JONAP Programme Board reviews achievements in 2020, launches consultations for second National Action Plan On Women, Peace And Security

On behalf of the Chair of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Women’s Empowerment, His Excellency Eng. Musa Al-Maayta, Minister of Parliamentary and Political Affairs, Dr. Salma Nims, the Secretary General of the Jordanian Commission for Women, convened the Programme Board of Jordan’s National Action Plan (JONAP) on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. 

From strengthened prevention and protection mechanisms to reaching 11,612 vulnerable women and girls with prevention and protection services on gender-based violence, significant progress has been achieved in the JONAP’s implementation despite the exceptional circumstances faced globally as well as in Jordan as result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The JONAP represents a unique framework that brings together the Government, security and military sectors, civil society organizations and other national institutions, with the aim of promoting coordinated and holistic efforts to integrate women and their perspectives in peace and security. Jordan serves as a global champion in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, whose leadership has been widely acknowledged in 2020 during the commemoration of 20th anniversary since the adoption of UNSCR 1325.

On behalf of the donor consortium supporting the JONAP implementation, which includes the Governments of Canada, Finland, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom, H.E. Tarja Fernandez, Ambassador of Finland to Jordan, affirmed “Jordan’s role in the region as well as the progress it has made in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Jordan, provide an excellent model for other countries to follow. We can already see how “JONAP” is bearing fruit”.

Dr. Salma Nims, Secretary General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women, presented high-level results achieved in 2020, explaining how the JONAP responds to broader national priorities to empower women, increase prevention, protection, and recovery. Dr. Nims indicated that in alignment with national efforts to recover from the pandemic, it is critical to include women in decision making positions, while also allocating gender-responsive budgets to achieve sustainable and inclusive development.

As such, Dr. Nims launched the road map for the national consultations that will drive the drafting of the JONAP II. The focus will be on the status of all Palestinian and Syrian refugees in Jordan, building on lessons learnt, knowledge, challenges and opportunities that will emerge from the evaluation of the JONAP phase I implementation. It will also set new goals to increase the participation of women in public life and increase support to Jordan’s peace and security efforts.

Participating in the Board meeting, Brigadier General Eng. Bassam Al Faleh, Planning and Organization Director, Jordanian Armed Forces, and Brigadier General Dr. Mutasem Abu Shatal, Director’s Assistant for Administration and Logistical Support, Public Security Directorate, reaffirmed the commitment of security sector agencies to foster an enabling environment for women’s participation through the roll-out of dedicated gender mainstreaming strategies. In terms of offered services, the military and security sectors are also actively engaged in enhancing national protection mechanisms, particularly prevention and protections services for survivors of domestic violence.

Representatives from the civil society, including JONAP Coalition 1325 and Jordanian National NGOs Forum, Ms. Rania Al Hayouk and Ms. Nuha Muhreiz, highlighted the importance of ensuring women’s meaningful participation in strategic decision-making processes related to peace and security, building on the action and expertise of grass-roots movements to localize the principles of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and provided recommendations for the JONAP II phase.

The meeting concluded with the endorsement of the JONAP Annual Work Plan 2021, that will see an acceleration of stakeholders’ advocacy and capacity building efforts at various levels.

‘The JONAP contributed to strengthening national capacities and systems, forging strategic partnerships, and enhancing women’s meaningful participation. With the launch of a participatory drafting process for its section National Action Plan, Jordan continues to serve as a role model and a global provider of expertise on Women, Peace and Security’ said Mr. Ziad Sheikh, UN Women Jordan.