The high political will in Jordan positively supports the use of technology and digital tools.
The King's directive to the government to form a National Council for Future Technology in Jordan contributes to improving the digital environment, including reducing digital violence.

“Tadamun” (Solidarity Is Global Institute-JO): Cyberbullying and defamation are the leading forms of digital violence.
Digital violence has a negative impact on voter behavior and societal trust.
Electoral violence undermines voters' trust in female candidates, thereby reducing their votes.

19.5% of women won in the last parliamentary elections, with 18 women elected through the women's quota system and 9 women through the general constituency "party lists."
Despite this, no woman succeeded in the open competition, and 25 women who ran outside the quota system were unsuccessful.
There is a need for decisive, effective, and impactful measures to reduce digital violence and create a safe electoral environment for all.

A new study conducted by SIGI "Digital Electoral Violence Against Female Candidates During the 2024 Parliamentary Election Campaigns on Facebook" revealed the phenomenon of digital violence against women candidates. The study highlights the various forms of digital violence and its negative impact on the electoral environment and women's political participation.

Digital Violence Patterns: Cyberbullying and Defamation Lead the List

“SIGI: points out that digital violence during the election campaign period on Facebook falls within the definition of electoral violence as outlined by the Independent Electoral Commission under the Jordanian Election Law of 2022. According to this definition, electoral violence refers to any act that threatens a candidate, whether physical or verbal. The Commission emphasizes that three key conditions must be met for an act to be considered electoral violence against women: firstly, the "intent to influence" the electoral process; secondly, the act must target "women" specifically; and thirdly, the act must result in some form of "harm," whether material, economic, emotional, physical, or electronic.

According to the results of the study conducted by SIGI, cyberbullying and defamation on social media, particularly on Facebook, top the list of electoral violence. The study reveals that the cyberbullying directed at female candidates aims to undermine their confidence and that of the community in them as candidates, in addition to diminishing their social and political value. This is often achieved through defamation, which spreads rumors and false information about the candidates.

“SIGI” further notes that some comments observed were based on traditional mindsets and preconceived stereotypical expectations about women's roles, restricting them to areas far removed from political work. These comments focus on traditional and stereotypical roles for women, which clash with the aspirations of many.

The study's findings also show that the methods used in digital electoral violence include mockery and sarcasm, aiming to belittle the political capabilities of female candidates.

Royal Directives to Establish a National Council for Future Technology Contribute to Reducing Digital Violence

“SIGI” affirms that the royal interest in improving the digital environment and utilizing information technology helps enhance Jordan’s status as a technologically advanced country. It also improves the use of these resources to serve citizens.

The King's directive to establish a National Council for Future Technology in Jordan aims to enhance the digital environment, including reducing digital violence, by developing technological infrastructure and training human resources. It also strengthens partnerships between the public and private sectors, supporting monitoring mechanisms and the development of frameworks and legislation to address digital challenges, such as online violence.

Electoral Violence Undermines Voter Trust in Female Candidates, Reducing Votes for Them

“SIGI” points out that types of digital electoral violence, specifically cyberbullying and defamation through sarcasm, contribute to diminishing voter trust in female candidates, ultimately leading to a decrease in votes for them. This type of violence has a profound impact on electoral behavior in Jordan, causing voters to hesitate in supporting or voting for female candidates.

The results of the 2024 Jordanian parliamentary elections revealed that no female candidates succeeded in the open competition, and 25 women who ran outside the quota system were unsuccessful. This may lead to a decline in both female candidates and female voters, thus hindering the achievement of fair and equal political participation.

“SIGI” further notes that the election results revealed that 27 women were elected to the 2024 parliament, representing 19.5% of the total seats. Of these, 18 women were elected through the women's quota system, and 9 women were elected through the general party lists.

The Study Recommends Measures to Ensure a Safe and Inclusive Electoral Environment with Equal Opportunities

The study presents a set of recommendations targeting voters, public awareness, and societal education. These include organizing media campaigns about the dangers of digital violence and its societal impact, updating laws, and establishing platforms that support female candidates by providing them with the right to respond and refuting any malicious rumors or baseless attacks against them. The study also calls for supporting qualitative research to enhance understanding of the relationship between digital violence and political participation, and for developing decisive tools to combat this form of violence.

“SIGI” calls for joint efforts and emphasizes the necessity of cooperation between government institutions, civil society organizations, and digital platforms to address this phenomenon. “SIGI” warns that the continuation of such violence will hinder progress and the achievement of gender equality in the political process.