Abu-Ghazaleh and Canadian Ambassador to Jordan Discuss Enhanced Cooperation on Women’s Empowerment in Jordan

Special to TAG Educa News Agency

AMMAN - A high-level meeting between H.E. Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, chairman of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org), and H.E. Mr. Bruno Saccomani, Canadian Ambassador Jordan, was held   to discuss women’s empowerment in Jordan.

Using Ma'an governorate as an example, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment in Jordan saying that Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Electronic Archiving Center in Ma’an is mostly staffed by Ma’ani women, all of whom are highly qualified graduates in Computer Science, IT and Communication Engineering.

 "There are numerous opportunities for women in our society and our role is to drive their hidden potentials and guide them to the right environment. Women's empowerment is the correct pathway to achieving the Millennium Development Goals and sustainable development," he said.

Ambassador Saccomani highlighted Canada’s continuous efforts in advocating the full and equal participation of women in the economic and political spheres, domestically and globally, and welcomed cooperation with TAG-Org in this regard.

“Strengthened investments in women throughout their lives, addressing, among other things education, skills, economic opportunities, and barriers to women’s participation in economic and political life, has a ripple effect on children, family and the broader community. When the voices of women and girls are present in decision-making, policies and programs can be better designed to address the needs of women and men, as well as girls and boys,” Ambassador Saccomani said. “In addition, women leaders help diminish the barriers that prevent women and girls from succeeding and help create more equal societies.”

 In addition to mainstreaming gender considerations into all of Canada’s assistance projects, Canada currently has two development projects in the area of women’s political participation in Jordan and the MENA region. Together these projects aim to promote women’s participation in Parliament, local councils and policy making, and to enhance women’s capacity to take on leadership roles to underpin and drive inclusive development.

Ambassador Saccomani added, “The full and meaningful participation of women, on an equal footing with men, in leadership and decision making is essential to the achievement of gender equality in Jordan.”

 That is why Canada was proud to co-sponsor the welcome reception and media night to kick-off the “Women in Politics: Fast Forward” Global Summit held in Amman May 3-6, 2016. Canada participated at a high level in the Summit, with Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mrs. Pamela Goldsmith-Jones leading the delegation. Canada was proud to share its experiences promoting women’s leadership and participation. The Summit, organized by Women in Parliaments in cooperation with the House of Representatives of Jordan and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), included many female Parliamentarians from around the world, and served as a platform to promote women’s voices and strengthen women’s participation in politics.