A Nationwide Response to Innovatively Strengthen and Diversify the Helpline and Online Case Management Services The proposed is a protection project aiming to provide a nationwide response that innovatively strengthens and diversifies the Helpline and online case management services ultimately responding to the JRP and GHRP for COVID-19 efforts to “consolidate efforts to mitigate and respond to the impact of COVID-19 on people in Jordan most vulnerable and marginalized by the virus.”  The project also directly addresses the sector-specific GHRP objective to “ensure the continuity and safety from risks of infection of essential services including health (gender-based violence services). The project will address the programmatic priorities and build on the existing services, with the aspiration of bridging the gaps and innovatively responding to the priorities identified through implementing an innovative response to the COVID-19 crisis, as well as addressing the two main protection risks: 1) Increase in SGBV risks and incidents, 2) Underreporting of incidents due to barriers.

JRF designed this project utilizing innovative techniques that were verified with Jordanian and Syrian women beneficiaries through Focus Group Discussions and Interviews. Women were consulted on different methodologies or alternative solutions they prefer to ask for help, specifically in the current situation where they have limited movement and curfew restrictions, and in case of no access to phones. Interestingly, women highlighted the fact that the main challenge was not in accessing services, but rather in being empowered enough to report the incident and seek help. Women emphasized the importance of awareness-raising on available means of support and services, as well as increasing physical safe spaces across the Kingdom. 

Based on this, JRF responded to the identified priorities, risks, and needs through: 

1. Strengthening the helpline and case management services and reach:
- Diversify and expand JRF’s national helpline to receive text and audio messages.
- Provide remote and online Case Management to survivors or at-risk women and girls with limited access to physical safe spaces, in addition to referrals to in-person services when needed. 
2. Piloting alternative solutions that safely complement hotline/remote services and to expand provision to survivors:  
- Select and Form “SGBV Outreach and Prevention Committees” comprising trusted local women, to serve as an outreach arm within communities, and another medium for at-risk/survivors of abuse to seek help.
- Adapt and build the capacities of JRF’s Makani Centers and Social Innovation Labs’ existing physical safe spaces to be used as an SGBV protection access point, especially for contacting the helpline and receiving the necessary referral services.
- Nationwide Campaign in coordination with SGBV Working Group.
- Utilize social media and text messaging to raise awareness on SGBV and available means of support targeting women and girls above 16 years of age.
- Design and distribute protection kits among women and girls, that include hygiene products/PPE, in addition to, basic and easy to understand leaflet with information on SGBV, its consequences, and possible ways to seek help and support including emergency numbers. 
- Establish new partnerships and distribute leaflets/brochures in all JRF centers, partner CBOs, women unions, and any other locations accessed by women, that will raise their awareness on means of support and available services

JRF will implement this project nationwide with a physical presence in the underserved regions of Amman, Aqaba, Mafraq, Karak, and Ma’an, and will utilize its 29 established locations across all 12 Governorates, which include 14 centers which offer in-person Case Management and PSS services, and 19 Makani centers and Social Innovation Labs (SIL) projects funded by UNICEF. The project will effectively reach 91,847 beneficiaries including women, girls, and boys across Jordan, as well as an expected number of indirect beneficiaries 228,000.