Senate president opens digital empowerment conference in Aqaba, highlights role of women

AMMAN — Senate President Faisal Fayez on Sunday inaugurated the “Digitisation for Economic Empowerment in a Rapidly Changing World” conference in Aqaba, organised by the Pioneering Centre in partnership with the Arabia Centre for Entrepreneurship and Empowerment.

The conference aimed to explore pathways for economic empowerment and entrepreneurship in the context of rapid digital transformation, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

It also brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders, and experts from across the Arab world to exchange experiences, highlight success stories, and present innovative models for digital and economic growth.

In his opening remarks, Fayez underscored the significant strides Jordan has made in advancing women’s participation in economic, social, and political spheres, attributing the progress to the continuous support of His Majesty King Abdullah, who has long championed women's role in national development.

“Jordanian women have become active partners in society and a cornerstone of sustainable development,” Fayez said, noting that women in Jordan have achieved remarkable accomplishments across diverse fields and assumed leadership positions at national and international levels.

He emphasised that Royal support has translated into legislative and regulatory reforms that uphold women’s rights, strengthen their role in both the civil and military sectors, and ensure their inclusion in decision-making processes. "Reforms to municipal, parliamentary, and decentralisation laws have also institutionalised women’s political participation by allocating quotas and providing affirmative measures to bolster their presence," he added.

“Today, Jordanian women serve as ministers, judges, ambassadors, parliamentarians, senators, military officers, and occupy senior leadership roles in local, regional, and international institutions.”

Fayez also commended the transformation of Aqaba from a Royal vision into a national success story, citing the leadership of HRH Crown Prince Hussein in steering the city’s development into a modern, future-ready hub on the Red Sea.

On the subject of digital transformation, Fayez stressed that digitisation is no longer a luxury but a necessity for national progress. He highlighted its critical role in advancing women’s economic empowerment by improving access to technology, digital education, and entrepreneurship opportunities, particularly in online platforms and small-scale personal ventures.

The conference featured a series of discussions focused on women’s entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, and the role of public and private sector institutions in enhancing women’s participation in economic and social development.