Rifai stresses Jordan’s keenness on women’s political, economic empowerment

AMMAN — Chairperson of the Royal Committee to Modernise the Political System Samir Rifai on Sunday reiterated the Kingdom's keenness on women's political, economic and social empowerment, expressing hope to keep pushing for greater women participation in the political life and decision-making posts during the next phase. 

During a national conference organised by Al Hayat Centre for Civil Society Development (Rased) in cooperation with the EU, under the theme "Women's participation in political currents", Rifai called for on defending the elections law after the constitutional amendments and political parties laws are passed.

These draft laws are being considered by the Lower House, notably the part related to the ratio of women's political representation.

During the 1973-1993 period, only one woman won outside the quota, while since 1993 only 11 women have won, he said, noting that these figures are “not acceptable”, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

"There is no real democracy without full involvement of women. A society that is trying to move forward without benefiting from women's energies will lose the race," Minister of State for Legal Affairs Wafaa Bani Mustafa said.

Ambassador of the European Union (EU) Maria Hadjitheodosiou expressed the EU’s support for the Royal directives towards women empowerment, noting that supporting women is at the heart of European efforts to ensure equality.