By Khalid Neimat

AMMAN - Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Suhair Al-Ali on Tuesday called for greater female participation in the decision-making process.

At an event held at Parliament to mark the launch of the International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics (iKnow Politics) Arabic website, Al-Ali said media outlets must play a key role to dispel current stereotypes surrounding women and leadership.

The website aims to boost cooperation between women politicians and activists worldwide, according to organisers.

Al-Ali highlighted Jordan's efforts to empower women, noting that women's participation in ministerial positions stands at 14.2 per cent, describing it as "high” compared to previous years.

Jordan has a quota in the Lower House to ensure six seats are occupied by women and designates 20 per cent of municipal council seats across the Kingdom for women, she added.

Women occupy 5.3 per cent of judicial positions and make up 16.5 per cent of the Kingdom’s diplomatic corps, the minister noted.

In addition, Jordanian women have been “very active” in professional associations, she said, adding that 28 per cent of association members are female, while women make up 6 per cent of their executive councils.

The ministry is working to overcome certain obstacles that still hinder the advancement of women's participation in political, economic and social activities in the Kingdom, Al-Ali said.

These obstacles include institutional, legal, social and cultural barriers, she said, adding that the government needs to invest in education and training for women and develop the business environment in order to encourage the private sector to hire women.

Senator Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Moroccan municipality chair and activist Milouda Hizab and UNDP Democratic Governance Group Director Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi attended the event, presided over by Lower House Speaker Abdul Hadi Majali.