March 8th, the day before yesterday, marked International Women's Day, a day to acknowledge and value women's roles in society and their contributions to sustainable development and modernization processes across various disciplines. Remember, the United Nations first recognized and celebrated this day in 1977, following its first observation in 1909, highlighting the importance, status, and presence of women in international and global forums, along with their remarkable contributions that have yielded positive results in every field they have worked in.
Their Majesties King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abd prioritized Jordanian women's affairs in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. They provided various forms of support and care, which paved the way for Jordanian women to achieve numerous recognized achievements. These achievements included reaching the dome of Parliament and actively participating in decision-making. They occupy key roles in governments, ministries, and both public and private entities. They have shown a strong presence in Jordan and abroad in the domains of work in women's and development groups, economic participation, and quality and originality in scientific disciplines. Academic, artistic, and journalistic, and what is striking is that His Majesty the King has made explicit references in all of the royal mandate books to the importance of providing a stimulating environment that allows women to unleash their creative energies, which has aided efforts to improve the Kingdom's construction, development, and progress.
His Majesty the King has often emphasized the necessity of women's involvement in the Kingdom's growth and modernization initiatives at all levels, including politics, economy, and culture. His Majesty believed that the Jordanian lady was and continues to be a model of generosity and excellence. He expressed his support and confidence in Jordanian women's ability to excel and be creative in a variety of fields, as well as his pride in Jordanian women's determination, accomplishments, and insistence on being an active member of society in every meeting with Jordanian women from our Jordanian society.
The Jordanian lady represents success, steadfastness, and the resolve to overcome difficulties and hurdles with energy and tenacity in order to attain success. She is a mother, a teacher, a doctor, an engineer, a director, and an educator who instilled in the people of the country a love for Jordan and a sincere sense of belonging. She is also the one who created glory, heroism, and dignity, calling on all of us to continue calling on national institutions to express themselves, to magnify the status of women, and to work to make more room for them to take the reins of the path of goodness and raise their children.
During successive stages of His Majesty's Hashemite discussion papers, Jordanian women were present, emphasizing gender equality, equal opportunities, justice, and the importance of women's participation alongside men in the nation's construction and development, as well as their role as partners in democratic work. Over the years, this has increased. The percentage of women's representation and participation in parliamentary, municipal, and decentralized councils has consistently increased. This is due to laws that support women's access to legislative power through women's quota and competition systems. Additionally, Jordanian women have become involved in party life, rising to positions of leadership such as Secretary-General or members of the party's executive office or executive committee.
I must mention the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies, which I have the privilege of managing at Yarmouk University. It receives direct support from the university administration, which believes in the role of women and the importance of enabling them to develop their roles. In translation, we continue and reaffirm on this occasion to work on everything that will create a climate conducive to women carrying out their job and achieving all they are capable of in every part of our glorious national path, God willing, and with the patronage of His Majesty the King.
The Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies at Yarmouk University organized the dialogue symposium "The Role of Women in Elected Councils in Political Empowerment and Community Accountability" as part of the "Integrity: Promoting Community Accountability and Empowerment" project. Dr. Musa Rababah, VP of the University for Academic Affairs and representative of the president of Yarmouk University, sponsored the opening of the activities. "Investment in civil society institutions for good governance," financed by the European Union Delegation to Jordan and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development.
Members of the Irbid Governorate Council Lilas Al-Dalqamuni and Rula Batayneh, MP Asma Al-Rawahneh, head of the Jordanian Women Parliamentarians Forum, and MP Dr. Sabah Al-Dardour attended the symposium.
In his speech, Rababa emphasized that Yarmouk has a rich history of strong female representation in leadership roles, something of which the city can be justifiably proud. He went on to say that the Hashemite dynasty encouraged Yarmouk's female residents to carve out successful careers, and that these women helped push the country forward in many other areas as well.
He emphasized that the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies is committed to supporting, empowering, and enhancing Jordanian women at all times and that universities should take the lead in undertaking research that helps women succeed in life.
Rababa said that Jordanian women's rise to their rightful place is a direct result of His Majesty King Abdullah II's plans to update the country's governmental structure and empower Jordanian women to fulfill their full potential in all spheres of society.
Under the auspices of His Majesty the King and His Highness the Crown Prince, the Center's director, Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaisen, emphasized that the center's primary mission is to empower and assist Jordanian women in all aspects of life.
Women have become a symbol of excellence, achievement, political empowerment, and societal accountability, she said. Today's symposium is here to discuss a major topic of national development: the elected councils that represent our democratic identity. She went on to say that groups that need empowerment are not weak or marginalized; rather, they can take advantage of opportunities if given them and can build and give regardless of the circumstances.
"The role of female parliamentarians in political empowerment and societal accountability" was one of several subjects covered during the conference. "Women in municipalities and the integration of community roles to achieve effective partnership" and "[The role of governorate councils in empowering women to exercise their service roles and enhancing community participation]."
Women make up half of society and are responsible for raising and caring for the other half; thus, it is crucial that they be empowered, MP Al-Rawahna said at the symposium. Political issues, seen as the foundation for advancing women's representation in decision-making roles, require her to be well-versed. She should also understand the significance of "empowerment," which entails designing programs specifically tailored to Jordanian society and its distinctive features. These programs should educate women about the laws and empower them to hold their lawmakers and bureaucrats to account.
She went on to say that governorate councils are crucial to local development, that women should be active in political parties, and that parties and party programs are important.
Rep. Al-Dardour echoed this sentiment, stating that initiatives aimed at empowering women should cover all bases and address women's participation in society, politics, the environment, education, and the economy. She also emphasized the significance of conducting research and development projects with a focus on women to help them achieve their full potential.
Al-Batayneh asserts that elected councils should not view women's political empowerment as an independent issue, but rather as an integral part of their work. She went on to say that there are many different aspects of women's empowerment and that these aspects must coordinate with one another in a way that is compatible with priorities and needs identification in order to benefit political work.
She emphasized that women in Jordan have made progress toward political empowerment, but that there is room for improvement and that the key is for society as a whole to share experiences, information, and skills in order to prevent provincial councils from isolating themselves and instead relying on collaborative efforts between institutions and individuals. Growing up in a Jordanian family ensures a head start, which is particularly important given that the country is following a political party-based road map.
According to Al-Dalqmouni, Jordan has been and continues to be actively working to raise women's status in all areas of society, including politics, economics, and culture. She highlighted that the past few years have been encouraging for women's participation in public and political life, thanks to the goals set by His Majesty the King and his encouragement and support of women. The royal discussion papers, particularly the fourth and seventh articles, made it clear that they were Jordanians.
Achieving justice and gender equality in rights and opportunities, she emphasized, requires a quantum leap. She also emphasized the significance of women believing in themselves and working to change cultural norms and social trends that limit women's ability to exercise their rights.
As Al-Dalqamuni pointed out, the reform process cannot move forward without achieving political reform, which starts with the active engagement of citizens (both sexes) in decision-making, execution, and confronting problems, particularly economic ones... This is the foundational pillar of sustainable development and comprehensive reform.
It is noteworthy that the participation of the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies in the “Integrity” project comes within the “Enhancing Community Accountability in Municipalities” segment, which aims to achieve good governance and the principles of transparency and integrity in municipalities, and to identify mechanisms for increasing the participation of citizens, women, and marginalized groups in decision-making and holding municipalities accountable for... The services provided to them, and clarifying the role of women, youth and the elderly in community participation and accountability to municipalities in a way that ensures that they fulfill their basic needs and meet their constitutional rights, and work to build the capabilities of employees and develop their performance in municipalities, and learn about the role of municipal councils in serving citizens, in order to achieve a number of goals such as enhancing Participation of women, youth and the elderly in community accountability of municipalities, and improving the performance of municipal employees.
Representing the President of Yarmouk University, Dr. Musa Rababah, Vice President of the University for Academic Affairs, sponsored the opening of the activities of the dialogue symposium “The Role of Women in Elected Councils in Political Empowerment and Community Accountability,” which was organized by the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies at the University within the “Integrity: Promoting Community Accountability and Empowerment” project. Civil society institutions to achieve good governance” funded by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development - the European Union Mission in Jordan.
The chair of the Jordanian Women Parliamentarians Forum, MP Asma Al-Rawahneh, MP Dr. Sabah Al-Dardour, and members of the Irbid Governorate Council, Lilas Al-Dalqamuni and Rula Batayneh, participated in the symposium activities.
In his speech, Rababa stressed that Yarmouk has highlighted, in its history, a great presence of women in all positions and fields, which we can only be proud of and cherish, stressing that, with the support of the Hashemite leadership, she was able to chart her path with ability and success, and contributed to the advancement and development in the political, social, economic, educational and other fields.
He stressed that the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies always seeks to support, empower, and enhance Jordanian women, stressing the need for universities to assume responsibility for conducting studies that advance women, develop their capabilities, and meet their ambitions on an ongoing basis.
Rababa pointed out that Jordanian women have been able to achieve the status they deserve, based on the visions of His Majesty King Abdullah II to modernize the political system so that Jordanian women can carry out their renaissance role in all aspects of life.
The Center's director, Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaisen, stressed that supporting and empowering Jordanian women in various fields is the center's work and the main goal it seeks to achieve, guided by the directives of His Majesty the King and His Highness the Crown Prince.
She pointed out that today's symposium comes to discuss a major topic of national development, which is the elected councils that represent our democratic identity, noting that women have become a symbol of excellence, achievement, political empowerment and societal accountability, in which we see a qualitative administrative approach to empowering groups that need empowerment, not because they Weak or marginalized, but because they are able to take advantage of opportunities if they are given them, and because they are able to build and give, regardless of the circumstances.
Within the symposium’s activities, several topics were discussed: “The role of female parliamentarians in political empowerment and societal accountability,” “The role of governorate councils in empowering women to exercise their service roles and enhancing community participation,” and “Women in municipalities and the integration of community roles to achieve effective partnership.”
During the symposium, MP Al-Rawahna stressed the importance of empowering women, as they represent half of society in numbers and raise and care for the other half. She must have knowledge of political issues, which are considered the basic structure that will lead to a deeper and greater build-up in women’s access to decision-making positions, noting that “empowerment “Through which specialized, clear and carefully prepared programs are developed that are appropriate to the nature and environment of Jordanian society, such that these programs make women fully aware of the laws and enable them to hold accountable those who make these laws and those who implement them.
She stressed the importance of parties and party programmes, the need for women to participate in parties, in addition to the importance of governorate councils in serving local development.
In turn, Representative Al-Dardour stressed that programs targeting women and their empowerment must be purposeful and comprehensive programs for the various aspects of social, political, environmental, educational and economic life, as well as the importance of implementing development projects and research studies that target women and positively impact the empowerment of women in their various roles.
While Al-Batayneh explained that the political empowerment of women is considered one of the important areas of work in elected councils and is not separate from other areas, noting that the areas of empowerment are multiple and need to work together and in a compatible manner that is consistent with priorities and identifying needs, which serves political work.
She stressed that political empowerment requires the transfer of experiences, knowledge, and skills among members of society so that the provincial councils are not closed in on themselves, but rather rely on participatory work between institutions and individuals, pointing out that women in Jordan have taken good steps in political empowerment, but they need to be strengthened. Raising up in Jordanian families so that you are in the first ranks, especially since Jordan is now on a new road map that is based on political parties.
For her part, Al-Dalqmouni said that Jordan has made and is still making clear efforts to improve the status of women at the policy and legislative levels as well as the social, economic and cultural fields, pointing out that recent years have become promising for the presence of women in political and public life, based on the visions of His Majesty the King and his encouragement and support for women. Jordanian, and this was evident in the royal discussion papers, especially the fourth and seventh papers.
She stressed the need to achieve a qualitative leap in achieving justice and gender equality in rights and opportunities, stressing the importance of women believing in themselves, and for women to work to change societal trends and culture that play an important role in restricting women and not enabling them to benefit from their rights.
Al-Dalqamuni pointed out that political reform is the basic pillar of sustainable development and comprehensive reform, and the reform process cannot proceed without achieving political reform, which begins with the active participation of citizens (men and women) in the decision-making process, its implementation, and confronting challenges, especially economic ones.
It is noteworthy that the participation of the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies in the “Integrity” project comes within the “Enhancing Community Accountability in Municipalities” segment, which aims to promote good governance and the principles of transparency and integrity in municipalities, and to identify mechanisms for increasing the participation of citizens, women, and marginalized groups in decision-making and holding municipalities accountable for... The services provided to them, and clarifying the role of women, youth and the elderly in community participation and accountability to municipalities in a way that ensures that they fulfill their basic needs and meet their constitutional rights, and work to build the capabilities of employees and develop their performance in municipalities, and learn about the role of municipal councils in serving citizens, in order to achieve a number of goals such as enhancing Participation of women, youth, and the elderly in community accountability of municipalities, and improving the performance of municipal employees.
The Aoun Jordan Private Association, in cooperation with the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies and the Deanship of Student Affairs at Yarmouk University, launched the “Future of the Kingdom” initiative in celebration of the silver jubilee of His Majesty King Abdullah II assuming his constitutional powers, which aims to prepare and develop women leaders in particular and develop the capabilities of... youth social, economic, and political in general.
Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaisen, director of the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies, confirmed the Center's ongoing endeavor to enhance the role of Jordanian women and develop their capabilities in various fields so that they can carry out their role in the development of Jordanian society.
She pointed out that cooperation with the “Kingdom’s Future” initiative comes to fulfill the university’s role in building students’ capabilities and serving the local community, stressing the necessity of working on political education and possessing leadership skills, especially for female students, to help them raise their awareness and push them to set their goals.
Al-Muhaisen pointed out that this training targets university students to enable them to build their leadership skills and capabilities, enhance their social and political participation, and thus be able to perform their active and supportive roles for women.
In turn, the CEO of the Jordan Aoun Society, Nour Al-Duwairi, said that the “Future of the Kingdom” initiative aims to build women’s leadership skills in order to raise awareness among women and youth in all fields and self-development, which helps them determine their public and private goals.
Al-Duwairi pointed out that framing the mental image of women in traditional templates comes not only practically but also intellectually and socially, as the economic participation of Jordanian women constitutes 14%, despite the fact that the percentage of educated women in Jordan is 97%, while the percentage of Jordanian women’s participation in party life is 40.8%. While the percentages of women’s participation in leadership positions in parties certainly did not exceed a quarter, which means that the parties corrected their situation with a percentage of women and youth amounting to 20% for each category, which increased women’s membership, this did not correct the situation related to women assuming leadership positions in parties.
She explained that the “Future of the Kingdom” initiative came to correct social behaviors, change the mental image of women, and encourage women to discover themselves, their abilities, and their plans for the future, as they are not only half of society but also the educators of the second half, which makes them a cornerstone in the process of change towards the desired future in Jordan’s second centenary.
Al-Duwairi pointed out that the “Kingdom’s Future” initiative is divided into two tracks: “capable and active,” where “capable” is concerned with training young women and men, helping them identify and solve their problems, setting general and specific goals, helping them innovate and pioneer, raising awareness of the importance of electoral and partisan participation, and involving them in public work.
She pointed out that the “Qadira” track contains three main portfolios (social work, leadership and innovation, and political leadership), so that female students are distributed among the portfolios according to their desires so that communication, social, and self-development skills are honed, and then each portfolio is allocated to them to develop themselves in a conscious and mature manner. It encourages the integration of gender roles in accordance with the responsibilities and image of a conservative and cohesive Jordanian family while directing an “active” path for youth.
The Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies at Yarmouk University partnered with the Al-Hayat Rased Center and received funding from the European Union and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation to implement this program, which aims to improve civil society institutions' ability to achieve good governance and increase societal accountability.
AECID Jordan
European Union in Jordan
AECID
Jordan Monitor _ RASED Jordan
Yarmouk University
The Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies at Yarmouk University, in collaboration with the "Terre des Hommes" Foundation, held an awareness training workshop on the legal framework for children in conflict with the law in Jordan under Jordanian Juvenile Law as part of Plan International's "She Leads" program. The trainer, Farah Ishaqat of the Terre des Hommes Foundation, presented the workshop, which covered a number of topics, including the specific jurisdiction of the juvenile court and the age of criminal responsibility for children, as well as the distinction between a child in conflict with the law and a child in need of protection and care. This is the first of many seminars that the center plans to offer to increase university students' legal understanding on a range of themes.
At the end of the program, Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaisen, the Center Director, distributed certificates of participation to the students.
The Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies held an esteemed training session at Yarmouk University. Field researchers, volunteering with the Center as part of their project to increase community involvement in municipalities, attended the event. The Integrity Project is collaborating with the Al-Hayat Rased Center to carry out this initiative.
Contributed to by the EU and the Spanish Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation
AECID Jordan
AECID
European Union in Jordan
Jordan Monitor _ RASED Jordan
Yarmouk University
This is the second day of our field research volunteer training program.
We are fully committed to completing our objective in the field, and we want to assure them of our unwavering confidence in our cause..
Professor Dr. Munira Al-Sharman expertly spearheads this endeavor, which is part of the Integrity Project initiative of the Center and the Al-Hayat Rased Center to increase citizen engagement in local government. The initiative receives funding from the EU and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation.
Jordan Monitor _ RASED Jordan
AECID Jordan
AECID
European Union in Jordan
Yarmouk University
Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies/Yarmouk University
At the opening of the symposium, "The Role of the Women's Quota in Promoting Women's Political Participation," Dr. Samer Samara, a representative of Yarmouk University's president, presided over the proceedings." The Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies and the Deanship of Student Affairs co-sponsored the event, featuring Dr. Jumana Al-Dahamsheh as one of the speakers. Drs. Betty Al-Saqrat (Nama Party), Reem Samawi (National Charter Party), and Azm Party (National Charter Party).
Samara began his speech by highlighting the significance of women's involvement in politics and the need to go beyond the women's quota in order to fully include them. This is particularly important because women in Jordan have a long history of making positive contributions to the country's economy, society, and politics.
He said that as a national institution, Yarmouk University values women's contributions, their capacity to take charge, and their role in advancing the university's modernization and development efforts.
Dr. Moatasem Al-Shatnawi, the University Dean of Student Affairs, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of women's quotas as a starting point for women's access to politics, as well as the potential for Jordanian women to access and assume political positions outside of the quota given the right social and economic conditions.s. She went on to say that women's quotas serve as a blueprint for women's empowerment in Jordan.
According to Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaisen, director of the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies, the institution is committed to facilitating events and programs that empower Jordanian women and help them excel in the academic, social, political, and economic spheres.
In addition to their many other responsibilities, she lauded the symposium's attendees for showing that Jordanian women can be active in politics.
Al-Dhamsheh argued that women's engagement in politics is an absolute must, not an optional extra. Looking back at the history of women's participation in Jordanian politics reveals that this is a political and civil right guaranteed by the Constitution, international charters and treaties, laws, and regulations. In 1978, women were the first to participate in official councils, which were then known as the National Council. The 1989 elections marked the first time that women in Jordan could cast ballots and run for office; however, they did not secure a single seat in the House of Representatives that year. In 1993, for the first time in Jordanian history, a female candidate named Tujan Faisal became a member of the House of Representatives. The speaker, a woman with a parliamentary seat, made the point that six out of one hundred and ten legislative seats were reserved for female candidates following an amendment to the Election Law of 2001 in 2003 that established a women's quota system.
She went on to explain the history of the quota system in electoral laws, including its initial implementation in the 14th House of Representatives elections, in which women were allotted a quota, and its subsequent evolution in the 16th House of Representatives elections in 2010. The House of Representatives passed election legislation that retained the single vote, increased the number of legislative seats from 110 to 120, and raised the quota seats from 6 to 12. According to the Election Law for the House of Representatives No. 25 of 2012 and its amending Law No. 28,, the number of seats designated for the women's quota was also raised from twelve to fifteen. The House of Representatives had a total of 150 members in 2012, with 27 seats added to the national list and 108 seats added to the local districts. The Election Law for the House of Representatives No. 6 of 2016 lowered the number of seats in the 18th House of Representatives elections. The Election Law for the House of Representatives No. 6 of 2016 reserved fifteen council seats, or 11.5% of the total, for women.
However, Al-Saqrat countered by saying that everyone should become involved in politics if they want to see the kind of good change they want to see in Jordan and that the parties running in the upcoming election would have a disproportionate amount of say over public policy.
Since the establishment of the Jordanian state, women have played and continue to play important roles as mothers, teachers, directors, legislators, and ministers; however, it is imperative that women have more confidence in themselves and their abilities before venturing into politics. So, let's work together to ensure that women can fully participate in politics without quotas. While quotas have their benefits, including putting more women in positions of power, it is imperative that Jordanian women demonstrate their capacity to fulfill this responsibility.
Noting that the quota does not necessarily generate the best, Al-Saqrat continued: Women can't fulfill their political role unless they are monetarily empowered, have psychological assistance, and work in equitable circumstances.
Aside from confirming that the women's quota was a chance for Jordanian women to show what they can do in politics, Al-Samawi emphasized the significance of women's involvement in parties as a means to achieve the desired positive political change in the next phase.
As evidence of its capacity to grow, modernize, and advance the wheel of sustainable development in our beloved motherland, she lauded Yarmouk University for its unwavering commitment to women's empowerment and the many leadership positions held by women.
Dr. Tariq Al-Nasser, the Center's Deputy Director, presided over the symposium, during which participants addressed audience questions and concerns on women's political engagement and quota-related topics.
مندوبا عن رئيس جامعة اليرموك، رعى نائب رئيس الجامعة لشؤون التخطيط والتطوير وشؤون البحث العلمي والجودة الدكتور سامر سمارة افتتاح فعاليات ندوة "دور الكوتا النسائية في تعزيز المشاركة السياسية للمرأة"، التي نظمها مركز الأميرة بسمة لدراسات المرأة الأردنية وعمادة شؤون الطلبة، بمشاركة الدكتورة جمانة الدهامشة من حزب نماء، والدكتورة بيتي السقرات من حزب عزم، والدكتورة ريم سماوي من حزب الميثاق الوطني.
وأكد سمارة في بداية حديثه على أهمية مشاركة المرأة في الحياة السياسية وضرورة توسيع نطاق مشاركتها خارج نطاق الكوتا النسائية سيما وأن المرأة الأردنية لطالما كانت قادرة على إحداث التغيير الإيجابي في المجتمع الأردني بمختلف قطاعاته الاقتصادية والاجتماعية والسياسية.
وأكد أن جامعة اليرموك كمؤسسة وطنية تؤمن بأهمية دور المرأة وقدرتها على توليها المناصب القيادية، ومشاركتها في دفع مسيرة التطوير والتحديث في جامعة اليرموك نحو الأفضل.
بدوره أشار عميد شؤون الطلبة في الجامعة الدكتور معتصم الشطناوي إلى أهمية تمكين المرأة من المشاركة في الحياة السياسية وتذليل الصعوبات أمامها لتكون قادرة على الاضطلاع بدورها في المجتمع، لافتا إلى أن الكوتا النسائية كانت بمثابة البداية لتسهيل وصول المرأة للحياة السياسية، مؤكدا ان النساء الأردنيات قادرات على الوصول وتولي المناصب السياسية خارج نطاق الكوتا اذا ما أتيحت لهن الظروف الاجتماعية والاقتصادية الملائمة.
مديرة مركز الدكتورة بتول المحيسن أكدت حرص مركز الاميرة بسمة لدراسات المرأة الأردنية على تنظيم مختلف الأنشطة والفعاليات التي من شأنها تعزيز دور المرأة الأردنية وتنمية قدراتها للاضطلاع بدورها في مختلف المجالات السياسية والاجتماعية والأكاديمية والاقتصادية.
وثمنت جهود المشاركات في الندوة اللواتي أثبتن قدرة المرأة الأردنية على الانخراط بالحياة السياسية إلى جانب العديد من المهام المُلقاة على عاتقها.
من جانبها أكدت الدهامشة ن مشاركة المرأة في الحياة السياسية ضرورة وليس ترفا فهو حق سياسي ومدني يضمنه الدستور والمواثيق والمعاهدات الدولية والقوانين والأنظمة، مستعرضة تاريخ مشاركة المرأة الأردنية في الحياة السياسية حيث كانت أول مشاركة للمرأة في المجالس الرسمية في عام 1978 في ما سمي آنذاك بالمجلس الوطني الاستشاري، ومع انتخابات 1989، فقد شاركت المرأة الأردنية ولأول مرة كناخبة ومرشحة، لكنها لم تحصل على أي مقعد في مجلس النواب عام 1989، في حين فازت مرشحة واحدة بعضوية مجلس النواب في العام 1993 هي توجان فيصل وكانت المرة الأولى في تاريخ البلاد التي تفوز فيها امرأة بمقعد بالبرلمان، لافتة إلى أنه وفي العام 2003 تم تعديل قانون الانتخابات لسنة 2001 حيث تم بموجب القانون إدخال نظام الكوتا النسائية، وتم بعد ذلك تم تخصيص (6) مقاعد للنساء (من أصل 110) في البرلمان.
وأوضحت كيفية تطور نظام الكوتا في قوانين الانتخاب حيث تم في انتخابات مجلس النواب 14 – تخصيص كوتا للنساء لأول مرة، ومن ثم انتخابات مجلس النواب 16 عام 2010 صدر قانون الانتخاب لمجلس النواب حيث أبقى على الصوت الواحد مع زيادة عدد مقاعد البرلمان من (110) الى (120) مقعداً وزيادة المقاعد المخصصة للكوتا من ستة مقاعد الى 12 مقعداً، كما تم زيادة عدد المقاعد المخصصة للكوتا النسائية من (12) الى (15) مقعداً بموجب قانون الانتخاب لمجلس النواب رقم (25) لعام 2012 والقانون المعدل له رقم (28) لعام 2012 ، كما تم استحداث (27) مقعداً للقوائم الوطنية و(108) للدوائر المحلية ليصبح العدد الإجمالي لمقاعد مجلس النواب (150) مقعداً، وفي انتخابات مجلس النواب 18 عام 2016 صدر قانون الانتخاب لمجلس النواب رقم 6 لعام 2016 وبموجبه فقد تم تخفيض عدد مقاعد المجلس الى (130) مقعداً خصص منها (15) مقعداً للكوتا النسائية بواقع (11.5%) من المقاعد الإجمالية.
بدورها أشارت السقرات إلى أهمية المشاركة السياسية لمختلف أفراد المجتمع ليكونوا أعضاء فاعلين ومحدثين للتغيير الإيجابي المنشود في المجتمع، لافتة إلى أن الأحزاب ستكون في المرحلة السياسية القادمة في الأردن ذات التأثير الأكبر في رسم السياسات.
وأكدت أن النساء بحاجة للإيمان بأنفسهن بشكل أكبر وأنهن قادرات على خوض المعترك السياسي باقتدار سيما وأن المرأة الأردنية ومنذ نشأة الدولة الأردنية كانت وما زالت الأم والمعلمة والمديرة والنائب والوزير لذلك يجب علينا توحيد الجهود للوصول إلى مشاركة سياسية للمرأة دون الحاجة للكوتا، مشيرة إلى أن إيجابيات الكوتا متمثلة في أنها مكنت المرأة من وضع قدمها على بداية الطريق في الحياة السياسية إلا أنه يتحتم على المرأة الأردنية ان تثبت أنها قادرة أداء هذا الدور.
وتابعت السقرات: إنه لتتمكن المرأة من أداء دورها السياسي يجب أن تتمكن اقتصاديا وأن يتوفر لها الدعم النفسي والظروف العادلة، مشيرة إلى أن من سلبيات الكوتا انها لا تفرز الأفضل دائما.
كما اكدت السماوي أن الكوتا النسائية كانت فرصة للمرأة الأردنية لاثبات ذاتها وقدرتها على المشاركة السياسية الفاعلة، إما كمرشحة أو ناخبة أو متطوعة أو مراقبة، مشددة على أهمية المشاركة في الأحزاب فهي تعتبر القادرة على التغيير الإيجابي السياسي المنشود خلال المرحلة القادمة.
وأشادت بدور جامعة اليرموك واهتمامها الدائم بالمرأة وتمكينها، وتقليدها العديد من المناصب القيادية في الجامعة حيث أنها أثبتت قدرتها على التطوير والتحديث والدفع بعجلة التنمية المستدامة في وطننا الغالي.
وفي نهاية الندوة التي أدراها نائب مدير المركز الدكتور طارق الناصر، أجابت المشاركات على أسئلة واستفسارات الحضور حول مشاركة المرأة السياسية، والأمور المتعلقة بالكوتا.
Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaisen, Director of the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies, kicked off the two-day educational awareness-raising workshop on "Yarmouk University's Regulations and Instructions," which targeted female administrators employed at the university. Dr. Safaa Al-Suwailemeen from the university's School of Law oversaw the workshop.
Al-Muhaisen emphasized Yarmouk University's eagerness to build community awareness of the various issues of concern to women through the combined efforts of its human resources, as well as its eagerness to enhance the capabilities of female administrative employees from the university's various colleges, departments, and scientific centers, enabling them to assume leadership roles and prove their competence in them, stressing the center's constant endeavor to empower women in various.
Al-Muhaisen stated that the workshop's goal was to empower female university administrators and prepare them to reflect on the information and experience they gain at the administrative and functional levels based on their legal awareness.
In addition, 25 administrative female university workers attended the session.
