Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TF GBV) Knowledge Hub

This Knowledge Hub is a central focal point for resources, and documents related to Technology Facilitated GBV. It is the go-to place for researchers, experts, students, Civil Society Organizations, International Non-governmental Organizations, and other regional and global stakeholders to get their knowledge on TF GBV.

I. About JOSA

The Jordan Open Source Association (JOSA) is a non-profit organisation based in Amman, Jordan. The association is among the few non-profits registered under the Jordan Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship.

JOSA’s mission is to promote openness in technology and to defend the rights of technology users in Jordan. We believe that information that is non-personal – whether it’s software code, hardware design blueprints, data, network protocols and architecture, content – should be free for everyone to view, use, share, and modify. Our belief also holds that information that is personal should be protected within legal and technological frameworks. Access to the modern Web should likewise remain open.

In Alignment with JOSA’s mission and vision, and with JOSA’s long term strategic goals, the idea of creating a knowledge hub for TF GBV was established, taken into account that JOSA has been working on the topic of TF GBV in Jordan and regionally for more than 3 years, by publishing research studies, developing an open source AI models to combat TF GBV, and conducting various digital safety training sessions for women journalists, activists, lawyers and Civil Society Organizations, as well as being an active member in multiple local and regional coalitions such as TAMAM coalition for women’s digital safety in Jordan, The National Committee to Combat Online Violence in Jordan, The Jordan Network to Combat Digital Violence Against Female Journalists, and the MENA Alliance for Digital Rights (MADR).

All that and more makes JOSA one of the leading organizations on this topic, and it comes with the responsibility of keeping track of developing new tools and tactics to fight TF GBV and make women’s digital spaces safer.

II. Acknowledgment

The Knowledge Hub was developed through the combined efforts of a dedicated team at the Jordan Open Source Association (JOSA). The technical development was led by JOSA’s tech team: George Khoury (Lead Technologist), Tamim Hamoudi (Senior Technologist), and Mohamad Berjawi (Technologist). Their expertise and pioneering contributions in Open Source Technology Development were instrumental in bringing the hub to life.

The research and data collection were meticulously carried out by Yara AlRafie (Researcher), Nadeen Bani Yaseen (Research Assistant and Program Assistant), and Haneen Diri (Gender and Protection Specialist), whose dedicated efforts ensured the relevance and quality of the information presented.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in the development of this project and to our partners the International Media Support (IMS) and The Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) for their financial support who made this endeavor possible.

III. Purpose of the Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TF GBV) Knowledge Hub

The goal of the TF GBV Knowledge Hub is to fill a significant knowledge and documentation gap about TF GBV by creating a comprehensive repository. The project was initiated by the acknowledged necessity to concentrate and compile all relevant information on TF GBV on a national level in Jordan, as well as regionally within the MENA region and internationally. The hub's goal is to close this knowledge gap by giving professionals, scholars, policymakers, and organizations working on TF GBV simple access to a multitude of information so they may carry out in-depth study and create accurate initiatives.

This knowledge hub will honor and amplify the efforts of researchers who have shed light on TF GBV by providing a unified platform to house their work. It seeks to bridge existing gaps by offering a curated collection of research studies, reports, and resources, ensuring stakeholders have a reliable and up-to-date reference point. Civil society organizations, international organizations, and other stakeholders working to combat TF GBV will benefit from this centralized resource, facilitating their efforts to stay informed about new developments and best practices.

Ultimately, the TF GBV Knowledge Hub aspires to motivate more collaboration, awareness raising, and support evidence-based research to address the pervasive issue of technology-facilitated gender-based violence effectively, facilitating easier, more convenient, and more centralized research.

IV. Methodology

i. Data collection

The team undertook an extensive literature review focused on TF GBV (Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence) in Jordan and the region. This process involved systematically identifying and collecting various types of documents published between 2006 and 2025 in both Arabic and English. The collection includes:

(5 blog posts, 1 book chapter, 1 national framework, 3 national strategies, 3 news articles, 6 news items, 2 policy papers, 25 reports, 22 research papers, 2 research analysis papers, 1 thesis, and 1 guide.)

For each document, the team carefully prepared a brief description or summary to ensure a clear understanding of its content and relevance. This information was cataloged alongside the documents for future reference. Additionally, the team actively monitors new publications on the topic to update and enrich the knowledge hub continuously.

ii. Categorization and structure

Initially, documents were categorized based on the classifications provided by their publishers. For example, if a document was labeled by its publisher as a research paper, thesis, guide, or report, it was categorized accordingly in the knowledge hub. This approach ensured that the original intent of the document classification was preserved.

To improve accessibility and organization for users, the team later developed a more systematic categorization framework. This new structure organizes documents under four main entities, each further divided into specific subcategories (refer to the figure below for detailed classification).

In addition to categorization, the team compiled comprehensive metadata for each document, including:

  1. Title: The official title of the document.
  2. Author(s): Names of the individuals or organizations responsible for the content.
  3. Publisher(s): The entity or institution that published the document.
  4. Date of Publication: The exact or approximate date the document was published.
  5. Description: A concise summary or key points about the document.
  6. Citation Details: Proper citation information for academic and reference purposes.
  7. Country: The geographic or national focus of the document.
  8. Link: A direct URL to access the original document.
  9. Language: The primary language in which the document is written.

This methodical approach ensures the knowledge hub is both comprehensive and user-friendly, enabling users to navigate and locate relevant information efficiently.