ten years, 79,587 involved girls.

Child labour also continues to put children at risk. In 2016, an estimated 70,000 children between the ages of 5 and 17 were engaged in work, with boys making up the vast majority. While updated national figures are not yet available, recent reports suggest child labour is rising, as families struggle with economic hardships and worsening living conditions. Many children work in dangerous and hidden environments, from landfills and factories to farms, and around two-thirds are trapped in the worst forms  of child labour, including landfills, factories and farms.

Justice for children demands a stronger, more sensitive system. Jordan has made progress in building a justice system that recognizes children’s rights. However, important gaps remain in how children who come into contact with the law are treated.

Current laws and regulations do not clearly define when and how children should be directed away from court and detention toward better options, instead, like community programmes or ways to make things right without deprivation of liberty. Even though putting a child in detention should only happen when there is absolutely no other choice, and for as short a time as possible, this is not always followed or written clearly into the law.  

The minimum age of criminal responsibility remains 12, below the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s recommended minimum of 14. As a result, many children face formal legal proceedings: in 2024, more than 8,000 children entered the justice system. 

Out of all the children in the system, only 16 out of every 100 were given a punishment that did not involve detention. And only about one in three were sorted out by the police without even going to court. 

Children growing up without family care

Jordan has 20 residential care centres, run by the Ministry of Social Development and private providers, that host more than 630 children. Most of these children were abandoned at birth or placed in care due to abuse or neglect.

Many children living in residential facilities have experienced trauma. Yet, access to mental health care and emotional support remains limited. Children often face stigma and discrimination and struggle with questions of identity and belonging, which can affect their wellbeing and relationships.

While Jordan has systems in place to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation, gaps remain. Without stronger coordination and comprehensive action, children cannot be fully protected from harm.