28 women murdered so far this year — SIGI

AMMAN — Some 46 per cent of the murders of women in Jordan this year were committed using light weapons, a statement from the Sisterhood Is Global Institute (SIGI) said on Monday.

In a direct correlation, violence against women increases when licensed or unlicensed light weapons, such as knives and small arms, spread in households, SIGI added, noting that most of the crimes were committed using unlicensed weapons.

The ownership of one weapon at home raises the possibility of killing women by 272 per cent and 41 per cent for men, according to SIGI.

Jordan has recently voted for the UN Security Council's Resolution 2220 to curb the spread of the illicit transfer of small arms.

In 2016, thirteen women were shot to death, eight women were stabbed, one was hung, two were burnt to death, two were strangled to death and two were beaten to death. 

Domestic violence in all societies is fuelled by social traditions that are based on gender discrimination, in addition to legislation and polices that lack equality. 

Since the beginning of 2016 until November 21, SIGI recorded 28 murders of women, which marked a 60 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2015, when 17 murders of women were committed.

In some of these cases, the perpetrators claimed the "protection of the family's honour" as their motive.

The institute called on the concerned authorities to intensify campaigns against unlicensed weapons and to stiffen penalties against their use.