Princess Basma celebrates birthday

AMMAN — Wednesday marks the birthday of HRH Princess Basma.

Recognised both regionally and internationally for her efforts to empower women and local communities, Princess Basma has dedicated her career to promoting human development, gender equality, youth participation and the well-being and development of children.

Her work on these issues is embodied in her role as chairperson of the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD), which since 1977 has been a working with local communities to help address issues such as unemployment, poverty, women’s rights and youth empowerment, according to a statement released on Tuesday.

JOHUD operates through a network of 51 community development centres spread throughout the Kingdom’s populated and most remote regions.

The Goodwill Campaign initiative grew out of the JOHUD’s experience in the field. 

Now in its 25th year, the campaign started out as direct aid and assistance evolved into projects and initiatives geared towards helping individuals and communities gain some financial independence and better standard of living. 

Initiatives such as the medical assistance programme and university scholarship scheme have benefitted a growing number of people of all ages.

The strength of the campaign is based on the partnerships that have been built with a large number of sectors, individuals and volunteers.

Women’s advancement has always been a key area of concern for the princess. 

Since 1992, the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), headed by the princess, has served as a leading policy-making forum in Jordan on women’s issues and rights.

Over the years, the JNCW has built alliances with governmental and non-governmental entities to promote gender mainstreaming and advance women’s socio-economic and political empowerment, according to the statement. 

In partnership with other stakeholders, the commission leads national efforts in formulating and advocating for amendments to discriminatory laws against women.

The princess is honorary human development ambassador for UNDP and Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women and UNFPA.

Princess Basma holds a doctorate degree in development from Oxford University.

She is married to Walid Kurdi, and has four children, Farah, Ghazi, Saad and Zein Al Sharaf, and five grandchildren, Fatima Al Zahra, Zein Al Sharaf, Abdulaziz, Aysha and Iman.