Cabinet approves re-formation of women’s commission

AMMAN — The Cabinet has approved the appointment of 19 new members in the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), according to a statement sent to The Jordan Times Tuesday.

Headed by HRH Princess Basma, the new commission includes the ministers of planning and international cooperation, public sector development, labour, municipal affairs, social development, justice, and political and parliamentary affairs.

The commission also includes former minister Maha Khatib, the government’s coordinator for human rights, and Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development Executive Director Farah Daghistani.  

The secretary general of the Higher Population Council, the coordinator of the Forum of Jordanian Parliamentarian Women, the director of the Democratic Empowerment Programme at King Abdullah II Fund for Development and the director of the General Federation of Jordanian Women are also among the members.

In addition, the commission also includes the secretary of the Jordanian National Forum for Women, the director of the Jordanian Women’s Union, Leaders of Tomorrow Director Sami Al Hourani, New Think Festival Founder Maher Kaddoura, and the JNCW secretary general.

Initiated by Princess Basma to advance women’s empowerment, the JNCW was established by a Cabinet decision in 1992, as a reflection of Jordan’s commitment to enhancing women’s participation in achieving sustainable development and to fulfil its national, regional and international obligations.

In 1996, in line with Jordan’s commitment to the Beijing Platform for Action, the Cabinet expanded the JNCW mandate to serve as a national mechanism and reference body for all institutions in gender issues, the statement said.

The commission carries out its mandate and authority through various networks and coalitions it has established, such as the legal team, the Network for Combating Violence Against Women “Shama”, the National Coalition to Support Women in Elections and the National Coalition for the Activation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 “Women, peace and security”.

The JNCW also carries out national media and advocacy campaigns on women’s empowerment and protection issues.

The commission will hold its first meeting on June 8.