Princess Basma reviews Oasis Centre services in Madaba’s Bani Hamidah region

AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma, Honorary Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Women and Chairperson of the Jordanian National Committee for Women (JNCW), on Sunday took a first-hand look at the services of the Oasis Centre for Women and Girls at Madaba’s Bani Hamidah region.

During the tour, the princess was accompanied by UN Women Jordan Representative Ziad Sheikh, Australian Ambassador Bernard Lynch, Governance Advisor at the European Commission Delegation Mary Horvers and Head of the Department of Productivity Improvement at the Ministry of Social Development Arwa Al Zboun, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The princess commended the model of the Oases centres, highlighting that it reflects a real partnership between the public and private sectors on one hand, and between the international partners on the other.

She also highlighted the Ministry of Social Development’s role in enhancing the role of women, notably increasing their economic and social contributions, expressing appreciation for the UN Women, the EU and the Australian embassy’s efforts in support of the Oases centres model.

Developing the centre at the Jabal Bani Hamidah region, part of the model of the Osaes Centres for Women and Girls, was implemented by the Ministry of Social Development and the UN to provide integrated living support and vocational training for local women and Syrian refugees, which is in line with national efforts aimed at empowering women, building their capacities in various fields and enhancing their economic participation.

Reiterating support for vulnerable women, Sheikh lauded Jordanian women’s role in achieving economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Australian envoy expressed his country’s commitment to cooperate with UN Women to support efforts aimed at women empowerment through the Oases model in refugee-hosting communities and refugee camps across the Kingdom.  

Horvers commended the success of the Oases Centre for Women and Girls experience, emphasising the EU’s keenness on maintaining partnerships with UN Women and the Jordanian institutions to empower women and improve their living conditions.

Since its establishment in 2020, a total of some 789 women have directly and indirectly benefited from the centre’s services, including raising awareness and capacity-building by providing training and employment opportunities in sewing, beauty sector, administrative roles and nursery management, through a six-month rotation programme and paid volunteering.

The centre at the Bani Hamidah region is among 22 centres operating across the Kingdom, out of which four are at refugee camps and 18 at refugee host communities.