Access to justice plays a significant role in the realization of gender equality, and it is also a factor that supports the establishment of a long-lasting peace. For women affected by conflict, displacement, or systemic discrimination, access to justice provides a layer of protection and paves the way to empowerment. The Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) has become one of the most prominent supporters for women’s access to justice by pointing out that it is not only a right but also a necessity in the areas of security, development, and social progress.
Creating an Environment for Women to Assert Their Rights
The Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) was established in 2008 as ARDD – Legal Aid in Amman, Jordan. In 2012, it was restructured to advance an Arab Renaissance initiative, which promotes democratic governance, social development, and regional equity. ARDD enacts change through research, advocacy, and community engagement, inspired by past achievements of the historic Arab Renaissance and the reformist efforts of individuals committed to social change.
A key part of ARDD’s work is the Women’s Access to Justice (WAJ) program, which strengthens the local legal and social systems to enable women to claim their rights and engage in public life. Through advocacy, awareness-raising campaigns, and community action, ARDD Jordan works to remove barriers to women accessing justice, particularly among migrants and refugees in vulnerable situations. The organization prioritizes policy workplace in local institutions to support gender responsiveness to women’s participation and their voices in legal process decision-making.
By strengthening and deepening justice mechanisms and promoting equity, ARDD envisions an Arab world where women have the resources, support, and opportunities to claim their rights and work towards peace and justice in civil society.
Localizing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda
ARDD’s focus on women’s access to justice is closely linked to initiatives that support the Women, Peace, and Security agenda under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325). UNSCR 1325 was passed in 2000 and focused on emphasizing the importance of women in conflict prevention, the promotion of peace, and the sustainability of security.
In 2022, ARDD collaborated with UN Women and, with the patronage of H.E. Wafa’a Bani Mustafa, Minister of State for Legal Affairs, convened a roundtable entitled “Gender Justice and UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security”, where ARDD, the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), UN Women Jordan, and select civil society members were consulted in addressing the upscaling of UNSCR 1325 at the Jordanian National Action Plan (JONAP) level.
At the event, the Chief Executive Director of ARDD, Samar Muhareb, emphasized the significance of robust partnerships and collaborative action to promote women’s involvement in peacebuilding and decision-making. The discussions indicated that while the first phase of JONAP demonstrated progress, more work is still required to countries’ capacity to institutionalize accountability, scale up the representation of women in political and security capacities, and consider fair budget allocation for implementation.
ARDD’s approach also represents the organization’s view that justice cannot be achieved through only legal means; this requires the development of systems of accountability, inclusion, and meaningful participation in a manner that effectively responds to the needs of women.
Reclaiming the Future: Women, Peace, and Justice in the Arab World
“Reclaiming the Future: Women, Peace, and Justice in the Arab World” is a regional campaign launched by ARDD in 2025. It coincides with the 25th anniversary of UNSCR 1325, and the international campaign “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence”. This campaign highlights the struggles and achievements of women in conflict and post-conflict contexts, reaffirming ARDD’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that women lead the conversations on peace, justice, and recovery.
According to Samar Muhareb, “UNSCR 1325 is more than a resolution; it serves as a moral compass to remind us that peace cannot be built by militarization or exclusion,” as she called on regional and international partners to support women who are pushing for change from Gaza to Sudan and Yemen.
ARDD, through this campaign, calls international partners, governments, and civil society to:
- Strengthen women’s roles in peacebuilding, justice, and recovery
- Stop militarization as an economic practice
- Accountability for violations against women and girls in conflict-affected areas
- Invest in women’s political, economic, and civic rights as a basis for sustainable peace
ARDD is working with the Renaissance Strategic Center (RSC) on seminars, research publications, and public dialogues like “Redefining Peace and Liberation: Palestinian Women and Global Feminism” and “Ordinary Choices, Extraordinary Impact: Women in Finance and Leadership,”. All of these works show how important it is to connect research, advocacy, and grassroots work for the development of justice and peace.
Towards an Inclusive Future
ARDD’s work illustrates that access to justice for women is intertwined with peace and security. Supporting women to claim their rights, to work with institutions in implementing gender-based justice, and efforts that adhere to global conventions like UNSCR 1325, ARDD Jordan contributes to an inclusive and equitable society.
Jordan and the region are evidence that when women have full access to justice, communities are made more resilient, stronger, and better positioned to achieve long-term stability.
