US ambassador lauds women’s empowerment initiatives in Irbid

AMMAN — US Ambassador Henry T. Wooster on Monday met with local authorities and organisations in Irbid to discuss their efforts to empower women and girls in Jordan and provide access for them to crucial support services. 

He conveyed US support for government and community initiatives to promote women’s economic, political and civic engagement in Jordan, and noted the importance of hearing from women and from communities in Irbid and across the country, according to a statement from the US Embassy. 

“Women in Jordan are a vital part of its public life and its economy, so we are happy to work with the government and local communities to recognise local women leaders and raise awareness of the issues women, including refugee women, face,” Ambassador Wooster noted.  

He added that “greater inclusion of women in the workforce and political process is a win for both women and the Jordanian economy”.  

Irbid Mayor Nabil Kofahi said: “We discussed ways to help young men and women, especially in Irbid governorate, which has a large number of graduates and manpower, and how to help empower young men and women by encouraging investment projects and providing appropriate job opportunities as part of the municipality’s developmental responsibility for all communities.”

Wooster met with Mayor Kofahi to congratulate him on his recent election, and to hear about challenges Irbid faces and the governorate’s initiatives. 

He visited the SOS Children’s Village (SOS) to see first-hand the SOS services and praised their support for vulnerable women and children in Irbid and throughout Jordan.  

Wooster also toured the International Rescue Committee (IRC) centre, which hosts a Women and Girls Safe Space supported by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, read the statement.  

He heard from IRC staff and clients about the challenges facing women and girls in Jordan and how IRC programmes protect, support and economically empower refugee and vulnerable Jordanian women.

Wooster’s current visit to Irbid follows prior meetings and discussions held in Irbid, Zarqa and Aqaba, to hear from a broad range of perspectives across all of Jordan on key issues of the US-Jordan partnership, including US support for water and economic development, community-based initiatives and women and youth empowerment.