Queen visits Umm Al Rasas District, pledges support for projects run by local women

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania visited Umm Al Rasas District in Amman on Wednesday, and met with members and beneficiaries of its women’s cooperative society.

Her Majesty’s visit included a tour of the Umm Al Rasas Visitor Centre where she stopped by a clay production workshop run by a beneficiary of the society’s vocational training programme, a souvenir shop and the centre’s cafeteria and kitchen, according to a statement from Her Majesty’s office.  

Accompanied by the director of the Um Al Rasas Women Cooperative Society, Maha Almor, Queen Rania heard from women who are receiving support from the cooperative to create income-generating projects and become financially independent, the statement said.

During the discussion, Her Majesty reflected on how Jordanian women are known for their resilience and strong determination to achieve their goals. She also commended Almor, describing her as the archetype of the hardworking Jordanian woman.

The Queen reminded the beneficiaries that when women empower each other, they act as role models, supporters and friends to each other, according to the statement.

“You are setting a positive example of a productive and self-empowered community, and your track-record of accomplishments reinforces my faith in your projects and the need to support them,” she told them.

“You have worked hard, innovated, and utilised the opportunities available in Umm Al Rasas, then created successful projects by forging a link between those opportunities and your own skills and abilities,” she added.  

Almor expressed her delight in Queen Rania’s visit and its huge role in motivating the society to achieve more, describing Her Majesty as the number-
one supporter of women in Jordan. 

A number of local community members were also present at the meeting as well as district mayor, Ahmad Al Salaita.

Established in 2008, Umm Al Rasas Women Cooperative Society aims to improve the socio-economic status of community members, combat poverty and unemployment and train women in capacity building. The society also helps local women launch their own income-generating projects, manages the cafeteria of Umm Al Rasas Visitor Centre and runs a small handicrafts bazaar.  

Among its other undertakings are a family support and guidance programme, training programmes in traditional handicrafts and marketing, small project management, and a revolving loan fund project, according to the statement.