United Nations in Jordan

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Jordan:

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05 April 2022

Meet 4 women and girls on the forefront of climate action in Jordan

Women and girls are impacted by climate change. But they are also at the forefront of tackling this impact in their communities. Meet four women and girls from Jordan, who lead the fight against climate change in different ways. Awareness Layan Al Bairouti: “…raising awareness is key to protecting the environment..” “I believe that raising awareness is key to protecting the environment, that’s why the idea of creating this video occurred to me,” said Layan Al Bairouti, a Palestine refugee student at the UNRWA Baqa’a Preparatory Girls’ School in Jordan. Layan entered her environmental awareness video to the UNICEF Environmental Project under the theme “reducing plastic”. Representing her school, Layan’s video ranked first out of 300 submissions in the Middle East and North Africa region. “I decided to create the animation video because I wanted to address my peers in a different way and inspire them to be, like me, interested in protecting the environment,” said Layan. Her short, animated video included her fellow eighth graders and enabled them to share their voices and deliver the important message of climate action for a better environment. The video showcased some environmentally friendly best practices, such as reducing the use of single use plastic and recycling. In her video, Layan also encourages community action to reduce pollution, which harms both animals and environment. “I feel sad when I see on the TV and on the internet the negative impact of plastic waste on our planet’s wildlife.” Layan added, “We can change that. We need to save our planet. It’s our responsibility.” Read Layan’s full story as originally published on UN Jordan website Agriculture Aida Salameh: “I hope to build a more sustainable life for our families and community” Aida Salameh Khalil Al-Rawajfeh, 49, joined the UN Women’s Oasis Centre in Tafilah, southern Jordan, as an agriculture trainer to be able to provide for her family. As an experienced and passionate farmer, she provides lectures and trainings on agriculture to women in her community, encouraging them to start their own businesses. “Agriculture has always been my passion. My grades were not high enough for me to enroll in a bachelor's program, but this did not stop me from obtaining my diploma in vegetable production. I had a few months of experience as a vocational trainer in schools, but it was not permanent. I wanted to continue my higher education, and my husband was supportive, but it was not possible as we could not afford it. I stayed home for many years taking care of my family until I learned about the work opportunities at the Oasis Centre through a WhatsApp group for women in Tafilah. My strong interest in agriculture and knowing that the Oasis Centre is a safe space for women and girls encouraged me to apply. I also own a greenhouse and thought it would be good to share my knowledge with other women in the community. At the Oasis, I train fellow women on the basics of agriculture, as well as planting and plowing. The training also includes the benefits of greenhouse, utilizing different tools and equipment, how to plant crops and use fertilizers to maximize productivity, so women can start applying their skills in their own farm work. I also teach them about poly-agriculture, a sustainable way to grow different types of produce on the same piece of land which improves the property of soil by stabilizing nitrogen.” Said Aida. Read Aida’s full story as originally published on UN Women website Energy Basma Al-Shatti : “…the local community in rural areas are the most affected by climate change…” Women in Jordan have a significant role in the sustainable energy sector but are limited at the same time as these sectors are mainly occupied by men, hence limiting the role of women in governance and technical roles, as well as their participation in developing gender responsive policies. As the most impacted, women are also a critical part of the solution, and women in Jordan are leading the efforts against climate change through adaptation, mitigation, and evidence-based response. On the fifth floor in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in the capital of Jordan, Amman sets Basma Al-Shatti as the head of the Corporate Social Responsibilities Division in the Jordan Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF). As an engineer, Basma never thought that she will be leading such a vital position in the Ministry. From Deir Alla Near Eastern town in Balqa Governorate, Basma started her journey to leading climate action in the energy sector at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. Basma is a mother of two girls, she obtained a scholarship to study engineering at the University of Jordan. “Back then it was crucial for me to work hard and get a scholarship to obtain my bachelor’s degree. my passion to work in mechanics, production, and energy was a future path for me that I wanted to achieve that”, Basma said. Basma leads an important division in the Jordan Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Fund which serves as a connection point between the community and the fund. The fund leads national efforts to optimize and utilize energy consumption by providing the necessary funding to advance and implement sustainable solutions to enhance energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy in coordination with local and international institutions and stakeholders. Basma manages and oversees the projects that are implemented under the fund, with her background experience in managing projects and the energy sector her role was a crucial one in the ministry. The energy sector is one of the main contributors to climate change globally, and the main source of emissions in Jordan, where it contributes to over 76% of total national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2016 “the local community in rural areas are the most affected by climate change, and through the division, we look at opportunities where we can minimize the energy consumption in these areas through installing solar panels”, Basma added. “I want people to look at me as a qualified engineer in the energy sector, who is an expert in the field, and not criticize or observe me as a woman”, Basma said. As the head of the division in the ministry, she runs two main projects in Amman, one of them being with the healthcare sector. The Covid-19 pandemic has imposed several obstacles to the healthcare system and energy consumption plays a major role in these institutions and the services they provide. The Jordan Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF). has provided these institutions with sustainable measures for cooling and heating such as photovoltaic systems which transform solar energy into renewable electricity. Read Basma’s full story as originally published on UNDP website Water conservation Samahir: “Everyone should cooperate to save water” For Syrian refugee Samahir, everyone should cooperate to save water. Samahir, who lives in Zaatari Camp, uses a plastic basin to save water for planting. “Any water you save is good. Greywater does not harm plants; it is harmless. As long as water is clean, it can’t do any damage. A small amount of water can do wonders. Samahir’s garden is full of green and plants. Saving water is for the climate change and the harsh conditions here in the camp,” said Samahir. Watch a video story of Samahir as originally published on UNHCR YouTube channel.

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Press Release

20 June 2021

On World Refugee Day, Jordan continues to be the second host country of refugees per capita in the world

Jordan continues to be the second host country of refugees per capita in the world, according to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Currently home to over 750,000 refugees, Jordan has time and again opened its doors to those forced to flee. Today, more than 10 years into the Syria crisis, the vast majority of Jordanians - 94 percent - still say they are sympathetic towards refugees.
This positive attitude towards including refugees in Jordanian society has also extended to the health sector. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, refugees in Jordan have been included in the national response and, more recently, have been able to receive the vaccine free of charge. 40 percent of eligible refugees living in refugee camps in Jordan have now received at least their first dose of the vaccine.
Despite this, the COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on health care, schools and our communities, severely impacting refugees and their Jordanian hosts, and pushing more families into poverty. This means refugees are increasingly resorting to moving to lower-quality shelters, skipping rent, accumulating debt or reducing food expenditure. In addressing these challenges and building back better, UNHCR is committed to supporting both refugee and Jordanian communities.
“Our assistance to refugees must be part of the broader recovery efforts to help all those affected by the economic impact of the crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated that we all have a role to play in keeping each other safe." said Dominik Bartsch, UNHCR Jordan Representative. "UNHCR is dedicated to work with the Jordanian Government to ensure that the needs of vulnerable refugees and Jordanians are met,” Bartsch added. In recognition of the skills refugees have to offer, on World Refugee Day, UNHCR is launching a Nursing and Health Care Lab in partnership with Luminus Technical University College (LTUC), which will benefit both refugee and Jordanian students. Using the latest medical equipment, machines and amenities for Pediatrics, Maternity, Obstetrics and Gynecology, the lab simulates the environment of a hospital providing vocational training to ensure students’ smooth transition to the labor market.
Additionally, through a collaboration with the UN Chamber Music Society and in a performance led by Jordanian singer, Leen Alfaqih, and accompanied by a refugee choir, UNHCR Jordan is using the power of music to highlight that ‘Together, we can achieve anything. Together we can heal, learn and shine.’

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Story

15 October 2022

Public Event: United Nations Day in Jordan

Marking the United Nations Day, the UN in Jordan organizes a public event On the occasion of the United Nations 77th anniversary, the United Nations in Jordan will organize a public event to showcase the work of 18 UN agencies working in Jordan.
The event will also include art exhibition, bazaar for the beneficiaries’ products, music performances, awareness sessions and presentation of success stories. When: 22 October 2022 (1:00PM-6:00PM)
Where: Ras Al Ain Hangar, the Greater Amman Municipality United Nations Day, marks the anniversary of the day in 1945 when the UN Charter entered into force. UN Day, celebrated every year, offers the opportunity to amplify the UN common agenda and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Follow our social media channels for the list of activities @UnitedNationsJo

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29 September 2022

Young Jordanians tackle food security challenges through innovation

As the effects of climate change and global crises continue unfold, food insecurity has become a challenge facing more and more countries around the world. In Jordan, young people are coming together and using local innovations to address systemic food security issues facing their communities and overcome the various factors including slow economic growth, high youth unemployment, water scarcity and increased cost of living that are driving the current food crisis. UNICEF and WFP have joined forces to support these youth-led efforts to tackle food insecurity and create more opportunities for youth entrepreneurship and green innovation across the nation. As a country with one of the youngest populations in the world, (63% under the age of 30), it is crucial that UN teams help mobilize young people in nation-wide efforts to address food insecurity. The joint UNICEF-WFP initiative provides young innovators in Jordan with a range of different capacity-building programmes in entrepreneurship and innovation within the food security sector. The programme spans the whole innovation cycle, from the early stages of coming up with a concept, to implementation and scaling up to turn ideas into action. The young innovators received training on the implications of food insecurity, opportunities and challenges directly linked to food security, the role of technology in shaping the future of food, strategies for changing the traditional food chain, production, distribution, processing, marketing, consumption and digital marketing With ideas ranging from addressing solid waste, to recycling fruit and vegetable peels to developing healthy school meal alternatives; a group of 22 young Jordanians between the ages of 18 and 26 participated in a joint Youth in Food Security Innovation Programme to help them launch start-ups working on food security solutions in Jordan. “Gold Sands” Aya Kreik is a young innovator and architectural student from Amman. Together with her team of fellow students, Aya developed a project which effectively converted farm waste into organic fertilizers. These fertilizers were rich in nutrients, helping to revive the soil and encourage farmers to avoid using the harmful chemical alternatives. “My innovation idea aims to increase plants’ immunity to diseases and helps the soil to retain water in a large proportion, which reduces the amount of irrigation water needed. A modern method for treating waste and does not produce greenhouse gases”. Aya explained. “We started our project at the beginning of the pandemic. With the lockdowns, we thought of ideas to become self-sufficient when it comes to food.” Aya explained why the demand for more sustainable food consumption in Amman is so high. “The Jordanian Capital, Amman, is a very crowded city and there are no available spaces for farming. In addition, not all people are interested in healthy and organic food, because of lack of awareness and high prices. So, we were determined to raise awareness about the importance and benefits of this [organic] food. “ “I am proud of where I got to today. We are about to start the first multiple-output, women-led farm in Jordan. We, young people, need to think out of the box and come up with new ideas related to environmental sustainability,” said Aya. Ar-ena Banking and Finance graduate Alaa, and Business Intelligence student Nourhan, decided to create a joint start-up that produces self-watering and self-feeding plants using only air. They produced a new type of hydrogel, consisting of self-absorbing polymers that can transform moisture in the air into pure water, with an infinite number of uses. “I started the project with Norhan as a business developer and entrepreneur. Our goal is not to make money, but to leave an impact and change people’s lives. Climate change is having direct impacts on food security, the air we breathe and the water we drink. We all need to take action. “Our next step is to turn this idea into a reality. And we are considering further exploring environmental businesses. Our environment is a great resource, and we can use it sustainably,” said Alaa. FIFA Organic Capsule For Fatima, a 20-year-old pharmacy student and one of the participants in the UNICEF-WFP training, her love for plants encouraged her to come up with an innovative solution to increase agriculture production levels and help tackle the systemic food security issues facing the country. Fatima developed an organic agricultural capsule which helps farmers increase their agricultural productions. “I have always liked plants, and this project matches my love for them and my education. During the COVID-related lockdowns, I had plenty of free time and I tried to use it creatively.” “It was very challenging to create the capsule. It took me more than a month to figure out. I believe that as soon as you get an idea, you need to make use of it and begin implementing it without any delay. Believe in your idea, and it will turn into reality using your innovative efforts,” said Fatima. Limonine Agricultural Engineer Alaa Thalji is another young innovator who participated in the joint UNICEF-WFP training. Her project focuses on recycling the peels of fruits and vegetables to produce a chemical polymer which removes 99% of the heavy metals found in water. She explains that she came up with the idea during her second year of university. “I took a class called Environmental Chemical Pollutants, that introduced us to the danger's pollutants pose to our health. And another class called Drinking Water Treatment, where our professor kept telling us how water containing heavy metals cannot be used for drinking purposes. Here I thought about the many water sources that we unfortunately cannot make use of, and I started working on a chemical polymer that is organic and safe, made from the peel of citrus fruits, that removes heavy metals from water by 99%.” The joint programme was a successful way of helping young innovators in Jordan identify problems in their own communities and use their entrepreneurial skills and solutions to overcome them. UNICEF and WFP continue focus on employing tools of innovation to achieve sustainable development impact. The partnership also reflects both agencies’ commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and a shared strategic direction to employ innovation for development, while also supporting the green economy and community-based solutions in Jordan.

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02 October 2022

Supporting COVID-19 economic recovery efforts: Promoting economic empowerment and resilience among refugee populations in Jordan

Bara’ah, a 34-year-old mother of three, reflects on her experience participating in the mentorship and training activities of the economic empowerment and resilience project funded by the Government of Kuwait and delivered by the International Organization for Migration (IOM): “I feel empowered more than ever. This training and the mentorship programme have taught me the skills that I need to manage my small business effectively” explained Bara’ah, a Syrian refugee from Homs. Before Syria’s crisis began, Baraah’s husband used to work in the photography industry since 2005, and Bara’ah was able to develop her photography skills as a hobby with his support. As a result of the Syrian crisis, Bara’ah and her family had to move to Jordan in 2012 and tried to reopen their business but it was very hard as they could barely maintain their household basic needs. ‘’It was very limited and small due to the lack of money, so my husband managed to work in a studio in order to cover the household needs’’ she explained. “Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have faced many circumstances” explained Bara’ah. Unable to cover household needs, and house rentals, the financial situation got worse when the photography industry completely shut down due to the lockdowns. “We had used all our savings to cover our households’ expenses’’ Bara’ah explained, ‘’during the pandemic, wedding parties were very limited, so I used only to take a few photography orders in beauty salons for brides’’ she added. Bara’ah is one of the 32 beneficiaries of the economic empowerment and resilience project, who benefited from business development assistance as well as tailored skills building. All project beneficiaries benefited equally from the business development skills training and other vocational training. Bara’ah believes she has learned important skills about business management that will serve her well. These skills include how to calculate profits, pricing of goods and services, and business marketing. "The grant that I received from IOM was used to buy a camera and other tools to re-open my business. I am now fully capable of running the business, thanks to all the useful information and follow-ups that we learned during this mentorship programme and training". IOM provided cash grants to 32 Syrian beneficiaries, a grant worth USD 2,000 to grow their business, in addition to the consumption support monthly cash assistance to cover their basic needs, based on the viability of their business plan, and their capacity to implement it. “I believe that this comprehensive program, through the training and the grant is just what we need as refugees in Jordan. Businesses need to learn how to be managed, especially during this severe economic crisis” she said. Jordan and the region have been facing an unprecedented economic crisis after the COVID-19 pandemic. IOM Jordan has implemented a pilot economic empowerment and resilience project funded by the Government of Kuwait in order to address the economic hardships faced by Syrian refugees. The project supported Syrian refugee households in the North of Jordan and East Amman, targeting refugees who lost their income due to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 crisis, to regain employment or restart and strengthen the competitiveness and adaptability of their micro and home-based businesses. Interventions aimed to strengthen the income-generating capacity of targeted refugees and their economic resilience to future shocks and market disruptions, through vocational training and grants for startups and small businesses.

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22 September 2022

From Where I Stand: “Looking forward, the most important thing for me is to keep growing and learning.”

Salam Al-Alo, 27, sought refuge in Jordan in 2013. After working as a site supervisor at the UN Women Oasis Centre in Za’atari Refugee Camp, she continues to volunteer at the place that she believes helped her find herself. “My name is Salam Al-Alo and I am 27 years old. I am from Daraa, Syria and arrived in Jordan in 2013. I came with my husband and his family. I did not have children at the time, but I was pregnant. I had a miscarriage on the way to Jordan because of the difficult circumstances we suffered from. We have been here at the camp for 9 years and I now have two daughters and a son. I heard about the Oasis Centre from women in the camp- the community that I live in. I was told that it was an ‘oasis’ where women can be comfortable. People’s experiences at the Oasis were very positive. I was told that it is different from any other place because it is just women, and this encouraged me to apply. I joined the Oasis Centre in July 2021 as a site supervisor. I was responsible for the women here, and the place in general. At first, my husband was opposed to the idea of me working, but he was convinced immediately after listening to other women’s experiences. My work here has also taught me to become stronger. I would like to especially thank Ms. Rawan who supported me in my journey of growing as a person. Now I feel that I can face any challenge and tackle it with my strong personality. I used to often feel anxious and scared before, but that is no longer the case. I strongly encourage other women to come to the Oasis Centre. Working truly helps you grow and develop as a person. You feel like a productive member of the society. It makes you feel like your identity is about more than just your children and your home. You are no longer restricted to a certain role. You go out, you meet people, people meet you… you provide support to others and receive it yourself. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was particularly difficult. Schools were closed and we felt suffocated. However, the work I do enabled me to afford private tutors for my children. I could not have paid for their education if it was not for my work here. I was also able to provide my kids with decent food and clothing. My experience at the Oasis helped improve my living standards. Comparing the first and second halves of the last year, we felt emotionally drained for the first six months. The COVID pandemic was exhausting and I could not go out or interact with anyone because I was scared for my children’s health. Things improved upon joining the Oasis Centre. I could also take my children with me to work, which is a great thing about the Oasis Centre as I do not have to worry about them while on the job. My rotation on the job has been completed but I continue as a volunteer. I have found myself here. I am also taking courses and am particularly interested in English and ICDL at the moment. Looking forward, the most important thing for me is to keep growing and learning. I want to progress further and work again so that I can support others with the same opportunities that were given to me.” Generously supported by the Governments of Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, and Italy, as well as UN Women National committees under the ‘Eid bi Eid’ pooled fund mechanism, the UN Women’s Oases are centres for building women’s resilience and empowerment through enabling access to sustainable livelihood opportunities and multi-sectoral services, while also engaging men and boys in dialogue and mobilization for gender equality. Salam’s story relates to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which promotes peace and security, and SDG 5 on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

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23 August 2022

From Where I Stand: “Keep trying, once, twice, three times or more, as needed. The experience is worth it.”

Nuwwar Naser, 27, joined the UN Women Oasis Centre in Za’atari Refugee Camp as an administrative supervisor to provide for herself and her husband. The experience allowed her to overcome personal challenges and take care of herself, including her mental health. Working in management has also taught her strength of character, which is one of the reasons why she encourages other women to work. “The situation in Syria with the army was difficult. We heard many stories about how women and girls were being assaulted, so we had to leave. In 2014, I came here with my mother, my father, and my sister. We came through the borders and directly got to the camp. Our life here at the camp has been good; we have been happy. I spent almost ten years applying to different jobs on health awareness, data entry, office management, at libraries, kindergartens, reception offices, and other places. However, none of them worked out. The interviews were particularly difficult for me. The biggest challenge was favouritism at times. Whoever knew someone or had certain connections would often get the job. As a result, I could not find the right opportunity before joining the Oasis Centre and my work there was my first job. I learned about the Oasis Centre through other women and neighbours, that UN Women trains women for work. I needed the money as I had recently gotten married, and my husband requires treatment which can be quite expensive. Since my husband does not work, I need to provide for the both of us. I also gained courage upon joining the Oasis Centre. Before, I was quiet and shy and would not often socialize with any of the other women. With time, I believe that my character was strengthened. I definitely did not expect to become an administrator. I was planning to work with the loom or in reception. Initially, I signed my contract in sewing but was placed as a manager after the UN Women staff learned that I had obtained my business degree from Al-Quds College in Jordan in 2018. I want to keep working in management. I like it. I feel like it offers one a certain kind of respect. It is important to work and take a break from the issues occurring at home. My mental state had been very bad when I did not have anywhere to go. My husband and I would fight frequently. Coming to the Oasis Centre gives me time and space to take my mind off personal problems. I feel independent as I engage here. I have learned how to manage the Oasis Centre. I am very happy. It truly has changed my mental state. In the past, I was fixated on the idea that I might not be able to have children. I was introverted, but this is no longer the case. I encourage other women to apply for work, and to keep trying, once, twice, three times or more, as needed. The experience is worth it. It helps you, emotionally. When I look back, I realize how things are so different now. It is not necessarily about the money. My mental health has improved, and I have become more social.” Nuwwar enrolled in the UN Women’s Oasis Centre in the Za’atari refugee camp, which provides life-sustaining assistance to Syrian refugees through a holistic approach to women’s economic and social empowerment, and protection – specifically through access to education and skills development. Her work contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as SDG 8, which seeks full and productive employment and decent work for all. This initiative is generously supported by the Government of Australia through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

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Press Release

02 November 2022

Launching event for the Guidelines for Leadership and Skills Development of Women in the Private Sector

Under the patronage of H.E. Wafa Bani Mustafa, Minister of Social Development and Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment; UN Women and ILO joint programme “Promoting Productive Employment and Decent Work for Women in Egypt, Jordan and Palestine” With generous funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), launched the Guidelines for Leadership and Skills Development of Women in the Private Sector during the Breaking the glass ceiling event on October 31st 2022. Among the main challenges that hinder women’s participation and retention in the labour market is the glass ceiling that prevents them to break through to reach leadership and decision-making positions. This glass ceiling constitutes of cultural and structural factors, many of which are deeply rooted and reflected at the institutional level. Women face significant horizontal and vertical gender-based segregation in the labour market where, they are concentrated in entry and mid-level jobs, and only a few are reaching decision-making positions. Despite all the efforts women in Jordan still hold under 5% of board positions and around 78% have no women on their boards. Meanwhile, for private shareholding companies, women members constitute only 9.1% of senior management, and only 2.6% of those companies have women chairs. Jordan’s numbers are among the lowest in the world, even in comparison with other countries in the Middle East.1 The UN Women and ILO joint programme “Promoting Productive Employment and Decent Work for Women in Egypt, Jordan and Palestine” aims to address the structural causes of inequalities that hinder women from enjoying equal opportunities for decent work. One of the main vehicles used for this purpose is the partnership with the private sector to support a gender-responsive private sector that attracts, retains, and promotes women. The primary tool UN Women uses to engage with the private sector is the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), which is used as an instrument for the execution of gender equality and women’s empowerment practices in the private sector. UN Women designed the Guidelines for Women’s Leadership and Skills Development in the Private Sector to address the gap in leadership representation of women in the private sector in Jordan by informing and supporting the introduction, implementation and institutionalization of actions and practices that enhance women’s access to leadership and skills development opportunities. Ms. Aisha Mukhtar, Deputy Representative of UN Women in Jordan, stated: “As UN Women, this is our third year of engagement with the private sector in Jordan for strengthening corporate delivery on gender dimensions of 2030 Agenda through Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and we are very proud that Jordan now has the second highest number of WEPs signatories in the Arab States region. We hope that these guidelines for leadership and skill development of women in the private sector will further support the growing national WEPs Network in Jordan to adopt and strengthen institutional policies and practices for enhancing women’s access to leadership and decision-making opportunities.” UN Women developed these Guidelines in partnership with a range of key stakeholders, including the Government, Women’s Empowerment Principles signatories from the private sector, the Jordanian National Commission for Women, civil society, associations of employers and employees and development partners.

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Press Release

23 October 2022

UN in Jordan celebrates UN Day, reaffirms commitment to continue supporting Jordan’s development and humanitarian priorities

AMMAN, 22 October 2022 – The United Nations in Jordan on Saturday observed the UN Day, reaffirming its commitment to continue strengthening development support to Jordan and providing humanitarian support and protection to people in need. Comprised of 18 resident agencies, the United Nations in Jordan in collaboration with the Greater Amman Municipality marked the day in a public event that included an exhibition, which showcased the UN agencies work, bazaar, interactive and learning activities and theatre performance. HRH Princess Dina Mired, the event’s Guest of Honour expressed her appreciation for the work that the UN is doing globally and in Jordan. “I would like to thank all UN staff wherever they are for their efforts, and for what they are doing here in Jordan, for being the custodian of the values of human principles and humanity.” In his opening remarks, Dominik Bartsch, the UN Resident Coordinator ad interim in Jordan said the United Nations has a long-standing relationship with the Government and the people of Jordan. “Today, is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to continue supporting the Government, assisting the most vulnerable people, and accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals”. He added that soon the UN will be inking a new five-year Cooperation Framework with the Government of Jordan, which will focus on inclusion, addressing vulnerabilities and sustainability. UN Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the day in 1945 when the UN Charter entered into force. UN Day, celebrated every year, offers the opportunity to amplify the working agenda, and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter that have guided the Organization since its founding. In a video message released to observe the day, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said: “the United Nations is the product of hope. The hope — and resolve — following the Second World War to move beyond global conflict to global cooperation”. “Today, our organization is being tested like never before. But the United Nations was made for moments like this. Now, more than ever, we need to bring to life the values and principles of the UN Charter in every corner of the world,” Guterres added. About United Nations Day United Nations Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter – the founding document of the UN. The UN Charter was drafted at the Conference on International Organization in San Francisco. 24 October has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948 in honour of this anniversary. https://www.un.org/en/observances/un-day For more information about the United Nations in Jordan and its work, visit UN Jordan Website: www.Jordan.un.org For media inquiries, please contact Khetam Malkawi, UN Resident Coordinator Office, khetam.malkawi@un.org

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Press Release

25 October 2022

UN Women and GIZ, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, launch report on the impact of COVID-19 on the economic participation of women in Jordan

Under the patronage of H.E. Mr. Nayef Stetieh, Minister of Labour, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and UN Women organised an event on Wednesday, 19 October 2022, to launch a report on the impact of COVID-19 on the economic participation of women in Jordan and discuss its main findings and recommendations of a study. The report was prepared by the Centre for Evaluation and Development for GIZ and UN Women, with the generous support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The event was attended by H.E. Mr. Farouk Hadidi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Labour, H.E. Eng. Maha Ali, Secretary General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), Ms. Kordula Mehlhart, Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Amman, Ms. Elisabeth Girrbach, GIZ Jordan Country Director and Mr. Nicolas Burniat, UN Women Representative, as well as representatives of the Government of Jordan, international development partners, private sector and non-governmental organisations. While low female labour force participation in Jordan has been documented for decades, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this further. In the second quarter of 2022, the unemployment rate in Jordan was 22.6 percent, according to the Department of Statistics, with female unemployment at 29.4 percent and male unemployment at 20.7 percent. The event provided an opportunity for policy makers, civil society representatives, the private sector and development partners to discuss long-standing and emerging barriers, opportunities and policy implications related to women’s labour force participation in Jordan, including panels specifically around raising awareness to change harmful gender norms which adversely affect women’s economic participation and creating gender-inclusive work environments. The findings and recommendations of the study presented in the event show how the pandemic has aggravated the economic crisis and brought new challenges to the labour market. Mr. Farouk Hadidi, Secretary General, Ministry of Labour, said, “Unemployment is concentrated, by large, among women in Jordan and across different governorates. This requires all parties to work collaboratively, the government, the private sector, local community organizations, and donor countries, to resolve this issue. The representative Jordanian government, through the national program for employment, which is implemented by the Ministry of Labour, provided around 5050 job opportunities for women, i.e., 57 percent of all job opportunities provided, which amount to nearly 9000 job opportunities within the program, and that is during the last 5 months. He noted as well that there are requirements that must be met in the work environment in order to increase women’s participation in the labour market, especially that which is related to providing a transportation network that serves all areas to guarantee women can reach their workplace safely and comfortably. Also, providing a decent and appropriate work environment will help increase the rate of women’s participation in the Jordanian labour market across different sectors and economic activities. H.E. Eng. Maha Ali, Secretary General of JNCW, stated that despite Jordan’s progress in the Global Gender Gap Index from ranking at 138 in 2020 to 131 out of 156 countries in 2021, women still suffer from a set of challenges that impede their access to equal opportunities and the full realization of their human rights without discrimination or violence. She added that the JNCW works in accordance with the axes of the National Strategy for Women in Jordan 2020-2025, which aims to contribute to raising the rate of economic participation of women, in order to ensure the achievement of equity and equality of rights, to contribute to the creation of a women-friendly work environment, to support positive social norms, attitudes, and roles for gender equality and women's empowerment, through the implementation of joint programmes and projects with official and civil government agencies. Ms. Kordula Mehlhart from the German Embassy in Amman said, ‘’Women are key for sustainable development. We work together with the Government of Jordan to address structural challenges of the labour market and its institutions to improve the economic participation of women in Jordan. Unlocking women’s potential can contribute to boosting economic growth from inside the society.” “UN Women is committed to continuing supporting the Government of Jordan in its efforts, together with the Ministry of Labour, the Inter-ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment and the Jordanian National Commission for Women, to ensure that plans developed to operationalize the Economic Modernization Vision mainstream gender equality and the participation of women in the economy and actively support women’s labour force participation as a driver and accelerator for the reform,” said Mr. Nicolas Burniat, Representative of UN Women in Jordan. In a panel on the role of social norms in women’s economic participation, Ms. Maria Selin, Head of Regional Development Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy in Amman, stated that “A vital starting point for increasing women’s economic participation is to work with men to address the double burden of care-giving and paid work. Societies can only fully prosper when women and men have equal opportunities to combine work with family life.” Key recommendations emerging from the study highlight the need to position women at the centre of economic recovery plans, increase efforts to engage all segments of society in addressing restrictive gender roles and stereotypes, prevent and address harassment of women in public and in the workplace, strengthen capacities of businesses to provide resources to ensure gender-inclusive work environments, establish programmes for the sectors and governorates most affected by the pandemic, and launch initiatives to reintegrate women who had lost their jobs during the pandemic back into the labour market. The event emphasized that Jordanian women are well-educated and represent a crucial resource for the economy which is still significantly underutilized. Economic growth in Jordan can be sustained through their better economic and social integration.

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Press Release

11 October 2022

FAO conducts a workshop on water efficiency and sustainability

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), launched today the first day of the final workshop of the project “Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Water Efficiency/Productivity and Water Sustainability in NENA countries” funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) to discuss with national key stakeholders the main findings of the implemented activities under different components in the country. The workshop was under the patronage of his Excellency Mr. Mohammad Najjar, Minister of Water and Irrigation with the participation of the national stakeholders involved in the project implementation from the Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), Jordan Valley Authority (JVA), Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ), Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), Ministry of Environment (MoE), Jordanian Department of statistics (DOS), the University of Jordan, NGO (WADI). In addition to the local community based associations and international partners. The objectives of this final workshop is to present a summary of findings of the project’s on-ground and capacity-building activities carried out since 2017, agree on the action plan for the institutionalization of different project approaches and the adoption of the various national concerned institutions, share experiences and lessons learnt through the presentation of case studies and projects and develop an exit strategy and formulate a sustainability plan to be adopted after the handover of the project. Furthermore, the workshop paves the way to more regional and global cooperation towards the establishment of a regional dialogue and stimulate discussions among participants leading to the creation of a working groups in areas of common interest between different national institutions. On behalf of H.E the Minister of Water and Irrigation, the Secretary General Dr. Jehad Almahameed stressed on the importance and the benefits of such projects in identifying all available water resources and quantities, and monitoring and water losses for more efficient use of water and for sustainable water management. FAO Representative in Jordan, Eng. Nabil Assaf, said, “The countries of the region including Jordan need to strategically plan their water resources management and allocation, review their water, food security and energy policies, formulate effective investment plans, modernize governance and institutions and account for transboundary surface and groundwater. He added, “Jordan and the countries in the region need to adopt good practices to ensure alignment with the imperatives of setting the sustainable limits of water consumption and making the best use of each single drop of water, including the use of non-conventional water sources. Therefore, the adoption of an analytical framework on the water-food-energy-climate-ecosystem nexus will be instrumental to such strategic planning through the coordination between sectors and countries.” The Assistant Secretary-General for Agricultural Extension at the MoA, Eng. Baker Balawneh appreciated FAO’s continuous support and highlighted the importance of Farmers Field Schools in contributing to farmers' knowledge and education. “Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Water Efficiency/Productivity and Water Sustainability in NENA Countries” is a regional project implemented by FAO under the Water Scarcity Initiative. The project promotes the 2030 Agenda for Water Efficiency/Productivity by supporting eight countries (including Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia) to strategically manage and allocate water resources by integrating water, food security and energy policies. In Jordan, the WEPS-NENA project is being implemented between 2017 and 2022 in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation and the Ministry of Agriculture, in addition to several national stakeholders, local community and international organizations.

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Press Release

01 November 2022

UNEP and UN-Habitat launch Community-based Urban Garden Project in Queen Rania Al Abdullah Park

In partnership with United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), UN-Habitat Jordan in collaboration with Greater Amman Municipality, launched the Community-based Urban Garden Project in Queen Rania Al Abdullah Park. This component falls under the framework of the regional project “Inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable development in urban areas hosting Syrian refugees in Jordan and Turkey”. The Deputy Director of the City for Community Development, Mr. Hatem Hamlan, stressed the importance of the project and its future repercussions on economic and social development to reach sustainable development by achieving food security, economic empowerment, and income generation. He pointed out that GAM Strategic Plan (2022-2026) includes the establishment of 12 parks in the capital Amman, with the aim of serving citizens, providing a healthy environment, and mitigating climate change effects. He concluded by praising the UN-Habitat’s selection for Queen Rania Al Abdullah Park as a place to implement this development project. According to the Manager of the park, Ms. Rasha Al Shawarbeh, the project aims to raise awareness of the importance of agriculture in increasing the green cover within urban areas, reducing the impact of climate change, and achieving food security. She also expressed optimism about the success of the project, which will serve as a partnership model that achieves sustainable community development. Additionally, Mr. Erfan Ali said, "the support continues for climate action in the Arab region for sustainable urban expansion and building the capacity of cities to address the effects of climate change and increase the green cover within urban and populated cities." He pointed to the willingness of the UN-Habitat to support nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation, and to cooperate with the United Nations Environment Program to promote adaptation to climate change in Arab cities and build capacities in the field of green recovery. Eng. Deema Abu Thiab said that this pilot project will be the beginning of the development of open spaces and the increase of sustainable urban agriculture in residential neighborhoods, which if replicated, will assist in achieving food security within cities for residents and refugees and in achieving integration between the community and its local institutions. Moreover, the UN-Habitat’s consultant, Mohammad Asfour, gave a presentation on the project, which addressed the challenges, reality, and solutions for the successful implementation of the project.

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