Latest news with #WafaBaniMustafa
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan's social protection strategy empowers vulnerable groups through jobs
AMMAN — Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa on Wednesday participated in the closing ceremony of the 'Towards a Comprehensive National Social Protection System' project, implemented by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNICEF with support from the EU. In her remarks, Bani Mustafa underscored the project's significance in building a sustainable and inclusive social protection system by strengthening policy frameworks and mechanisms that promote decent job opportunities for vulnerable groups. She noted that the initiative aligns with the key pillars of the National Social Protection Strategy 2025–2033, which aims to shift targeted groups from aid dependence to empowerment, ensure access to fair and decent employment, and strengthen the system's ability to respond to future shocks and recovery phases, according to a ministry statement. The minister announced that work is underway to develop a comprehensive coordination mechanism for shock-responsive interventions as part of the strategy's implementation. Additionally, an early social warning system is being developed in cooperation with the National Centre for Security and Crisis Management (NCSCM) to improve preparedness and response. Bani Mustafa also highlighted the growing challenges posed by climate change, which disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations and communities. Regarding the project's outcomes, she stressed its role in enhancing integrated coordination and strategic planning, monitoring government efforts in the social protection and employment sectors, and reinforcing national systems to improve access to both labour market opportunities and social safety nets. She added that the project plays a key role in promoting decent employment through skill-based training initiatives designed to prepare beneficiaries for sustainable integration into the labour market. The project has achieved "outstanding" results that can be promoted to launch such projects and programs in the future, she noted. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Ammon
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Ammon
Jordan, Turkey discuss boosting social cooperation
Ammon News - Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa met on Monday with Turkish Ambassador to the Kingdom Yakup Caymazoglu to discuss means of strengthening bilateral cooperation in various social sectors. According to a statement issued by the Ministry, Bani Mustafa reviewed Jordan's leading efforts in the field of social protection, highlighting the launch of the National Social Protection Strategy (2025–2033), which is aligned with the country's political, economic, and administrative modernization visions. She stressed that social protection enjoys high-level royal attention and that its implementation will be carried out in partnership with various ministries and national institutions. The strategy, she said, was developed through nationwide consultations involving stakeholders and relevant entities. Bani Mustafa also underscored the significance of Jordan's participation in the International Family Forum titled "Protecting and Strengthening the Family in the Face of Global Challenges," set to be held later this week in Turkey, with ministerial participation from several countries. She noted that the forum will provide an opportunity to exchange expertise and best practices, especially as Jordan has recently made notable advancements in social protection. For his part, Ambassador Caymazoglu commended the depth of Jordanian-Turkish relations and emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation in the area of social protection. He expressed interest in formalizing this cooperation through memoranda of understanding to facilitate the exchange of expertise. Petra
Jordan Times
10-05-2025
- Health
- Jordan Times
Deputising for King, prime minister launches 2025-2033 National Social Protection Strategy
DEAD SEA – Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Saturday attended the launching of the 2025-2033 National Social Protection Strategy, signaling a renewed commitment to strengthening the Kingdom's social protection system. The launch ceremony was held at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center on the Dead Sea and was attended by senior government officials, diplomats and representatives of civil society, political parties and the private sector. The strategy, a key commitment in the government's policy statement to the Lower House, aims to expand the reach and impact of social protection programs through strengthening economic empowerment programs, and enhancing the efficiency of social assistance. It introduces a four-pillar framework to address social assistance, service delivery, labor market integration, and crisis resilience. Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa, who chairs the strategy's high-level steering committee, the four pillars -dignity, empowerment, opportunity, and resilience- will work together to transform the social protection landscape in Jordan. "Dignity" focuses on modernising social assistance systems, including improving targeting mechanisms and expanding integrated assistance programs. It also includes plans to institutionalise and expand the national school feeding program, Bani Mustafa said. The minister added that the empowerment pillar emphasises professionalising social work, expanding inclusive education and training services, and improving access to care. A new digital platform for social workers is in the pipeline, along with a classification system for associations and a digital registry of beneficiaries. Access to health care is also an important component, she said, noting that it includes a unified social health insurance program based on a national social registry will be introduced, along with efforts to improve the quality and availability of family medicine services at primary health centers. Under the opportunity pillar, the government is committed to making social security more inclusive and responsive to changing work dynamics. This includes coverage for flexible and part-time workers and improved conditions across sectors, she said. Resilience, the fourth pillar, aims to prepare Jordan's social protection infrastructure for future shocks, such as economic downturns or humanitarian crises. Plans include a crisis response fund, improved infrastructure for emergency services, and an early warning system integrated with national security institutions, according to the minister. Bani Mustafa said the strategy's goals are rooted in the vision of a "dignified, empowered, and resilient Jordanian society" and aim to increase economic participation, improve the efficiency of social spending, and strengthen cooperation between government, civil society, and the private sector. Also speaking during the event was UNICEF Representative to Jordan Phillipe Duamelle who pointed out that UNICEF has had the privilege to accompany the government of Jordan through the entire journey of social protection reform. 'What stands out in this updated strategy is its comprehensive and people-centered approach, as well as its consultative nature and focus on inclusive and integrated social protection services,' Duamelle told the gathering. It recognises that social protection is not just about addressing poverty—it is about enabling inclusion, building resilience, and promoting equity, the UN official said. 'In all these ways, the strategy not only responds to current needs, but lays the groundwork for longer-term, transformative change—especially for children and their families,' according to Duamelle. It is also about investing in the future of Jordan, Duamelle added. Meanwhile, World Bank (WB) Resident Representative in Jordan Holly Benner expressed her pride in the WB's long-standing partnership in Jordan's social protection journey, supporting reforms and expansion since 2018. 'We are pleased to see Jordan emerge in the region and globally as one of the countries at the forefront of building resilient and sustainable social protection systems—now many other countries are looking to Jordan in developing their own models and approaches,' Benner said. Benner stressed the WB's commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the new strategy through a combination of 'financing and technical assistance under the recently signed, US$400 million Resilient and Sustainable Social Protection Program'. 'This reflects a shift toward a 'next generation' system, one that is more resilient, integrated, and sustainable,' Benner told the gathering. European Union (EU) Ambassador to Jordan Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas stressed that the EU is on the side of Jordan for the long haul. 'Our engagement on social affairs is important and durable. Our current portfolio stands at EUR120 million that we give to Jordan,' Chatzisavas said. More than half of this comes from funding in response to the Syrian refugee crisis, showing that our support is for the country as a whole, and it is intertwined with our bilateral cooperation, Chatzisavas added. 'Over the last decade, we have supported assistance, social services through the centres in the country, and also assistance to persons with disabilities,' Chatzisavas told the gathering. The strategy was developed following nationwide consultations involving stakeholders from all sectors, including parliamentarians, academics, community leaders, and non-governmental organisations. The launch event featured a presentation on the strategy's development process and a performance by children from the Al Hussein Society-Jordan Center for Training and Inclusion, underscoring the inclusive vision behind the new framework.
Jordan Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
B-LIEVE project wraps up, empowering 1,000 youth across Kingdom
Participants and partners reflects on the transformative outcomes of the programme through testimonials and shared success stories (Petra photo) AMMAN — Education For Employment-Jordan (EFE-Jordan), in partnership with Education For Employment-Europe and international humanitarian organisation COOPI, on Monday celebrated the conclusion of the B-LIEVE project. The event marked the end of a three-year initiative funded by the EU to equip over 1,000 youth, including persons with disabilities and at-risk youth, with the skills and knowledge needed to enter the workforce and thrive, according to a Ministry of Social Development statement. Held in the presence of Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa and Team Leader for Governance and Human Development at the EU Delegation to Jordan Mary Horvers, the event highlighted the project's achievements in fostering diversity, inclusion, and empowerment in Jordan's labour market. Participants and partners reflected on the transformative outcomes of the programme through testimonials and shared success stories. A central feature of the event was a panel discussion titled 'The Power of Inclusion,' which brought together representatives from the EU Delegation in Jordan, the Department of Correctional and Rehabilitation Centres, civil society, private sector partners, and family members of programme graduates. The discussion underscored the importance of cross-sector cooperation in building inclusive pathways to economic opportunity. The event concluded with a vibrant bazaar where young entrepreneurs, many of them project graduates, exhibited and sold their products, demonstrating both their skills and the tangible economic impact of the initiative. The B-LIEVE project is a testament to the shared commitment of the European Union, EFE-Europe, EFE-Jordan, and COOPI to strengthening economic resilience and promoting social inclusion among marginalised Jordanians and Syrian refugees across the Kingdom. Education For Employment-Jordan is a locally registered non-profit organisation established in 2006. It leads a national initiative to create economic opportunities for unemployed youth in Jordan. Since its inception, EFE-Jordan has trained over 40,000 youth, 70 per cent of whom are women, and linked 85 per cent of its graduates to jobs. EFE-Jordan is part of the global Education for Employment (EFE) Network, comprising locally-run foundations in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, and Palestine, along with global support hubs in Europe, the US, and the UAE. Page 2
Jordan Times
16-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Social development minister launches ‘Nazaha' platform
Speaking at the launch event of the 'Nazaha' platform, Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa stresses that the initiative marks a 'qualitative' leap in empowering civil society organisations (Petra photo) AMMAN — Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa on Wednesday launched the 'Nazaha' platform. The initiative comes under the framework of the 'Nazaha: EU Support for Social Accountability and Empowering Civil Society for Good Governance' project, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The initiative is implemented by Al Hayat Centre-Rased and Rasheed for Integrity and Transparency (TI-Jordan), with joint funding from the European Union and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). Speaking at the event, which was attended by Secretary-General of the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation Marwan Refai, Deputy Head of the Spanish Mission in Amman Estibaliz Lopez, EU Delegation Programme Manager Tina Preihavic, and a number of civil society representatives, Bani Mustafa stressed that the launch of the platform marks a 'qualitative' leap in empowering civil society organisations. She praised it as another 'achievement' added to the many accomplishments of Al Hayat Centre–Rased, particularly as it coincides with the Kingdom's celebrations of Flag Day. The minister highlighted the importance of the collaborative efforts that led to the platform's creation, underscoring its role in enhancing governance, transparency, and compliance standards within civil society organisations. These efforts, she noted, will contribute to objectively evaluating and classifying their performance, one of the ministry's key objectives. The platform is also expected to support the ministry's drive to digitalise association data and streamline related procedures, especially through integration with the Takamol platform. Bani Mustafa added that the platform's goals align with the updated National Social Protection Strategy, particularly its pillar on strengthening and empowering the association sector.
