Bani Mustafa highlights progress in women, youth political participation

AMMAN — Jordan has increased women and youth’s participation and representation in decision-making positions, driven by amendments to the Constitution and regulations governing political life, Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa said on Monday.

Addressing the launch of "the Gender Justice and the Law Initiative" reports via video conferencing, Bani Mustafa emphasised the importance of educating all members of society: men, women and youth, about the significance of the amendments and their role in decision-making, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

She also referred to the implementation of training programmes for women leaders to develop their skills in public work, and the launch of the Political Participation School for Women in 2022, as part of the government's commitment to empowering women and increasing the number of qualified and trained women in decision-making positions, and in public and political work.

The new constitutional amendments have consider women “partners” with men in terms of rights and responsibilities, she said, adding that "the new election law has also reduced the age requirement for Lower House candidacy to  encourage young people to participate in parliamentary elections, and also increased the number of seats reserved for women in the Lower House".