By Zainab AlKhalil & Jalal Abu Saleh
Strengthening the role of Jordanian women in various fields is not merely a short-term goal but a national imperative. Since the establishment of the Kingdom and the drafting of its constitution in 1952, the significant role of women in our society has been recognized. Yet, women continue to face numerous challenges, including gender inequality, political and economic restrictions, and limited access to decision-making positions.
Despite the significant achievements made by Jordan and the Arab region in advancing women’s participation in all sectors—ensuring their role in the security, stability, and peace of societies, while adhering to international conventions such as the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and UN Security Council resolutions on women, peace, and security—there is still much to be done to enhance women’s involvement in strategic decision-making. This is particularly critical in times of crisis, as women and girls are among the most vulnerable groups.
International Women’s Day 2025: A Renewed Call for Equality and Empowerment
On International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, 2025, with the theme “Rights, Equality, and Empowerment for All Women and Girls,” the call to strengthen gender justice, empower women and girls, and protect their rights becomes even more urgent. This year’s theme holds particular significance as it precedes the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), which will review the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—a landmark framework for achieving gender equality. Policymakers and advocates will gather to assess global progress in this context.
International Women’s Day: A Moment for Reflection and Reprioritization
For decades, women have played a crucial role in our societies, from participating in national liberation movements to contributing to economic and social development. Recognizing women’s leadership in local and national contexts, ensuring their representation in decision-making positions, and listening to diverse voices—especially those addressing critical local issues—are essential. Ensuring full participation is not just a matter of justice but a necessity for building resilient, inclusive, and prosperous societies.
According to the Higher Population Council, gender inequality—particularly in economic and political spheres—has impacted Jordan’s ranking on global gender equality indices. In the 2024 Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum, Jordan ranked 123rd out of 153 countries, with particularly low rankings in economic participation and opportunity (145th). In educational attainment, Jordan ranked 81st, while in health and survival, it ranked 103rd, and in political empowerment, it ranked 113th.
The council also noted that women’s economic situation is more precarious than that of men, as they are more vulnerable to economic shifts, which exacerbate the challenges they face while fulfilling their social responsibilities. Women continue to struggle for active participation in sustainable national development, which necessitates comprehensive government policies and legislative reforms to reshape societal perceptions of women’s roles.
How Does the Beijing Framework Align with International Women’s Day?
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is closely linked to International Women’s Day, serving as one of the most significant global frameworks for advancing women’s rights and gender equality. International Women’s Day presents an opportunity to reassess progress on Beijing’s commitments and highlight ongoing challenges, including wage inequality, underrepresentation in leadership positions, and gender-based violence.
This year’s Beijing framework calls on governments and societies to implement policies that uphold women’s rights in all spheres, combat gender-based violence, bridge the economic gender gap, and support women’s participation in political and leadership roles. It also encourages celebrating the achievements of women worldwide.
Since its adoption in 1995, the Beijing Platform for Action has addressed various issues, including poverty, education, health, gender-based violence (physical, psychological, and sexual), human rights, the environment, and women’s economic and political empowerment. Its recommendations have led to legal reforms and policy changes in numerous countries.
ARDD: A Continued Commitment to Amplifying Women’s Voices
Since its founding in 2008, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) has been committed to elevating women’s voices and roles in the progress of our societies. ARDD has implemented numerous projects that support the social, economic, and civil empowerment of women, enabling them to speak out and participate in decision-making.
As part of its Women’s Access to Justice agenda, ARDD has facilitated dialogue platforms to address common challenges faced by women, shedding light on domestic violence, social, economic, and political empowerment, and cultural and ideological barriers to women’s participation. The organization has also emphasized the importance of engaging men in women’s empowerment efforts and has provided women with leadership training and safe spaces to develop policy papers and research supporting their access to justice.
Additionally, ARDD coordinates the Jordan National NGOs Forum (JONAF)—established in 2016—to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, coordinate national humanitarian response efforts, and lead development initiatives in Jordan. Through networking and coalition-building, ARDD continues to create new opportunities for women and address the challenges they face.
The organization also promotes women’s achievements across various fields and emphasizes the need for continuous efforts to develop their skills and capacities. To this end, ARDD launched the Nahda Women’s Network, bringing together female leaders, entrepreneurs, journalists, and activists from diverse backgrounds to foster solidarity and social cohesion. Furthermore, to bridge the research gap on women’s issues and enhance gender justice in the region, ARDD established the Al Nahda Women’s Studies Unit at the ARDD Strategic Center.
Toward a Brighter Future: Steps to Support Women’s Issues
Finally, there is an urgent need for national recognition of women’s issues, reinforcing that International Women’s Day is not just a symbolic celebration but a call to action for real change. It is essential to prevent violence against women and girls, ensure sustainable funding for women’s issues at both national and regional levels, and develop strategies to diversify funding sources and strengthen cross-sector partnerships to support women-centered initiatives.
Moreover, safe and inclusive platforms must be provided for women to advocate for their rights and priorities. Local organizations should be empowered to shape feminist agendas that reflect their unique social contexts and needs, as they are best positioned to understand and address the challenges facing their communities. By tailoring programs to these needs, meaningful and lasting change can be achieved.
