'We Lead' Programme closing conference kicks off in Jordan

AMMAN — The closing conference of the "We Lead" project kicked off in Amman on Tuesday under the theme "Moving Forward – From Achievement to Sustainability," bringing together representatives from civil society organisations, government bodies, national councils, international partners, and youth activists working in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

During the opening session, Executive Director of the Arab Network for Civic Education (ANHRE) Fotouh Younes said that the conference aims to showcase the project's key achievements throughout its implementation period (2021–2025) and to explore mechanisms for sustaining cross-sector cooperation to support health policies and services that meet the needs of women and girls in Jordan.

MENA Regional Director at Hivos Sarah Saleh said: "At Hivos, we believe that advancing gender equality demands bold and transformative strategies—strategies that centre women and youth and foster local ownership and innovation," according to a statement sent to The Jordan Times.

"The We Lead programme embodies this belief. In Jordan, we have seen rights holders take the actors lead in creating inclusive advocacy spaces, driving community-led initiatives, and building vital partnerships with civil society and government alike," she added.

Saleh noted that the conference is not simply a conclusion; it is a call to carry forward this momentum. A call to continue investing in rights holders’ leadership. 

Secretary-General of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Muhannad Azzeh said that the issue of sexual and reproductive health for women and young women with disabilities in Jordan is surrounded by “significant” societal contradictions. 

It is often viewed as a non-priority topic that should not be openly discussed, Azzeh added.

He stressed that sexual and reproductive health is fundamentally linked to human existence and daily life in all its aspects, pointing out that reactions to addressing this topic are often negative due to low levels of awareness, and in some cases, it is even perceived as a societal taboo that cannot be openly discussed.

Dutch Ambassador to Jordan Harry Verweij highlighted the Kingdom’s leadership role in the field of SRHR.

"Over the past four years, I’ve had the honour of watching ‘We Lead’ grow from an ambitious idea into a movement that reached communities, changed conversations, and opened real space for young women to lead," Verweij said.

The diplomat described the adoption of Jordan's national SRHR strategy as a "milestone, placing Jordan among the champion countries in the region."

The two-day conference opened with an exhibition of achievements by 14 civil society organisations alongside side-panel discussions where partners shared project outcomes.

The second day of the conference will focus on strategies to sustain the project's legacy and ensure sustainable cooperation among stakeholders, the statement added.

Discussions will include recommendations from civil society, experts, and official bodies to enhance supportive SRHR policies and ensure effective partnerships continue despite local, regional, and global challenges.

The “We Lead” Project has been a transformative initiative dedicated to improving SRHR of young women, particularly those from marginalised communities. 

Over the past five years (2021-2025), “We Lead” has empowered young women through awareness raising and leadership development, fostering sustainable change in SRHR landscapes in community support, provided services and communication with policy makers, according to the statement.

The programme is implemented by a consortium led by Hivos, along with FCAM, FEMNET, Marsa, Positive Vibes, and Restless Development and funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of SRHR Partnership Fund.

In Jordan, the project was hosted by ANHRE, which works to promote human rights and civic education, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals through community empowerment, advocacy, and lifelong learning at local, national, and regional levels, aiming for just and equitable societies, added the statement.