People with disabilities in the badia hindered by social stigma — expert

AMMAN — People with disabilities residing in the Northwestern Badia region “do not lack services”, but struggle with a social stigma that hinders their full enjoyment of rights, an expert said Sunday.

Al Manar Centre for Cognitive Development Director Aziza Aoun noted that despite the “high” prevalence of disabilities among the local community in the badia, families of persons with disabilities hide their children and deprive them of basic services due to the “culture of shame”.

“You only know about their children when they resort to the National Aid Fund for assistance. We don’t need more services for people with disabilities in the badia, we need awareness,” she told The Jordan Times.

Aoun was among 30 women from the social development and interior ministries who took part in a four-month shadow-training leadership programme, implemented by the International Women’s Forum (IWF).

Under the programme, participants received intensive training on leadership, communications and crisis management skills as well as governance, budget preparations, media and gender.

“I learned a lot from the course, which also changed my perspective on many issues. Now I will go back to the centre armed with more knowledge and motivation to improve it,” said Aoun, who noted that rallying support for a good cause was the most “influential” skill she learnt during the training.

During the graduation ceremony, Social Development Minister Reem Abu Hassan said the course was part of the ministry’s efforts to provide continuous education to public employees, empower women and bridge the gender gap in senior positions.

“Leadership is an innate ability that can be sparked through continuous education,” she highlighted.

IWF President Nabila Morcos underlined the importance of the training courses in shaping the leadership and governance skills of the participants.

Abu Hassan, Morcos and a representative from the Interior Ministry presented certificates to the graduates.

The Rotary Club of Amman announced a scholarship for one of the participants to complete her master’s degree at a university abroad.

The winner of the scholarship will be selected according to certain “competitive” criteria, according to Ola Awamleh from the Rotary Club.