The University of Jordan’s (UJ) Center for Women’s Studies, under the patronage of University President Prof. Nathir Obeidat, held a panel discussion today on national priorities for accelerating the progress of women and girls. The event marked the 30-year review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, in collaboration with the Jordanian National Commission for Women and UN Women.
The event was attended by high-profile figures, including UN Women Representative in Jordan Nicolas Burniat, Secretary-General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women Engineer Maha Ali, and a distinguished group of national and academic experts in women’s issues.
In a recorded speech, HRH Princess Basma bint Talal, Chair of the Jordanian National Commission for Women, congratulated Jordanian women on International Women’s Day, highlighting their achievements and contributions across various fields, including the military and peacekeeping forces. She emphasized the importance of the commission’s establishment in 1992 as a milestone for women’s empowerment in Jordan. She stressed the need to defend women's rights amid ongoing global conflicts, particularly referencing the suffering of Palestinian women in Gaza.
Obeidat reaffirmed the significance of standing in solidarity with women facing challenges worldwide, underscoring the importance of technology in fostering justice and equality. He commended Jordan’s leadership for launching modernization initiatives that support women's empowerment in all sectors.
Engineer Maha Ali noted that Jordan’s 30-year review of the Beijing Declaration provided an opportunity to assess women's progress and set national priorities for the next five years. She emphasized the commission’s focus on legislative reforms to enhance women’s participation in national development. She announced the launch of the "Know More" platform, providing information on women’s legal rights in Jordan.
UN Resident Coordinator Sheri Ritsema-Anderson highlighted progress in women’s rights in Jordan, including reduced poverty rates and increased education levels, attributing these advancements to the country’s commitment to equality.
Director of the Center for Women’s Studies, Prof. Amal Al-Awawdeh, announced the introduction of a compulsory specialized women’s studies course at the university, taken by around 2,000 students annually.
The panel featured key discussions, including reflections from Secretary-General of the Jordanian People Democratic Party, Abla Abu Olbeh, on her participation in the 1995 Beijing Conference. Dr. Abeer Dababneh from the Independent Election Commission addressed women’s political participation, while Huda Ayash from the Jordanian National Commission for Women stressed the importance of national action plans for women, peace, and security.