Latest news with #LindaKalash
Jordan Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Experts call for stronger child labour laws, unified national response
Experts urge tougher penalties and stronger enforcement of child labour laws in Jordan (Petra photo) AMMAN — Experts urged tougher penalties and stronger enforcement of child labour laws in Jordan, while calling for the creation of unified, regularly updated databases to better combat child labour across the Kingdom. The recommendations were put forward during a panel discussion titled 'Child Labour Legislation and Law Enforcement in Jordan,' organised by Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights. The event is part of a broader programme aimed at enhancing national efforts to protect children from labour exploitation. Tamkeen's Executive Director Linda Kalash stressed that child labour is deeply linked to poverty and unemployment, issues that have worsened in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Real progress requires a coordinated national response, not fragmented individual efforts,' Kalash said. She also highlighted the role of unwelcoming school environments in pushing children out of education and into the workforce. Haifa Darwish, representing the Ministry of Labour, said in a statement shared with The Jordan Times that 249 child labour cases were recorded in 2024, leading to numerous violations and official warnings. She emphasised the need for joint action and warned that providing benefits to child workers risks normalising the practice. Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Social Development, Emad Suhaibeh described child labour as a 'complex social and economic issue,' highlighting the ministry's support for at-risk children through specialised centres and cooperation with local community organisations. Hania Khanji of the National Council for Family Affairs noted that Jordan's overall child labour rate remains relatively low due to the continued implementation of national strategies. She stressed the importance of clearly defined institutional roles and safe working environments for youth aged 16 to 18. The session was part of Tamkeen's project 'Strengthening National Capacities for the Protection and Prevention of Child Labour,' supported by the European Regional Development and Protection Programme for Lebanon and Jordan, which is funded by several European countries.
Jordan Times
30-01-2025
- General
- Jordan Times
Female farmers struggle with limited support, climate change impacts
Despite their essential role in agriculture, many women working in the local sector feel neglected and unsupported (File photo) AMMAN — Despite their essential role in agriculture, many women working in the local sector feel neglected and unsupported. A recent study by Tamkeen revealed that a staggering 75.7 per cent of women in agriculture report a lack of social backing from local communities and agricultural associations, highlighting a critical gap in resources and advocacy for female agricultural workers. The study, titled "The Impact of Climate Change on Female Agricultural Workers in Jordan: Women and Agriculture in the Face of Climate Change", found that the vast majority of women in agriculture are involved in crop farming, accounting for 99.1 per cent, followed by livestock farming at 6.1 per cent, and food production at 1.8 per cent. One of the key findings showed that 82.7 per cent of women working in agriculture are employed on farms owned by others, while only 6.7 per cent own and manage their own farms. The study also revealed that although more than half of the women in the sector are aware of climate change, their understanding remains limited. Seventy-two per cent of these women have only a basic level of awareness, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive education and training to equip them with the knowledge and tools to cope with the challenges climate change poses to agriculture. Director of Tamkeen Linda Kalash said that Jordan's agricultural sector is facing increasing challenges due to climate change, including rising temperatures, decreasing rainfall, and extended droughts, all of which have adversely affected productivity. She urged for stronger policies and investments in sustainable agricultural practices to protect livelihoods and ensure food security in the face of these climate pressures. The study also highlighted coping strategies employed by female farmers in response to reduced agricultural income. A notable 75.2 per cent of women resort to seeking additional work. Meanwhile, a striking 97.7 per cent of women employed in the sector reported receiving no financial or technical assistance to help them tackle the impacts of climate change. The study concluded with several key recommendations, including the need to enhance climate change awareness, ensure sustainable support for women in the sector, expand irrigation networks, and develop advanced water management techniques.
Jordan Times
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Experts urge 'stronger' gov't support for women in agriculture
AMMAN — Experts urged the government to implement stronger policies to support Jordan's agricultural sector in adapting to climate change, with a particular emphasis on assisting women working in agriculture. This call to action was made at a conference organised by Tamkeen in partnership with Oxfam, titled 'The Impact of Climate Change on Women in Agriculture: Challenges and Solutions.' The event shed light on the social, economic, and psychological effects of climate change on female agricultural workers while also assessing both government and civil society efforts to tackle these challenges. Director of Tamkeen Linda Kalash highlighted that Jordan's agricultural sector is facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change, including rising temperatures, declining rainfall, and droughts. These factors have contributed to a significant reduction in agricultural productivity, Kalash said, noting that 88 per cent of women working in agriculture have reported a decline in their output due to these environmental changes. Kalash also underscored the vital role that agricultural cooperatives play in supporting farmers and helping them adapt to these challenges. 'These cooperatives are essential in equipping farmers with the tools and knowledge to cope with the ongoing climate shifts,' she said. A study presented during the conference revealed that 99.1 per cent of female agricultural workers in Jordan are involved in crop cultivation. The study also found that 92.3 per cent of women in the sector are aware of the effects of climate change, with rising temperatures (91.9 per cent) and changes in rainfall patterns (73.9 per cent) being the most commonly cited impacts. Head of the Adaptation Department at the Ministry of Environment Sarah Halaiq highlighted Jordan's national and international climate commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Halaiq stressed the role of the ministry in monitoring and implementing these obligations, including the National Climate Change Policy (2022-2050). "This comprehensive strategy integrates climate resilience measures across various sectors, with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing resilience through renewable energy, electric transportation, and sustainable agriculture," she added. Head of Agricultural Production Value Chain Studies at the Ministry of Agriculture Zainab Hamdan discussed how the ministry utilises over 45 years of climate data, in cooperation with the National Agricultural Research Center and The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), to evaluate the impacts of climate change and develop strategies to enhance agricultural resilience. She pointed out that climate change is leading to higher temperatures, reduced rainfall, and unpredictable precipitation patterns that threaten water resources and agricultural productivity. "In response, the Ministry is implementing climate-smart agricultural projects aimed at boosting production while addressing environmental changes." Hamdan also stressed the need for advanced infrastructure and substantial investments, calling for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to achieve long-term results. During the conference, MP Ali Ghazawi, representing the Parliamentary Committees on Agriculture, Water, Environment, and Climate, emphasised the critical role of rural women as primary providers for their families and significant contributors to the agricultural sector. He also highlighted the concerning trend of declining youth participation in agriculture and called for better social and health protections for daily wage workers.
