Women coalition launched to lobby for implementation of 5th Sustainable Development Goal

AMMAN — Women groups and organisations on Tuesday announced the formation of a national coalition to follow up with the government on the Fifth Goal of the Sustainable Development Global Agenda (SGDA) 2030, which tackles gender equality and the empowerment of women.

The announcement was made during a workshop organised by the Arab Women Organisation (AWO) on “Rural Women, Leadership and Climate Change” and in celebration of the International Women’s Day, marked on March 8, attended by over 150 women representing various governorates in Jordan.

The Fifth Goal calls for the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against women, human trafficking, sexual abuse, and early and forced marriage.

It also demands the recognition of women’s work in the household and in caring for children, as a step towards ensuring equal responsibility and work in the household.

Another point calls for ensuring gender equality in decision-making positions, as well as in the political, social and public spheres, while ensuring reproductive health services as stipulated in international conventions.

AWO President Randa Qsous called on the representatives of 95 women organisations that attended the event to unite women’s voices to work on the Fifth Goal because “it will help change the social culture that embraces extremism and supports security”.

“It is important to be careful not to support calls for security at the expense of human rights, because this would be a dangerous call,” Qsous said.

Amer Hiasat, who deputised for Social Development Minister Wajih Azaizeh at the meeting, praised the coalition launched on Tuesday saying it is “important to come up with concrete recommendations to ensure the application of the Fifth Goal of the SGDA”.

Hiasat added that the ministry is already applying the agenda of the Fifth Goal by fighting poverty, supporting economic empowerment for women and youth, providing reproductive health services, promoting human rights principles and supporting civil coalitions. 

Also addressing the gathering was Salma Nims, the secretary general of the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), who emphasised the importance of civil society in exerting pressure on the government to ensure gender equality on all levels.

“The coalition that you launched today complements the work of the JNCW to empower women and ensure sustainable development. We are ready to support you and invite you to be with us on the same table when we meet with government officials to discuss our demands,” Nims stressed.

Also during the workshop, Tahani Sadi from the AWO presented the local NGO’s shadow report that was presented before the UN committee of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, in its 66th session in Geneva in February. 

The shadow report tackled several aspects, Sadi told the gathering, including women’s economic participation and the need to ensure equal pay and participation in the labour market, in addition to issues related to violence against women.

Another point in the report, according to Sadi, focused on the rights of Palestinian women refugees from Syria “who are forced to live in the Cyber City facility for refugees” in the northern region, “where their freedom is restricted and access to services is denied”.

Other points listed in the report focused on the Personal Status Law and the issues of male guardianship over women and the Nationality Law and the “privileges provided to children of Jordanian women married to non-Jordanians”, she added.

The workshop was supported by UN Women, the government of Japan, and the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development.