Comprehensive empowerment of women leads to societal empowerment — Najjar

AMMAN — Minister of Culture Haifa Najjar praised Jordanian women for their tireless efforts in fighting for justice and equality over the years. 

“The government is committed to advancing women’s rights in Jordan in all fields by applying a comprehensive participatory plan among the relevant ministries to achieve these goals,” Najjar said, during an event organised by the Arab Women Organisation (AWO) on the occasion of International Women’s Day, which annually falls on March 8.

Najjar acted as patron to the one-day event that was held in Amman on Sunday.

“It is of utmost importance to empower women in Jordan in a comprehensive manner to ensure fundamental changes and achievements that would reflect on the local development of societies,” Najjar told the gathering who consisted of members of women NGOs from various parts of the Kingdom.

AWO Programme Director Laila Naffa also spoke during the meeting saying that despite the much advancement achieved in Jordan, there is still always more to accomplish. 

One of the goals that need to be achieved, according to Naffa, is to increase the women’s quota to at least 30 per cent in the legislative and municipal elections.

“We need to increase women’s representation in Parliament and other critical positions so that they can have a strong impact in the decision-making process,” Naffa stressed.

Also speaking during the event was Director of the Women’s Study Centre at the University of Jordan Maysoun Atoum who pointed out the effects of COVID-19 on life in Jordan and the world.

“This kind of medical emergency should push us to rethink and restructure the social system in Jordan in a manner that would help in investing in women’s capabilities and contribution to our society,” Atoum said.

Also during the event, AWO member Suheib Khamayseh presented the findings of a study on “Country Gender Profile in Jordan”.

The study revealed that “women are not able to become influential in the power circles or effective development partners”, according to Khamayseh.

In addition, women are excluded from the decision making process at personal, family, community and national levels, he added.

“Women do not fully enjoy equitable citizenship experience and ownership of the progress initiatives,” Khamayseh said.

Some of the recommendations that were listed in the study according to Khamayseh include promoting citizenship experience for all to be an inclusive enabling asset for gender equality.

“Religious and educational institutions should also be targeted in the design and implementation of programmes’ activities that are relevant to gender equality,” he said.

Enhancing sustainable partnership with empowered national media is also crucial to achieving gender equality, Khamayseh said.