Jordan

The situation regarding HIV in Jordan remains largely unknown due to a lack of regular collection and reporting of data. As a result, any changes in HIV epidemic are hard to determine.

On a whole, Jordan is a relatively safe country for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people as same-sex sexual relations are not criminalised. Contrary to this, sex work and drug use are.

However, patriarchal gender norms are still deeply entrenched and women living with and most affected by HIV face stigma, discrimination and violence in all settings, including health services. Through the LEARN MENA project, women in their diversity have begun to mobilise national stakeholders to address violence against women in the context of HIV.

Jordan is part of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which is one of two regions in the world to have similar numbers of AIDS-related deaths year on year. The lack of access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is largely responsible for this.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Same-sex sexual conduct is not illegal in Jordan.
• In 2018, 89% of people in Jordan held discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV.
• Just under 14% of women had experienced recent intimate partner violence in 2018.