Civil Society Organizations Emphasize the Need for Collaborative Efforts and Cross-Sector Dialogue During the Launch of the National Social Protection Strategy
As part of national efforts to develop the components of the National Social Protection Strategy for 2025–2033, Dr. Sawsan Al-Majali, board member of the Jordan National NGO Forum (JONAF) and representative of civil society organizations, participated in a dialogue session held at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The session aimed to discuss key challenges and available opportunities to strengthen Jordan’s social protection system. It brought together representatives from government ministries, civil society organizations, and subject-matter experts. Speakers included Dr. Barq Al-Damour, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Development and head of the “Empowerment” pillar; Jadallah Al-Khalayleh, Director General of the Social Security Corporation and head of the “Opportunity” pillar; Dr. Sawsan Al-Majali, representing the JONAF coalition; and Dr. Ahmad Awad, Director of the Phenix Center for Economic Studies. In her remarks, Dr. Al-Majali emphasized the importance of involving civil society in all phases of formulating and implementing social policies. She described civil society as a strategic partner with field-level expertise and access to underserved groups, particularly women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. She also reaffirmed JONAF’s commitment to promoting transparency and social accountability by empowering local communities to voice their needs and ensuring that the national strategy reflects the real priorities of the people. The session, moderated by Senator Issa Murad, Chair of the Senate’s Labor and Social Development Committee, highlighted the significance of the strategy and its alignment with Jordan’s three modernization tracks—political, economic, and administrative—led by His Majesty the King. Speakers described the strategy as a practical embodiment of these national directions. They also stressed the need to achieve the goals of the “Empowerment” and “Opportunity” pillars through close collaboration with government bodies, the private sector, civil society organizations, and all relevant stakeholders. In conclusion, participants called for a deeper partnership between government institutions and civil society and advocated for a participatory approach in designing and evaluating social programs. They emphasized that a robust social protection system is not only essential but urgent, given its integral connection to the country’s modernization efforts. A fair, inclusive, and sustainable system, they noted, must be guided by a clear and comprehensive vision rooted in integration and inclusivity.
ARDD Concludes Project Management Training
As part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening institutional capacities, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) recently concluded a four-day specialized training in project management, conducted in partnership with Zain International for Consultancy and Training. This training forms a core component of ARDD’s capacity development plan under the project “Future Forward: Unlocking Local Sustainability Opportunities,” supported by the European Regional Development and Protection Programme for Jordan and Lebanon. The training aimed to build a shared understanding among ARDD team members from diverse academic and professional backgrounds of essential tools and methodologies for managing change, including the logical framework approaches, theory of change, results-based management, and results-based budgeting. ARDD also held a one-day Training of Trainers session to empower a group of team members and several Jordan National NGO Forum (JONAF) members. The participants acquired skills and methodologies needed to transfer this critical knowledge in their respective roles, ensuring the sustainability of best practices in project management organizations’ programs and significantly enhancing the ability to design and implement projects using an effective project cycle management approach and to attract innovative and impactful initiatives aligned with their developmental goals. Ultimately, ARDD reaffirms the importance of strategic investment in human capital and the continuous improvement of team performance to ensure the sustainability of its efforts in addressing emerging challenges, reinforcing the localization of humanitarian and development work.
ARDD Holds Roundtable on TFGBV and Its Impact on Young Women’s Democratic Participation
ARDD´s Renaissance Strategic Center(RSC) convened a high-level roundtable on Sunday, May 4, 2025, titled “Online Harm, Offline Consequences: Exploring the Barriers to Young Women’s Democratic Participation.” The event brought together activists, young women, experts, civil society representatives, and policymakers to address the growing impact of technology-facilitated violence on young women’s participation in public life. The roundtable featured the preliminary findings of RSC’s latest research on online violence targeting girls and women, highlighting its tangible consequences for young women’s civic and political engagement in Jordan. This research is part of ARDD’s broader efforts supported by the New Generation (GenG) project’s Fund. Participants discussed the increasing prevalence of cyberviolence, particularly against young women active in civic and political spaces, and explored the implications of digital threats, defamation, and privacy violations. These forms of harm were identified as key factors in discouraging women from participating in public discourse and decision-making, often leading to self-censorship and disengagement. The roundtable emphasized the need for inclusive and responsive legal and governance frameworks that can effectively address the challenges of digital violence. Participants also reflected on the structural and cultural barriers that prevent young women from reporting abuse, including fear of public scandal, social stigma, and limited knowledge of reporting mechanisms. Real-life experiences were shared throughout the session, shedding light on the psychological, social, and professional toll of cyberviolence. The discussion underscored the importance of integrating digital protection education into schools, universities, and professional settings, given the growing reliance of young women on technology for learning and work. In their concluding remarks, participants stressed the importance of developing national policies that ensure online safety for young women, raising awareness through targeted digital literacy programs, enhancing mechanisms for reporting abusive content on social media, and enhancing the capacities of law enforcement and judicial actors through gender-sensitive training. The conversation also reaffirmed the role of civil society in creating safer digital spaces and supporting young women’s leadership and participation in both online and offline public life. The roundtable forms part of ARDD’s ongoing commitment to promoting digital rights, inclusive governance, and gender equality in Jordan and across the region.
She Leads… A Consultation Meeting with Women Leaders and Experts on Women’s Issues from Jordan and Egypt
As part of the second phase of the “She Leads” program, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) held a consultation meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, bringing together experts in women’s leadership and gender affairs from Jordan and Egypt. The meeting aimed to contribute to Renaissance Strategic Center´s ongoing research exploring the role of male family members, particularly fathers, in fostering leadership skills among young women. The meeting gathered representatives from research centers, universities, and regional and international civil society organizations. It formed part of efforts to develop a significant study and policy paper highlighting the importance of male family members’ involvement in supporting young women’s leadership development. It also aimed to identify best practices in this area and to assess how the male family members’ attitudes and actions affect young women’s leadership roles and impact the leadership journeys of girls and young women enrolled in the program. Regarding the influence of male family members on girls’ professional and leadership decisions, participants stressed the need to develop a reference guide clarifying key research terms, such as “leadership,” “participation,” and “gender justice.” They also emphasized the importance of integrating economic, cultural, and social conditions into the research analysis, with attention to differences in emotional, material, and leadership support provided by families across the diverse social and cultural contexts of Jordan and Egypt. Discussing the challenges and opportunities related to men’s involvement in supporting women’s leadership, participants noted that traditions, religion, and legal frameworks are primary determinants of behavior in any society, and that discrimination against women persists in certain areas. They highlighted the importance of incorporating men’s perspectives directly into the research to better understand their views, as well as the need to engage other societal actors such as schools, neighbors, workplaces, and friends. They also stressed the importance of considering geographic and social variations, along with the increasing role of social media in raising awareness among young women and their families. In conclusion, participants recommended promoting positive male role models and providing safe spaces for dialogue between men and women. They also emphasized the need to develop practical tools to support men in adopting a conscious, supportive role in creating an enabling environment for young women. Moreover, they called for in-depth research that balances academic rigor with practical approaches, grounded in the local context and attentive to cultural and social transformations. The She Leads program aims to promote gender-equal representation in decision-making processes through capacity-building activities that enhance girls’ and women’s access to education and skill development. It also encourages political engagement, advocacy, meaningful interaction, and awareness-raising through a collaborative and inclusive approach at both regional and international levels.
ARDD and René Moawad Foundation Sign Partnership Agreement to Enhance Girls’ Participation in Decision-Making
As part of the IGNITE project – Inspiring Girls and Grassroots Networks for Inclusive and Transformative Education, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) and the René Moawad Foundation signed a partnership agreement on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, to implement the project “Nidaa for Change” in Jordan, specifically in the governorates of Mafraq and Amman. Funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the project aims to empower girls aged 15 to 19 from magenalised communities in Amman and Mafraq—including refugees and Jordanian girls with limited access to opportunities—by enhancing their leadership skills and influence, building networks, and gathering evidence that enables them to effectively advocate for their right to inclusive and quality education, and to strengthen their active participation in decision-making processes within their communities. The project involves the participation of various education sector stakeholders, civil society organizations, and policymakers to ensure sustainable and long-term change. This partnership also seeks to inspire girls and local networks to pursue inclusive and transformative education, aligning with ARDD’s broader program framework, “Women’s Access to Justice.” Project activities are expected to begin in early May 2025.
Five JONAF Members Win Elections for Charitable Associations Unions
In a significant step toward empowering charitable and local associations as well as Jordanian civil society, four members of the Jordan National NGO Forum (JONAF) won elections for charitable and women’s associations. These elections were held for the first time under the new unions’ system issued in February 2024, with voter turnout reaching 93% for charitable associations and 100% for the women’s union, according to the Ministry of Social Development. The elected JONAF members are: Farea’ Al-Masaeed, President of the Union of Charitable Associations, Mafraq Governorate Abla Al-Hajaya, President of the Women’s Union, Tafileh Governorate Kulthum Mareesh, President of the Women’s Union, Capital Governorate Abdel Ilah Al-Hunayti, Administrative Board Member, Amman Ma’en Al-Shamaileh, Chairman of the General Union of Voluntary Societies, Karak Governorate Their success underscores JONAF’s important role in supporting governance, strengthening civil society capacities, and shaping public policy. Established in 2016 through a collaborative initiative by the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), JONAF brings together non-governmental civil society organizations operating at both national and local levels. The forum collaborates with experts, media professionals, and activists across Jordan, recognizing the value of unified efforts, innovation, and resource-sharing in addressing complex challenges. Al-Masaeed noted, “These elections mark a milestone in advancing the work of local and charitable associations and highlight the importance of synergy between civil society and official institutions in fostering local participation and enabling associations to respond to community needs.” Al-Hajaya commented, “This victory is more than just a result—it reflects deep trust and genuine support from those around me.” She emphasized the need to enhance associations’ performance to improve the quality of social services. Al-Hunayti stated, “True charitable work is based on solidarity. This victory is not mine alone—it belongs to everyone committed to serving the community and taking responsibility for progress.” Mareesh stressed the importance of building knowledge and capacities to overcome challenges, and highlighted the need for cooperation between associations, unions, civil society, and government as key partners in achieving development goals. Al-Shamaileh explained that the next phase will witness a qualitative shift in the union’s performance, through supporting grassroots associations and enabling them to fulfill their humanitarian and renaissance mission. He emphasized the importance of enhancing transparency, developing work mechanisms, and expanding the base of development initiatives that address the needs of local communities. Meanwhile, Rased, the election-monitoring center, recently called for reviewing nomination mechanisms, enhancing women’s representation in association and union administrative bodies, improving accessibility at polling centers for persons with disabilities, and building elected bodies’ governance and management capacities to ensure transparent and effective elections.
Nobel Peace Laureates Conclude Jordan Visit with Meeting with HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal
The Nobel Women’s Initiative delegation concluded its visit to Jordan and the occupied Palestinian territories with a meeting with HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal and HRH Tharwat El Hassan at Basman Palace on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The meeting was attended by a diverse group of women leaders, experts, and Jordanian activists. The visit, organized in partnership with the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), included three Nobel Peace Laureates: Dr. Shirin Ebadi (Iran), Jody Williams (USA), and Tawakkol Karman (Yemen), along with the Executive Director of the Nobel Women’s Initiative, Maria Butler. The delegation also included representatives from Nobel Prize-winning international organizations, as well as human rights defenders and women activists from various countries. The program featured field visits to refugee camps and UNRWA facilities, a reception at the Irish Embassy, and a roundtable discussion organized by ARDD in collaboration with the Nobel Women’s Initiative titled: “The Role of Women’s Leadership in Building Security and Peace.” ARDD highlighted the value of its partnership with the Nobel Women’s Initiative and its role in co-organizing the visit, emphasizing the importance of showcasing women’s achievements and their essential contributions to peacebuilding, human rights, and resilience.
Women Nobel Peace Laureates and Jordanian Human Rights Defenders Call for Collective Action for Peace and Security
In honor of the Nobel Women’s Initiative Delegation to Jordan and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), in cooperation with Nobel Women’s Initiative, held a Roundtable on Wednesday, April 9th 2025, titled “Women’s Collective Power to Lead Peace and Security.” This roundtable brought together Nobel Peace Prize laureates, women leaders, human rights defenders, and advocates to explore the vital role of women in peacebuilding, human rights, and resilience. In her opening remarks, Samar Muharab, Executive Director of ARDD, spoke about the need to embrace “radical love”, a principle of Nobel Women’s Initiative, and dispel the pluralization of hate that we are currently witnessing. The key themes of the event touched on promoting peace, justice, and accountability; empowering women’s leadership and political participation; and protecting civic space and civil society. Speakers emphasized women’s unity and solidarity as a tool for change. Rawan Yousef, Palestinian advocate, moderated the roundtable. Dr. Aseel Jallad, obstetrics, gynaecology, and infertility specialist, gave a powerful and moving speech about the 800,000 extraordinary women in Gaza. After arriving back from her second mission last week, where she worked in a field hospital in Khan Younis, she talked about the extreme suffering and resilience of every single woman and girl in Gaza due to combination of military attacks, siege, and occupation. “We’re talking about girls growing up unsafe, in fear, hungry, thirsty and deprived of every single thing a girl needs” she said. As a gender equality, inclusive development, and Women Peace and Security expert, Dr. Salma Al-Nims emphasised the importance of strengthening a coordinated feminist movement across the Arab world, coming together not just as women but as men as well. Noting that she is proud of Jordan as being an ethical voice for the last 16 months, she expressed the urgent need to decolonize the feminist struggle, opposing the selective application of rights imposed by a globalised, capitalist framework. By establishing a locally-driven agenda, she expressed the need for collective change where everyone is unified behind one cause – namely, solidarity with Palestine. Dr. Shirin Ebadi, an Iranian human rights lawyer, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003, addressed the audience by saying that “I’m here as an Iranian to demonstrate the solidarity of Iranian women with the women of Palestine”. In calling for genuine support for movements that prioritize human rights and justice, Dr. Ebadi advocated for a more authentic and compassionate approach to political solidarity that truly uplifts and empowers marginalized voices. In complete solidarity with her friends and colleagues, American activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jody Williams echoed the sentiments of her fellow speakers condemning the genocide and crimes of illegal occupation and sharing recommendations from her recent visit to Palestine. She went on to call for women everywhere to stand in unity, She said that “we need to have a true sense of our collective power as women.” Women need to forge connections not only at local and regional levels but also on a global scale. The event brought together voices from across Jordan and Palestine, unifying women’s collective power. With both speakers and those in attendance calling for men and women to stand together against all forms of oppression, the event highlighted the need for collective power to lead to peace and security. In the current climate of a shrinking civic space, this roundtable comes at a pivotal time that calls for women’s engagement in all levels of society and for the decolonization of the feminist agenda.
“Relief aid in the month of Ramadan”… Members of JONAF Respond to the Most Affected Families and Bring Them Back Hope
The efforts of JONAF members from local associations are renewed, proving that they are the most able to touch upon the needs of their communities and cater to them properly, especially with regard to the distribution of aid and commitment to humanitarian standards, as well as getting access to beneficiaries such as the elderly and people with disabilities, which brought joy to the hearts of hundreds of families. With the generous support of Islamic Aid France, which began its partnership and cooperation with the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), General Coordinator of the Jordan National NGO Forum (JONAF), 12 years ago, to support the most vulnerable groups of Jordanians and Syrian refugees, four associations recently completed the distribution of food relief aid during the month of Ramadan, where (480 families) benefited from this assistance at the rate of one coupon (50 dinars) per family, distributed in different parts of the Kingdom, as follows: Khawla Bint Al-Azwar Association in Zarqa, Abu Alanda Association for Social Development in Amman, the Al-Keram Association for Underprivileged Families and Orphans in Mafraq, and the Al-Rafid women’s agricultural Society in Irbid. According to the priorities of JONAF, local needs, and its ability to reach and coordinate with the most vulnerable families in their communities, as well as what’s shown by the implementing agencies, these local associations (who are members of JONAF) were selected to distribute aid during the month of Ramadan and before Eid al-Fitr, all in the context of ensuring the achievement of the principle of inclusive social justice and promoting the spirit of solidarity among the different groups of society. Over the past years, ARDD has built the capacity of workers in these associations and developed their skills in order to activate the localization of humanitarian work and enhance their capabilities to reach groups in need of relief assistance, whether in the winter season or even in other seasons and conditions such as holidays, the month of Ramadan, or in emergent crises, including climate change. In the same context, ARDD appreciates the role of local associations that are best able to touch upon the needs of their communities, stressing the importance of providing support to national actors and enabling them to prepare to deal with any emergency or seasonal repercussions and reach all governorates of the Kingdom, while also emphasizing the role of the government and the international donor community in creating an enabling environment that supports and backs up local civil society. The organization also appreciates the cooperation with the Ministry of Social Development and its directorates in the governorates and the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO) in implementing relief projects. On the great impact of this assistance on individuals, the President of the Association of Underprivileged Families and Orphans, Najah Oueidat, stressed the importance of these initiatives due to their role in alleviating the burdens placed on needy families, in a way that provides them with a kind of social security, which is supposed to be at its highest level in the month of Ramadan. Abdul Ilah Al-Hunaiti, President of Abu Alanda Association and board member of the General Union of Voluntary Societies (GUVS) in Amman, said that distributing coupons is not just material assistance, but rather a humanitarian message that deepens the bonds of love and brotherhood in society, and brings back the smile to the faces of the needy, which achieves one of the most important goals of Ramadan and Eid, which is to spread happiness and affection among people. Kifah Ghannam, director of the Khawla Bint Al-Azwar Association, stressed the importance of charitable and humanitarian work at this time of Ramadan amid the deteriorating living conditions, especially in light of the high prices of many commodities, pointing out that aid does not solve the problem of needy families, but rather contributes to alleviating it. The Director of the Al-Rafid Women’s Agricultural Society, Wedad Obeidat, did not hesitate to emphasize the need for continuous support for these initiatives and projects, which are still important due to the growing needs of the communities affected by the successive crises witnessed by the Kingdom and the region in general, calling for more cooperation between all local and foreign parties to reach the largest number of families. Accordingly, it is necessary to increase cooperation and activate the localization of humanitarian work and integration between the role of civil society, the government, and donors, in addition to building the capacities of workers in these associations, developing their skills, enhancing their capabilities to reach the most underprivileged and most needy groups in our communities, as well as supporting initiatives that improve the livelihoods of local communities. “Islamic Aid France” is a humanitarian organization that annually implements emergency interventions, development projects, and the fight against poverty to help the most vulnerable groups in approximately 20 countries, both in France and at the international level, while implementing advocacy campaigns to make thed voices of these groups heard. In Jordan, Islamic Aid France began its humanitarian work in 2013 in cooperation with ARDD in response to the Syrian refugee crisis, and has since provided seasonal relief projects, such as distributing aid packages and food coupons during the month of Ramadan and feasts of sacrifice on Eid al-Adha.
JONAF Members Conclude ARDD-Led Training on Effective Advocacy
As part of the Jordan NGOs Forum (JONAF) efforts to strengthen its advocacy capacity and enhance members’ skills to better represent and respond to community needs, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) recently concluded a training program for JONAF members. This training built upon discussions from September 2024, where members identified priority community issues and committed to engaging in policy-making to drive sustainable development and social change. The three-day training, held from February 18-20, 2025, titled “Effective Advocacy Techniques in the Livelihood Sector Coaching,” focused on discussing existing policies and legislation related to startups (profit-generating productive projects) in the livelihood sector, exploring available opportunities, analyzing challenges facing the local community, and utilizing both direct and indirect methods of mobilization and advocacy. Participants also learned about best practices for defending issues aligned with the coalition’s work outcomes. The training was delivered by Dr. Sanaa Jalassi, Women and Youth Empowerment Program Advisor at ARDD, as part of the “Future Forward: Unlocking Local Sustainability Opportunities” project, funded by the European Regional Development and Protection Program for Supporting Jordan and Lebanon. It covered key topics such as media campaigns and mobilization, advocacy goals, effective advocacy techniques, SWOT analysis, problem tree analysis, tools used in advocacy campaigns, theory of change, and influence strategies. Representatives from eight organizations within the coalition participated in the training, including Al-Amal Charitable Women’s Development Society, Durra Al-Manal Company for Development and Training, The Jordanian National Women’s Committees Coalition, Child Care Charitable Organization, Step of Hope Charitable Society, Al-Rafeed Agricultural Women’s Society, Women of the Al-Disi Basin Villages, Partners for Better Society, and the Young Women’s Christian Association. Eng. Zainab Khalil, Program Manager at ARDD and Coordinator of the JONAF Coalition, stated that the coalition was established in 2016 and currently includes about 50 organizations covering the central, northern, and southern regions of Jordan. It consists of a diverse range of civil society groups, community-based organizations, and founding partners. She explained that the coalition works on strengthening the advocacy capacities of its members by representing their common issues before official bodies and aid committees. Additionally, it focuses on policy development based on information provided by members to formulate unified positions on key issues. It also contributes to supporting legislation related to NGOs in Jordan, thereby enhancing the independence of civil society and its role in decision-making. Regarding the “Future Forward” project, Lina Halsa, Project Manager at ARDD, emphasized that the project aims to develop a strong governance structure and unified operational procedures to institutionalize JONAF. It also seeks to enhance local ownership of the livelihood sector in Jordan through a multi-faceted approach that focuses on building the capacity of local civil society. During the training, JONAF members engaged in discussions about various issues related to the livelihood sector, sharing experiences and coming up with practical proposals to improve the sector’s operations, identify available opportunities, and address existing challenges. Participants agreed that the coalition serves as a foundation for building improvement plans, highlighting that the key to advocacy campaigns is listening to different perspectives and understanding them broadly. They emphasized that the training fostered meaningful discussions, enhanced their capabilities, and allowed them to learn best practices for advocacy and mobilization. As a step toward strengthening advocacy efforts, work is currently underway to develop a clear strategy focusing on the legal and policy framework for startups. In line with the recommendations of partner organizations, a roundtable discussion will be organized soon, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss startup registration processes, related challenges, and opportunities for policy reforms. Additionally, efforts will be made to expand this initiative by holding similar meetings in northern and southern Jordan, ensuring broader representation and inclusivity among key stakeholders.