Latest news with #JNCW
Jordan Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Regional Dialogue on Gender-Inclusive Digital Transformation Kicks Off in Amman
Regioanl dialogue is organised by the Jordanian National Commission for Women and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development MENA platform for institutional integration of gender equality, governance and leadership (Petra photo) AMMAN — A regional dialogue titled 'Enhancing Accountability for Gender-Inclusive Global Transformations: A Deep Dive into Digitalisation in the Middle East and North Africa' opened on Wednesday in Amman, bringing together policymakers and experts from across the region and beyond. The two-day event is co-organised by the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) MENA platform, which focuses on integrating gender equality into governance and leadership. Participants include representatives from MENA countries such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Oman, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Palestine, as well as OECD and partner nations including France, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Canada, the UK, Germany, South Korea, Japan, and Chile. The dialogue features sessions on key issues including integrating gender equality into digital governance, addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence, promoting women's leadership in the digital sphere, and enhancing institutional accountability through gender-responsive budgeting and data systems, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. In her remarks, JNCW Secretary-General Maha Ali highlighted the urgency of addressing gender equality amid rapid advances in digital technology and artificial intelligence. While these tools have opened new opportunities for women and girls in education, employment, and civic participation, Ali noted they have also given rise to emerging forms of digital violence and exclusion, often pushing women out of public spaces. She reaffirmed Jordan's commitment to advancing gender equality as part of its broader modernisation agenda, citing recent constitutional amendments aimed at empowering women and protecting them from discrimination and violence. Ali also referenced the growing presence of women in Jordan's ICT sector and the role of legislation, such as the Cybercrime Law, in promoting digital safety. Tatyana Teplova, Head of Global Partnerships, Inclusion, and Justice at the OECD Public Governance Directorate, underscored the importance of inclusive digital transformation. 'Without gender-sensitive approaches, digital innovation could exacerbate existing inequalities,' she warned. Teplova encouraged participants to use the platform to forge partnerships and ensure that digital progress in the region is both inclusive and accountable. The dialogue aims to facilitate the exchange of best practices between MENA and OECD countries and to contribute to shaping a more equitable and resilient digital future for women and girls across the region.
Jordan Times
10-05-2025
- General
- Jordan Times
Sunday marks Princess Basma's birthday
HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal AMMAN — Sunday marks the birthday of HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal, a pioneering advocate for women's rights, youth empowerment and sustainable human development in Jordan and the Arab region. Princess Basma is the founder and chairperson of the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD), one of the Kingdom's oldest and most impactful non-profit organisations, established in 1977. JOHUD operates through a network of 52 locally managed Community Development Centres, offering a unique model of participatory development rooted in community engagement and decentralised governance, a vision closely aligned with Princess Basma's lifelong commitment to inclusive development. In recognition of her decades-long service, His Majesty King Abdullah awarded Princess Basma the Silver Jubilee Medal in April 2024. In May 2022, she received the Order of the State Centennial for her contributions to Jordan's progress and national development. Among the national initiatives launched and directed by Princess Basma are the Goodwill Campaign (established 1991), providing support to thousands of families in need annually, and the Queen Alia Competition for Social Responsibility, which has been promoting social awareness among generations of Jordan's school children for decades. Since its inception in 1992, Princess Basma has chaired the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), playing a pivotal role in addressing women's and gender-related issues, particularly in legislative and policy reform. In 2025, the 2024 JNCW Law was passed to strengthen coordination between public and civil institutions and advance national strategies for women's political, social, and economic empowerment. In 2004, she founded the National Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition (Najmah), hosted by JOHUD, to support national efforts to combat hunger through local and international partnerships. On the international level, as a member of the Advisory Board of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, Princess Basma advocates for environmental sustainability, leveraging JOHUD's networks as platforms for environmental activism. She serves as an Honorary Human Development Ambassador for UNDP and Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women and the UNFPA. She holds a PhD in development studies from Oxford University. She has been married to Walid Kurdi since 1980. They have four children, Farah, Ghazi, Saad, and Zein Al Sharaf, and ten grandchildren: Fatima Al Zahraa, Zein Al Sharaf, Abdul Aziz, Aisha, Iman, Basma, Haya, Raya, Alia, and Jad. Page 2
Jordan Times
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
The National Commission for Women's Affairs Law 2024: Achievements and gaps
The Jordanian government has long pledged to improve the status of women, aligning national policies with international standards and responding to evolving social needs. As part of its broader political modernization efforts, the government has implemented measures to institutionalize women's roles in politics, including party quotas and increased parliamentary representation. Yet the numbers tell a more complex story. Women make up over 56 per cent of university graduates, but just 15 per cent of the workforce. This stark imbalance raises questions about the true efficacy of current policies. Women's contributions are vital to creating resilient, economically and socially empowered communities. Still, progress remains well below both the nation's ambitions and the aspirations of Jordanian women themselves. One of the key players in this effort is the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), founded in 1992 by Cabinet decision and later recognized in 1996 as the primary body for gender-related initiatives. The commission includes members from both governmental and non-governmental institutions and works to align Jordanian legislation with international gender equality standards. However, in recent years, the commission's priorities have come under scrutiny. Critics argue that the influence of specific political or ideological factions has led to the marginalization of many experienced female leaders and a narrowing of the commission's agenda. These concerns came to the fore with the introduction of the National Commission for Women's Affairs Law (2024), sparking debate among analysts, politicians, and religious scholars. Does the law genuinely strengthen the commission's role in line with political modernization goals? Should the commission act as a civil society organization, a government entity, or a hybrid? Can it operate effectively without clashing with Sharia or prevailing social norms — and what safeguards are in place to ensure that? Under Article 3, the law defines the commission as a civil society organization — not a government body. This gives it legal independence: the right to own property, sign contracts, and pursue litigation. Article 4 outlines the commission's mission: to advocate for women's rights as enshrined in the Constitution, to empower women politically, economically, and socially, to protect them from violence and discrimination, and to promote their role in sustainable development — in coordination with relevant institutions. This broad mandate is a welcome step toward equality and justice. But the law lacks concrete mechanisms for implementation or enforcement. Without these, the commission risks becoming merely advisory. Terms such as 'protection from violence' are vague. Will the commission function as a complaints body, similar to the Family Protection Department? Or will it investigate and act on violations directly? The law is unclear. Further ambiguity arises in the commission's role as a 'reference point' for developing policies on women's affairs. What falls under 'women's affairs'? Issues like personal status, education, and wages often fall under the jurisdiction of specific ministries or religious courts. The law's call for 'coordination' is commendable — but too vague. Without clearer definitions, gaps and overlaps are inevitable. The law needs revision to clearly delineate responsibilities and ensure inclusion of broader civil society voices — not just selected organizations. The law also assigns the commission a long list of tasks: providing technical support to government bodies, integrating gender into national plans and budgets, conducting research, and representing Jordan at regional and international forums. This expansive scope risks transforming the commission into an overstretched administrative body, far from its intended policy-driven role. Jordan already has women's studies centers, think tanks, and civil society institutions capable of conducting research and offering technical expertise. The commission should focus on shaping policy, while building partnerships with these organizations to maximize efficiency and impact. In sum, the National Commission for Women's Affairs Law is an important milestone — but one that requires refinement. Its success will depend on narrowing its scope, clarifying its authority, and ensuring broad-based, inclusive engagement. Only then can it truly serve as a catalyst for women's empowerment in Jordan. Page 2
Jordan Times
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Princess Basma says new JNCW law milestone for women's rights in Jordan
HRH Princess Basma, president of the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), on Thursday chaires a meeting of the Commission's Council (Petra photo) AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma, president of the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), on Thursday chaired a meeting of the Commission's Council, describing the recent adoption of a new law governing the JNCW as a 'milestone' in advancing women's rights in Jordan. In her address to council members, Princess Basma said the legislation represents a pivotal step in both the institutional development of the Commission and the broader progress of Jordanian women, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. She emphasised that the law aligns with the Kingdom's national modernisation vision and will play a key role in enhancing women's participation in political, economic and social spheres. 'This law reflects a clear vision of women's essential contribution to national development,' the Princess said. She also commended the cooperative efforts between the Commission and various stakeholders that led to the law's approval. Minister of Social Development and Head of the Ministerial Committee for Women's Empowerment, Wafa Bani Mustafa, reaffirmed the government's commitment to working closely with the JNCW to empower women and expand their role across society. Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Abdulmunim Oudat said the law embodies the political will to integrate women, youth, and all segments of society into Jordan's broader modernisation and development efforts. JNCW Secretary General Maha Ali presented the Commission's 2024 Annual Performance Report, highlighting key achievements and outlining strategic priorities for 2025. These include a focus on legislative advocacy, economic and political empowerment, and public awareness initiatives. Ali also shared preliminary findings from a mid-term evaluation of the National Strategy for Women 2020–2025, aimed at assessing the impact of current efforts and informing future initiatives.
Jordan Times
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Princess Basma attends graduation of feminist policy research fellows
HRH Princess Basma on Thursday attends the graduation ceremony of participants in the 'Feminist Research for Policy Influence' fellowship programme (Petra photo) AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma on Thursday attended the graduation ceremony of participants in the 'Feminist Research for Policy Influence' fellowship programme. The initiative was implemented by the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), in cooperation with the Feminist Economy Foundation and with support from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. The programme aimed to equip 24 early-career female researchers from various governorates with theoretical knowledge, practical tools and research skills grounded in a feminist perspective. It also sought to empower women to take on more active roles in society by highlighting the challenges they face across different sectors and producing evidence-based policy papers offering practical solutions to support women's rights and advance gender equality. Princess Basma congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments and commended their newly acquired skills and expertise, which she said would enable them to play an active and influential role within their communities. She also commended the vital contributions of Jordanian women to the Kingdom's development and modernisation efforts, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah, stressing the importance of women's political and economic participation. The Princess further expressed appreciation for the JNCW's efforts, as well as its strategic partnership with the Feminist Economy Foundation and GIZ, in building women's capacities and fostering positive, lasting change.
