Aqaba, Oct. 20 (Petra) — The 2026 Girls’ Day in Jordan kicked off
Monday at the Aqaba National Vocational Training Hub under the theme
“From Inspiration to Digital Innovation,” aiming to introduce girls
to vocational and technical education and career opportunities in
technology and digital fields.

The two-day event is organized by German international cooperation
agency GIZ in Jordan, commissioned by Germany’s Federal Ministry for
Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in partnership with the
Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, the Aqaba
Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and the National Employment
and Training Company (NET).

Speaking on behalf of NET, Aqaba National Vocational Training Hub
Director Nour Mubaideen stressed the importance of cooperation in
providing girls with opportunities to explore vocational and
technical education pathways and future careers in digital and
technological fields.

German Embassy Development Counselor Jonas Lukas highlighted the
importance of enabling girls to discover their potential and explore
new career paths, noting that young people’s career choices are
shaped early by the experiences, opportunities and role models
available to them.

Secretary-General for Education at the Ministry Education and Human
Resources Development Sahar Shakhatreh emphasized the need to help
girls identify their skills and talents and access vocational and
technical education.

She also highlighted the role of partnerships between educational
institutions, the private sector and international partners in
linking classroom learning with practical experience and expanding
students’ education and employment prospects.

For her part, Deputy Chief Commissioner of the ASEZA Karima Dabet
stressed the importance of aligning young people’s skills with
Aqaba’s economic and investment opportunities and increasing girls’
participation in technical and digital sectors.

She called for stronger cooperation between education and training
institutions and employers to develop training and employment
pathways that respond to the region’s labor market needs.

The event aims to broaden girls’ understanding of vocational and
technical education, introduce them to opportunities in digital and
technological fields, and encourage them to explore education and
career options suited to their interests, ambitions and labor market
demands.

The program included an introduction to the FURSATI project, which
seeks to strengthen women’s economic empowerment through vocational
education, training and career guidance, helping women access
employment opportunities that match their skills and aspirations.

The event marks the first joint collaboration among three GIZ
projects, WoMENA, FURSATI and MOVE-HET, bringing together efforts in
gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, vocational education
and training, career guidance, and girls’ participation in technical
and digital fields.

The first day’s activities included a panel discussion titled
“Empowering Girls for Promising Career Pathways: Private Sector
Partnerships in Technical, Digital and Technological Professions.”

The discussion explored the role of public-private partnerships in
introducing girls to career opportunities and the importance of early
career guidance in helping them choose fields that match their
interests and abilities.

Participants also discussed increasing girls’ representation in
technical and digital professions and challenging stereotypes
associated with these fields. Two students enrolled in the BTEC
program at Jordan School in Aqaba shared their career aspirations and
the opportunities they hope to pursue.

Activities continue through Tuesday evening, featuring discussions
with inspiring women from the local community, interactive sessions
on digital innovation, vocational training and career guidance, and
hands-on activities introducing students to education, training and
employment opportunities.

The event forms part of broader efforts to expand girls’ access to
vocational and technical education, strengthen their confidence in
planning their futures and connect them with role models and emerging
career opportunities.

//Petra// AJ