On behalf of the Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs, Secretary-General Dr. Ali Khawaldeh, and in the presence of the President of Yarmouk University, Dr. Islam Massad, the launch ceremony of the project titled “Women in Political Parties: Towards Effective Leadership” was held. The event was organized by the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies in cooperation with “We Rise” Center for Sustainable Development and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation – Jordan Office.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Khawaldeh commended the efforts of civil society institutions and universities in supporting citizen engagement, especially among youth and women, in the political process. He stressed the importance of encouraging all political parties to empower women across various sectors, provide them with opportunities, and regard them as essential and genuine partners in the decision-making process, in line with the aspirations of the Jordanian state.

He added that anyone following the development of Jordan’s political movement will recognize a genuine interest in women’s issues, as reflected in legislative progress. He noted that legislative reforms have facilitated women’s presence in the political arena, and that there is a growing societal consensus on the need for their active participation in sustainable development. He also highlighted several indicators showing that Jordanian women are making rapid strides in strengthening their role in political life — with women’s participation in Jordanian political parties now reaching 44%.

For his part, Dr. Islam Massad emphasized that the project reflects Yarmouk University’s strong belief in the role of Jordanian women as active partners in shaping a promising future. He pointed out that the university, through this initiative, aims to empower women in political party work as a strategic step toward building a political landscape that amplifies the voices of all segments of society.

He also noted the university’s commitment to raising awareness among the younger generation about the importance of engaging with societal issues and participating in the political process, as well as empowering women in various fields. The university strives to harness its resources to develop joint programs with active community partners, in alignment with the Royal vision and Jordan’s distinctive national identity — with its unique social, intellectual, and political character.

Dr. Massad emphasized the need for unified efforts by all institutions and decisionmakers to support and empower educated and aware Jordanian women, enabling them to

reach the highest levels through their knowledge, dedication, and determination to succeed.

In turn, Amer Abu Dalou, Director General of “We Rise” Center for Sustainable Development, stated that the “Women in Political Parties: Towards Effective Leadership” project carries strategic dimensions that go beyond traditional empowerment. It seeks to reshape the reality of Jordanian women’s political participation. He noted that the partnership with the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies represents a national alliance that aims to create new political pathways to highlight active female leadership across sectors.

He further noted that the project will produce a national guide of best practices for empowering women within political parties — to serve as a practical reference supporting the development of internal party policies. In addition, a digital media campaign will be launched to showcase inspiring female figures within parties and break stereotypes surrounding women’s political roles.

The launch ceremony included a panel discussion titled: “Four Years Since the Launch of the Royal Committee for Modernizing the Political System: Where Does the Jordanian Woman Stand in the Political Scene?” Panelists included Hala Al-Jarrah, Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Islamic National Party; Secretary-General of the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Ali Khawaldeh; Member of the Board of Commissioners of the Independent Election Commission, Dr. Abeer Dababneh; and Director of the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies, Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaisen. The session was moderated by the Center’s Deputy Director, Dr. Tareq AlNasser.

The event was attended by MP Abdul Nasser Al-Khasawneh, MP Shahir Al-Shatnawi, and MP Tareq Bani Hani, Vice Presidents of Yarmouk University Dr. Mousa Al-Rababaa and Dr. Fadia Mayyas, as well as a number of faculty and administrative staff members and local community representatives.