Princess Basma attends presentation of study on labour market in Irbid, Mafraq

AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma on Tuesday attended the presentation of the results of a study on the labour market in Irbid and Mafraq, in the presence of Spanish Ambassador to Jordan Miguel de Lucas.

The study was part of the project "Women's Contribution to Jordan's Resilience and Economic Recovery from COVID-19", implemented by the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD) in partnership with the Social Promotion Foundation (FPS), funded by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID), according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Princess Basma  stressed the importance of such studies and their results, as they provide accurate data to support national efforts to improve employment skills and meet the needs of all stakeholders in the labour market.

She noted that the challenges facing women have increased after the COVID-19 pandemic, as it has led to the loss of job opportunities and an increase in gender-based violence. She praised the project, which targeted 400 women who received training in skills, psychological and social support to help them increase their job opportunities and develop their small projects.

The next phase of the project will target 90 women who are currently working in the public or private sector, by providing them with additional training in skills development and integrating them into employment opportunities in the agriculture and renewable energy sectors, as part of JOHUD's efforts to empower women, Princess Basma said.

The princess expressed her appreciation for the role of the AECID in the success of the project and its support for the efforts aimed at empowering women in Jordan and the region, praising the partnership between JOHUD and the agency over the years and the role of JOHUD's team in implementing this important research project.

Ambassador Lucas expressed the mission and the Spanish agency's pride in working with various Jordanian organisations, including JOHUD, in various fields, including women's empowerment. He praised Jordanian women for their determination and active participation in comprehensive development.

Jorge Jimenez Canas, the head of the Jordan and Lebanon mission for the Social Promotion Foundation (FPS), presented the mission's work and contribution to supporting economic development and improving the livelihoods of local communities.

Canas also highlighted the importance of studying the job market in Irbid and Mafraq, with the aim of improving economic conditions for targeted women and their communities.

The project aims to expand the social protection for the targeted group by providing specialised psychological support services, life skills training, economic empowerment opportunities and supportive work environments for women’s integration into the job market.

The study's main findings revealed a mismatch between educational outcomes and the reality of the job market in Irbid and Mafraq, despite an increase in the number of participants in vocational training programmes.