Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaisen, Director of the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies, sponsored the conclusion of the training program (A Journey into Entrepreneurship), which is being implemented by the Center with the support of the Lutheran Charitable Federation in collaboration with the Jordan Intelligence Company to train a group of female university administrators. The training program lasted 36 hours, consisting of 12 training lectures.
The goal of this program is to help participants develop their thinking skills, such as creativity, innovation, passion, and work ethics, as well as their communication and behavioral skills, such as self-discovery, leadership, teamwork, time management, presentation, and negotiation. It also prioritized technical abilities, such as financial understanding and commercial acumen.
Ms. Sophie Al-Ramini, Director of Marketing at Thakaa Jordan Company; Mr. Abdullah Al-Omari, Director of the Lutheran Benevolent Union, Irbid Branch; Professor Dr. Mowaffaq Al-Atoum, Dean of the Hijjawi College of Technological Engineering; Professor Dr. Abdel Baset Athamneh, Director of the Queen Rania Center for Community Service; and the Center's staff were all present for the certificate ceremony.
The Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies, in collaboration with the Geography Department at the University's College of Arts, organized the symposium on "Urban Agriculture and its Role in Achieving Food Security," and Dr. Batoul Muheisen, the Center's Director, represented the President of Yarmouk University and sponsored its opening. The Deputy Director spoke. Dr. Mervat Mhairat heads the Greater Amman Municipality's City Health and Agricultural Affairs Department.
In her inaugural statement, Muheisen emphasized Yarmouk University's interest in diverse national concerns and eagerness to play a developmental role for our beloved motherland, citing urban agriculture as a key national development instrument for achieving food security.
She emphasized Yarmouk University's belief in the role of women in it, whether they are students, employees, or professors, as a symbol of development and giving, just as Jordanian women are throughout the country, noting that women, through urban agriculture and every development effort, will create the bright future that our country deserves in all fields, particularly food security, which is a national necessity.
For her part, Al-Mhairat explained during the symposium moderated by the Head of the Geography Department at the College of Arts, Dr. Khaled Hazaima, that Jordan has witnessed great urbanization in recent years, with the percentage of the urban population in 2021 reaching about 85% of the total population, pointing out that rapid urbanization has led to changes in land use patterns, with agricultural land near urban areas being converted into residential and industrial
She explained that the demand for food in densely populated urban areas has led to challenges in food supply chains, storage, and distribution, as urbanization affects the length and complexity of food supply chains, resulting in increased transportation costs, food waste, and decreased product freshness.
According to Al-Mhairat, urbanization has pushed city dwellers into urban agriculture, which involves small-scale agriculture such as rooftop gardens or communal gardening to supplement their food supply.
She cited many reasons for altering Amman's agricultural food system, including food security. The expanding population needs a flexible food system to assure a consistent and inexpensive food supply, while the second reason is economic development, in addition to sustainability, resilience, health and nutrition, community building, and environmental impact reduction.
Al Mhairat emphasized the importance of transforming the agricultural food system in Amman to ensure food security, economic growth, sustainability, resilience, and improve residents' health and nutrition, all while increasing a sense of community and reducing environmental impact.
She emphasized that Amman, the capital, can play a significant role in transforming the agricultural food system by implementing urban agricultural initiatives, establishing farmers' markets, enacting incentive policies for sustainable agriculture, developing infrastructure, implementing educational initiatives, and lowering waste.
She explained that the Greater Amman Municipality aims to increase green spaces in the city, improve solid waste management in collaboration with the private sector, use technology and innovation to improve urban agriculture systems, create job opportunities in organic agriculture, raise awareness of the importance of local food, and promote sustainable development.
At the end of the symposium, an extensive discussion took place on the topic of the symposium and its issues.
The Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies at Yarmouk University, in collaboration with the Lutheran Charitable Union in Jordan, has released a video on social media platforms to express solidarity with the women and children of Gaza.
The video conveyed a collection of solidarity telegrams from various individuals, including teaching and administrative staff, students at the Model School of Yarmouk University, and prominent women from the local community. These messages underscored the importance of putting women's and children's well-being first and offering them support, given their disproportionate impact from the ongoing aggression against Gaza.
Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaisen, the Director of the Center, emphasized the significance of social networking sites in our everyday lives. She highlighted the need to utilize these platforms for the dissemination of humanitarian and social messages, particularly given the current situation in Palestine and the Gaza Strip.
She stated that the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies aims to promote women's intellectual contributions in addressing national, regional, and international challenges. Additionally, it aims to foster a more favorable national dialogue regarding women and their concerns.
Dr. Islam Massad, Yarmouk University President, stated that the university strongly opposes the aggression in Gaza and aims to represent the voice of its students and staff through this video. Yarmouk University is committed to collaborating with its partners to establish a comprehensive and effective system to provide support to the people in Gaza, utilizing all available media and academic resources.
He emphasized the need to use social media and traditional media to enhance the comprehension of the Palestinian situation among young people, as well as to highlight the notable position of Jordan, led by His Majesty the King and His Highness the Crown Prince, in relation to Palestine. Massad acknowledged the efforts of the university's colleges and scientific institutes, such as the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies, to actively promote
the representation of Jordanian women and bolster their involvement in assisting their Palestinian sisters.
Established in 1947 AD, the Ministry of Social Development officially recognized the Lutheran Benevolent Union of Jordan as an independent, humanitarian, non-profit, non-governmental organization. Our organization aims to provide aid, protection, and long-term solutions to refugees worldwide. We also conduct training programs to raise awareness and promote social welfare. These programs include activities that provide psychological and social support, as well as opportunities for decent livelihoods.
To watch the video, follow the following link: https://www.facebook.com/PBCJWS/videos/243151782119758
The President of Yarmouk University, Dr. Islam Massad, and the Secretary General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women, Engineer Maha Al-Ali, signed a memorandum of understanding, with the aim of institutionalizing cooperation between the two sides, exchanging experiences, and building partnerships in the field of enhancing the role of women and youth in social and economic life, in addition to empowering a conscious generation to actively participate in Political and civil life.
The memorandum was signed at the Yarmouk University Liaison Office in Amman, in the presence of representatives of the economic and legal teams in the committee, which includes Al-Ain Ihsan Barakat, head of the legal team, Dr. Reem Al-Baghdadi, member of the committee’s economic and advisory team, and director of the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies at Yarmouk University. Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaisen.
Al-Ali stressed the importance of this cooperation, which embodies the effective partnership with educational institutions, noting that institutionalizing cooperation with Yarmouk University, which includes the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies, will contribute to achieving the goals and aspirations of the committee in enhancing the role of women in various fields, considering this memorandum a step. Important in the path of participatory work towards implementing the initiatives of the executive plan of the National Strategy for Women.
She added that this "plan" includes six axes that focus on political and economic projects, encouraging social patterns that support women's role in the family and society, institutionalizing the concepts of gender equality and equal opportunities at the level of public and private sector institutions, confronting violence against women and girls, and promoting women's human rights.
Al-Ali pointed out that “the Jordanian National Commission for Women’s Affairs seeks during the year 2024 to expand cooperation and partnership with educational institutions in implementing a number of its programs and projects.”
For his part, Massad expressed his happiness at the signing of this memorandum between the Jordanian National Commission for Women’s Affairs and Yarmouk University, as the first Jordanian university to sign with it, pointing to its importance in building a conscious and responsible generation, capable of facing the challenges of the future, stressing the importance of integrating efforts between the academic sector and institutions. National initiative to enhance the role of women and youth in building a society based on justice and sustainable development.
He pointed out that Yarmouk University seeks to achieve the lofty royal vision, the vision of economic modernization, and the outcomes of the Royal Commission to Modernize the Political System, through cooperation with the Jordanian National Commission for Women’s Affairs, and exchanging experiences and knowledge, which constitutes an opportunity to organize and implement awareness programs targeting university students, youth, and the local community.
Massad stressed the university’s endeavor and vision, through this partnership with the “Committee,” to encourage scientific research on women’s issues, enhance their participation in scientific and research fields, and invest their creative and intellectual energies in serving society and the Jordanian state.
It is noteworthy that the areas of cooperation between the two parties include the preparation of a joint annual work plan that includes the programmes, activities and events that will be implemented by the two parties. The areas of cooperation also include the exchange of studies and research and providing the Jordanian National Commission for Women’s Affairs with studies, research and graduate theses that address women’s issues and affairs, so that they can be invested in preparing Strategic and operational plans. The two parties will also prepare and implement awareness campaigns targeting university students and the local community.
The Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies, in collaboration with the We Rise Center for Sustainable Development and the College of Tourism and Hotels, hosted a dialogue session titled "Challenges and developmental requirements of youth in Irbid Governorate in the tourism sector." The session was attended by Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaisen, the Director of the Center; Dr. Akram Rawashdeh, the Dean of the College of Tourism and Hotels; and Mr. Amer Abu Dalu, the Director General of the We Rise Center.
At the start of the session, Al-Muhaisen greeted the participants at the Yarmouk University of Science and Knowledge, which is committed to contributing to national development. He emphasized that since its inception, Yarmouk University has been a prominent center of cultural and scientific excellence, and its students and alumni serve as a source of pride for us.
In today's session, she emphasized that selecting the tourism axis is a continuation of the royal endeavors to enhance the tourism sector and equip it with necessary resources. She highlighted that "Yarmouk”, and its College of Tourism and Hotels are at the forefront of innovative work in this domain, particularly due to the college's inclusion of proficient scientific expertise and unwavering dedication to advancing and serving this crucial sector.
According to Al-Muhaisen, the youth are a valuable resource for the nation's future success. He emphasizes the importance of engaging students in awareness sessions and collaborating with development institutions that organize impactful initiatives and activities. The goal is to identify challenges and problems and develop practical plans to address them, leading to a series of achievements.
Al-Rawashdeh emphasized the need for enhancing and promoting the participation of women in the tourism industry. He pointed out that working in tourism is not exclusive to any one group or gender.
He emphasized the importance of empowering young individuals in different domains, and it is our responsibility to equip them with the necessary knowledge and abilities to fulfill their role in the development of our nation. He also emphasized the importance that His Majesty King Abdullah II places on the tourism sector, which contributes 14% of the country's gross domestic product.
Al-Rawashdeh emphasized the need for consolidating efforts to promote the city of Irbid as a prominent destination on the Jordanian tourism landscape, considering its unique tourist environment abundant with attractions. The area includes five towns from the Roman Decapolis and around 500 villages, thereby promoting rural tourism in the region.
Abu Dalu stated that this session's organization aligns with the We Rise Center for Sustainable Development's vision of fostering collaboration and partnership with government and official entities. In 2018, patriotic and socially conscious young individuals established the We Rise Center for Sustainable Development, a civil society institution. Its primary objective is to increase youth engagement in political and economic spheres while also empowering them to shape the future through skill development.
The user expressed gratitude for the productive collaboration between Yarmouk University and civil society organizations in Irbid Governorate. They also highlighted the university's commitment to assisting students and offering them valuable experiences and expertise. The user mentioned that the current session is part of the Youth Council 21 project, which is an elected youth council in Irbid Governorate. The project aims to replicate the functions of elected councils and engage young individuals in local policy development.
He stated that the Youth Council 21 is currently working on three initiatives: the "Youth and Municipalities" initiative, the "Guide to Needs" initiative, and the "Lafta" initiative. The "Lafta" initiative aims to address the tourism challenges in the Koura and Northern Jordan Valley districts. This session was organized as part of the "Lafta" initiative's activities.
The session focused on the "Lafta" initiative, which aims to develop tourism in Tabaqat Fahal, Barqash, and Wadi Al-Rayyan. The presentation discussed the challenges faced in these areas, such as disputed basins, the absence of tourist offices, inadequate basic services and infrastructure, and limited media coverage. Additionally, the session addressed the issues faced by local residents and the desired outcomes of the initiative.
After the session ended, the participants engaged in a thorough discussion led by Dr. Tariq Al-Nasser, the Deputy Director of the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies. The discussion revolved around various topics, including the current state of the tourism sector in the Northern Jordan Valley and Koura Districts, the key tourism opportunities and attractions in those areas, and the significant needs and challenges that they face.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, together with the Tourism Promotion Authority, assessed tourist attractions in those regions, explored strategies to boost domestic tourism in those areas, and analyzed young people's involvement in the development of tourism in their respective regions.
The start of the activities of the training workshop entitled "Creating Content for Social Media Pages," launched by the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies, implemented by the We Are All Jordan Youth Authority/Irbid, in cooperation with the Talal Abu Ghazaleh Group, with the follow-up of Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaisen/Director of the Center and Mr. Samer Marashdeh/Director of the Authority, presented by trainer Hamza Hammad from Abu Ghazaleh Group, and attended.
The program covers a variety of subjects, including the necessity of content production in the digital age as well as the consequences of the problems and possibilities that content creators confront. On the practical side, the session discusses different forms of content and how to create unique material that captivates the audience.
Dr. Batoul Mujahid Al-Muhaisen, Director of the Princess Basma Centre for Jordanian Women's Studies at Yarmouk University.
When the language of numbers indicates that approximately 35% of Gaza's martyrs are women, that more than 100,000 women have lost their husbands and are supporting their families alone, that more than half a million women are seeking refuge, and that thousands of girls have been left without a brother or father, Or even a sister and mother, and more than 50,000 pregnant women, 6,000 of whom gave birth this month, were denied access to health care. This alone demonstrates that the plight of Gazan women goes beyond all descriptions and assessments, and the humanitarian crisis is no longer only the product of the war. Rather, it has become a label for a difficult situation to resolve.
In this painful reality, it is not easy to limit ourselves to talking about values, humanity, and development, and even about the weakest ways of life in an abstract and general way. The priority should be to talk about the mother who builds homes, the girl who is looking for the future, and the child whose identity and future are lost, and perhaps it is not possible to talk about the efforts that must be made in light of this bitter reality. In the face of a harsh and agonizing silence.
Writing about the difficulties and anguish that Palestinian women face and repeating the scenario will not end the conflict quickly, nor will it create houses, schools, or hospitals, nor will it restore the capacity to handle death, sickness, loss, and poverty. Which such catastrophes produce in the hearts of defenseless Palestinian women in Gaza. What is required today may be for us to be a part of Jordan and its wise Hashemite leadership in defending Palestine and providing humanitarian support to all groups that are exposed to aggressive behavior, apartheid, and genocide, which has become a clear symbol of the practices of the occupation army, through a continuous scientific, research, and humanitarian approach that ensures the continuation of these efforts until the end of the crisis and the establishment of
These practices undermine the values of peace and stability, increasing costs for the entire region, including Gaza, in vital sectors like health, education, and justice. This stifles progress and production, preventing women and society from fully benefiting from economic and social resources.
As a result, a quick and robust reaction to this stage's objectives, as well as progress toward constructing an integrated Arab initiative for violence prevention, starts with the creation of qualitative databases on the quality of life of Palestinian women, particularly in Gaza. And reading the extent of the commitment of international institutions and the international community to confronting violence directed at Palestinian women and even building an Arab system to support Palestinian women and girls cognitively, morally, and materially, so that they can develop the infrastructure of their communities and build a new starting point that ensures improving the type of life they live, and so that we build a foundational role in directing services.
Because Palestinian women are symbols of growth and fortitude, the conflict must not disrupt their economic and political opportunities. Rather, it must strengthen their role as the foundation of a new development, emphasizing the image of the strong Palestinian woman who supports the steadfastness of her people and country and who serves as a source of strength in the face of crises, which is what all institutions operating in Gaza must be built on.
Rather, this must be accompanied by specific media campaigns that convey to the world this beautiful face of the capable woman, the beautiful child, and the distinguished girl who faces wars with patience and aggression while giving, and perhaps I can recall a previous statement by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah: "The reality of the Palestinian child and the Palestinian mother is very painful. There are generations who have not experienced serenity and peace, which is intolerable, and we in Jordan believe that the region cannot enjoy peace and stability until the Palestinian problem is settled." I perceive the royal concern for women and children as a symbol of peace and stability.
The Jordanian support provided by the Hashemite Charitable Organization and our Jordanian Armed Forces to the people of Gaza is another form of support for women and families, as creating a healthy and humane environment and contributing as much as possible to raising the level of confrontation of the crisis for Palestinians on their land is a fundamental axis for declaring the ability to continue and build.
To summarize, I believe that developing a system of social peace in Palestine is first and foremost about women, and that dealing with women requires qualitative efforts that balance their potential to grow with their crucial role in life, especially because Jordan is Palestine's lung. Jordanian women, headed by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah, will continue to stand in solidarity with Palestinian women. In fulfillment of His Majesty the King's vision, who continues to protect the lives of our people in Gaza and the human rights of every human being on this part of our occupied land, as well as to address global public opinion to expose the occupation's crimes against the entire Palestinian social component, including women and children.
Her Excellency Nofa bint Nasser, in the presence of Yarmouk University President Dr. Islam Massad, sponsored the university's conversation session titled "Palestinian Women: A Story of Resilience" in the Arar Amphitheater of the Conferences and Seminars Building.
The session opened with the recitation of Surat Al-Fatihah for the souls of Jordanian and Palestinian martyrs, as well as Arab and Islamic countries.
In her opening speech, Sharifa Nofa stated, "When we talk about the stories of women's steadfastness on the beloved land of Palestine in general and the Gaza Strip in particular, we speak with pride about the Palestinian woman of Gaza, as an icon of struggle and liberation," who painted the mural of victory, honor, pride, and national steadfastness with her pure blood and engraved the legend of victory and resistance on Gaza's gates. She, along with her sister, raised the banners of return and pride in the walls of Jerusalem, and with the ink of her soul, which with all honor wrote the immortal song of victory over the land of Gaza, and with her spirit clinging to the soil of the earth, lit the lamps of steadfastness and sacrifice carried by the angels of Gaza from its children in the fetuses and wombs of mothers.
She went on to say that discussing the tales of steadfastness and dads of Palestinian women makes us happy because we're talking about the gorgeous crown of the Palestinian cause: the mother who gave birth to fighters and martyrs and reared children with pride and dignity.
Sharifa Nofa examined images of the majesty of the Gazan Palestinian lady, the creator of men, the revolution, and the national battle, who helped to construct the Palestinian state. She was a symbol and model of giving, sacrifice, and redemption, pointing to the unprecedented situation that the Gaza Palestinian woman represents, with her steadfastness on the ground, to strike at its depths the roots of survival and struggle, to achieve victory and freedom, emphasizing that she is not like the women of the universe, as she is the patient fighter who believes in the justice of her cause, the educator of the Mujahideen, and the mighty mother who is no
She emphasized the Jordanian woman's stand with her sister in Gaza, supporting her steadfastness and healing her wounds, and stressed that Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah's voice is still resonating in the global conscience to put an end to the Zionist criminal war machine, standing in the trenches of truth, strongly defending the people of Gaza, and warning against the continuation of the aggression and its heinous crimes. She denounced it, pointing to Princess Salma bint Abdullah II accompanying an armed forces crew in the fifth airdrop of urgent medical materials and supplies, ensuring that the hospital could continue to provide all types of treatment and supplies to Gazans after the Zionist enemy destroyed all hospitals in Gaza.
For his part, Massad emphasized that this dialogue session is part of a series of Yarmouk University activitiesthat supportg the steadfastness of our people in the Gaza Strip, who are facing a war that has entered its third month without the Israeli war machine ceasing its crimes against innocent people, civilians, hospitals, places of worship, and everything else relevant to human life.
He said that this symposium is differentiated by recreating a key component of the Palestinian people's fight, in which women have a presence that cannot be ignored or denied, since the battle has been continuous for 75 years, from the Palestinian Nakba to the present.
Masad went on to say, "The record of the Palestinian national struggle is filled with the names of immortal women who left their clear mark on the path of this struggle, through their diligent and active participation in various fields, in order to achieve their full rights and enhance their participation, including education, health, law, economics, politics, and participation in decision-making," pointing out that Palestinian women have a prominent and significant role to play in the struggle.
He pointed out our pride as Jordanians in the steadfastness of Palestinian women, and pride in the positions of His Majesty King Abdullah II, who led and is leading an intense political, diplomatic and humanitarian movement to pressure Israel to stop the war on Gaza and allow the delivery of humanitarian aid and food supplies in a sustainable manner, just as we praise at the same time the positions of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah , whose efforts and meetings were an extension of the efforts of the country’s monarch and Her Majesty’s reference to the blatant double standards in the world and the “deafening silence” in the face of the ongoing war on Gaza, pointing out in the same context, to the efforts of Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II and his direct follow-up and supervision of Securing Jordanian aid to the strip. Massad also praised Her Highness Princess Salma bint Abdullah II, who helped the Royal Air Force deliver the fifth airdrop of critical medical supplies and resources to the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza.
Palestinian students in the International Student Care Department of the Deanship of Student Affairs produced a movie for the session that depicted the sacrifices and challenges faced by Palestinian women.
On a related level, students Raghad Azoum, Dima Abu Obaid, and Sally Youssef, female students of the Palestinian community studying at the university, confirmed during the session moderated by the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Yara Al-Nimri, with the participation of the Director of the Center for Refugee, Displaced Persons, and Forced Migration Studies, Dr. Ruba Al-Aksh, the strength of the Palestinian woman in Gaza as a steadfast and patient woman who continues
They also recounted some of the stories of Palestinian women's steadfastness and resistance in Gaza, demonstrating that their strength and steadfastness are not a spur-of-the-moment event but rather an original building block in their generous personalities, despite the fact that they are among those most affected by Israel's brutal war on the Gaza Strip.
In collaboration with the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies and the Center for Studies of Refugees, Displaced Persons, and Forced Migration, foreign students from various university colleges participated in an art exhibition of drawings about Gaza and its people, as well as the blatant aggression they face, on the sidelines of the session.
The Deanship of Student Affairs, the Center for Studies of Refugees, Displaced Persons, and Forced Migration, and the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies co-organized this discourse session.
The Irbid Cultural Forum, in collaboration with the Women's Forum for Cultural Work, welcomed Her Excellency Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaisen, Director of the Princess Basma Center for Women's Studies at Yarmouk University, to discuss the role of women in party life. Mrs. Fayza Al-Zoubi, President of the Women's Forum for Cultural Work, detailed her electoral experience and political involvement in her welcome address. Al-Zoubi greeted the guests and participants, emphasizing the need to host such seminars to activate women's roles and engagement in partisan and political activities. She went on to say that women must assist their fellow women in elections in order to attain the aim of women's involvement in decision-making, and she emphasized the need for gaining experience and developing skills through party work.
According to Al-Muhaisen, Jordan has a long history of women's political engagement, yet they remain underrepresented in leadership roles. She emphasized the significance of increasing women's political engagement and providing them with the tools and support they require to succeed. She went on to say that society must help women overcome the hurdles to political involvement, which would lead to a more inclusive and democratic Jordan.
Al-Muhaisen emphasized the need to increase the number of women in parties, elected positions, and leadership roles, as well as assist women in developing the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Al-Muhaisen closed her statement by highlighting that women are decision-making partners, that they play an active role in party work that would be incomplete without them, and that their involvement is a national and moral responsibility.
