Amman: The Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment, in collaboration with the Coalition of Women Parliamentarians from Arab Countries to Combat Violence Against Women, UN Women, and the National Democratic Institute, hosted a forum on Monday to emphasize the importance of women’s involvement in political life.
The forum’s timing is significant, as it coincides with Jordan’s preparations for the 2024 parliamentary elections. His Majesty King Abdullah II has called for a transformative approach to the democratic process, urging the establishment of a genuine national party movement dedicated to the interests of Jordan, and emphasizing the need for all state institutions to support the participation of youth and women in the political arena.
Wafa Bani Mustafa, Minister of Social Development and Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment highlighted that, under royal directives, the three modernization vision’s tracks (political, economic, and administrative) are designed to enhance
the quality of life across all sectors, with a focus on integrating youth and women into the development process. These visions, she stressed, necessitate a legislative and political environment that guarantees active participation for both youth and women in public life.
Bani Mustafa referenced Article 6, paragraph 6, of the Jordanian Constitution, which asserts that “the state shall guarantee the empowerment of women and support them to play an active role in building society, ensuring equal opportunities based on justice and fairness, and protecting them from all forms of violence and discrimination.”
She also underscored the significance of recent political reforms, including amendments to the election and party laws that aim to bolster women’s political participation by increasing the number of seats allocated to them to 18. Additionally, any political party running on the national list is now required to include both a woman and a young person among its first five candidates, and a woman among the fir
st three candidates on the party list.
Reflecting on the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995, Bani Mustafa emphasized the recognized need for women’s participation in decision-making processes and political positions. However, she pointed out that despite these commitments, women in the Arab region still face significant barriers to reaching leadership positions compared to their global counterparts.
The Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment, she noted, has been dedicated to implementing the government’s plan following the recommendations of the Royal Committee for Modernizing the Political System. Over the past two years, initiatives such as the Political School have been launched, which has successfully trained 340 women from political parties and civil society organizations, enhancing their awareness and enabling them to increase their political participation.
Bani Mustafa highlighted the “You Are Half the Country” campaign initiated by the Ministerial Committee, which seeks
to shift perceptions about the role of women in the nomination and election process. The campaign encourages women to actively participate in decision-making by casting their votes in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Despite these efforts, Bani Mustafa acknowledged the numerous challenges that continue to hinder women’s political participation, including economic, social, cultural, political, legislative, and media-related obstacles. She stressed that without women’s full involvement in political decision-making, the process remains incomplete, as women bring diverse perspectives that contribute to more equitable and just outcomes.
During the forum, Bani Mustafa also announced the launch of the second edition of the guide to combating violence against women in public life. This guide, intended for use by official institutions, parliaments, and civil society organizations, offers a comprehensive overview of political violence, its characteristics, forms, and the challenges faced by female politicians. I
t aims to address this form of violence, which undermines efforts toward gender equality and has led many female leaders to step down, sending a discouraging message to future generations of women.
Hamda Sulaiti, Deputy Speaker of the Qatari Shura Council and member of the Coalition of Women Parliamentarians from Arab Countries to Combat Violence Against Women, highlighted the growing global focus on women’s rights and the elimination of all forms of discrimination. She commended the efforts of Jordanian women, despite the shared challenges faced by women across the Arab region.
Sulaiti expressed optimism that the work of the Jordanian Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment represents a positive step towards greater political participation for women and a significant milestone in Jordan’s journey toward meaningful political transformation.
Echoing these sentiments, the Assistant Representative of UN Women Bushra Abu Shahout stressed that the active participation of women and girls in decision-making
is crucial for achieving sustainable development and building inclusive societies. She noted the prevalence of violence against female politicians, voters, and candidates as a serious concern, underscoring the urgent need for preventive measures and policies to address all forms of violence against women in public and political life.
Ali Omari, Director of Programs at the National Democratic Institute, reiterated the Institute’s commitment to enhancing women’s political participation. He emphasized that the development of the guide to political violence against women is driven by a long-term commitment to this cause, rather than by the upcoming elections.
He also noted that local institutions have begun to incorporate the issue of violence against women into their programs, and the Independent Election Commission has integrated it into its systems and laws.
Source: Jordan News Agency