The Higher Population Council, with the support of the United Nations Population Fund, concluded three-month campaign to introduce Darbi. The campaign, implemented in partnership with Jordanian universities, the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development, the Royal Health Awareness Society, and the National Center for Performing Arts - King Hussein Foundation.
This campaign aligns with the council's mission to raise awareness of reproductive health components among adolescents and youth. It aims to improve their health by providing comprehensive information and dispelling misconceptions related to reproductive health. Additionally, the campaign emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in educating adolescents on these topics, building upon the findings and recommendations from relevant studies conducted by the council and stakeholders.
The campaign targeted approximately one thousand students from Jordanian universities. These institutions included the University of Science and Technology, Irbid National University, Amman Al-Ahliyya University, Princess Tharwat College, Al-Balqa Applied University, and the Educational Sciences and Arts College - UNRWA. The campaign also extended its reach to community members. Specifically, it engaged with members of women's committees and youth committees at Princess Basma Development Centers affiliated with the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development. These centers are located in Aqaba, Tafileh, Karak, Sahab, Nuzha, Irbid, Mafraq, and Zarqa. Approximately 350 members of the women's committees and 350 members of the youth committees attended these events.
The Higher Population Council remains committed to raising awareness about family health in Jordan. Their focus is on all aspects of family well-being, with a particular emphasis on reproductive and sexual health for family members, especially adolescents and young people aged 10-24 years. Recent studies have highlighted a critical need in this area. young people often lack accurate information about their reproductive and sexual health, don't receive adequate attention regarding these issues, and struggle to access necessary knowledge and health services. The Council believes that providing a comprehensive package of knowledge about reproductive health and its services is essential. This knowledge will empower adolescents to make informed decisions about their health and navigate the stage of puberty safely.
The campaign featured awareness sessions led by a team from the Higher Population Council. This team included Assistant Secretary General Rania Al-Abadi, Advocacy and Partner Capacity Building Coordinator Badi'a Qubailat, IT Supervisor Engineer Eid Al-Manasir, and Administrative Assistant Majd Al-Qudah. During these sessions, the Council introduced "Darbi," an electronic knowledge platform dedicated to youth reproductive health. Designed with young people in mind, Darbi offers a safe and culturally sensitive space to access comprehensive and accurate information about reproductive health, presented in an engaging and creative way. The sessions also provided training on how to navigate the platform, empowering youth to confidently seek information about reproductive health without hesitation.
In addition to the youth-focused sessions, the campaign also offered specialized workshops for parents. These workshops aimed to enhance parents' role in educating their adolescent children about puberty and reproductive health. The Council utilized its own knowledge products, including a guide titled "Questions and Answers: Sexual and Reproductive Health for Your Adolescent Children". This guide, compiled by Jordanian experts in health, education, and psychology, offers parents scientifically-backed answers to a wide range of questions their children might have about the physical and psychological changes associated with puberty. Additionally, a short educational video for mothers was broadcasted, titled "Educating Adolescents on Sexual and Reproductive Health", as part of the initiative to strengthen the role of parents in raising their adolescent children.
The campaign sessions incorporated elements to further enhance learning. This included competitions and interactive activities using smartphone applications. These activities not only tested participants' knowledge of reproductive health but also incentivized participation through prize rewards. Additionally, the National Center for Culture and Arts, affiliated with the King Hussein Foundation, presented interactive theatrical performances titled "Imaginary Barriers". These performances tackled the social aspects of reproductive health, emphasizing the importance of enhancing youth reproductive health awareness.
The Higher Population Council's commitment to inclusivity extended beyond the campaign itself. The Council recently completed a comprehensive update to the "Darbi" platform, ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities. This update, supported by the United Nations Population Fund, addressed both content and technical aspects. Content was revised to raise awareness about reproductive and sexual health for persons with disabilities and their families, emphasizing its importance for their well-being. Technical updates incorporated international accessibility standards for websites, making the platform user-friendly for those with disabilities. Additionally, a series of educational videos in sign language were produced on various reproductive health topics. Furthermore, all questions and answers on the platform were translated into sign language in collaboration with the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Furthermore, all questions and answers on the platform were translated into sign language in collaboration with the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
