Human Security in Tafileh: Trends and Perceptions

This policy brief presents the preliminary findings from WANA Institute field research in Tafileh. The brief offers unique insights into the perceptions of Tafileh residents of the relationship between human security, state security policies, and efforts aimed at preventing violent extremism. The discussion goes beyond the traditional focus on employment and education gaps and addresses how specific security policies undermine access to job opportunities, thus intensifying the already volatile situation in Tafileh that is marked with high levels of both unemployment and education.

This brief is part of the regional project “Towards More Effective Human Security Approaches in the Context of the Emerging Threat of Violent Extremism in Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia.” Findings from the briefs on Karak, Tafileh, Ajloun, Mafraq, Russeifa, will feed into analytical research papers, which will be published later this year. Over the coming months, the WANA Institute will publish the remaining policy briefs on the other Jordanian governorates, as well as similar briefs on the field work conducted in Tunisia and Lebanon.