Ajloun, Aug. 6 (Petra) – Participants in the second session of the
Women’s Political Salon stressed the importance of strengthening
women’s political and economic empowerment as a prerequisite for
expanding their role in public life and decision-making.

The session was organized by the Opinions Without Borders for
Sustainable Development Foundation in cooperation with the Friedrich
Naumann Foundation for Freedom and in partnership with the Naseej
Foundation for Sustainable Development. It brought together
decision-makers, experts, academics, representatives of civil society
organizations, and women and community leaders at Panorama Ajloun
Restaurant.

Discussions focused on the relationship between economic and
political empowerment and the importance of strengthening cooperation
between public institutions and civil society organizations to expand
women’s participation in public life and decision-making.

Former Senator Maisoun Atoum said political participation is both a
constitutional right and a national duty, describing it as a key
pillar for state-building and national stability. She noted that
Jordanian women have achieved significant progress in education,
employment and other sectors.

Former Member of Parliament Safaa Momani said Jordanian legislation
has undergone notable reforms to strengthen women’s rights, adding
that the quota system remains an important mechanism for increasing
women’s representation in light of continuing economic empowerment
challenges.

Amer Bani Amer, Director of the Hayat Center – RASED for Civil
Society Development, underlined the need to link political
empowerment with economic empowerment, saying women’s financial
independence enhances their ability to make political decisions
freely and independently.

Community activist Ruba Zghoul said the Women’s Political Salon
provides a national platform for constructive dialogue, enabling
women to exchange experiences, voice their views and discuss
challenges to their political participation, while contributing to
recommendations that reflect the priorities of women across the
Kingdom’s governorates.

At the conclusion of the session, participants agreed on a set of
practical recommendations that will be consolidated with the outcomes
of the previous session to prepare a comprehensive national
recommendations paper reflecting the priorities of women in the
governorates.

The paper will be submitted to the Ministry of Political and
Parliamentary Affairs and the Lower House of Parliament in support of
Jordan’s political and legislative modernization process.

//Petra// AJ