Amman, May 6 (Petra) – The Solidarity is Global Institute (SIGI) held a dialogue seminar titled "Women's Participation in Political Life" as part of the "Safe Pathways" project, funded by the African Development Fund.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the association said that the ongoing political reforms in Jordan present a genuine opportunity to enhance women’s participation in political life, particularly in decision-making positions. It noted that the outcome of the 20th Lower House of Parliament elections marked a significant step forward, with 27 women securing seats 18 through the quota system and 9 through the general list.

The seminar brought together current and former female members of parliament, alongside representatives from civil society organizations and women, youth, and community leaders. Participants agreed that women’s presence in parliament is a fundamental guarantee of active involvement in policy and lawmaking, especially on issues related to women’s rights and family affairs.

Speakers emphasized that women’s entry into parliament should not be seen merely as a representational gain, but as a national responsibility. They highlighted the need for female lawmakers to commit to a legislative process that fosters justice, equal opportunity, and positive models of female leadership in politics.

The discussion also addressed key challenges women face in parliamentary roles. Former member of the 16th Parliament, Amal Rufou, said social norms remain a major barrier to women’s participation in decision-making. She noted that the current law has created broader opportunities for women to run for office and assume elected positions.

Rufou underlined that increasing awareness of democratic rights would help expand the base of women’s political engagement and contribute to fairer, more inclusive representation.

Former parliamentarians Najah Azza and Asma Rawahneh shared their experiences, noting that laws concerning women's rights often face political controversy that hinders their passage.

Participants urged civil society institutions to take a more active role by engaging men in advocacy efforts, stressing that women’s and family issues are national concerns that affect society as a whole.

The seminar concluded with several recommendations, including the integration of male and female representatives into specialized training programs on legislation and oversight, and the need to expand women's participation in parliamentary committees, particularly the Legal Committee.

SIGI has organized similar dialogue meetings in Irbid, Amman, and Zarqa, in cooperation with decision-makers and civil society organizations. These meetings targeted women across various sectors, including agriculture, industry, education, health, local administration, and women with disabilities and cancer patients.

//Petra// AJ

06/05/2025 13:44:58