CONTEXT & BACKGROUND OF PROJECT
What is happening in Jordan?
In order to better understand this project, a brief background on Jordan's current situation is crucial. This resource-scarce country shares borders with the West Bank, Israel, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Although its size is roughly that of Maine, this country has continuously acted as a pillar of stability in the region. Since 2011 with the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, Jordan is currently experiencing the full force of the Syrian refugee crisis with over 700,000 registered refugees in the country. In Amman Governorate alone, almost 200,000 refugees live in host communities where high levels of poverty already exist (UNHCR). One of the many consequences of this enormous influx of refugees is the exasperated levels of violence for both refugees and vulnerable local populations. Both communities need psycho-social support in order to mitigate heightened levels of instability.
What is psychosocial support?
UNICEF explains psychosocial support as “helping individuals and communities to heal the psychological wounds and rebuild social structures after an emergency or a critical event. It can help change people into active survivors rather than passive victims.” An estimated 40% of young refugees have psychiatric disorders, mainly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and other anxiety-related diagnoses. (Kowitt & Hodes, 2000).
In these contexts, women and girls especially face heightened levels of violence, especially gender-based violence (GBV). According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, GBV refers to “violations of fundamental human rights that perpetuate sex-stereotyped roles that deny human dignity and self-determination of the individual and hamper human development. They refer to physical, sexual and psychological harm that reinforces female subordination and perpetuates male power and control” (UNHCR).
This specific population needs support to address traumatic experiences, anxiety, and violence. The Jordan River Foundation, specifically the community center located in southern Marka in downtown Amman, attempts to provide support for vulnerable populations. One of the many programs, art classes, serves as a form of expression and healing for many women who have experienced violence and instability. Art as a form of therapy can be an extremely useful mode of healing for populations of various needs.
How and why this organization uses art therapy
The Jordan River Foundation uses the British Association of Art Therapists’ definition as “art therapy as a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication. Within this context, art is not used as a diagnostic tool but as a medium to address emotional issues which may be confusing and distressing.”
Staff at Jordan River Foundation are trained by licensed art therapists from the Maria Den Braven Center, a mental health care center in Amman. This center uses a multi-disciplinary approach that utilizes art therapy as a way of building interpersonal and communication skills.
The Jordan River Foundation explains that art, as a form of therapy, is recommended in a variety of situations. Artistic innovation offers new ways to communicate especially for those who suffer from issues with verbal expression. Oftentimes, the inability to communicate verbally generates frustration and repression that may result in poor mental health. Furthermore, alternative methods of communication can help to reduce and control these reactions. Expressing feelings and difficult experiences by drawing may be easier than trying to communicate the emotions in words.
How these programs allow women to become stronger members of communities
Through community engagement and art therapy programs such as the ones at the Jordan River Foundation, women can become more active in roles outside their homes and help build stronger communities. The Jordan National Action Plan (JONAP), which was developed to tackle new challenges the country is facing, substantiates the important roles women play in fortifying their communities.
"Although women face specific risks during conflict, they also play critical roles in building resilience and promoting peace and security within their local communities, roles which need to be further capitalized upon” (JONAP).
I noticed that many women who took these art classes were able to discover their own strengths and talents all the while building stronger communication skills which then positively affected their families and outside communities. JONAP continues stating, “Participants emphasized the importance of awareness-raising and capacity-building targeting local communities and local leadership. They voiced support for efforts to portray women participating in peacekeeping missions as role models, and to share success stories of Jordanian
women in such roles” (JONAP).