In celebration of International Woman’s Day, the Cultural Department in the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) in cooperation with the Arab Women’s Network for Good Local Governance, held a discussion session entitled “The Jordanian Woman in the First Decade of the Current Century – Achievements and Problems”.
The session was run by Doctor Lana Mamkagh, and started off with a movie screening Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah’s activities, attesting to Her interest in the women’s sector, childcare, and the accomplishments of Jordanian women in all fields, thanks to Her Majesty’s support.
The General Secretary of the National Jordanian Commission for Women’s Issues, Asma Khader, emphasized women’s contribution to human civilization throughout the ages, as they have constituted an important link in crucial historical moments, as well as maintaining a partnership with men on all levels.
On the occasion of Woman’s Day, Khader called for the strengthening of woman’s role and standing, claiming that admitting to such a role will compensate for the injustice and discrimination incurred on women in the past.
Along these lines, Khader stated that, “Interest in Jordanian women is not merely limited to March 8 (International Woman’s Day), as celebrating it every year comes as the culmination of the Jordanian woman’s achievements in different fields.”
During the course of the session, Khader brought up the matter of eradicating violence against women through the concerted efforts of different governmental and civil sectors, in addition to academics and social and psychological experts. She indicated the growing importance of the Jordanian media in highlighting violence as a dangerous social affliction having economic, social, familial, and cultural repercussions, an affliction which needs to be comprehensively addressed.
“Jordanian women have achieved a distinctive standing, education-wise, and have assumed different leading positions, in addition to excelling in science and studies, as 40 percent of students at the Judicial Institute, for example, are women,” Khader added.
The Head of the Psychological Rehabilitation Association and activist in the women’s sector and volunteer work, Haifa’a Al Basheer, asserted the importance of women’s role and accomplishments in economic and political arenas. She declared, “We need to employ more societal trends that reinforce woman’s position as man’s partner in all spheres.”
Al Basheer displayed the role of women, delineating the historical development of women’s status in Jordan, which has reached its peak today as a result of His Majesty King Abdullah the Second’s directions and the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah.
The Greater Amman Municipality Council member, Maysar Al Saadi, drew attention to exceptional role of women’s performance at work which has made a significant impression on the Kingdom’s different governorates, pointing to women’s participation in decision making through active involvement in municipal councils, including the Greater Amman Municipality Council.