Committee on social protection discusses draft strategy

AMMAN — The Steering Committee for the Strategy of Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation on Tuesday held a meeting to discuss the draft strategy, which was developed in partnership and dialogue with all ministries, government bodies and relevant parties in the private sector.

The meeting, held under the chairmanship of the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Mary Kawar, was attended by Minister of Social Development Basma Ishaqat and State Minister for Media Affairs Jumana Ghuneimat, a statement from the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation said.

The committee members reviewed the executive summary and the comprehensive plan of action proposed for the strategy, which should be submitted to the Council of Ministers to be approved during the current month.

During the meeting, Kawar said that the adoption of the concept of social protection is a fundamental pillar in the work on increasing national capabilities and empowering citizens and improving their living standards, as these principles were included in the National Strategy for Social Protection and Poverty for the years 2019-2025.

She noted that the strategy takes into consideration Jordan's economic, social, demographic and political developments, as well as the Jordan 2025 Document and the results of the 2015 Census of Population and Housing, in addition to the National Strategy for Human Resource Development and the National Employment Strategy.

The strategy is in line with the National Revival Project and the government's priorities for the years 2019 and 2020 to build a comprehensive and integrated social protection system that will protect Jordanians from poverty.

For her part, Minister of Social Development Basma Ishaqat praised the efforts made by the committee and task forces in preparing the strategy. 

She also thanked UNICEF for its support during the preparation of the strategy of social protection and poverty.

Minister Ghuniemat, who is also the government’s spokesperson, stressed the importance of the strategy, given that it would contribute effectively to alleviating the economic and living challenges faced by the Jordanian citizen in the current “difficult circumstances.”

The meeting included a presentation on the progress of the work in the strategy, in addition to the main points and executive plan of action.