‘All On Board’ platform to enable women’s access to decision-making positions

AMMAN — The percentage of women on the boards of directors of banks in Jordan is higher than the average regional rate, said Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) Adel Sharkas on Tuesday during the launch of the national platform “All On Board”.

 Implemented during an official ceremony in Amman by the Association of Banks in Jordan (ABJ), in partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and Amam Ventures, the national digital platform seeks to strengthen women’s access to decision-making and leadership positions. 

The platform also aims to empower women’s economic participation and enhance the work of companies through increasing diversity and gender balance in the workplace.

 According to Sharkas, “the CBJ has prepared a memorandum aimed to empower women’s participation in the financial sector and support their access to its services,” noting that the memo was submitted to the association in order to create a framework to achieve women’s empowerment in the sector.

Additionally, Sharkas said that CBJ’s 2017 Financial Inclusion Strategy stated that the gender gap in access to finance has decreased from 53 per cent to 22 per cent.

 As for CEO of Amam Ventures, Tamara Abdul Jabbar, she noted that “Jordanian women have the potential that enables them to enhance institutional development,” noting that what should be done today is building women’s networking capacities and cooperation.

ABJ Chairman Bassem Salem stated that the platform would continue to expand, with the aim of attracting qualified women from various spheres. He also pointed out that all Jordanian banks follow fair hiring procedures and practices.

“Jordan has women with great competencies and experiences who are qualified to hold leadership positions,” he said.

“Launching the platform is a positive step towards empowering women to access decision-making positions,” ILO gender consultant and specialist, Reem Aslan, said on Tuesday.

According to Aslan, ILO will support Jordan in achieving target 5.5 of Sustainable Development Goal 5, which ensures women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making, including in political, economic, and public life.

She also noted that a 2019 ILO report showed that women’s participation is positively associated with GDP growth.