Kingdom committed to advancing women’s empowerment — Ghunaimat

AMMAN — Jordan is committed to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, Minister of State for Media Affairs Jumana Ghunaimat said on Thursday. 

Ghunaimat made the remarks while heading the Jordanian National Action Plan’s (JONAP) first meeting for implementing the UN resolution, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The meeting was organised by the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) and UN Women with the participation of ambassadors from “the joint support fund”, comprised of the UK, Canada, Finland, Spain and Norway, as well the ministerial committee for women empowerment chaired by Ghunaimat.  

Jordan supports the implementation of the JONAP, despite scarce financial resources, which will positively reflect on women’s role in society, said Ghunaimat, who is also the government spokesperson. 

The minister added that the Kingdom has positively dealt with regional crises and supported Syrian refugees, including women, commending the role of donor countries in granting support to women across the world. 

Jordan adopted the JONAP in December 2017 and officially launched it in March last year by working through various security agencies, public departments and civil society organisations. 

Resolution 1325 reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, according to the UN’s website.

JNCW President Salma Nims said that the JONAP aims at guaranteeing women larger roles in peacekeeping efforts, engaging them in the decision-making processes and improving their social and living conditions, mainly in labour markets. 

For her part, Spanish Ambassador to Jordan Aránzazu Bañón Dávalos delivered a speech on behalf of the coalition, commending Jordan’s commitment to implementing the resolution.  

The ambassador noted that donor countries have offered $8 million to carry out a comprehensive strategy related to women’s empowerment and support in public departments and civil society organisations.