Princess Basma reviews Oasis Centre services in Madaba’s Bani Hamidah region

Amman, 22 May 2022 (Petra) — On Sunday, HRH Princess Basma, Chairperson of the Jordanian National Committee for Women (JNCW) and Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women, visited the Oasis Centre for women of the local community at the Jabal Bani Hamidah region in Madaba. The Princess was accompanied by Mr. Ziad Sheikh, UN Women Jordan Representative, H.E. Bernard Lynch, Australian Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Ms. Mary Horvers, Team Leader for Governance and Human Development at the Delegation of the European Union to Jordan and Ms. Arwa Al Zboun, Head of the Department of Productivity Improvement at the Ministry of Social Development.

Her Royal Highness commended the model of the Oasis Centres in translating the real partnership between the public and private sectors on one hand, and between international parties and relevant organizations on the other. She emphasized the importance of the integrated coordination among different institutions within this framework to achieve the desired results, continue success, and achieve sustainability.

In the presence of Brigade Administrator Mr. Thibann Ahmad Al Zboun, Her Highness also commended the role of the Ministry of Social Development in enhancing the role of women in society and increasing their economic and social contribution. She similarly expressed her appreciation towards UN Women, the Delegation of the European Union to Jordan and the Australian Embassy in Amman for their support to the Oasis model. The development of the centre at the Jabal Bani Hamidah region came as part of the framework of the Oasis Centres for Women and Girls, which is implemented by the Ministry of Social Development in partnership with UN Women with the goal of providing integrated living support and necessary vocational training for local women and Syrian refugee women, in line with the national efforts aimed towards empowering women, building their capacities in various fields, and enhancing their economic participation.

“UN Women, with its partners, will continue to work with the most vulnerable women and girls through the Oasis model by creating economic empowerment and civic leadership opportunities at the community level while ensuring access to protection services”, said Mr. Ziad Sheikh, UN Women Jordan Representative. He also lauded women’s role in contributing to economic and social recovery in Jordan following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Australian Ambassador noted his country’s commitment to continue to work with UN Women and supporting efforts aimed at women’s empowerment through the Oasis model in host communities and refugee camps across the Kingdom.

Ms. Horvers appreciated the partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and UN Women to support Jordanian efforts towards women’s contribution and participation in achieving economic growth. She commended the Oasis Centres for women and girls as a successful model in this field.

She spoke of continuing partnerships with UN Women and Jordanian institutions to empower women and improve their living conditions.

Ms. Al Zboun stated that the Oasis model contributed in improving the quality of life of Jordanian women and girls across many areas by providing them with skills and trainings and engaging them in appropriate job opportunities through their own businesses or in the private sector.

She added that the centres offer opportunities to empower women, in partnership with UN Women, in alignment with the policies of the Ministry towards achieving social and economic development.

Since its establishment in 2020, the centre at the Bani Hamidah region has provided awareness-raising and capacity-building services through training and employment opportunities in different sectors, through a six-month rotation programme and paid volunteering, with 789 women benefitted directly and indirectly.

It is among 22 centres operating across the Kingdom, four of which are in the refugee camps and 18 in host communities, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and UN Women.