*Suha Al-Subaihi* — Under the patronage of the President of the University of Jordan, Dr. Nathir Obeidat, the University's Center for Women's Studies celebrated today the conclusion of the Feminist Fellowship Project. The project was implemented in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) within the framework of the Program for Enhancing the Political and Economic Participation of Women in the Middle East and North Africa, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The ceremony was attended by the University's vice presidents, representatives of national partner institutions, the Center's staff, and the program participants.
Obeidat opened the ceremony with a speech that carried strong messages of support for women, affirming that women are partners in building and working, and that they “excel just as men do." He emphasized that women “give without expecting to be given," noting the challenges and obstacles that some women face in their professional and social lives. He stressed that empowering women is empowering the entire nation, pointing out that 65% of the University of Jordan's students are women.
Obeidat also expressed his appreciation for the fruitful partnership with GIZ and with national institutions supporting the program's implementation. He commended their role in enhancing training and empowerment opportunities for Jordanian women, emphasizing that such programs open wide horizons for female students to integrate into the labor market with confidence and competence.
For her part, Dr. Amal Al-Awwadeh, Director of the Center for Women's Studies, noted that the Feminist Fellowship Project reflects the University's vision of preparing graduates who are capable of competing and transforming academic knowledge into advanced professional skills.
She explained that the project was implemented through a comprehensive systematic approach in which 14 participants were selected according to clear criteria. This was followed by an introductory meeting and close cooperation with partner institutions to ensure a high-quality training experience grounded in practical expertise and real-world practice. She added that the participants joined training programs in 12 national institutions for approximately eight weeks, completing a total of 68 training hours, during which they developed specialized professional skills tailored to labor market needs.
In her speech, Yasmine Saadoun, Director of the Good Governance and Communities Group and representative of GIZ, affirmed that the program aims to help female students engage in the labor market and acquire new skills that strengthen their self-confidence. She praised the University and the Center for Women's Studies for their commitment to successfully implementing this project.
The ceremony also included remarks from representatives of national partner institutions in the training program. Maha Ali, Secretary-General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women, affirmed the Commission's appreciation for the University's efforts in supporting women's empowerment, noting that the success stories presented today by young Jordanian women are evidence of progress despite challenges.
Dr. Abeer Dabbabneh, member of the Board of Commissioners at the Independent Election Commission, praised the University's role in reinforcing values of work, achievement, and perseverance. She affirmed that the Center for Women's Studies represents a pioneering model at the regional level, adding that the partnership between the Commission and the University has contributed to enhancing participants' expertise.
Dr. Issa Massarwa, Secretary-General of the Higher Population Council, highlighted the importance of fellowship programs in linking university education to societal issues, expressing the Council's readiness to host more trainees to strengthen women's involvement in population and development affairs.
Similarly, Amer Bani Amer, Director-General of Al-Hayat Center – RASED, affirmed that the project constitutes a proactive step toward enhancing women's participation in Jordan's economy and in civil society institutions, commending the impact of the experience on the student who trained at the center.
The ceremony featured presentations of inspiring experiences by graduates of the Center, including Major Karima Al-Shannaq, Head of Preventive Security in the Women's Police Department, and dentist Dr. Areej Abu Hijleh, who shared their success stories as alumnae of the Center.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Obeidat presented certificates to the graduates, accompanied by the Center's Director and the GIZ representative. National partner institutions were also honored with commemorative shields.