addressing TFGBV, and develop evidence based and actionable recommendations,
four themes were thoroughly examined:
1) Manifestations of TFGBV in the Jordanian context
2) Personal experiences and perspectives of young women
3) Challenges in reporting and addressing online violence
4) Impact on digital engagement and democratic participation
What makes TFGBV Different in Jordan: The Concept of Shame and
Social Stigma
When analyzing the impact of TFGBV on young women's engagement in
democracy, the cultural framework of honor and shame in Jordan presents a
distinct challenge. These norms often emphasize a woman's role within the private
sphere and a man's role as a guardian. Surveys indicate that these views are
widespread. For instance, 82% of men and 54% of women believe a woman may
deserve punishment to protect family honor, and 74% of men and 53% of women
support male guardianship over female relatives22. Consequently, women who
become more visible in public life, a key aspect of democratic participation, may
face heightened risks of harassment, as their visibility can be perceived as a
transgression of these established norms. One expert said: “Many of them aren't
prepared for this type of violence, so they withdraw from public life, withdraw from
elections, face pressure from their community, their families saying, 'you've
embarrassed us, everyone's talking about you,' etc.”
Beyond the formal definition of TFGBV, there is an additional sensibility in Jordan
where TFGBV in Jordan is almost inseparable from familial structures, as social
norms played a huge role in every part of the narrative. Societal stigma, honor, and
reputation are not peripheral issues. Rather, they constitute the very ecosystem in
which TFGBV thrives in Jordan. They act as the motivation for perpetrators, the
primary fear for victims, and the largest obstacle to creating a safe and equitable
digital and public sphere for women. This cyclical relationship between facing
TFGBV and reporting TFGBV is sustained by these societal norms: female public
figures face shaming online due to social stigma, other women see this shaming,
and they private their accounts (self-censoring) or withdraw completely from
social media. This is what is called “the chilling effect”.
The migration of concepts such as honor and shame to the digital sphere is not a
coincidence, as TFGBV is an extension of digital patriarchy, a term used to describe
how technologies and online behaviors reinforce gender hierarchies. Online
harassment and other types of TFGBV are not isolated acts but part of a
22
UN Women et al., Understanding Masculinities: International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) - Jordan (Jordan,
2022).
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