Religious Leaders Training Kit on Family Health – Manual

From 2004 to 2013, the Jordan Health Communication Partnership (JHCP) was a national, cross-cutting behavior change communication program that envisioned a health competent Jordan in which communication empowers individuals, families, communities, and institutions with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to improve and sustain health.

The JHCP Religious Leaders training program was designed to build the capacities of female and male Religious Leaders in advocating for family health according to the Laws of Islam. The program designed and produced this kit in cooperation with the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and the Higher Population Council. All Religious Leaders in Zarqa Governorate and most Religious Leaders. in Irbid Governorate were trained on reproductive health and family planning. Through the use of this kit the Religious Leaders program was helping to build the capacities of male and female religious leaders in advocating for family health through six-month plans of action including Friday sermons, religious lessons, and other public awareness activities such as lectures and seminars to constituents.

Six months after-training, religious leaders identified a greater number of FP methods deemed to be acceptable according to Islamic Law, expressed more positive attitudes toward FP and preached and/or counseled more about RH/FP and gender equity compared to pre-training. JHCP’s Religious Leaders Program reached a total of 218,500 individuals.

Source: Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs

Date of Publication: March 25, 2019