Amman, February 17 (Petra) – The National Council for Family Affairs and the United Nations Women signed a cooperation agreement to implement a project aimed at developing institutional capacities and gender-responsive legal frameworks to enhance women's protection mechanisms in Jordan.

The project supports the implementation of the Jordanian plan to activate Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security.

According to a statement issued by the Council on Monday, the project includes three main outputs. The first focuses on creating a work environment that empowers women and facilitates their access to leadership positions in the Jordan Armed Forces – the Arab Army and the Public Security Directorate by establishing nurseries. The second aims to enhance the capacities of national institutions to provide gender-responsive services, while the third seeks to strengthen legal and institutional frameworks to protect women and girls in Jordan.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Council by Secretary-General Mohammad Maqdadi and on behalf of UN Women by Jordan's representative Nicholas Burnett. The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from the Jordan Armed Forces – the Arab Army, the Public Security Directorate, embassies of Norway, Canada, France, and Spain, and various partners from civil society organizations and international institutions.

The agreement aims to consolidate cooperation between the two parties through the development of a comprehensive work plan to be implemented within the framework of the project, in addition to the exchange of expertise.

Maqdadi emphasized that the project outcomes align with the Council's focus on protection from domestic violence, gender-based violence, and violence against children. He noted that the Council seeks to institutionalize the protection system through partnerships with relevant agencies by forming the National Team for Family Protection from Violence, which coordinates programs and defines roles and responsibilities to avoid duplication of efforts.

He added that the Council has worked to advance the justice sector and develop legislation related to family protection, with a focus on safeguarding vulnerable groups such as women and children. This includes proposing and updating laws that enhance prevention, reform, and family settlement, such as the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence No. 15 of 2017 and the Child Rights Law No. 17 of 2022, which is considered a cornerstone of child protection and investment in children's future.

Since 2014, the Council has actively worked to economically empower women and provide safe environments for children by establishing institutional nurseries in both public and private sectors, as well as home nurseries. This initiative aims to empower women economically and provide safe environments for children, supporting the Economic Modernization Vision and governmental directions to advance the sectors of childhood, women, labor, and protection.

Nicholas Burnett, the United Nations representative in Jordan, highlighted the pivotal role of the National Council for Family Affairs in enhancing Jordan's commitments under the Jordanian National Action Plan.

He affirmed that UN Women is proud to support this role, emphasizing the importance of strengthening institutional frameworks that promote gender equality. This includes facilitating the establishment of childcare centers within security institutions to support women's employment and career advancement, as well as training security and judicial authorities on gender-based violence, including its cyber dimensions, to create inclusive and safe environments that encourage women's participation across all sectors.

//Petra// AJ

17/02/2025 13:17:59