Amman, May 13 (Petra) – The closing conference of the “We Lead” project launched Tuesday in Amman under the theme “Moving Forward – From Achievement to Sustainability,” focusing on promoting the sexual and reproductive health rights of young women and girls.
Organized by the Arab Network for Civic Education (AnHRE) as part of a coalition of six civil society organizations, the project was funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Partnership Fund for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. The event brought together representatives from civil society, government institutions, international partners, and youth activists.
AnHRE Executive Director Fattouh Younis, in the presence of Khalil Abdallat, Director of the Human Rights Unit at the Prime Ministry, said the conference aims to highlight achievements made during the project’s implementation period (2021–2025) and to explore mechanisms for sustainable cross-sectoral cooperation in support of health policies responsive to the needs of women and girls.
Younis stressed that the project empowered young women through awareness campaigns and leadership programs, contributing to community transformation, improved service delivery, and increased engagement with policymakers.
Hivos Regional Director Sara Saleh said that achieving gender equality requires bold, innovative strategies and local ownership, with youth and women at the center. She noted that in Jordan, rights holders led impactful community initiatives and built strong partnerships with both civil society and government, emphasizing the need to continue investing in inclusive leadership and equitable policy-making.
Muhannad Azzeh, Secretary-General of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, underscored the often-overlooked challenges facing women with disabilities in accessing sexual and reproductive health services, calling for more inclusive approaches.
Dutch Ambassador to Jordan Harry Verweij expressed pride in the project’s success, praising its transformation from a concept into a national movement that empowered young women. He described Jordan’s National Strategy for Sexual and Reproductive Health as “a milestone that places Jordan among the leading countries in the region.”
The conference seeks to generate actionable recommendations to sustain efforts and promote policies that support reproductive health rights. It features discussions on preserving the project’s legacy, maintaining cross-sector partnerships, and overcoming local and regional challenges.
On the sidelines of the event, Abdallat inaugurated an exhibition highlighting the achievements of 14 civil society partners, alongside sessions dedicated to reviewing project outcomes and best practices.
//Petra// AJ
13/05/2025 16:04:50
