UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Ghulam Isaczai’s Speech at the opening session of the Regional Conference: Women’s Engagement in Political Parties in the Arab Region

Excellencies, 

-         Dr. Bisher Al-Khasawneh, Prime Minster of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

-         Mr. Samir Rifai, 1st Deputy Speakers of the Senate

-         Wafa Bani Mustafa, Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment and Minister of State for Legal Affairs

-         دولة الدكتور بشر الخصاونة الأفخم، رئيس وزراء المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية

-         دولة السيد سمير الرفاعي، النائب الأول لرئيس مجلس الاعيان الأردني

-         معالي السيدة وفاء بني مصطفى، وزيرة الدولة للشؤون القانوينة، رئيسة اللجنة الوزارية لتمكين المرأة

-          السيدات والسادة

-         الحضور الكرام

أسعد الله صباحكم

يُسعدني وبالنيابة عن أسرة الأمم المتحدة في الأردن، أن أرحب بكم جميعًا في المؤتمر الإقليمي: "مشاركة المرأة في الأحزاب السياسية في المنطقة العربية"، وأن أتوجه لكم بالشكر على حضوركم معنا اليوم في العاصمة الأردنيّة، عمّان!

اسمحوا لي أن أبدأ باقتباس من الأمين العام للأمم المتحدة أنطونيو غوتيريش

"إنّ المساواةِ بين الجّنسين عنصرٌ محوري في خطة التنمية المستدامة لعام 2030، وهي الخطة العالمية التي اتفق عليها قادة جميع البلدان بهدف التّصدّي للتّحديات التي نواجهها. ويدعو الهدف 5 من أهداف التنمية المستدامة تحديدا إلى تحقيق المساواة بين الجنسين وتمكين جميع النساء والفتيات، وهذا أمر أساسي لبلوغ جميع أهداف التنمية المستدامة السبعة عشر" أنطونيو غوتيريش، الأمين العام للأمم المتحدة.

Distinguished guests and colleagues,

·       This conference by the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment (IMC) and the Coalition of Women MPs from Arab Countries to Combat Violence against Women, with support from UN Women and the United Nations Development Programme, is an excellent opportunity to discuss actions on how to ensure women’s safe and fair access to political participation.  

·       I most grateful to His Excellency, the Prime Minster and distinguished speakers and participants from Arab countries and around the world for their participation today.

·       Your presence is a clear recognition of the importance of women’s engagement in political parties, and to discuss best practices on gender-responsive policies, procedures and agendas, as well as issues around violence against women in politics through this regional conference.

·       Globally, women only make up 25 percent of all national parliamentarians and 21 percent of all ministers. 

·       Only 23 countries are headed by a woman Head of State or Government

·       The Middle East and North Africa region is the only region where women represent less than 20 percent of national parliamentarians.

·       Of the more than 6 million elected members in elected bodies of local government in 133 countries, only 2.18 million or 36 percent are women.

·       The MENA is the only region where, on average, women hold less than 20 percent of elected seats in local bodies.

·       In this context, we commend Jordan’s reforming  its legal and institutional frameworks to promote women’s greater inclusion in politics and increase their overall political participation at the national and local levels.

·       We are equally encouraged by Jordan’s ratification of international conventions to safeguard women’s rights,  provide opportunities for women to increase their political voice and increase representation in decision-making positions.

·       The increased representation of women in politics, their active participation and work with their constituencies can reduce negative perceptions about women in leadership and inspire other women, including young women to choose careers of public service.

·       Leaving no one behind requires concerted efforts to address the economic, social and political factors of exclusion.

·       Unfortunately, today women confront norms and belief systems that deem political work inappropriate for them which in turn limit their full participation in politics and their communities.

·       They face many barriers in reaching political office, including lack of access to financial resources, gender stereotypes, and traditional social norms.

·       Even after being elected, women are at times excluded from leadership positions and experience greater scrutiny from the media on their personal capacities of doing both unpaid care work at home as well as carrying out the responsibilities of their political roles.

·       Here in Jordan, our focus will continue to remain  on securing a stronger and more equal stake for women in the political, economic and social spheres, without discrimination or fear of violence.

·       Towards this aim, the United Nations will work in close partnership with the Government of Jordan to prioritize gender equality and women’s empowerment across the humanitarian and development activities to ensure women have the same opportunities as men to participate in public life and decision-making.

·       We will support democratically elected bodies, electoral processes and systems to make information and opportunities available to secure greater women’s political participation including in public consultations and actions which directly influence policy choices and decisions affecting their lives.  

·       وفي هذا السياق، نعمل حالياً بالشراكة مع الحكومة الأردنية على تطوير إطار التّعاون للتنمية المستدامة للأعوام 2023-2027. ويأتي هذا الإطار ليؤكد مجدداً على التزامنا بتوسيع دعمنا للقطاعات التنموية في الأردن، من خلال تقديم الدعم لسياسات واستراتيجيات النّمو، ومسارات التمويل، التي تقلل الإقصاء، وتعزّز الحقوق وفرص الاعتماد على الذات للفئات الأكثر ضعفاً، وتعزّز الشمولية والمساواة بين الجنسين بما في ذلك المشاركة السّياسيّة والمشاركة في العمل العام للمرأة والشباب.

·       I am hopeful that this two-day regional conference will offer a platform for active participation and insightful discussions around the roles of legislation and state authorities, political parties and movements, media and civil society in enhancing women’s political participation, as well as discuss opportunities and challenges faced by women with national, regional and international experts sharing best practices and lessons

·       I once again express my sincere appreciation to H.E. Dr. Bisher Al-Khasawneh, Prime Minister of Jordan for his patronage, to the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment and to our partners for their commitment to our shared objective of creating an enabling environment for women to equally and safely engage in political decision-making.

Thank you, and Happy Hijri Year to all