The Dom Community in Jordan
The Domari are generally considered the Arabic counterpart to the Romani people, with their origins tracing back to the Indian subcontinent. Precise population figures are difficult to obtain, but sources suggest the Dom population in Jordan ranges from 30,000–35,000 to as high as 70,000–80,000, divided into about 63 sub-tribes, making the community highly fragmented (UNICEF, 2016). Due to the historic discrimination they face, many Dom members often hide their original ethnic identity, sometimes adopting a Jordanian, Bedouin, or more generally an Arab identity.
Many speak Arabic and Dommewiri, a mixture of different languages such as Turkish, Kurdish, Farsi, and Hindi that can differ in dialect from one group to another (UNICEF, 2016). While some members have settled, many smaller groups remain nomadic. This nomadic lifestyle, often leads to movement as frequently as every 20 days, which is a major barrier to education. In the focus groups of UNICEF's 2016 study, only 10 percent of the children were currently enrolled in school (UNICEF, 2016). Those who do attend school face bullying and violence, which often discourages them from pursuing higher education. Furthermore, the community faces serious protection risks, including early marriage, with girls commonly being married off between the ages of 15 and 16.
The Dom community relies on temporary tents that offer inadequate protection from the weather. They further lack regular access to essential services, such as access to piped water, adequate hygiene facilities, or electricity. The lack of sanitation and hygiene facilities poses hazards to their health and is also a major source of stigmatization and discrimination.
Work for the Dom community is mostly in the informal sector, involving temporary positions. Men often work as trash collectors, street vendors, informal farm work, and seasonal migration to the Gulf countries (GAGE, 2021a; UNICEF, 2016). Children generally begin working around the ages of 13–16. This labour often involves collecting scrap or accompanying parents, but can also expose them to risks in construction or street vending, which is often viewed as a form of begging and can risk arrest.
The Dom community in Jordan faces numerous problems such as a lack of access to basic services, health challenges, and societal marginalisation. Dar At-Ta’awun aims to provide creative and practical solutions to social challenges related to these isolated and underserved communities. Click on the links to find out more about our community center and community projects.
References:
Devonald, M., Jones, N., Małachowska, A., Alheiwidi, S., Al Amaireh, W., Alshammari, F. and Shareef, Q. (2021a) 'Empowering adolescents through an integrated programming approach: exploring the effects of UNICEF’s Makani programme on Dom adolescents’ well-being in Jordan'. Policy brief. London: Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence (GAGE).
Devonald, M., Jones, N., Małachowska, A., Alheiwidi, S., Al Amaireh, W., Alshammari, F. and Shareef. Q. (2021b) ‘Exploring adolescent capabilities among the marginalised Dom community in Jordan’. Report. London: Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence (GAGE).
UNICEF (2016) A Qualitative Report on Children from Marginalized Jordanian Minority Groups. Jordan: UNICEF Jordan.
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