Jordan marks International Women's Day with recognition of women's empowerment

AMMAN — Director of the Human Rights Unit at the Prime Minister's Office Khalil Abdallat marked International Women's Day by highlighting the significant strides Jordanian women have made under the Hashemite leadership.

"On International Women's Day, we stand proudly before the achievements of Jordanian women, which are the fruit of the wise Hashemite leadership's vision and the commitment of His Majesty King Abdullah and Her Majesty Queen Rania to establishing women's role as essential partners in nation-building and enhancing their status across various fields," Abdallat said.

He noted that HRH Crown Prince Hussein continues to support young Jordanian women through innovative initiatives focused on skills development, encouraging innovation, and boosting women's participation in technology, entrepreneurship, and the competitive job market, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Recent years have witnessed fundamental reforms enhancing women's status and rights, Abdallat said, adding that the latest Constitutional amendments reinforced principles of equality and non-discrimination while boosting women's participation in public and political life.

The comprehensive framework of political, economic, and public sector reforms has played a vital role in creating new opportunities for women and providing supportive environments for their participation in decision-making processes, he added.

Abdallat noted that the government, following Royal directives, has enacted progressive policies and legislation aimed at empowering women and ensuring equal opportunities.

These include strengthening women's representation in elected councils, launching economic programmes supporting female-led entrepreneurial projects, and enhancing legal and social protections for women across sectors, he pointed out.

The past several years have also seen "substantial" amendments to labour laws aimed at improving the work environment for women, ensuring equal opportunities, and providing greater support for working mothers to enhance their economic and social stability.

Abdallat stressed the importance of maximising women's roles across various sectors and strengthening their participation in political and parliamentary work.

He highlighted that specialised parliamentary committees play a "key" role in drafting legislation and policies supporting women's rights and ensuring their empowerment in decision-making positions.

Abdallat also underscored the pivotal role of the Jordanian National Committee for Women's Affairs in formulating national policies that promote women's rights and ensure the integration of their issues into development plans, contributing to a comprehensive approach that enhances women's standing in society.

"Economic empowerment of women is a fundamental step towards achieving sustainable development," Abdallat said.

"Modern economic reforms provide greater opportunities for women in entrepreneurship and innovation. The government, in partnership with the private sector, has supported small and medium enterprises managed by women and provided training programmes aimed at enhancing their ability to enter local and global markets, increasing their contribution to the national economy."

Abdallat also highlighted Jordan's achievements in supporting refugee women, describing the Kingdom as an "exemplary model" in providing protection and care under King Abdullah's leadership. 

He noted that Jordan continues to ensure refugee women's rights through health, educational, social services, and economic empowerment.

"Our vision for the future is based on building a state of law and institutions that guarantees the principles of equality, justice, and equity," Abdallat concluded.

"Today, as we celebrate Jordanian women's achievements, we stress that the journey continues, and that Jordan, under its wise leadership, is moving forward in empowering women and enhancing their role, not just for their sake, but for a brighter future for Jordan and all Jordanians."