Amman, February 18 (Petra) -- A regional workshop titled "Towards a Regional Roadmap for the Care Economy in the Arab Region" was launched Tuesday in Amman, organized by the Arab Women Organization in collaboration with the United Nations Women, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), and the International Labor Organization.

Minister of Social Development and Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee for Women's Empowerment, Wafa Bani Mustafa, who patronized the opening ceremony, underscored the vital role of "economic care work" for women, emphasizing its significance as a cornerstone of both society and the economy. She highlighted that families remain key contributors to both receiving and providing care services.

Bani Mustafa further noted that investing in care policies could alleviate the burden of unpaid care work. She cited studies suggesting that expanding childcare policies in Jordan could lead to increased GDP, while broadening the childcare economy could generate up to 43 million jobs worldwide and create entrepreneurial opportunities.

The minister also outlined key initiatives from the Ministry of Social Development, including the issuance of "Financial Instructions and Purchase of Services for Alternative Shelter and Support Services for Persons with Disabilities." This program provides monthly financial support for caregivers of individuals with disabilities.

She also referenced the establishment of 28 early intervention units, 27 integrated day centers, and highlighted that around 20,000 individuals annually benefit from exemptions on work permit fees for non-Jordanian workers and female domestic workers.

Bani Mustafa also discussed the growing importance of the nursery sector, which has been prioritized in the women’s empowerment strategy within the Economic Modernization Vision. This sector is a key focus for increasing women's participation in the labor market, as reflected in the 2023-2025 Economic Modernization Vision implementation plan. Additionally, the new Social Work Profession Practice System for 2024 aims to elevate the quality of services and improve worker performance in the sector.

Fadia Kiwan, Director General of the Arab Women Organization, emphasized the importance of high-level dialogue among policymakers in Arab countries regarding the care economy. She highlighted how societal gender roles exacerbate the burden on women in caregiving tasks, deepening the gender gap.

Kiwan expressed hope that the workshop would result in a clear roadmap to enhance the care sector's recognition and push for more equitable policies.

Moez Doraid, Acting Regional Director for Arab States at UN Women, reinforced the importance of the dialogue in strengthening policies and investments in the care sector. He acknowledged the essential role of care work in Arab economies, where women disproportionately carry caregiving responsibilities, impacting their economic participation.

Doraid also highlighted the challenges posed by crises and conflicts, which increase the demand for care services and strain weak health and social infrastructure. He called for greater male involvement in care work, enhanced paternity leave, and more investments in care service infrastructure.

Swedish Ambassador to Jordan, Maria Sargren, urged participants to transition from recommendations to actionable implementation by committing resources to ensure the success of the regional roadmap for the care economy. She stressed that coordinated efforts are essential for achieving sustainable change that benefits both women and men.

The first day of the workshop included three sessions: best practices in the care economy in the Arab region, the development of a regional roadmap for transforming care systems in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals, and the legal frameworks and policies related to the care economy in the Arab region.

On the second day, three additional sessions will be held, focusing on expanding care services, creating decent jobs in the sector, and addressing social norm changes needed to foster a more equitable care economy. The final session will address the challenges facing the care sector in contexts of conflict and humanitarian crises.

//Petra// AJ

18/02/2025 15:36:32